TWENTY-ONE
Danielle went through her morning ritual. She made sure to apply judicious amounts of mascara and bright red lipstick. After mirror-time, she phoned Josephine.
“Hello?”
“Josephine.”
“Danielle. I knew it was you bitch. Are we through playing Ms. Hollywood?”
“Girl, mind your own. Question is, are you ready?”
“I’ve been up all night.”
“Doing what, bitch?”
“Couldn’t sleep. But I’m ready, baby-o.”
“You’re bugging, girl.”
“You’re the one bugging. Muy bonita, thank you.”
“What, bitch? Just meet me at the train, bitch. And don’t be late. I’ll kick your…”
“Bitch!” Josephine hissed. She hung up quickly. With the morning formalities completed, she finally put it together: Blue jean suit, mild makeup and a change of gear in an oversized bag.
Josephine stopped for breakfast with her parents, as always. It was the only time the family could eat together. Then they drove in silence to the train station.
“Break a leg,” her parents told her. She gave them a smile and left the car, approaching Danielle.
“Five minutes after. Your ass is late,” Danielle said. She waved as Josephine’s parents drove off.
“Your parents, they always late, too? Is there a family trait?”
“Well, you’re looking an’ acting loud today, as usual. Buenas Dias, bonita mamie.”
“At two o’clock we’ll be on stage competing and...” Danielle began.
“It’s only eleven thirty. We got lots of time. Do I detect a moment of nervousness happening here?”
“No, I just like to be ready so I don’t have to be rushing, dealing with y’all...”
“Y’all?”
“Yes, y’all. Ms. never-on-time Josephine and Ms. Cool Coco, speaking of whom…”
“Have you heard from her?” They asked one another in unison.
“No.”
“Neither have I.”
Coco sat at the table in Miss Katie’s well-kept kitchen. She heard the whistle of the kettle. Miss Katie placed a cup of hot chocolate in front of her and took a seat across the table.
“Worried about your mom?” Miss Katie asked. She sipped from a ceramic blue cup. “She’ll be fine. We just got to take it one day at a time.” She swallowed hard, then burped. She smiled. Coco giggled.
“Hmmm, hot cocoa’s good, huh? I’m gonna try an’ talk her into going to a residential right after she gets out of the hospital. That would be best for her,” said Coco. She slurped from her own cup.
“You’re right, baby dear, but let’s not be weighed down by that. You still have things to do in your life. How’s school and those tests coming?”
Coco paused. Then she spoke in a saddened tone.
“It’s not school and it’s not so much my mom.” Tears brewed in her eyes and traced down her cheeks. “It was seeing that casket lowered into the ground, Miss Katie. That was awful. Bebop was like my sister.” Coco said and wiped away her tears.
Miss Katie rushed to Coco’s side. She hugged the weeping girl. They exchanged smiles when Coco saw tears on Miss Katie’s face, too.
“Life goes on, Miss Katie.”
“It does, child.”
“Well, my friend has been laid to rest and mom’s laying in a coma from a drug overdose, and I have a talent show to win,” Coco deadpanned.
“I didn’t know you had a show coming this quickly. I thought it was still weeks off. Are you ready?” Coco got up and smiled at her.
“After all that, who wouldn’t be ready?”
“When is it?”
“Well, the preliminaries are in a few hours. We—our group, Da Crew—are guaranteed a place in the finals. So the prelims are like warm-up for us.” Anticipation lightened her mood.
“Really?” Miss Katie asked. Coco nodded. “That’s good. Seems as though that singing and dancing is beginning to pay off.”
“Oh yeah. We get a—I mean, the winner gets a record contract and five thousand dollars.”
“Wow! That’s nice,” Miss Katie said. “Well, you better get set and go take first prize, baby.” Miss Katie was caught up in the excitement.
“So, I’m off, then. I’ll give you a call an’ tell you if we won. I mean…”
“What time are the finals?”
“Supposed to start at eight, but you know these people and how their time goes. They’re on that CPT thing.”
“Aw, but y’all gonna just knock ‘em dead. Well, you knock ‘em out. Good luck,” Miss Katie said, hugging and kissing Coco on the cheek. “Here’s a set of my keys. Take care and be safe.”
Outside, Coco lit a cigarette and headed down the block. Miss Katie watched her bop around the corner, puffing on her cigarette. Then she was gone from sight.
