Authors: Keisha Ervin
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Contemporary, #Genre Fiction, #Action & Adventure, #Urban Life, #United States, #African American, #Contemporary Fiction, #Urban
June 16, 2002, and it was another scorcher. It had to have been hotter than the day before.
Meesa slept naked just to keep cool the night before. She couldn't take the heat anymore. So she decided, while she still had Destiny's car, she would go to the local Wal-Mart and buy another air conditioner. It was 9:00 a.m., and a Monday, and Wal-Mart was already packed.
Meesa finally made it through the long line and paid for her new air conditioner. The damn thing was so heavy she had to have one of the guys who worked there help her get it to the car. In front of her building, Meesa was struggling trying to get the heavy air conditioner out of the back seat of the car. Loud bass came bumping up her street. Meesa stood up to look to see if it was somebody she knew. Black, riding in his truck, saw her and was going to keep going, but decided to stop.
Rolling her eyes, Meesa wondered what he was doing out at that time of morning. Quickly she remembered Brandy and the night before. He must have just dropped her off at home she thought to herself. Black parked his car on the other side of the street, and sat for a moment, wondering why he stopped in the first place.
Meesa played it like she didn't even notice him. He knew she did though, smiling to himself, liking her strong will. Meesa was becoming agitated with the air conditioner, not knowing how she was going to get it out of the car. Black had finally stepped out of his truck and was now standing on the opposite side of the Altima.
“You know you can't lift that, so why you tryin?” He questioned.
Finally looking up, Meesa felt the blood run from her head to her toes and back. Black had that effect on her, and he knew it. He stood before her black as night. With his shoulder length locks, almond shaped coal black eyes, perfectly trimmed goatee, athletic build, pearly white teeth, lying beneath his medium sized kissable lips, there stood beauty and all that it was.
“Instead of asking stupid questions, why don't you help me Black?” She responded.
“I don't think you're in the position to be getting smart, Shorty.”
“Look will you help me get this upstairs to my apartment or what.” She asked aggravated. He loved seeing her angry and the way she pouted.
“Yeah I'll help you.”
“Thank you.”
They carried the air conditioner to her apartment on the third floor. Huffing and puffing, she asked him if he'd like something to drink. He said yeah, like she asked a dumb question, being that he'd done most the work. She poured them both a glass of juice since it was still breakfast time.
Black looked around her little apartment liking what he saw. She had taste, and everything in her apartment went together quite well. It was very girlie to him though, too girlie. There were no signs of a man around. Meesa sat next to him and handed him his glass of juice. They sat in silence for a minute or two, not knowing what to say.
“So, you have fun last night?” She finally asked.
“Yeah, it was cool for what it was.” She wondered why he could never give her a straight answer.
“Well, thanks for helping me with the air conditioner.” She said, not knowing what else to say.
“You're welcome Shorty.” He said, while finishing the last of the drink, standing ready to leave.
Meesa stood and walked him to the door. “Thanks again.”
Turning to face her not really wanting to leave but knowing he should, he said, “a'ight Shorty.”
Looking at her for the first time, he really saw how beautiful Meesa was. He never saw anything like her before. She was breathtaking, with no make-up, T-shirt and cut off jogging pants on, she looked good. If she wasn't a rat, he would hop on her, he thought to himself.
“Bye.” Meesa said, as he turned to leave.
Destiny finally came and got her car two days later. Meesa had called and called, worrying herself sick.
Come to find out, Destiny went with Daryl to California. Daryl lived in Los Angeles and needed to re up. So he asked Destiny to accompany him back home. Meesa cussed her out dearly for driving her crazy.
Daryl had taken her on a shopping spree to Sak's, Bloomingdale's, and the Bergdorf Goodman store. Destiny had enough clothes and shoes to last her a year. She gave Meesa two of the outfits for caring so much about her short disappearance. Meesa was still mad though, she was going to call the police that very day, if she hadn't show up by then. Destiny told Meesa that Daryl was moving to St. Louis, so that he could set up shop there too, and that he wanted Destiny to move in with him. She also told Meesa that she said yes, and that she thought she was in love with Daryl.
