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After another week of mailbox shopping Kareem and Marquis had been making a mark on the Philadelphia banking system. They had opened accounts at multiple banks and used many people’s credit cards. Their stash of money was piling up and their clothing was becoming more expensive and street- couture.
Kareem hadn’t seen his brother in two weeks so he decided to give him a call to touch base. Dre answered and Kareem asked what he was up too.
“Nothing. Chillen. About to catch the bus and go down Norf to Aunt Renee’s.”
Kareem knew Dre’s true intentions and wondered how far did his brother think he would get selling drugs. Aunt Renee had already told Kareem that Dre sold drugs, because despite her drug habit, she and Kareem was tight.
“Oh, aiight. Want me to grab you.”
“Yeah, I gotta get dressed.”
“Hit my cell when you’re ready.”
“Cell? Where the hell you get a cell? This shit has to stop. What’s the number?” Dre asked. He had started to feel that he was missing something by not living with Jean-Mary.
Kareem gave him the number and they disconnected. He then contemplated what he planned to do that day. He had 15 credit cards and six stolen check books that he had to play with. But he also had to open up an account at a bank. He had been opening up a new account every day. It was reckless and greedy, but he didn’t care. He decided that he would treat himself to a day spa and get the whole nine-yards: massage, facial, manicure, pedicure. He was Mr. GQ Magazine.
Before he headed out, he decided to call Cathy from the First Union Bank and see what she had going on. He retrieved her business card and called her cell phone.
“May I speak to Cathy?” he asked in his sexiest voice. I am becoming a complete fraud, he thought.
“This is she, may I ask who’s calling?” she politely asked. “This is her fantasy come true, Eric.”
“Who is?” she asked. He told her who he was, and she smiled. “O, hey boy.”
“Boy? There’s no boy here. Young man, baby. Accompany me to dinner and let me show you.”
“I can’t pick you up,” she replied. “And don’t you have a curfew?”
Kareem thought that she had a condescending underpinning to her questions. He chuckled inside. Who is she kidding? He had no desire to get into his conceited bag, so he resorted to, “ I’ll just need an address to pick you up at six. And please be dressed for something nice.”
“Friday’s nice?”
“Nicer,” he said, and looked over at a Philadelphia Magazine.
***
By two p.m. Kareem had a woman massaging his back at Impressions Spa. He lay naked in the middle of the table and her hands dug into places that he had no idea existed. She explored his seven body centers and massaged his sources of energy for spiritual or psychic powers. After an hour he was done. He was ushered in a cotton robe to another room for a rosemary facial, micro-derma-abrasion and seaweed body wrap. Removing the body wrap, with the rosemary still on his face, he was taken to another room for his first manicure. He thought the whole day was feminine, but knew that it signified high style. That was what he wanted, too.
The finale of the treatment was a pedicure. That was pleasant and he read the Philadelphia Magazine. He searched for the restaurants labeled Best in Philly by the magazine’s food and dining records. He had learned a lot and planned to buy back issues to be well connected to Philadelphia’s high life.
After receiving his services, he charged $185 to a Brian Gramery’s Visa and an additional $185 for a tip. As he left the spa, he asked the receptionist to direct him to one of the best restaurants in the city. She suggested Le Bec-Fin, but they were reserved for the week. She then directed him to The Bronze, and made him reservations. He then drove to King of Prussia mall.
***
Kareem pulled into the Neiman’s valet parking area and handed his keys to the valet. He entered the store in the men’s department, and was met by Roy Landers. Roy was an effeminate associate who had looked like he knew his way around high-end fashion.
He told Roy that he was going on a date with a woman older than him and he wanted to impress her. Roy knew exactly what to do. Twenty minutes later, Roy sold Kareem an army- green Prada suit. The 38R was a perfect fit. Roy topped the suit with a black Prada button-up that had a wrinkle effect. The look was completed with a belt with a sizable buckle and three- quarter boots both by Dolce & Gabbana.
Kareem passed Roy an American Express card bearing the name: Scott Dallucci.
“Scott Dallucci, huh? Who are you kidding?” Roy said and exposed Kareem as a fraud.
Inside Kareem panicked, but Roy had no idea. “Listen, it’s my step-dad’s card. My mom likes white dudes.”
“No need to lie. I won’t tell the police. But it will cost you.”
“Man, I don’t roll like that. I’d rather go to jail than allow a man to suck me off.”
Roy chuckled. “You’re confused. I don’t want to suck you off.”
“Well what do you want because I will go to hell before I suck a dick. You got me fucked up.”
“I want that Prada rain coat over there. Get that and we’re even. And you can come again.”
“Oh,” Kareem said and smiled. “Ring that shit up then.”
Kareem grabbed the rain coat and the purchase total was $5,343.09. Kareem could not believe the total. Roy handed Kareem a receipt and his business card and jotted his cell phone number on the back.
“Call me tonight. I’ll meet you to pick up the jacket. You do this right and when the police come asking questions, I know nothing and you’ll be the best dressed man no matter where you go.”
***
Kareem knocked on Cathy’s front door and then waited for her to appear. The door finally crept open.
“Oh, my.” She was astonished. The scent of his Romeo Gigli cologne filled the air.
“Why the surprise? It is six, right?” He gazed at her with a goofy stare.
Cathy stepped out of the door, and said, “Yes, but I thought that was black folks time. “Let me get my purse.” Cathy came back to the door and looked good. Her hair shimmered in the light. She wore a bright, sun-yellow chenille dress with spaghetti straps and pumps.
“I will never be late to take you on a date,” Kareem said and opened the car door for her.
The ride to The Bronze down Lincoln Drive was full of conversation. The two discussed the sick images of the blatant and wanton abuse of Iraqi prisoners, the presidential candidates and same-sex marriage. The conversation was overwhelming and they learned a lot about each other. He was glad that his TV stayed on CNN and ESPN. He was not shocked that she believed he was 19.
At the restaurant, the valet took the car and Kareem held Cathy’s hand as he walked into the exquisite restaurant. The host escorted them to their quiet, cozy reserved table.
“Reserved?” Cathy asked.
“Why not?” Kareem asked, and pulled out her chair.
The two of them continued to talk about a myriad of topics and ate. They neared the end of their meals and Kareem excused himself from the table to call Roy. He returned and they had dessert, and then Kareem paid the tab: $103.00. He left a $50 tip to the waiter and gave the valet $20.
Kareem then drove up Broad Street and met Roy at Spring Garden Street. The area was well lit, and Kareem was scared. For some reason, he felt like he should have been meeting in a dark alley like he was making a drug sale. He tapped on Roy’s car window.
Roy stepped out of the car and thanked Kareem for the jacket. He then added, “I want you to come by the store on Wednesday about 4:30. I will have some nice things ready for you. And me, of course.”
“No problem. I have track practice, so that’s a good time. I’ll be there.”
“Ok, but one last thing. No more valet parking. I saw you pulling out earlier. Always park where you have control to pull out at your leisure. Always facing out to pull right out and not have to back up,” Roy said and hopped into his car.