At first, Coco thought the other girls had not arrived at the parking lot across from the club as planned. She headed for the deli on the corner. Then she spotted them sitting, hugging each other. I wonder what could possibly be up, thought Coco as she approached the girls. Danielle sat on a fire hydrant, her arms around Josephine. They looked as if someone had just lost the family pet.
“What’s up, yo?” Coco asked. She saw tears on their faces.
“It’s man trouble. Who’s doing who?” Josephine cleared her throat and nodded toward Danielle.
“No, no, no. Don’t tell me Mr. Lover man is…” Coco began but an infuriated Danielle cut her off.
“That fucking bastard,” Danielle yelled. “I’m walking down da fucking street to find a phone to call his nasty ass and guess what?”
“What?” Coco asked.
“Da nigga was riding around with some other bitch. He wasn’t even answering da beep.” Danielle continued.
“Well, what? That doesn’t necessarily mean she’s anything to him,” Josephine said.
“C’mon Josephine, if she didn’t mean anything, why did he make a U-turn as soon as he saw us? Huh? Tell me, why?”
“Nah, he didn’t do that?” Coco asked.
“He did.” Josephine deadpanned.
“Yo, as soon as his eyes caught mine, he was out. He busted an illegal U and almost caused a couple of accidents. He was up to no good,” Danielle said.
“Well, y’all know my steez, yo. Fuck a nigga. I don’t want one! Don’t need one!” Coco said.
“He’s cut off. Off like; ‘see ya, Cory.’ I still have some more of that chronic.”
“Da one that smelled like cookies and cream, yo?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Danielle said. “Let’s break ourselves off a piece, yo.”
Coco deftly rolled the spliff. The three girls took turns toking. Before long, the weed had all three mellow and calm.
“Fuck a nigga. There be plenty more,” Josephine said.
“I ain’t sweating that shit. That’s behind me, Jo,” Danielle said.
“That shit was like, pow. Don’t want no more. I’m chilled, yo,” Coco said.
“Let’s go check out da competition,” Danielle suggested.
“Yeah, yeah, let’s start da show outside right here,” Josephine said.
“You are absolutely bugging, girl. Whatcha had for breakfast?” Danielle asked.
“I’m just amped know wha’ I’m saying?” Josephine swung around and hopped up on the hood of a parked car. She made a couple of ballerina twirls and jumped on another unfortunate car.
“Yeah, I feel lifted too, yo.” Coco said. Coco jumped forward and bounded onto the hood of a third car. She sang loudly. Noise erupted from several car alarms. Danielle joined in. She leapt from hood to hood, setting off more alarms. The noise caught the attention of the parking attendant in his booth.
“Hey,” he shouted, peering out of his small window. Then he made his way toward the girls, still dancing on cars, singing a repertoire that ranged from Diana Ross through Grace Jones to Lauren Hill.
“Get your jail-bait assess outta here,” the attendant yelled.
The girls jumped to the pavement. “It’s show time,” they announced and dashed for the club. There, they quickly sought refuge in the restroom. But the attendant anticipated that. He and two security guards waited outside the restroom. The girls were resourceful, though. They emerged at staggered intervals. Coco, in an Afro wig and make-up, greeted Josephine, also disguised. They watched the three men stare in lustful wonderment at Danielle.
“Yo, we should sit up front,” Josephine said.
“We go on in one hour, right?” Danielle asked.
“C’mon, we could see much better over there,” Josephine said.
“Unh-uh, it’s much better over here,” Danielle argued.
“Fuck it. Let’s just sit, yo,” Coco said, finally settling things.
They enjoyed the other performers and applauded each act. Then they were introduced.
Da Crew came together onstage. They wore Afro and blonde wigs like mops. The stage came alive as the girls rocked.
“Let’s treat this like warm-ups,” Danielle said goofing on stage.
“Ya mean sorta laid back?” Josephine asked.
“Yeah, yeah, you know.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, get ready. That’s your cue girls. Are you with me?” the emcee asked. The girls flashed thumbs-up.
“And now, for our next competitors. Ladies and Gentlemen, get ready for Da Crew.”
Da Crew attacked the stage in a frenzy. The bass line carried the chant, “Knock ya out.”
“Take it easy,” Danielle said.
“Fuck that. Let’s ketch wreck, yo.”
