On the day of the funerals, everyone’s mood seemed somber. Marcus and Smurf were given a conjoined funeral, and even though Savage, Aleesha and Lala didn’t want to attend, they knew they had to appear to maintain their images. It was early on a Tuesday morning, and they were all at Lala’s, waiting for her to finished getting dressed. Savage wore all an all-black Canali classic fit suit with black Gucci dress shoes. Aleesha wore a red and black Marina Rinaldi decibel lace dress with black Louboutin hippik heels, and Lala wore a red Black Label sleeveless flare dress with black Louboutin confusa heels. They were all dressed in red and black in respect of Marcus’s mother’s wishes. Aleesha sat staring at the last few boxes of Marcus’s things in the living room. She could still remember the newscast when he and Smurf’s bodies were first found.
“This is Amie Jenkins live in San Bernardino. Two males were found dead in an alleyway by the San Bernardino Greyhound Station. A local resident who was passing by discovered the bodies and called 911. The bodies were identified as 22 year old Marcus Richardson and 25 year old Ryan “Smurf” Gomez. Both were affiliate members of Pimping Outta Control, and inside sources say it was gang related, even though this has not yet been confirmed. If you have any information in regards to the incident, please contact your local police station. In other news, 13-year-old Jessica...”
“Aleesha you ready?” Lala asked while putting on her earring, breaking Aleesha out of her trance.
“Yeah, been ready,” Aleesha said as she got up off the couch.
“Sav, can you grab those boxes and take em’ to the car?” Lala asked Savage, nodding toward the boxes of Marcus’s things.
“Yeah I got’chu,” Savage said as he began stacking the boxes on top of each other.
“What are you doing with his shit anyway?” Aleesha asked as they all began walking outside.
“I threw a lot of shit away, but the rest I’m giving to his mom,” Lala said, shutting and locking the door behind her. She walked to her Lexus and opened the trunk for Savage to put the boxes in, then waited for him and Aleesha to get in their car. She then followed behind them as they made their way to the funeral.
When they arrived at the funeral home, loads of cars were parked in the parking lot and along the sides of the street. They found a parking spot down the street, and walked to the funeral home. They barely were able to squeeze inside, as dozens of people were in attendance. They filled up the benches, stood alongside the walls, and even crowded the walkway. Luckily, Savage, Aleesha and Lala were able to squeeze in against the wall in the front. Both Marcus’s and Smurf’s mothers were sitting front row, crying and comforting each other. After a few minutes, a preacher was escorted to the podium and began the sermon. Many family members and close friends also came forward and spoke on both men’s behalf, and after two long hours, the funeral was finally over and the masses of people began pouring out of the funeral home.
Most people got in their cars and headed to the burial site as the pallbearers carried the bodies and put them in the Hurst’s, while others headed home. Lala stayed with Marcus’s mother, and Aleesha and Savage headed home.
As soon as they arrived home they both changed clothes, throwing on jeans, a t-shirt and Nike Air Max’s, and were back out of the door. Savage headed to work at Chief The Tree in LA, while Aleesha headed to San Juan Capistrano.
She arrived at Hope by the Sea Woman’s Home an hour and a half later, and checked in. She was led outside where she was seated at an outdoor table where she sat and waited. As soon as Aleesha spotted her coming through the patio doors, she could tell she had already started changing. Her skin was glowing and her bright red hair stood out as she made her way to the table.
“Hey beautiful,” Aleesha said as she stood up and greeted her with a hug and kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, Leelee,” Milasia said as they embraced, “thank you for coming to see me.”
“Of course, boo. You look amazing,” Aleesha said as they finally pulled apart and took a seat at the table.
“Thank you, I feel amazing,” Milasia said with a huge grin.
“So how’s the program going?”
“It’s going great. I didn’t think the Christian Drug Rehab would be as helpful as it is, but I realize now I needed it. And thank you so much Aleesha, for everything.”
“You’re welcome,” Aleesha happily replied.
“No really. Looking back at that night knowing I could have died really opened my eyes. The drugs had my mind in a completely dark place and I realized just how bad I hurt the people closest to me,” Milasia admitted. “I’m so sorry for everything I did Aleesha and I really hope you can forgive me.”
“Of course I do Mila, I forgave you that night. We are all responsible because none of us had to resort to violence for anything, but we chose to. We’ll all have to deal with those consequences eventually. I’m just glad the gun got jammed and you’re still here.”
“Yeah, God works in mysterious ways, but I really can’t thank you enough Leelee,” Milasia appreciatively stated. “Thank you for sending me here, visiting me and making sure I’m doing okay.”
“Of course baby, you will always be my bitch,” Aleesha playfully responded.
“You know it,” Milasia said as they shared a giggle.
“But can I ask you one thing?” Aleesha asked in a more serious tone.
“Yeah, anything.”
“How did you get the same females that hated us from RDDL to jump me?”
“Ugh ...” Milasia put her head down and shook it side to side, then looked back up at Aleesha. “It all started like a few months ago when I first got that brown weave in. I was at work, and Shanika and a couple of her home girls came into the club. Them bitches was throwing money like no tomorrow and you know my money hungry ass was all up in they face. But to make a long story short, me and a few other girls from the club went back to this hotel with them and ended up havin’ this full on lesbian orgy.”
“What?” Aleesha asked with a gasp.
“Yes, it was crazy,” Milasia responded, nodding her head. “But we ended up exchanging numbers and it went from there. She never knew who I really was, she always thought my real name was Passion. And when I approached her about jumpin’ you, as soon as I mentioned the price she was all game.”
“That’s so crazy,” Aleesha said as she shook her head.
“I’m sorry, Aleesha.”
“Mila, stop apologizing,”
“I can’t. I hurt you and Cali so bad,” Milasia said with a saddened look on her face.
Aleesha took Milasia’s hand in hers. “Look, we both forgive you. You just have to forgive yourself and move on like we have.”
“I know, it’s just hard. I fucked up a lot of people’s lives.”
“You’re only making it hard on yourself. We still love you and we’re just happy you’re getting the help you need. But let’s change the subject,” Aleesha said as she clapped her hands together.
“Yeah you’re right,” Milasia agreed. “Have you talked to my brother?”
“Nah, I haven’t seen him since that night. Have you?”
“Yeah I talk to him every other day and he came up here a few days ago. I kinda miss you guys being together.”
“I’m sure you do,” Aleesha said as she rolled her eyes.
“No really,” Milasia said with a giggle. “Don’t get me wrong I love Savage and you guys’ relationship. You made the right choice marrying him, but you were the only female Cali really loved.”
“I loved him too,” Aleesha admitted. “But that’s old news. The love will always be there but we just weren’t meant to be together.”
“Don’t be so sure. You never know what could happen in the future.”
“I am sure. I’m married now, and I’m in it for life.”
“Okay,” Milasia said with a smirk.
“Anyways,” Aleesha said as she rolled her eyes, “you think you need to stay in here the whole 90 days?”
“Honestly,” Milasia said, looking down at her hands then back up at Aleesha, “yes I do. If I don’t, I know I’ll go back to my old life.”
“Aww,” Aleesha said with a big grin, “I’m so proud of you.”
“Shut up,” Milasia said, blushing.
“No really, it takes a strong person to admit that,” Aleesha said as her tone became serious again. “And the fact that you don’t want to give up early makes you even stronger.”
Milasia smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Aleesha reached out and squeezed Milasia’s hands. They continued talking for well over two hours until it got dark. Then they said their goodbyes, and Aleesha was out the door on her journey back home.