The two girls had been in Juju’s apartment for less than an hour when there was a loud banging on the door. Juju slid the chain into place and opened the door a smidgen. “Open the fucking door,” Rock said.
“It’s Rock. Just be cool,” Juju told Maggie.
Juju opened the door and let Rock enter. “What the hell were you thinkin’, Juju? You know how this shit works,” he growled, pressing Juju against the wall.
“Look, Rock, they were two on one. Those ho bags where beating the shit out of Maggie. It was an unfair advantage,” she said.
“Oh, yeah, so pulling out that kung fu shit of yours ain’t no unfair advantage. I have two bitches that are all screwed up now. I wouldn’t care, except that now they can’t work tonight. So you tell me, how am I gonna make up the money ya cost me with your little karate moves?” Rock snarled.
“Maybe those bitches will have to work longer to make up for their losses,” Juju countered, not backing down.
Rock huffed. “You’re lucky you didn’t get your ass kicked. The other girls coulda jumped in on ya. Then I’d have two hookers and a pusher down. This ain’t no good for my business. You need to let Maggie handle her shit by herself.”
Maggie felt herself becoming defensive of Juju. “I was handling my shit, Rock. I was minding my own business. They accused me of stealing their dope. I don’t use dope, and everyone knows that.”
Rock moved away from Juju and toward Maggie. “Oh, now you gettin’ all brave with me. You best watch what you say to me, girl, or ya ain’t gonna be happy.”
“I’m just saying, Rock. It’s not Juju’s fault,” Maggie explained, pretending to heed to his warning.
Rock snickered. “You just better keep your little friend here contained. Ain’t no tellin’ what those bitches will do now,” he warned Maggie.
Rock walked toward the door. Before leaving, he turned to Juju. “As for the profits I lost, you better get your ass out there and start selling more dope. Otherwise, you’ll answer to me,” he said in a menacing voice.
After Rock left, Juju slid down the wall and sat on the floor. Maggie went over and sat beside her. “Well, this isn’t good,” Maggie said, stating the obvious. “You should have just let them kick my ass. Now you’re in trouble because of me.” Maggie was brimming over with guilt.
“Nah. I ain’t in trouble. I’m not scared of those losers or Rock,” she blurted, sounding braver than she felt. “You just need to stay on alert. The best way for them to get to me is to mess with you.”
Maggie was overwhelmed with emotion. The dominant feeling was love for Juju. She had risked a lot by jumping into the fight. She knew that Juju loved her, but out on the streets, it was easy for people to hunt someone down and sabotage them. They would have to be very careful until the incident blew over.
“You were like a little ninja out there,” Maggie offered with a smile.
“Yeah, well, Sensei taught me well. Maybe you should think about learning how to defend yourself. No telling if I’m going to be around the next time someone screws with ya,” Juju advised.
“I guess it can’t hurt. Are you volunteering to teach me?” Maggie asked.
“Sure. I can try. I mean, from what I saw, you’re pretty uncoordinated,” Juju teased.
“Oh yeah?” Maggie responded, pretending to put Juju into a headlock.
Juju looked up at Maggie, and as Maggie’s grip loosened, she raised her head and planted a kiss on Maggie’s lips.
Maggie was taken back. “What’s that about?”
“Really? Are you that oblivious?” Juju asked.
“About what?” Maggie questioned.
“Um, news flash: I’m into girls,” Juju told her.
“You are? How come I didn’t know that?”
“’Cause you aren’t into girls, right?” Juju asked, hoping for the answer she wanted.
“Um, I don’t think so. I’m not into guys, either. I just do what I do. Never really gave it much thought. Besides, I’ve never been attracted to anyone like that,” Maggie stated.
“You ever kiss someone you love? You know, I mean like a real kiss?” Juju prodded.
“No, I can’t say that I have. Sex isn’t something I feel; it’s just something I do,” she explained.
Juju leaned forward and kissed Maggie again. This time, it was a passionate kiss. She parted Maggie’s lips with her tongue, and the two girls shared a moment. Maggie jerked away when Juju slid her hand up her shirt.
“I’m sorry, Juju. It’s just not me. I love you, but not like that,” she explained.
“Yeah, it’s cool. But when you fall madly in love with me, don’t come cryin’,” Juju said, disappointed.
As Maggie walked back onto Kensington Avenue, Juju played heavily in her thoughts. She didn’t want Juju to stop loving her, but she really didn’t feel anything when they kissed. Was her ability to be in love also stolen? Was there anyone out there in the world that she would ever want?
Maggie wondered just how much had been stolen from her by the predators who took her youth and innocence. Lost in her own thoughts, she looked up. Trinity was standing in her way.