The baseline dropped and Danielle moaned a Diana Ross classic, ‘Touch Me in the Morning.’ Danielle’s acappella chant reached a crescendo and another baseline riff brought Coco’s raw rap to the forefront. With both hands holding the mike, she dazed the small audience. Josephine and Danielle made dance moves that astonished the crowd and dazzled the judges. Da Crew was destined for the finals. Busta and Eric viewed the girls’ performance on a video screen in Busta’s comfortable office, sipping champagne at the bar.
“Those girls are real good. You should bring ‘em out,” Busta said.
Eric smiled, his eyes still on the video. He arose and looked out at the audience of judges and performers. Now he got a true sense that Da Crew could perform well. But this is an amateur show, he thought. Did they have the discipline to take it to the next level?
“I could work with them.”
The words tumbled out of Eric Ascot’s mouth, testimony to the girls’ performance.
Out in the large room, Da Crew bowed amid cheering, each with a smile of accomplishment. Then they were off the stage.
“Damn, I got da munchies, y’all,” Josephine said.
“Yeah let’s go get sump’n to eat, yo,” Coco said. She lit a cigarette.
A few minutes later, they were in a diner, enjoying spicy Buffalo wings between long gulps of soda. They laughed and smoked.
“Hey, thanks to reversible jackets and wigs we were able to perform in one piece,” Josephine said.
“Word,” Coco agreed.
“Just think about it. By the end of the night, a new star will be born,” Danielle said.
“What, you’ve been pregnant this whole time?” Josephine asked.
“Stop bugging, girl. I’m talking about us. Da Crew. We’re gonna get ours.”
“Here, here,” Coco said finishing her soda. She lit another cigarette. Her mother’s plight flashed through her mind. She smiled at the girls as a couple of boys waved and whistled.
“There they go, like packs of dogs looking to bone something,” Josephine said. The girls laughed. They saw two cops tell the boys to move on.
“That’s right, arrest ‘em, officer,” the girls yelled from the diner and laughed. Neither the police nor the boys heard.
“Yo, tonight let’s rip up da stage,” Josephine said.
“I think we could win it all. It’s our chance at the big time. To the top,” Danielle said.
“Yeah, yeah. I wouldn’t be down otherwise, yo,” Coco said.
The girls paid the tab and began the walk back to the club. They shared a cigarette as they envisioned victory. There were more cars in the parking lot now, more guests for the festivities. The moment they had been looking forward to moved closer.
“Yo, I’m telling you. Can’t nobody stop us but us, so let’s do this right, ahight, yo? Is we ready for this?”
“Hell yes!” The girls shouted.
“Amen. I’m feeling it!” Josephine said.
“Yeah, yeah, this is the big pot of gold. We’ve truly got to believe in ourselves. We know what we want, right?” Danielle said.
“Yeah,” the girls shouted. They laughed, already triumphant.
“Well, let’s go take it,” Danielle said. They formed a circle, exchanging high-fives.
The girls saw the trio approach: Lil’ Long, Vulcha and a beautiful, statuesque woman. Kamilla’s strapless suede dress made even Danielle breathless. Vulcha held her at his side like a prize. It was obvious from her body language that she didn’t want to be with him, or perhaps to be here. Perhaps this scene was not sophisticated enough? Da Crew remained in their circle. The trio was standing next to them.
“Hey, Coco, Danielle and Jo, what’re y’all doing out here? Flipping, smoking that weed? Try some o’ this. This da shiznit,” Lil’ Long said. He offered a rolled cigarette.
“Go ahead, spark it,” Danielle said.
“Oh yeah, you know Vulcha, and that’s his new thing, feel me?”
“Hi. I’m Kamilla.”
“I’m Jo.”
“I’m Coco.”
“Hi. Did you take classes at the Ninety-second Street Y? No, no, your face... Well, hi, I’m Danielle.”
“Your face seems a bit familiar. Sixteenth Street dance classes?”
“Yeah, that’s it. You taught there?” Danielle asked elatedly.
“Well, I was a student. Not for long.” Kamilla’s voice faded. She seemed uncomfortable.
“Here you go,” Lil’ Long said passing the joint to Danielle. She puffed and passed it to Josephine, who choked and quickly passed it to Coco. Coco declined and the joint found its way to Vulcha.
“What will y’all be doing after you win?” The question hung momentarily in the air.