Meesa couldn't believe that the person she was talking to was the same person she was just with three days before. Meesa asked, “Are you in love with him or his money Destiny?”
“Girl, I love them both.” She honestly answered.
Thinking she was crazy, Meesa didn't say anything. She loved seeing her friend happy, and if Daryl made her happy, then so be it.
June 19th, 2002, 12:30 a.m. and Meesa was still awake studying for an exam that she had to take at school the next day.
Meesa attended Flo Valley, a community college in St. Louis. She took summer classes so that she could catch up. Fashion Design was her major. She had planned on, after she received her bachelors that she would go to school out of state. All of the best design schools were out of town. She was already behind in her classes since she had to start school the second semester due to her mother's passing.
It was now 2:00 in the morning, and she was finally climbing into bed, when she heard loud music coming from outside. Normally, she would get up and go to the window to see who it was, but tonight she was too tired. All she wanted to do was curl up underneath her sheets and relax in the cool air.
Outside, parked in front of her building, was Black sitting in his 2002 black Lexus. He had just gotten done shooting craps with the fella's, and smoking weed getting high. Instead of going home like he planned, he wound up in front of Meesa's building. Sitting, he sparked up yet another blunt, wondering what in the hell was he doing sitting in front of her apartment. He sat and smoked the blunt and contemplated going up. Dazed, he got out and walked the flight of stairs that led to 3B.
Meesa was just falling into a deep sleep when she heard a knock at her door. Startled, she jumped up and wondered who was at her door at 2:25 in the morning.
“Meesa, open the door!”
“Who is it? Beating on my Goddamn door at 2 in the morning!” She yelled back.
She eased out of bed and crept to the door, looking out the peephole. Excitement filled her when her eyes saw Black. What the hell was he doing at her apartment in the wee hours of the morning also filled her mind.
He knocked harder the second time, getting impatient. Meesa slowly opened the door. Black didn't know if it was the weed or her, but his dick hardened at the sight of her. She had on a fitted silk-strapped pink nightgown that only met the middle
of her thighs, showing every curve God gave her. Dick, stay down, is all he could think.
With her hands on her hips, she asked, “What are you doing here, Black?”
“I don't know, man.” He said mumbling.
The glazed over look in his eyes said it all. He was high. He looked good high though. His already slanted eyes were at half-mast, and he had this sleepy look on his face that made him look vulnerable. She laughed at him and said, “Come on in.”
He walked past her almost stumbling. She led him to her couch and sat him down. Sensing he was tired, she went to the linen closet. Searching her linen closet, she fished him out a comforter and a pillow.
Black stared at her, taking all of her in through his daze. Black liked very much what he saw.
Every gesture she made spoke sexuality. Speak to me, he thought while kicking off his shoes. Laying him back, Meesa placed the cover over him and a pillow under his head. The touch of his locks sent shivers down her spine. There was nothing better than a man with locks. Touching one at a time, she wondered what made him grow them. He was already sleeping, staring at him she laughed. She couldn't believe he was there on her couch snoring. This person, who acted like she was the plague, was actually at her house. He looked cute knocked out on her couch though. She couldn't resist it, she had to kiss him. Starting to lean down, she suddenly felt a rip of fear run through her. What if he wakes up and catches me, she thought. Fuck that, she encouraged herself. She had to, how could she not. Leaning down, she forced every muscle not to move, so she wouldn't make any unwanted noise. Lightly touching his face, she kissed his cheek. It was everything she thought it would be.
His skin tasted like Hershey's chocolate. Meesa crept back into her bedroom and relaxed underneath the covers, with a huge smile spreading across her face. The sound of the
alarm clock woke Meesa up. After last night, she had forgotten all about her test. Groggily, she eased herself out of bed.
