Chapter Twenty-five
Jazz
The sun was peering down onto the boat as some passengers were already starting to unload the Sunrise. Having knocked boots all night long with the hot stud from the Captain’s Party, my legs were wobbly, and I was hungover. I couldn’t wait to get back to our hotel room and crash. I was done. Listening to the annoying sounds of my cell, I found it on the floor next to one of my shoes. Reaching to pick it up, I rubbed my eyes before looking at the screen. Looking down to see it was my fam, I was happy he was up and at it, making good on his promise. “Hey, cuz,” I barely answered, leaning over on the rail. Wanting to make sure we got to talk in private, even though I was dog-ass tired, I held up for a minute.
“Happy Birthday, baby,” he sang into the phone, being the first to tell me on my official day. Even though Miami had gotten off to a rocky start, my birthday morning had started just right.
“Thank you,” I weakly found the strength to sing back.
“So, did y’all have a good time or what? A few girls on the strip last night complained about not getting on board, so I figured that joint must’ve been slapping.” He had way too much energy for it just to be eight in the morning.
“Hell yeah, you know me, cuz. I’ll make me a good time,” I giggled.
“I know that’s right. Low key, you keep more hot hoes than me. You’re gonna have to hook me up with one. Just make sure they ain’t hot and hype like the two you brought down here. I can’t handle no short fuses like that in my calm, reformed life.”
“Whatever . . . You’re in this hot-ass city fronting like a workingman when we all know your ass is a menace to society.” I paused, waiting for a response. Since there was none, I continued, hoping this would play out for the best. “Speaking of which, what’s up on that stuff for ole girl? She keeps asking.”
“Listen, cuz, I’m going to keep it straight 100 percent boogie about ya girl. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t fuck with her on business, but ’cause you’re family, I’ll look out.” His words were like music to my ears.
“Yes! Yes! This is a great birthday present, fam. You had me worried not responding to my texts last night. And I couldn’t tell what you thought about her from earlier.”
“Yeah yeah yeah, yo’ ass owe me one. And I’m gonna need you to have a serious talk with your girl about discretion. If she gets caught up with old dude she dipped on, my name better never come up.”
“Fa’sho. You already know, cuz, and please believe I appreciate the favor.” I felt a swarm of relief. I couldn’t wait to break the news to Sable. She’d been on me heavy about introducing her to my cousin, and the time had finally come.
“It’s a favor for you, but business with her. I’ve got her new life in my glove compartment, but I’m gonna need five Gs up front first.”
“Oh, that’s what’s up. It ain’t gonna be a problem. I’m about to get back to the room and hook up with her. We’ll be out ya way in a few.” I was ecstatic, knowing I was about to save the day.
“Cool. Hurry up, though, so we can clear this crowd. You know a nigga gotta punch a clock.”
“All right, then, I got you. Let me go get my girls, and then we’ll be out.”
Hanging up, I no longer walked with little energy to our cabin. Damn near running full speed, I couldn’t wait to break the news to Sable. I’d already called her a few times this morning but had failed to get an answer. I couldn’t wait to hook up with her and find out about her night with Carla too. Hopefully, her first experience with a female had been a great one. Easing up closer to the cabin, I saw the door was cracked, and the lights were already on. Roxy and Sable must’ve already been up shuffling to get dressed. Good for me not having to wake up their cranky, hungover behinds.
“Good morning, bitches,” I yelled, pushing the door wide open, walking in. Unexpectedly, there wasn’t a sign of life in the room. Both beds were still made, the television and radio sets were powered off, and the glasses we took a toast in before leaving for the Captain’s Party still sat on the bar, half-empty. Shit seemed strange. “Hey, Sable, Roxanne,” I whispered out loud, pondering where they were. No one responded. I knew Sable had hooked up with Carla, but as far as I knew, Roxy hadn’t gotten lucky. Maybe she’d hooked up with the dude from the party bus and hadn’t checked in. “Oh well, I might as well get my stuff together. They should be here in a minute.”
Moving toward the closet to pull out my bag, I let out the loudest, shrieking, call-of-death scream I could. My eyes weren’t prepared for the sickening image before me. Next to the wide-opened empty safe, Roxy laid sprawled out with her legs and arms twisted like a rag doll and a bright red puddle of blood gushing from her head. What in the fuck!
Breathe, Jazz, breathe. Oh my God, what should I do? What happened? Sable, answer this motherfucking phone. My heart was rushing, and my head was now pounding. Almost throwing up at the sight of my girl down like that had my nerves shook. Calling Sable’s phone back-to-back, I ran around the room, tossing my clothes and belongings into my duffel bag. She better answer, and quick, because things had gone really bad. Please tell me Sable ain’t find out about her and Mike Mike and bugged the fuck out. With one best friend unconscious or dead, and the other missing in action, I was the only one left standing, innocent and curious about what had really gone down. My battery was going dead, and Sable still wasn’t picking up. Thankfully, my cell rang when it did.
“Um, hey, cuz,” I tried to mask that I was out of breath and had been crying. I was confused and fucked up in the head. My homegirl was dead for all I knew. My hood instinct kicked in. I couldn’t and didn’t wanna be questioned by no damn police, especially this far away from home. I had to get it together—and quick.
“What the fuck is taking y’all broads so long? If I’m late to work again, this punk gonna report me to my probation officer . . . and I got no time for violations,” he spat into the phone.
Not wanting to put him in the middle of this tricky situation, I knew that he was three strikes into a three-strike deal. If he didn’t play by the rules this time, the judge wasn’t cutting him any slack or sympathy. But I had no one else to get me out of this bullshit. Instantly, I’d regretted introducing him into my girl’s and my drama. I had to think of something. I wanted him to help me, but I didn’t know just what the hell had happened my damn self. Suddenly, my line finally clicked. Thank God, it was Sable.
“Okay, cuz, we coming, we coming. Just hold tight.” I swiftly hung up on him, clicking over to the sounds of Sable asking what was so important that I had been blowing her up.