Chapter 11
“So, what do you two want to watch?” China asked.
“It don’t matter. You pick. I’m gonna watch my own movie on my phone,” one of the guards replied.
“I could care less,” the heavy guard said.
China picked a move called Jumpers, which she thought was very good. After it was over, she watched Limitless, which she also thought was another good movie. Then she lowered her bed and lay there thinking about shit.
Can’t believe I got stabbed for nothing. Huh, I wonder how Rebecca and Smooth are doing, she thought. Two people she loved and missed dearly. She couldn’t wait to be home with both of them. She then felt nasty since she was unable to shower.
“Everything all right?” a nurse walked in and asked.
“Yeah, but can I take a shower?”
“No, but I can give you a sponge bath.”
“Well, can I at least get some privacy?”
“Can you two step outside, while I give her a bath?” the nurse asked.
“Yeah,” the one cop replied, as they both left the room.
“We will be right out here,” the fat guard reminded them.
Once they stepped out of the room, the nurse got some hot water from the sink and helped China sponge herself clean.
“So, if you don’t mind me asking, what are you in prison for?”
“I got pulled over with a lot of drugs in my car.”
“How much time do you got?”
“Well, I got sentenced to three years, but I only got about two left.”
The nurse poured a special shampoo into China’s hair and scrubbed it in.
“It’s waterless shampoo,” the nurse said.
“I didn’t know they made that.”
“Well, now that you’re properly washed, what can I help you with?”
“I could use a grilled cheese sandwich and potato chips.”
“One grilled cheese coming right up!” the nurse said, as she exited the room.
“Feel better?” the guard asked.
“A lot better. Thanks!”
“No problem.”
The heavy guard sat back down and returned to his phone without saying a word. China went back to watching the movie.
“Here’s your food.”
“Thanks,” China said, not realizing how hungry she was until she smelled the grilled cheese.
* * *
After eating, Spencer drove Rebecca back to her apartment. Once they parked, he went around and opened up her door. Spencer escorted her to her apartment to make sure that she got there safely. After making sure she was safe, he give her a hug and left. As soon as she closed the door, she locked it behind her. She then turned to Zorro who was going wild trying to get her attention. Damn, I shouldn’t have drunk so much, she told herself. Gotta piss! She went to the bathroom. After relieving herself, she went back to the kitchen. She figured Zorro probably had to go outside as well, so she grabbed his leash.
“Come on, boy! Time for a walk!”
Zorro jumped all over the place.
“Stay still, boy, so I can get this damn leash on.”
After finally getting the leash on the dog, they went downstairs. Once outside, she let Zorro take the lead. He went to the right and then stopped and smelled everything.
“Damn, I really should not have drunk so much,” she again said to herself.
Her cell phone went off as she turned the corner.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Hey, babe!” Smooth said.
“How’s your trip going?”
“Long and boring. You done celebrating?”
“Yes. Spencer and I went out for dinner, and then we went to see a movie. Spider Man vs. Batman . . . or maybe it was Batman vs. Spider Man.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, just drank too much wine.”
“Where are you now? You’re not driving, are you?”
“Nah, I’m walking Zorro. When I’m done, I’m gonna take a quick shower and then go to bed.”
“Wish I was there to give you a bath.”
“Me, too. But you’ll be home soon enough.”
“Yeah, but not soon enough!”
“Are you gonna go see China tomorrow?”
“No. Apparently, she had some kinda accident and can’t have visits this weekend. But I’ll see her next week.”
“Alright. I’ll talk to you later. If you need to talk or stay away, call me,” she said.
“Okay. Later, babe!”
Ending the call, she looked around. Nobody was out at this time of night.
“Come on, Zorro! Time to head home!”
* * *
Sitting at the table in Ham’s apartment, Banga was weighing the crack and packing it up in little bombs.
“Well, we should be good for a week,” Banga said.
“Yeah,” Ham agreed, bringing the last of the dope to the table to help Banga bag it all up.
“We need to get us another runner so we can have some on the back corner. ‘Cause we gonna lose money if we don’t.”
“Okay! But until we find someone, I will set up shop on the back corner,” Ham said.
“You sure you want to do that?” Banga asked.
“Someone’s gotta do it, right?”
“We’ll find a runner as soon as possible.”
As soon as they bagged up the last of the dope and put it in bags, the door opened. Banga pulled out his .357, but it was only Meka.
“Damn, girl. You trying to get killed coming in the door like that, knowing we in here doing this?”
“Chill out, Banga! I didn’t mean to scare you both.”
“Fuck you!” Banga said.
“That’s the problem! You want to fuck me, but you can’t!” Meka laughed, as she headed to her room.
“No, I don’t wanna fuck yo ugly ass!” he replied.
“I swear . . . sometimes it’s like y’all married. At least y’all fight like y’all married,” Ham said laughing.
“Fuck you, too, nigga!”
Damn, I do wanna fuck her so bad. Want to make her scream and climb the walls, Banga thought to himself. How does everyone know I want to fuck her?
“Hello, hello?” Ham yelled.
“Huh? Oh what?” Banga asked.
“Damn, you was outer space. I said I’m going over to hold down that other corner, so if you need me, ya know where I’m at.”
Exiting the apartment, Ham went to the left while Banga went right to check on the other corners. Banga saw two people on the corner, so he walked up to them.
“Hey youngin’s, what’s up?” Banga asked.
“Just out here getting that money,” one of them replied.
“So, what’s your names?” Banga asked.
“I’m Jess. This is Adam.”
“Sorry, I forgot your names. I see you both out here first thing in the morning. Y’all trying to move up the ladder or something?”
“Nah, just trying to get that paper anyway we can. My mom is out of work, so it’s up to me until she gets another job. Feel me?”
“Yeah, I feel ya. Sorry about all you going through. How old are ya?”
“I’m 15 and Adam is 16.”
“Damn, y’all don’t go to school?” Banga asked.
“Yeah, but its spring break. School is a real good place ‘cause half the students and half the teachers all use this shit, so school is very profitable.”
“Well, keep doing a good job and you’ll make that money. Here’s some more for you,” Banga said, giving them a Doritos bag full of little bags of dope. Then he headed off for the next corner.