Walking into the living room, Black was still in a deep sleep. So, she let him sleep while she got dressed for school.
Thank you God for my new air conditioner, Meesa thought. The past couple of nights she had finally gotten a whole night sleep. Waking up from sweating herself to death was now over. After showering and dressing, she looked in the mirror, pleased at what she saw. Being another hot day, she decided on a white Baby Phat tank top, matching Baby Phat mini skirt, and a pair of Christian Dior sandals. Her shoes matched her Christian Dior logo purse.
Her hairstyle was getting old, so she made a mental note to give Kisha a call. A little foundation, eyeliner, lip-gloss, and Meesa was ready.
Black must have heard the clanking of Meesa's three-inch heels, because he immediately jumped up, wondering where he was and where Meesa came from.
“What time is it?”
“It's about 8:10. How did you sleep?” Meesa asked, out of curiosity.
“I must've slept good cause I don't know how I got here.”
“Well, let me refresh your memory. You showed up at my door last night, high as hell. Banging on my door and yelling my name. I'm pretty sure you woke up neighbors. So, instead of me letting you drive home and kill yourself, I let you sleep on my couch.”
“Oh.” Replied Black. Suddenly, slowly he remembered having a urge to see Meesa the night before.
“Why are you so dressed up this early in the morning?” Asked Black groggily.
“Well, for your information, I'm on my way to school. So, it's time for you to bounce.” She answered with her hands on her hips.
She would go to school dressed like a hot girl, he thought to himself. He thought this while staring her up and down. Her legs, tan and silky, said come and touch me. How would they feel wrapped around me?
“What? What are you looking at?” Self-consciously, Meesa asked.
“Look, don't start that smart shit, it's too early in the Goddamn morning.” He demanded.
No he did not, Meesa thought to herself. She had let him sleep his black ass on her couch. That's what you get for being nice, she thought to herself.
“Oh, we gonna have to get this shit straight right now. You are the rudest person I have ever met. Here I am being a great citizen. I barely know you, and I let you sleep in my house, then you have the audacity to be a dick to me in my home. You know what? I should've let your black ass drive home and have an accident.”
Black started cracking up laughing at her. Nobody, but his partna's, joned on his skin color.
“Oh, so you think that shit is funny?” Meesa asked, laughing herself. He looked up at her, loving the way her face glowed.
“Nah, for real ma, thanks for looking out for a nigga.” Disbelief fell over Meesa. Black had actually said something nice to her.
“You're welcome, Black.” She said, with a smile. Black liked seeing her smile. It made her look even prettier than she already was.
“So anyway, put on your shoes so I won't be late.” She said, grabbing her book bag.
“What school do you go to?” Asked Black, already knowing. He had done some background checking on Meesa finding out tidbits here and there.
“I go to Flo Valley.”
“What you studying?”
“Oh, I'm studying fashion design. I might as well make a living at something I love.”
“What time you got to be there?”
“I have to be there at 9:00.”
“How are you getting there”?
“I'm going to catch the metro link.”
“We'll, I can take you and drop you off.” Pigs must be flying, cause Black was being a little too nice for comfort, she thought.
“If you want to.” Meesa answered, trying to play like she didn't care if he took her not. Knowing she did.
When they got to his truck, Meesa waited for Black to come around the car and open her door. He never did, thinking she was crazy. Ain't no way I'm gonna open a door for her trick ass, he thought. I should've known it wouldn't last long, she thought. She rolled her eyes and got inside anyway. Black started pumping R. Kelly and Jay Z's “Best of Both Worlds”.
The CD just so happened to be one of Meesa's favorites. She sang along, bobbing her head to the beat. Black looked at her out of the corner of his almond eyes. So she has taste in music too, he said out loud to himself.
Hearing him, she asked, “What did you say?”
“Nothing.” He answered, looking straight at the road. She hated when he did shit like that. He was so complicated and only with her. Meesa reached for the volume button and turned the volume down.