“Oh, it’s open,” Danielle said.
“Well, why don’t y’all hang wid us. Let me show y’all a mackadacious time,” said Lil’ Long. He winked at Danielle.
“Maybe,” Josephine answered.
“That’s peace,” Lil’ Long said. He pulled Danielle away from the group and spoke to her one-on-one. She returned to the girls.
“Who he think he be, trying to be on some kinda smooth talk?” Danielle asked.
“Why don’t y’all chill wid me so I can show y’all a mackadacious time? Mackadacious! Lil’ Long can’t even spell Mack,” Josephine said. The girls giggled.
“Now he’s big-pimpin, yo?” Coco asked with disdain.
“Look at them wid that tall, shapely woman. Who did they jack for her?” Josephine asked.
“We ain’t got time to worry bout that. Let’s get ready to tear this shit up, yo.”
“Yeah, do what we came here for,” the lively Josephine said.
The girls walked into the club. Guests filled most of the seats now. Lil’ Long and his party sat next to the stage. The beautiful Kamilla showcased like a captured bird. Da Crew went back-stage and took their position.
“Yo, that’s one of da Chop Shop Crew. That’s Wise. Oh shit, and there goes Silky Black,” Josephine said.
“Shush,” Coco and Danielle cautioned.
“Stop acting all bugged out,” Danielle said. “You’ve been going all day. It’s irritating.”
“Ahight yo, them Chop Shop niggas getting ready to ketch wreck,” Coco said.
“Yo, they da bomb,” Josephine said high-fiving both Danielle and Coco. The emcee’s voice came through clearly and sent chills down the girls’ spines.
“From da B.X., Edenwald, here are Da Chop Shop Crew. Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together and let’s turn da party out.”
The walls shook with the reverberating bass. As the quartet took the stage, sending the club wild, club-goers stood and screamed. Silky Black rolled with the crew from B.X.
“If you want some, step up an’ get some now. If you want some…” went the hook. The audience participated unselfishly. The Chop Shop Crew was in charge. No one came close.
“Yo, they are so nasty,” Danielle said.
“We got to rock shit out like them. They ain’t front’n,” Josephine said.
Coco stared intently as the performers stole the audience’s soul and kept it throughout every song. They forced the audience to participate until they gave in to the tempestuous sin and lost their souls altogether. At the close of their performance, the Chop Shop Crew walked away with more hearts and more fans. The coup was complete. Who could follow that? Coco wondered.
“Them niggas rocked this shit, yo,” she said.
“They coming on later, at the end,” Josephine cried.
As the group emerged from the stage, Silky Black wished all the competitors luck.
“You notice he was smiling when he looked at us?” Danielle asked.
“Niggas feel da real when they see it,” Josephine said.
“There are about seven songs to go before we’re Numero Uno,” Danielle said.
“Ahight, so let’s sit and chill. Draw on our power,” Josephine said.
“You’re still bugging, girl. Stop!” Danielle yelled.
“Yo, yo, y’all chill. Let’s sit over here, yo, cuz the both of yous bugging,” Coco said and moved clear of the stage. The other girls joined her.
“There’s no smoking back here, miss,” a voice said. Danielle turned around to attack, but she saw the source of the voice and she smiled, putting the cigarette out.
They trembled as each contestant was announced. Even though they’d performed before, they felt butterflies in their stomachs. Their breaths came in short gasps as they watched other acts qualify for the finals. They jumped around together as the emcee began their introduction with short biographies. Then their turn came.
“Here we go; ladies and gentlemen. Our final finalists for you are Da Crew.”
They ran to the center of the stage and were met by the lights. There they stayed, marking their territory like cats, making it difficult for anyone else to follow. Danielle sang and moaned her way into everyone’s heart, while Coco rapped soul to go, words flowing from her mouth like no ordinary lead singer. She was vicious in her lyrical assault, took no prisoners. Josephine provided background vocals and hammered out a rap. She made steps that deceived the naked eye.
The audience had been caught napping. They had slept through six lullabies. The seventh rocked them awake. The club kids jumped to their feet, moving with the beat. They clapped their hands, even while they sought refuge from the heat of Da Crew. But there was no shelter from this storm. Coco shouted into the microphone.
