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Authors: Tysha

BOOK: Young-Minded Hustler
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Shy blushed and giggled at how obvious it was that Melvin was horny. She was too, but she was also hungry.
“Let's order a pizza or something because all this smoking has made me hungry,” Shy said.
“Yeah, I'm hungry too. Do you want to run to Bellaria before they close?” Cherise asked Shy in an attempt to break the tension between them.
Shy ignored her friend as if she had not heard a word she said, and never took her eyes off Melvin. He was not sure what was going on between Shy and Cherise but Melvin could tell that something was wrong. Whenever the four of them got together, Cherise and Shy were always giggling and whispering to each other, but they had barely said two words to one another. Melvin decided to hold off asking Shy about it until morning. He did not want to chance not getting any sex because of their beef.
It was obvious to Shy that Cherise was trying to smooth things over by acting as if nothing had happened. Shy would not be so easily forgiving this time. Cherise had really hurt her feelings with that jealous outburst.
“Yeah, go on and order a couple of pizzas, and I'm going to run across the street and pick up a twelve pack. After we eat, we going to get a nice game of Zoom going,” B-Boy announced.
Everyone agreed, and an hour later a shot glass filled with Thunderbird and a beer mug full of St. Ives sat in the middle of the table. The loser would have a choice of poison to drink. If they failed to drink the alcohol straight down, they had to drink them both.
“Zoom.”
“Zoom.”
“Irk!” Shy said to the right of her when she should have said it to the person sitting to the left of her.
“Drink up, baby girl, drink up,” Melvin teased.
Shy laughed at her third error and took the cup of beer to the head. Her head was beginning to spin and she regretted eating. The pizza was fighting its way back up. Shy jumped from her seat and ran into the bathroom to answer the call from Earl.
“All right, game over. Y'all got my baby sick fucking around with this stupid game,” Melvin announced.
“Yeah, man, you go on and take care of your girl, and I'm going to our room and take care of mine.” B-Boy smirked as he motioned for Cherise to follow him toward the adjoining door.
Cherise stood up and felt the room spin. She held on to the wall for support as she walked. She had a nice buzz going, but she knew her limit and she was nowhere near being sick.
I may not have as much as Shy does but at least I know how to handle my liquor.
Melvin went into the bathroom where Shy remained kneeled on the floor with her head against the wall. She was too sick to be embarrassed as she forced a smile.
“Come on, baby girl; let me take care of you.”
Melvin helped Shy over to the bathroom sink, and assisted her with brushing her teeth and washing her face with a cold rag.
“Melvin, I want to be with you more than anything but not like this. I drank too much and I can't even stand up straight.” Shy slurred her words.
“It's okay, baby girl. I'm just going to take care of you and get you into bed.”
Melvin tucked Shy in bed where she immediately passed out, asleep for the night.
Melvin relaxed on the bed next to Shy, watching her sleep for what felt like forever. He knew Shy was out cold and cursed himself for not putting a stop to the drinking game. After surfing the channels for an hour or so, Melvin found himself unable to fall asleep. He noticed that the sounds of sex coming from next door had stopped and Melvin wondered if B-Boy was still awake. Melvin wanted to blaze a joint but forgot to get a bag of weed from his boy.
Shit, if he is asleep, he won't hear me knocking on the door. The only way I'm going to find out is to try.
In spite of Cherise's complaints, B-Boy got out of bed to answer the tapping on the door.
“They don't want anything. Just ignore it.”
“Shut up, bitch. You don't know what the fuck could be going on with them. For all you know your girl is sick and need help.”
Cherise smacked her lips and pulled the covers up to her chin. She couldn't care less about Shy being sick; all she wanted was B-Boy's undivided attention.
Wearing nothing but his boxers, B-Boy slowly opened the door and took a drag on the Newport dangling between his lips. “What's up, boy?”
Melvin looked at B-Boy's attire, glanced over his shoulder, and saw Cherise trying to hide herself under the thin white sheet.
“Ah, man, I'm sorry I interrupted,” Melvin said.
“It's cool. I mean, it's not like I'm hitting something I ain't ever had before,” B-Boy said arrogantly.
