Chapter X

PEACHES

It was my second week of school, and the guy from the gang fight was rightI had to fight just about every day after school because I didnt click up with a gang. Mrs. Henry was adamant that I wasnt going to join a gang. She said, Gangs were for people who didnt have any-one who loved them, and since she loved me I had no need to join a gang. It sounded good to me besides I couldnt see myself jumping on some kid everyday just because he was different. My sense of compassion for the underdog was definitely being formed. I didnt have many friends at school except for Bertha and Ms. Mason. A lot of the other children were afraid to play with me or befriend me for fear of being jumped on by the Lil Macks.

I was sitting in my little island, the bench in the sandbox, when this girl started walking towards me. She looked like she was white, but as she got closer I could tell she wasnt. Maybe just a real light skinned black girl, but something was different about this girl. I couldnt put my finger on whatever it was. Regardless, she was beautiful, and all eyes were on her as she crossed the playground. The older boys began dreaming and claiming her for their own.

Damn, whos that fine piece?

I dont know, but shes going to be mine.

Naw, mine, nigga!

Mine!

The jiving went on and on. I knew she had to hear them, but she kept her poise and never looked in their direction. The other girls just stared at her. She had on a pair of blue jeans with creases so sharp they could cut cake: a white blouse, with yellow flowers on it; a yellow belt; and some pretty little yellow gym shoes, with yellow and white socks. She had a gold chain around her neck with a cross like anchor thing on it. She was dressed to the T, but it was her face that took the cake. She was by far the prettiest girl in the entire school. She had short jet-black curly hair with a yellow beret on one side. Her face was gorgeous; she had green cat-like eyes with one imperfection, a small scar above her left eye. Why was she walking towards me? I wondered. Im sure everybody was thinking the same thing.

Hey little playa! Can I play in your sandbox? She said. I was still amazed at her features. She had perfect little round titties, a small waist with shapely legs, and a nice butt.

I guess not, she said and started to turn and walk away.

YES! I screamed.

Yes, what? She said, smiling.

Yes, you can play in my sandbox. You can have my sandbox or anything else you want, I thought.

She sat next to me on the bench and started making circles in the sand with the toe of her shoe. So whats your name? She asked. I told her, and she said her name was Victoria, (Victoria Johnson), but her friends and family called her Peaches. Wow! Victoria and Peaches, two beautiful and classy names.

Why are you sitting all by yourself? Peaches asked me.

I gave her the rundown of my first week of school. She listened carefully with a sincere look of concern on her face. She never looked away from me when I was talking. Even when the boys on the playground started to posture for her attention, she gave it all to me. I couldnt believe I was pouring my heart out to this girl. I had only met minutes earlier. The bell rang and interrupted my story. All the students began to run towards the door except some of the older boys. They took their time and displayed their pimp walks.

Is it OK if I walk you to class? She asked.

Yeah, sure, I said. No ass whipping for me this morning! I looked around to see if the Lil Macks were waiting on me, but the older ones were to busy trying to impress Peaches that they forgot to tell the lil ones what to do, so they just sat waiting on orders like the little dipshits they were. Smokey was nowhere in sight, so I knew I was pretty much home free.

As we walked towards the door, Peaches reached out for my hand and held it tight, walking slow and confidently, swinging my hand back and forth. She looked down at me and smiled. I was beaming with pride because here I was walking with the prettiest girl in the school. I noticed that Peaches had a way of walking and looking straight. She very seldom locked eyes with people on the side of her or walking towards her. It was like they didnt exist or matter to her, yet she saw everything. As we walked and I held Peaches hand, Vanessa walked towards us. I tightened my grip on Peaches hand, and she immediately noticed. She looked down at me and smiled.

Dont worry, youre with me and aint nobody going to ever bother you again. She said in a firm and serene voice. Her words were comforting, reassuring, and believable. It was some-thing about this beautiful strange girl that made me feel at ease with her. I knew that we would become lifelong friends.

As Vanessa walked by, Peaches made a slight sidestep to her left, slightly brushing against Vanessas shoulder. Vanessa swung around violently and just stared at Peaches. Peaches didnt respond; she just kept walking with her head held high and a slight smile on her face. I continued to look behind us expecting Vanessa to attack at any second. She stared back at me with a look of pure anger. Peaches never turned around or broke stride. As we reached my room, Peaches had a look of horror on her face.

This is your classroom? She said.

Yep, I replied.

Peaches smiled. The first thing I have to do is get you out of this janitors closet. She smiled and laughed while looking at me. I grinned sheepishly and giggled a bit.

My little janitor, she said, Lets see if we can get you a better job. In the meanwhile, you make sure you dont kill yourself tripping over no buckets. We both laughed. Her face suddenly went blank and her body posture changed.

Bitch up, bitches! The voice was none other than that of my favorite slut, Vanessa. She had taken offense to Peaches bumping into her in the hallway earlier and decided to confront her, but not until she went and got a couple other girls to help her. The girls were all girlfriends or relatives of Lil Macks and bitch up was their call to fight.

