Ghetto Girls 3

“…And when you tell him be serious and don’t let him out-talk you. Men love to try and do that shit,” Josephine warned as Deedee made her way out the Range.

“Don’t worry, I got this,” Deedee yelled when she emerged decked-out in a simple, black dress. She walked determinedly into the building that housed her uncle’s studio.

Eric Ascot was sitting at the controls and turned briefly. When he saw his niece, he quickly got up, greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, and led her to private lounge area.

“She’s fine but my question is why can’t I hang out with Coco? I mean uncle you’re treating her as if she’s some kinda bad person…”

“Hon, listen we had this discussion before. Coco is not a bad person and I’m not trying to treat her that way, but whenever she comes around she brings trouble.”

“Yeah but if you weren’t hanging tough with Coco and her crew we wouldn’t…”

“Uncle E., what happened that night, I took responsibility for it. I did take the car without permission and…”

“Even so, it was due to them taking you about the place and then to some spot where only gangsters hang up in Harlem that caused all the problems…”

“I disagree, uncle. Coco is not a gangster. She’s hard and she’s from the hood but she’s no gangster.”

“I see her showing colors all the time. She’s got her red bandana. That’s why I’ll probably let her work with Show Biz. He’ll probably do a better job, make a better record…”

“Wow, just like that uh Uncle. Uncle did you know she was arrested, the detectives have hounded her and not once has she changed her story. She’s played along, kept her mouth shut and for that she gets dumped.” Deedee stared at her uncle in search of a reaction.

“She also wears blue bandanas, green and yellow, usually they match her sneaks.”

“She’s been harassed by the police and never changed the story, huh? You know what, take Big Jake and Mack along with you. And don’t be hanging up in Harlem all night long,” Eric said, then hugged and kissed his niece.

They walked out of the private lounge area and went on the elevator. Eric rode with his niece and walked her to the waiting Range.

“C’mon Josephine, how many times must I say this, its Eric. Later for all the formalities. How long have you been living with us… huh?”

“My bad. I know since I’ve been here I’ve only seen you like twice or maybe three times. I haven’t seen you enough to determine how I’m gonna call you.”

They continued walking to where two beefy men stood next to a Range Rover and a Mercedes. As they approached, Eric addressed the men.

“I’ll get Sam to come around if I need him. Be cool, I’ll see y’all later,” Eric waved as the Range rolled out.

When they arrived uptown, the girls stood outside the legendary Apollo Theater enjoying a busy sidewalk scene. Coco, decked in Baby Phat blue jeans and red T-shirt, and white Nike Air Force Ones with red and blue laces, walked up on them.

“You did say three? Am I late or sump’n yo?” Coco asked checking her two-way pager. They stopped on the busy sidewalk and quickly became the center of attraction. “So what’s popping girl?” Coco screamed and hugged Josephine, then she air-kissed Deedee.

“Stop playing, Dee. Is that the whip, yo? Your uncle let you…?” Coco asked as she pointed to the vehicle.

“Coco lemme tell you, girl,” Josephine added. “It’s got chromed shoes, wheels spinning even when it’s not moving.

“What you can hear the Bose theater system thumping in thurr?” Josephine said.

A grin slowly overpowered the tension on Coco’s grill. She instinctively reached for the door handle. As soon as she did, the door was released opened. Coco with a smile of surprise gave Deedee a high-five.

They entered through the backdoor when the steps emerged, automatically. Coco felt the speakers vibrate the interior of the luxury SUV.

Damn why they wanna stick me for my papers?

The Notorious B.I.G. pondered through the lyrics of his song. Deedee and Coco wedged themselves into the comfort of plush leather seats. Two round-bald heads occupying the front seats, nodded in sync to the heavy bass-line of a Hip Hop classic. Suddenly one of the baldheads turned to the other and said:

“Best rapper to ever did bless us.” Their noggins moving in sync, provided the necessary affirmation.

“This Mack and you remember Big Jake, they’re my bodyguards,” Deedee said to Coco.

“Your bodyguards, they’re feeling Biggie, yo,” Coco said, starting to sing along.

“Just listening to you rapping along with B.I.G., wow Coco… it just shows your talent, girl. You know what?”

“No, what yo?” Coco asked, eyeing the screens on the back of the headrest.

“If you two could’ve ever done something together,” Deedee said. She paused in deep thought then recovered in time to add. “Whoa Coco, that would’ve been platinum, for real. Shoot, double platinum, at least.”

“If you think so, that’s peaceI ain’t stressin’. I can’t wait to take my shot,” Coco said.

“I don’t know if you’re down but I might do a show next week with Geo and…”

“You know the one. I want you to perform too Jo, but don’t be messing with any of them men, they all got girls, yo.”

“I don’t care. I’ll go and perform. But I can’t help it if their mens and them be feelin’ me.” Josephine smiled.

The Range rolled amidst heavy traffic. The girls made their way to the Jamaican Hot Pot. Traffic slowed when they turned on Seventh Ave. Further down they came to a dead stop. Deedee peered out from her dark glasses. She watched a small group of curious onlookers as they milled in a casual manner. Her French manicured tips touched the control and released the window next to her.

“Let’s walk down the block the restaurant is only couple blocks away.” Josephine suggested. “It’s such a nice day…”