“Shit, you don't have to get it again since you want to be all disrespectful. You standing there talking shit like I'm not even here,” Cherise whined.
She looked at Melvin for the umpteenth time that night, and regretted ending up with B-Boy. Cherise tried as hard as she could to fight her attraction to Melvin, but the moisture between her legs couldn't care less about her conscience. Cherise found more than just Melvin's looks attractive. It was the confidence he displayed and the way he carried himself. Unlike B-Boy, Melvin did not have to force people to respect him. Melvin earned respect just by being himself. The way he walked, talked, stood, and spoke made men want to know him and women want to be with him.
Cherise noticed Melvin taking quick glances at her and took full advantage of the situation. She eased the sheet down just enough to show her left breast and slowly eased her right leg from under the sheet. Melvin grabbed his dick while watching Cherise's peepshow. B-Boy saw Melvin checking Cherise out and decided the time was right for him to fulfill a fantasy.
“Come on in here, boy. Let's get another party started,” B-Boy invited.
Cherise folded the sheet down to her waist, fully exposing her plump breast to her best friend's man.
Shy thinks she's better than I am because everything has been handed to her. She wants to act all uppity and superior with her prissy ass; let's see just how much love Melvin has for her after tonight,
Cherise thought.
“Yeah, Melvin, why don't you come and party with us?” Cherise asked with the sexiest voice she could muster.
Melvin looked at his boy, over at Cherise, and back at B-Boy before checking to make sure Shy was still asleep. He was sure to lock and chain the door behind him before stepping farther into the room. Melvin pulled his T-shirt over his head to kick off the night's real festivities. He would feel an immense amount of guilt in the morning, but not enough to keep him from betraying Shy's trust again in the future.
Chapter 3
Reality, 1991—This Ain't Love
“What da fuck you mean no? Bitch, do what I said before I beat ya dumb ass,” B-Boy threatened.
“We're having a baby. Nigga, I'm pregnant and not that young bitch no more. I ain't doin' it,” Cherise argued defiantly.
“See that's that bullshit right there. I own you and I said run that shit. My connect waiting.”
“This baby needs me because his sorry-ass daddy ain't gonna step up to the plate if I'm on lockdown behind his ignorant ass,” Cherise spat truthfully.
Over the years, Cherise had put herself into some dangerous situations, all in the name of love. She ran more drugs up and down highway I-71 than B-Boy. Their relationship was one of convenience for him and one of addiction for her. Cherise didn't love B-Boy; she craved him. As long as he gave her the attention she desperately needed, Cherise was happy. Even if the attention resulted in a visit to the emergency room, it was better than nothing.
“Bitch, did I ask you to carry my seed? I told ya ass to pay the clinic a visit. Every time I turn around you whining about being pregnant. That's ya problem. Back pain, foot pain, pussy pain. Bitch, so the fuck what? You 'bout to have my foot in dat ass if you don't head over to PA,” B-Boy threatened angrily.
It was obvious that B-Boy was high and Cherise knew her next statement would ignite the fireworks, but so be it. More often than not, she had homicidal thoughts when she thought about B-Boy seeing EVERLAST printed across her forehead. She was going to plant her feet firmly and say what she wanted.
“Nigga, kiss my ass,” Cherise spat and braced herself for impact.
As expected, B-Boy reacted by sucker-punching Cherise square in the face. He kept punching and she started swinging. Cherise had become a middleweight-class boxer in the five years she'd known B-Boy. Even he noticed she was no easy win for him anymore. It was obvious B-Boy had snorted or smoked something. His buzz gave him the blind courage to take the fight to a place of no return.
B-Boy had Cherise cornered. He wrapped his hand around her neck and slammed her on the hardwood floor. As soon as Cherise's body made a thud, B-Boy began stomping her, aiming directly for her stomach.
“Bitch, I told you not to have a fuckin' baby.”
“Boy, stop, stop!” Cherise screamed. The screeching in her voice snapped B-Boy out of the black. Cherise lay in a puddle of blood. The pain was immeasurable. Before she could catch her breath, Cherise felt drenching wetness between her legs. She instinctively knew what had happened.
B-Boy stood over Cherise, watching as she miscarried his baby. He responded to her cry for help with an evil smirk. He walked away from her, only to return a few minutes later with the telephone.