“An old lady told me to knock out da competition, leave ‘em dead, blood oozing from their fucking heads, rolling off with da lyrics. I kick like Bruce. My vocabulary is like a fist of fury when I come to say me and Da Crew ain’t fucking here to play. Tell you something. All y’all want mo’? Well, let me give ya Jo.” And so it went, big with a pop for Da Crew. They renewed the onslaught of the Chop Shop Crew, whose members took notice and began discussing the girls’ performance.
“Yo, them honeys could open for us.”
“No question, they could do a li’l sump’n.”
“Yo, we should find out who managing them girls. They’re nice.”
“Muthafucking right.”
“And they got all those moves, too.”
Upstairs in a booth, watching the video re-play was Busta, Eric Ascot, Sophia and Deedee. They watched Da Crew, re-run after re-run.
“They were without question the best,” Eric said.
“I told ya they’re the butters,” Busta said. The judges are gonna have to give those six other acts honorable mentions or something. Let me go see how they’re doing. C’mon, maybe I could get ya rocking on da mike or hitting us with a li’l sump’n, sump’n on da turntables.”
“Don’t think so. My days living like that are over, B.,” Eric said.
An elevator took them down to where the finalists waited nervously. Deedee walked to Da Crew and hugged the girls. Eric, Busta and Sophia shook each finalist’s hand, wishing all good luck.
Josephine noticed the gesture. “Everyone is so cool tonight,” she said. “I’m so tired, but it feels great, like this should go on forever. This is really cool.” The four girls continued hugging. Eric and Busta kissed each girl on the cheek.
“You were the best. Your show was great,” Eric said.
“Yeah, you were the best,” Busta said. “ I can’t dispute da truth.”
Deedee and Sophia chatted with Da Crew. Eric and Busta wandered off to meet the other guests and judges.
“I’m saying, yeah, I would love to work with them,” Eric said.
“Yeah, well then that’s it. You know they won. You’ve seen the response. Let’s check what the judges say,” Busta said. There was a burst of music, then the boom of the emcee’s voice.
“We’ve got Eric Ascot in da house tonight.”
“And we’ve got his niece, Deedee,” Deedee said standing in the shadows.
“And don’t forget his woman, cuz she is up in da house, too, y-o-o.” Sophia had caught the mood. Da Crew heard and laughed along. Even Coco chuckled.
The girls began pacing around, forming their usual circle, accompanied now by Deedee and Sophia.
“Wonder what’s taking so long, yo?” Coco asked.
“Yeah, it was only seven acts to choose from.” Danielle said.
“Hmm, I don’t like all this waiting around. For what?” Josephine questioned.
Coco lit another cigarette and sat on the floor. The wall supported her back. She seemed tired. Deedee noticed and went off to get two sodas. She sat next to Coco and gave her one. The pair watched Josephine and Danielle, who were roaming the club, attracting males.
“Ya know who we haven’t seen yet?” Josephine asked.
“No. I knew you would be bringing that shit up again. Just like you, Ms. Nosy Josephine...” Danielle said.
“But I’m right.”
“Yeah. Yep, you’re dead on the money. Anyway, I know that nigga wouldn’t dare face up.”
“You wanna make another bet?”
“What?”
“Look who’s walking over.”
“What da fuck! Well you gotta give him that. He’s a bold muthafucker,” Danielle said. Cory approached them. Josephine looked on with keen interest.
“Hi,” Cory said smiling. He gave Josephine a kiss, hugged Danielle and gave Coco the thumbs-up sign. Coco looked at Deedee, shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
“Aw, y’all are champs. You’ve got this in a bag,” Deedee said.
“Well,” Coco said.
“Well, what?” Deedee asked.
“Well, yo, they busted Cory wid some other bitch in his ride earlier today, an’ they claim that he saw them and busted an illegal U, trying to duck ‘em, yo,” Coco said. She inhaled the smoke with confidence.
“Oh no. What a dis,” Deedee said.
“Yeah, but let’s peep da show, cuz Danielle don’t like to be dissed, yo.” They chuckled, high-fived and fixed their attention on Cory.
“Danielle, we hanging later?” Cory asked.
“I’m not through talking about today, Cory.”
“Today?” Cory asked sounding confused. He saw Josephine smiling. “Can you excuse us Josephine, uh, please?” Cory asked.
“My friends are not the ones unwelcome around me,” Danielle said. Josephine high-fived her.