“What the fuck are you doing?” He asked angrily. Meesa sat with her arms tucked underneath her breast. Pissed, that she didn't understand him.
“Black, let me ask you a question. Why is it one minute we can be getting along, and the next, you're biting my head off?”
Ignoring her, he didn't answer. But Meesa kept persisting. Tired of him and his attitude towards her, she probed again.
“For real, Black, it's a simple question. Until a couple of days ago, we had never said a word to each other. And when I finally did say something to you, you acted all funny style in front of all your friends.”
“So that's it? You're mad because you got played? Laughing, he asked, “What did you expect for me to do?”
“What do you mean what did I expect you to do?”
“Exactly what I said.” Replied Black. “I don't want to hurt your feelings, but man, Meesa you know good and well how you and ya partna's get down.”
“What in the hell are you talking about Black? How do me and my friends get down?” Asked Meesa, mad.
Oh, so she gonna play dumb, he thought.
“How can I put this so I don't hurt your feelings? Let's see, for starters, you and ya friends are some paper chasing freaks.”
Meesa's eyes bucked, not believing what she had just heard him say. She couldn't believe he had just come to her like that with a bunch of bullshit. Nearing her school, Meesa was so ready to get out his funky truck.
Pulling up to the curb Meesa shot back. “Before you make stupid ass assumptions about people, you need to learn all the facts!” She slammed the door and angrily stomped to class.
Black didn't mean to be cruel to her, but facts were facts. Too
many niggas had said that Meesa and her friends were freaks. Black knew not to believe all rumors, but after you hear something so many times, the shit had to be true. Despite the fact that he liked Meesa, no hoes were aloud around him. He had too much shit going on for him to have some chicken head come and fuck it up. Black was a drug trafficker. He took kilos of cocaine and dropped them off to their respective buyers. He didn't plan to make the shit a career, but the money was too good to quit. He had acquired three cars, a house, and money to save and blow. The police had been watching a nigga hard lately, and Black knew he couldn't take any chances.
Black was twenty-four and had been locked up once for possession of narcotics and a firearm. He served eight months, eight of the hardest months of his life. Dudes would try to check Black, thinking he would be soft. But them niggas had him fucked up. They slept on him just cause of his looks. He had to put it down on a couple of cats in the pen. He made his point clear, he wasn't to be fucked wit when he shanked this one dude.
The dude thought, just because he was bigger and buffer than Black, he could punk him. He came up to Black in the commissary and told Black to get up out of his seat. Black ignored him, thinking the cat would back off. But the dude had to be big and bad. So, when Black didn't get up, he stole Black in the back of his head. Black knew that this would be one dude he couldn't whoop, so he had one choice and one choice only. Knowing the cat was going to whoop his ass, he knew what he had to do. Shank that nigga, cause he knew it was him or the dude. He stabbed him in his stomach and punctured his liver. The officers didn't find the fork Black used. But they did find a fork and a knife on the big dude. Black had to be put in the hole for a total of three weeks. He wasn't charged with anymore time to his sentence because it was self-defense.
After that, the fella's respected him and didn't fuck with him.
But Black didn't give a fuck what niggas thought of him. He didn't fuck with none of them anyway.
Black stayed in his cell and read. Black loved books so he read a lot of books by black authors. He read Terry McMillan, Omar Tyree, and Sister Souljah. After eight months, he was let out on good behavior. When he was released, Black started getting back on the grind. He couldn't leave the life alone. Money came too fast and great. Black promised himself he would stop once he saved enough money, which was growing and growing each day.
The game was getting deep and Black couldn't afford any distractions, especially not any from Meesa's ass. But something about her drew him to her.
The way she approached him at the club the other night was a turnoff to him. Black didn't allow anybody to walk up on him that way questioning him. So that was the first strike against her. The second being she was a stack chaser and a hoe. He didn't understand how she could be so pretty and act that way. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. Meesa didn't try anything with him the night before. Considering he was high and tripping she could have.