Peaches looked down at me and smiled. She stepped out in the hallway to face the group coming down the stairs. Vanessa was in the lead followed by three other girls and a group of other curious students.

Bitch, you must be new here, cause you bumped into me in the hall and didnt say excuse me. You must want your ass whipped? Vanessa yelled, moving her neck from side to side.

Peaches looked Vanessa directly in her eyes and said, Open or close.

Vanessa scowled in confusion. What?

You heard me, bitch! Open or Close! You want an open casket or close casket funeral bitch, cause Ill slice your face up so fucking bad the undertaker will have to send you to an undertaker. The crowd went wild.

Awwww, shit!

Damn!

Damn, Vanessa, she jonesin on you, girl!

Vanessa just stood there with a look of shock on her face. It was well known that she was the baddest girl in the school. She wasnt use to anybody standing up to her with no fear. The vein on the side of Vanessas head began to bulge, and you could see the up and down pulse of her heartbeat. Vanessa realized she was in virgin territory and didnt know what to do. You could see the wheels turning in her head. I wondered what she was going to do. I wondered why she had not attacked Peaches since the numbers were in her favorthen I saw it, or rather, them. Between her fingers, Peaches had a set of razor blades. She raised her right hand to brush back her hair pausing at the height to ensure that her assets were seen. Vanessa just stood there with a blank look on her face.

Teacher! Teacher! Some of the crowd whispered and started walking away breaking up the crowd.

Whats going on here? Mrs. K. asked. She looked down at me. Why are all these students outside my classroom? Are you the cause of this crowd?

Yes, I thought, yes, I am. Get in the room, Mrs. K. screamed! Im tired of you causing me so many damn problems, you little hooligan! As I entered the room, I knew this day would change my life forever. I had found someone who had my back. I decided to lay low and fly under the radar for the rest of the day. I knew that Vanessa was not going to let Peaches get away with what happened this morning. If she couldnt get Peaches, she would take it out on me. My fears were confirmed when at lunch one of the older Crazy Eights warned me.

Yo! Lil Mack Killer! Leroy told All the Eights to look out for you, but since you havent clicked Crazy Eights the best I can do for you is to kick some knowledge your way. You need to breakfast at the end of school, the lil Macks and Vanessa are planning on throwing an ass kicking party, and youre the guest of honor. You understand what Im saying? I nodded at the older Eight and said yeah I know what you mean, thanks. I knew it; that sick bitch was going to start some shit with me after school.

She blamed me for Peaches disrespecting her in front of her friends. Damn! What was I going to do? They will have all the doors and streets covered, he said. So, if I can make a suggestion, dont change your route home. You see, their numbers will be thin since they have to pair up to cover the streets. Take the fight straight to them like you did before. Dont hesitate or wait on the first punch. You go down swinging, and you make sure you knock the shit out of that bitch, Vanessa first. If youre going to get your ass kicked always do something that people will remember and talk about for years to come.

I ate my lunch with my back against the wall facing the door. I couldnt help noticing all the other kids who were eating their lunch smiling, laughing, and cracking jokes with a carefree attitude enjoying the moment not worrying about anything, and then there was me. What made me so different I was the object of so much verbal and physical abuse? Maybe there was something about me that attracted this negative attention. Whatever the reason, it was my burden to bear. My thoughts were interrupted by the sight of my savior and favorite teacher, Ms. Mason. I smiled as our eyes connected, and she smiled back. She went to the freezer, picked up a chocolate milk, paid her nickel to the lunch lady, and began to walk towards me. Hey! How are you doing? She asked. I said fine, and she smiled and replied, I almost didnt recognize you since you werent running, fighting, or bleeding. I smiled and then dropped my eyes to the floor. Lift your head up; she said lifting up my chin. You know Im telling the truth. I smiled and said Yes Maam.

You want to come back to my room and sharpen some pencils for me? I smiled and quickly said yes. I guess she could tell there was something wrong with me, and she wanted to get me alone to find out exactly what my problems were. We walked up the steps and towards her room in silence. I ran ahead to open up the door for her, but it was locked. She approached with a key in her hand, smiling, recognizing I was trying to be a little gentleman. As we entered her classroom, you could smell the clean and freshness of her classroom, not like my janitor closet classroom.

So whats going on with you? Ms. Mason asked. I began to tell her about my problems with Mr. Old White man and the Lil Macks. She listened intensely, nodding, frowning, and smiling. I did most of the talking, and she just asked a few questions taking in my answers and thoughts. Our conversation was interrupted by the end of the lunch bell. She asked, What my plans were for after school, and did I want her to take me home? I did, but I knew if she did I would be labeled a punk, sissy, wimp, girl-scout, and all the other names used to describe a boy who was afraid to fight. I reluctantly said no and headed for the door.