“Let ‘em know. Let ‘em know.” Josephine chanted and Sophia who was in hearing distance walked away, both embarrassed and amused.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Danielle.” Cory intending to lie his way out.
“Weren’t you driving with someone today and pretending I wasn’t there? Weren’t you?”
“I was moving with different peoples at different times,” Cory said.
“Were you riding around with a bitch today, Cory?” Danielle insisted.
“What’re you talking about?” Cory asked befuddled. “Come on, you know I’ll never even try to play ya, baby. You’re the one and only.” With a poker face on Cory laid down his excuse.
Danielle listened to him. She wanted to believe him. Cory made good use of his opportunity.
“Yeah, and maybe you saw a ride which looked like mine. I wouldn’t be dissing you like that! Have I ever?”
She had only known him a few months. Maybe he’s telling the truth. Danielle looked deep into Cory’s eyes. He was standing close and his presence overcame her recollection. She reached out and hugged him. Danielle heard and felt the vibration as Cory’s beeper claimed his attention. She hugged him tighter and kissed his mouth.
“Aren’t ya gonna answer the call?”
“Yeah, later. Right now it’s... it’s not that important.”
“Oh, that’s how you be ignoring my beeps when you’re with her ass?” Danielle asked. Cory knew he had been trumped.
“I don’t be ignoring any beeps. Sometimes my beeper be off.”
“Well, go answer your beep,” Danielle said. Cory hesitated.
“Go,” Danielle said. “It could be important.” Danielle turned to Josephine who was fascinated.
“It’s close to that time,” Danielle said.
“What time is that?” Josephine asked.
“Oh...” they high-fived, laughed and yelled.
“The booty-call hour.”
“Y’all made up quick-fast, yo,” Coco said.
“I mean, I don’t know,” Danielle said.
“Where’d he go?” Deedee asked.
“To return a call,” Danielle said. “And he ignores my messages.”
“Tell him he can use my phone,” Deedee suggested. She pulled out the instrument as if it were a dagger and handed it to Danielle.
“Cory,” Danielle called, “you can use this phone, hon.”
Cory came back to Danielle and took the phone. He dialed and spoke in hushed tones, then returned the phone.
“Thanks,” he smiled.
“...and the top three finalists are...” came the booming voice of the emcee, behind a thunderous drum-roll. Da Crew heard the names of other finalists, then suddenly everyone was kissing and hugging them. The crowd converged on them, mobbing them. Coco spotted Deedee and Danielle hugging. She rushed through the crowd, and past the screaming Josephine, to Deedee.
“Lemme use your phone. I wanna call this old lady to let her know, yo,” she said breathlessly.
Deedee hugged her and handed over the instrument. Danielle jumped around Cory to protect her from a fall. Coco, who had not used a cellular phone before, fumbled with it, accidentally pressing the redial button. She got an immediate response. A female voice crooned, “Cory, is that you baby?”
Coco stared at the instrument. Danielle snatched the phone. The line was dead. Danielle, no stranger to cellular phones, pressed the same button that Coco had. The voice came back.
“Cory, you better stop playing around.”
“This ain’t Cory, bitch. He just happened to use my phone to call ya ugly ass.”
“Who is this calling me a bitch?”
“All Cory’s girls are bitches, and you just another one,” Danielle said.
“Hey, can I make my call, yo? I mean, I was da one…” Coco said.
“Gotta go, bitch,” Danielle said. She pressed the end button and handed the phone to Coco. She strode over to Cory, who was unaware of what had occurred. Danielle delivered a stinging slap to his cheek, kissed him and walked away. Cory was stunned. He lunged after her. Vulcha stood in his way and Lil’ Long escorted Danielle to their table.
“Go home, big boy,” Vulcha warned: “Things could get crazy up in here.” Cory saw Lil’ Long hug Danielle, pulling her body against his. He turned and walked away, angry.
“From the frying pan into da fire,” Josephine said showing open palms. Coco slapped her hand. Together, they watched the Chop Shop Crew raid the stage and charge the atmosphere with their hyper rap blast. The audience jumped up in delight and stayed on its feet throughout the verbal assault.
“Yeah, I love me some Alize,” Danielle said as she sipped the drink. She was with Lil’ Long, Kamilla and Vulcha in a booth at club Eugene’s. She was moving with the expensive and fast crowd.