“Here, it looks like you better call 911 before your ass bleeds out,” he said callously.
B-Boy left the house, leaving Cherise where she lay.
Emergency services were very familiar with the Jackson /Peters home. The police warned Cherise repeatedly that her boyfriend would kill her one day. The domestic violence had been going on for years. Cherise was never the one to call for a squad. Neighbors always called when her toe-curling screams became too much. That night had the most serious injuries the medical transporters had witnessed. They were amazed she was still alive after the amount of blood loss suffered.
“Ma'am, where's your boyfriend?” a voice asked.
“Did Michael Jackson do this to you again? Miss Peters, where is B-Boy?” The officer on duty had responded to countless calls made on Cherise's behalf. He prayed she pulled through one more time and it would be her wake-up call to leave.
Cherise was in shock and unable to talk. They had to get her to the hospital as soon as possible, if she had any chance of survival.
After three pints of blood and a D & C, Cherise was in stable condition. As expected, she'd lost the baby. Her body needed rest and she slept through the night. She finally opened her eyes midmorning the following day to find Shy sitting on the side of her hospital bed. Shy offered her best friend a weak smile.
“How do you feel?” Shy spoke softly.
“Shy, he didn't want me to have the baby. He stomped me; he made me lose my baby,” Cherise cried hysterically. The hurt, anger, and rage erupted. She began to hyperventilate, scaring Shy half to death.
“Nurse, help me please!” Shy yelled into the hallway.
The nurse injected Cherise with a sedative to calm her down. Her heart was broken right along with her spirit. She kept asking herself why B-Boy couldn't love her right. Nothing she said or did ever seem to be right. B-Boy found fault with every aspect of their life together and it always fell on her shoulders. Cherise had little self-esteem and thought B-Boy was the only man she was meant to be with. Time after time, B-Boy called her names and swore if she ever left him he would kill her. He threatened to torture her forever if another man tried to step into his spot.
 
 
Cherise noticed Shy and Melvin hugged up together in the hallway, talking. They appeared to be having a serious conversation but Cherise could not hear what it was about. Based on the current circumstances, she was sure it had to do with her and B-Boy. Shy had tried to help Cherise reverse the emotional abuse she endured. That moment her self-esteem improved, B-Boy always wooed his way back in. Cherise didn't believe Shy could possibly understand her life.
The caliber of man Melvin aspired to be was appealing to Cherise.
Melvin and B-Boy were totally different.
She understood why Shy stayed by Melvin's side. Their type of love was one in a million. From Cherise's point of view, Shy had the perfect life. At times, she hated her best friend for having all the things a woman deserved. Melvin took care of her in every way possible. Cherise would trade places with Shy in a split second. Maybe if Shy got beat a few times she wouldn't be so quick to judge.
Cherise wanted to have a baby to fill a huge void in her life. That's why her pregnancy was so important. B-Boy had once again swooped in and destroyed her dream. Just once in her life, Cherise wanted to experience unconditional love. She knew a baby would love her no matter what. Cherise felt she'd suffered enough being raised by an irresponsible mother who couldn't care less if she ate or had clothes on her back. Tears began streaming down her face as she thought about all the heartache and difficulties of life.
“Hey, girl, it's about time you woke up,” Shy smiled sweetly.
“How long was I asleep?” Cherise asked as she wiped the tears from her face.
“Over eight hours now. The doctor said your body needed the rest but your vital signs are good. They had to give you a blood transfusion. You're lucky to be here,” Shy explained.
“When can I go home?”
“I'm not sure, but the police want to talk to you. Cherise, you have to stop this madness before he kills you,” Shy said with sincerity.
Cherise was quiet. Shy was right but Cherise didn't want to hear it, not from a woman who couldn't possibly understand her plight. Shy wondered if her advice would've been better received from a counselor.
“That girl knows I didn't mean to do that shit. She just don't know when to shut her mouth. I didn't mean to make her lose the baby,” B-Boy arrogantly said. He startled Shy and Cherise. B-Boy was the last person they expected to show up at the hospital.
“What? Did you come to make sure she didn't put a warrant out for your punk ass?” Shy spat.