She grabbed me by my arm and said Theres not much I can do to stop these problems, but I do what I can when I can. The next time you are up on the stroll tell some of the ladies youre looking for Precious and when you meet her you tell her Sissy sent you. You tell her your problems and ask her to help you. She knows a lot of people, preachers, police officers, lawyers, judges, politicians, and connected men. You need to be real careful and understand that despite her beauty; she is not someone you want to mess with. Do you understand? I nodded, yes maam and headed to my classroom.

As usual, I sat with my back to the wall facing the door dreading each tick of the clock. Its amazing how fast time flies when youre waiting to get beat up. The bell ranged, and it was like the notification of a pending funeral. I gathered my nerves and headed for the door. I left my school supplies in my desk knowing once the fight started I would never see them again. As I reached the door I was supposed to exit, I noticed that there was nobody outside standing around, laughing, running, or chasing each other.

It was deserted like one of those ghost towns in a horror movie. I knew what that meant. The gangs were gathering elsewhere, preparing to fight, or watch a fight? I started to pick up my pace walking a little faster thinking about what the older Crazy 8 said. Take the fight to them, and dont let them set the tone. Skip all the talking and foreplay just get down to it. Start kicking ass as long as I see ass or as long as it lasts.

My confidence increased because I had a game plan. My thoughts were interrupted by the chant Here he comes” “Here he comes! I saw the same set up I had seen on the first day of school with the exception of Vanessa standing in the front of the lil Macks with some girls. I recognized some of the girls that were with her earlier today when she confronted Peaches. Man! It was one thing to get beat up by a gang of boys, but to get beat up by some girls was an-other thing. It would be hard to live down. I balled my fists up and increased my pace and started walking straight towards Vanessa. I was going to hit her with a haymaker and try and knock her whorish ass out. Before I could swing, I heard some girls in the crowd begin to chant softly in unison;

Im a Black Bottom Queen from across the tracks, and I have a question for the Lady Macks.

Did you actually threaten a Black Bottom Queen or was she just having a bad dream? Shes a Queen, wherever she stands. She fears no bitches, and she loves her man

So bitch, somebodys gonna get some dirt on their back, cause the Black Bottom Queens dont give a shit about the Lady Macks!

The crowd went wild as the Black Bottom Queens began to repeat:

Im a Black Bottom Queen from across the tracks, and I dont give a shit about the Lady Macks!

The look on Vanessas face changed from a smirk to a look of shear fear. As the chant was repeated, girls began to come out the crowd from all directions making a circle around Vanessa and the Lady Macks. I had heard stories about the Black Bottom Queens, but I had never seen them in action or knew any of them personally. The Lady Macks numbered about ten to fifteen girls, but the Black Bottom Queens were too numerous to count. I didnt have the slightest idea what the hell was going on, but whatever it was I knew it was in my favor as some of the Black Bottom Queens walked over and stood behind me, continuing to chant.

The boys in the crowd began to shout Black Bottom Stomp” “Black Bottom Stomp” “Black Bottom Stomp! Then, some other boys began to shout Black Bottom Strip” “Black Bottom Strip” “Black Bottom Strip. I didnt know what either meant, but it was obvious by the look on the Lady Macks faces that they knew. I had heard many stories about the place people called the Black Bottom. The stories of how rough, but fun it was to live and grow up there. The stories told of the culture, music, food, nightclubs, entertainment, women of the night, and the men who managed them. But, what I remembered mostly was the warning not to fuck with people from the Black Bottom. They lived by the motto, Blood on the ground helps to make the grass grow.

One of the girls standing behind me walked by and brushed against me lightly. I looked up at her, and she smiled and winked at me saying Dont worry little Prince. The Black Bottom Queens got your back. Hey Vanessa! Whats up Bitch? Word floating around that you and some of your Lady Macks threatened one of my Queens! Please bitch tell me it aint so, cause you know how I feel about my Queens.” “Naw Niecy! Vanessa stated loudly We didnt threaten no Queen.” “So, you are telling me one of my Queens is lying? Vanessa began to speak when she stopped in mid sentence. It was obvious that she was confused and wanted to choose her words carefully. Im sure the taunting from the crowd didnt help to make her thought process any easier. Bitch!” “Are you stuck on stupid or just ignoring me? I asked you a question, Niecy said forcefully. Vanessa snapped back to reality and turned to the Lady Macks and asked if any of them had got into it with a Queen today? They all shook their heads and quickly confirmed that it wasnt them. Vanessa spoke up speaking in a voice more pleading than questioning. Who is she? Vanessa squeaked. Niecy responded with a loud shout Queen P. The Lady Macks request your presence in the mix!

The girls standing behind me began to part to allow Queen P to make her way through. As she passed by me, she also brushed up against me. When I looked up at her, my heart skipped a beat; it was Peaches. I definitely knew everything was going to be alright for me, but I wasnt so sure about Vanessa and the Lady Macks. Vanessas bottom lip began to quiver when she saw Peaches emerge from the middle of the pack of the Black Bottom Queens. Niecy looked at her, smiled, and said Its time to BTB Bitch (Balance the Books). The look on Vanessas face said she knew she had messed up and bad. I knew from this day on my problems with Vanessa were over.