“A little too sweet for my palate,” Kamilla said with a smile for Danielle. “But you probably need it to soften up your throat. I mean, y’all were doing that rapping and singing and dancing.”
“It’s a lot, but we really rehearsed our butts off,” Danielle said.
“Yep, I know. I remember how those can get,” Kamilla said.
“Remember, right? Rehearsals, sometimes they pay off,” Danielle said. Kamilla now appeared calmer. The two beautiful ladies laughed together. Lil’ Long and Vulcha looked on contented as they sipped gin and juice.
“I’m a hit that bitch wid this thug-passion dick.” Lil’ Long leered at Vulcha. The two laughed loudly and raised their glasses in a toast.
Meanwhile, Coco, Josephine, Deedee, Sophia and Eric sat in a restaurant and feasted on a late supper. Busta stood and raised his glass.
“To Da Crew, who ran right through the competition,” Busta said, “and now they’re on to the bigger and better.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Deedee and Sophia shouted. Eric applauded.
“Well, I’m certainly looking forward to working with these talented young ladies. I think they have something,” Eric said drinking from his glass.
“Well, I think I speak for the whole group when I say thanks. And we’re looking forward to working with you,” Josephine said. Coco nodded.
The alliance had been made, Da Crew had achieved the attention it craved. Coco, Josephine and Danielle seemed destined to succeed. They were about to sign with a famous producer. It was a dream finally realized. Coco and Josephine hugged while the others cheered.
“Danielle would have eaten this shit up,” Josephine said.
“I know what ya mean,” Coco smiled.
“Yo, but we representing her,” they both said and laughed.
Vulcha paid the handsome tab, and when Kamilla and Danielle returned from the restroom, they left. Lil’ Long and Vulcha walked in the rear.
“Damn, damn, double damn!” Lil’ Long said. He stared forward at Kamilla and Danielle’s backsides.
“They got that shit going on in a ruff way,” Vulcha said.
“Yo, nigga, I’m fucking that bitch raw,” Lil’ Long said.
Vulcha and Kamilla sat in the front seat of the Navigator and drank champagne. In the back, Danielle allowed Lil’ Long’s groping hands to roam her body.
“You want this, don’t you?” She asked, teasing. They kissed, his tongue licking her throat. They drank more champagne and Danielle loosened up quickly. Before she knew it, she was on the hood of the Navigator, dancing and singing wildly.
Cory had been following them since they left Eugene’s. With a forty-ounce beer in his hand, he stood in the night air, leaning against the parked car. He watched as Danielle performed. She looked down and saw him.
“What are you doing here?”
“Yo boo, get down off the hood and let’s go,” Cory said.
“Go? Go where?”
“I gotta talk to ya.” Cory’s tone was harsh.
Lil’ Long stepped out of the SUV. He walked away and showered the side of the road. He turned to Cory, still holding his appendage.
“Big man, why d’ya wanna disturb da funky performance?” He stowed his penis and tugged at his zipper.
“Yeah, da funky show,” Danielle said.
“Let’s go. You’re drunk,” Cory said.
“This is da way ya like me? All gassed-up and ready to roll?” Danielle was slurring her words now.
She jumped, falling against Cory, and he held her. Lil’ Long moved toward them. Cory swung the bottle and smashed it against Lil’ Long’s head. The blow opened a gash under his hairline. Lil’ Long winced. Vulcha leaped out the Navigator, gun ready. Lil’ Long held up a hand to stop him.
“You’re ahight, sun?” Vulcha asked.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s all good.”
Kamilla held Danielle, who was regaining her composure.
“It’s like everyone wants to dis me. Know wha’ I’m saying?” Lil’ Long wiped his forehead. Blood dripped slowly from his brow.
“He didn’t mean to do it,” Danielle said.
“Bitch, in my quest for immortality, all weak niggas must fall.”
He pushed the gun in Cory’s face and squeezed the trigger. The bullet exploded and wiped Cory’s face from his body. Kamilla grabbed the lunging Danielle, preventing her from running to the faceless Cory, now laying in a sea of red on the damp street.
“You killed him,” Danielle screamed. “Just like that, you killed him. You’re a murderer, a fucking...”
Lil’ Long looked at the screaming Danielle, bemused. She was on her knees, face in the asphalt vomiting, her tears rolling.
“Bitch, it was self defense,” he said.