“Don't start no shit. I'm here to see my girl and make sure everything's okay,” B-Boy lied.
“Bullshit!” Shy hollered.
Cherise was too weak to intervene. Though envy had her head twisted, Cherise knew Shy always had her back and was only looking out for her. Shy often stood up for Cherise against B-Boy. Shy stood firm when Cherise wouldn't stand up for herself. B-Boy never disrespected Shy because of Melvin. B-Boy knew not to cross that line.
“You beat that baby out of her. There's no way you give a damn about Cherise. You never have,” Shy continued.
“I ain't tryin'a hear dat bullshit. You need to mind your own business.” B-Boy took a step toward her as he spoke.
“She almost died because of you. Black eye, busted lip, and a miscarriage; you went too far,” Shy voiced.
“Bitch, who da fuck you think you talkin' to?” B-Boy's voice raised two octaves.
“No, bitch, who da fuck you calling a bitch?” Melvin stormed into the room, taking B-Boy by surprise. He wrapped his hands around his friend's neck and slammed him into the wall. “Nigga, I will snap your weak-ass neck. Don't ever step to my wife like that again. You understand me?” Melvin's grip tightened around B-Boy's neck, cutting off his air supply. Melvin was furious.
B-Boy struggled to breathe, though his efforts were in vain.
Shy and Cherise looked on in shock. B-Boy had stepped too far across the line. Melvin would not stand for that level of disrespect. He was willing to sacrifice his life and freedom for Shy.
“Mel, babe, stop, let him go,” instructed Shy.
“Nigga, you're a bitch. What type of man beats on a woman? You've never gone toe-to-toe with a man but you beat on her like she's some random nigga off the street. I should end your miserable life right now.” Melvin seethed.
“Come on, babe, let him go. He's not worth it.” Shy spoke slowly in attempt to calm Melvin and grab his attention. She knew him better than he knew himself and if he wasn't reeled in soon, life would never be the same.
Melvin heard Shy but didn't respond to her request.
Cherise's nerves were on edge and she didn't know how much more she could take. Even as she lay in the hospital bed B-Boy put her in, jealousy washed over her heart. Melvin had B-Boy in check; she just wished it was her he was protecting.
“Melvin, I'm okay, baby, let go of him,” Shy repeated.
The police were headed for Cherise's hospital room in search of B-Boy when they heard a ruckus. They stepped into the room with weapons drawn. Cherise screamed at the sight of the guns.
Shy's concern quickly turned into frustration. Melvin rarely allowed Shy to see that side of him. It would've been nothing for Melvin to kill B-Boy. Melvin was well versed in the killing of men and B-Boy knew it.
B-Boy continued to struggle against Melvin's strength.
“Freeze!”
“Let him go, sir, and step out of the way. We're here to pick him up,” a young officer stated.
“Listen to me, Melvin, please. Let him go,” Shy angrily instructed.
Melvin gave in and released his hold. B-Boy was on the verge of passing out. He fought to catch his breath as the police handcuffed him. The officers knew B-Boy well. They'd had the pleasure of arresting him multiple times; plus, B-Boy often worked as an informant.
Shy stood in front of Melvin, fearful he would also be arrested. The police had witnessed the assault. In the grand scheme of things, they did not care, nor did they want the extra paperwork.
“Reese, tell them it wasn't me,” B-Boy told Cherise. “I wasn't even in town.”
“Miss Peters, is this the man who beat you?” the first officer asked.
Cherise was silent. She looked around the room at the assuming glares her visitors were giving her.
“Cherise, please press charges against him. You almost died this time. He is going to kill you one day.” Shy felt helpless.
Again, Cherise was quiet. Her hands touched her stomach in search of a baby. Tears filled her eyes. She felt as if she were being judged.
“Miss Peters, did this man do this to you?” the second officer asked.
“No, it wasn't him. It was a masked intruder,” Cherise lied as tears streamed down her face.
Melvin shook his head and walked out of the room. Shy could not believe her ears. Cherise had become a stranger to her. She looked into her best friend's eyes and saw nothing but emptiness. Shy couldn't even feel sorry for Cherise.
This bitch must enjoy getting her ass beat.

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