“Hey, yo, son, let’s be out,” Vulcha said. He started the engine.
Kamilla tried to touch her, but Danielle wouldn’t let her get close enough. She continued screaming. Lil’ Long approached.
“Get away! Get away! You’re a murderer,” Danielle screamed.
Lil’ Long put the weapon to her head. She grabbed the zipper of his jeans and pulled it.
“What da fuck? Ya gone loco, bitch?” Lil’ Long tried to evade the grip on his penis. But she had it.
“Let’s go back to da ride wid honey,” he said.
“I don’t want to go into da ride. I want it here and now,” Danielle said still in tears.
“Yo, Lil’ Long, man. Let’s be da fuck out,” Vulcha yelled.
Lil’ Long tore loose from Danielle and grabbed her collar. He pulled her to the SUV and pushed her inside. Vulcha quickly drove away.
“Yo, nigga, drop us off at the Mo.”
“Ahight,” Vulcha said. He quizzed Lil’ Long in the rearview mirror.
“Nigga got a little insane. You know wha’ I’m saying?” Lil’ Long said.
“Yeah, yeah. Couldn’t un’erstan’ da shit ma’ damn self,” Vulcha said.
He stopped at a motel. Lil’ Long got a room, and he and Danielle went in. She was barely through the door when she pulled the gun from Lil’ Long’s waist.
“What’cha do that for, bitch?”
Danielle pointed the gun at his head and moved closer.
“Strip,” she ordered. But she had come too close. Lil’ Long pounced. He knocked the weapon from her weak grip. She screamed, collapsing into a chair, crying. Lil’ Long lit a coolie and offered it. Sniffling, but passive now, Danielle took the cigarette and puffed wildly. She coughed several times as she inhaled. The high calmed her.
Lil’ Long had regained control of the situation. He made her dance for him and he gave her another coke and weed cigarette mix. He knew he had her when he ordered her to dance naked and she complied without hesitation.
“Yeah, c’mon bitch. Putty on me. Putty all on pappy,” he chanted. Danielle’s naked body swirled in motion. Her excitement grew with every move. Finally, fearing explosion, he reached up and grabbed her. He entered her brutally and continued his chant.
“Putty on me, bitch. C’mon, putty on me. C’mon.”
Then he exploded in her, raw, just like he had wished. Danielle moaned and twisted. Lil’ Long stared. He couldn’t read her feelings. She had a crooked smile on her face. Her eyes stared, with no focus. She reached for his penis.
“More, more.” Her lips formed the words, but she made no sound. He rolled her over and entered her with anger and pleasure. When he tired, he rolled away, gun at his side.
“I want another coolie. Keep your dick,” Danielle said. Lil’ Long gave her the coolie and stared.
“Yer ca-ray-zee, bitch,” he said, eyes wide. He was tantalized in a way he couldn’t believe. He wanted that body. He was on her like a wild boar, savagely entering her ass. Then he lay, spent. He drifted into a short, deep sleep. He awoke suddenly.
“Bitch, where are ya?” He yelled. Her clothes were on the floor, but she was gone. He was frantic as he got dressed. His gun was missing.
“Oh, fuck. That bugged-out bitch,” he hissed. He grabbed the phone and quickly dialed.
“Vulcha! Come get me, nigga,” he yelled. He hung up and ran to the tiny office.
“A dollar twenty for the call,” an outgoing message stated. Lil’ Long scanned the office for signs of Danielle and gave the attendant the keys and five dollars. He went into the cool evening air in search of Danielle. She could be anywhere, naked, with his loaded gun. Lil’ Long heard tires screech behind him. He stepped out of the path and saw Vulcha.
“Muthafucka, learn how to drive.”
“Yo, hurry up and get in. What’s up?”
“Yo, I don’ know. We came here. We fucked. Da bitch bugged out started singing and acting wild and shit. Then we fucked again. Bitch wanted more coolie, so I kept hitting her off. Feel me? Then da bitch bugged out—curled up in a corner and all. I took a nap. I thought da bitch finally went out. Woke up, da bitch was gone, and my muthafucking gun, too.”
“Yo...yo, sun,” Vulcha said. He stomped hard on the brake, barely avoiding another car.
“What da?” Lil’ Long said as his head jerked back.
“Yo, it was on da radio. Some unidentified naked bitch blew her fucking brains out.”
