Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives) (33 page)

46

Tama

Feeling anything but friendly, Tama smiled at Nike’s neighbour. She was an old chook dressed in a cardigan and tartan skirt, her blouse matching the blue rinse in her hair. He couldn’t care less that she saw him, but would have loved to whack her stupid mutt with Naf’s baseball bat. The rat-sized excuse for a dog was yapping its bloody head off as it raced back and forth between its owner and the fence.

The biddy looked down at his bat. “Who are you?”

He smiled again, thinking she’d be a shitload more scared if he took off his hoodie. Grandmas always gave him a wide berth when he walked down the street. He found it funny seeing the old birds almost wet their granny knickers over him.

“I’m a friend of Nike’s. I just wanna return his bat,” he said, lifting it up.

She let out an audible sigh. “Oh, that’s okay. They aren’t here. They had a break in yesterday and Jess went to stay with Nike’s mother.”

“Oh ... I wuzn’t told,” he said, thinking you stupid old biddy. He didn’t even have to ask and the gossipy nanna spilled. “I’ll ring him then.”

“Yes, dear, and tell Nike...”

Not letting her finish, Tama headed out of the driveway, crossed the road and walked past a few houses to Naf’s Escort. He jumped into the front passenger seat and shut the door.

“Wuzn’t she home?” Naf asked.

“She’s gone to Nike’s mother’s place.”

“You want me to take ya there?”

Tama nodded. He didn’t have to tell Naf where to go. They had gotten into the habit of egging the place every Halloween, and kept it up even after Nike had moved out.

Naf started the engine, then cut it. He turned to look behind him. Tama glanced back to see what Naf was staring at. A blue Ford pulled up in Nike’s driveway. Jess and a large bald male got out of the car and headed for the front door.

Tama picked up the baseball bat. “I’m goin’ in.”

“No, Tama, that bloke’s one huge motherfucka.”

“He’ll still go down with a bat.” Tama opened the door and got out.

“They’re comin’ out,” Naf said.

Tama jumped back in as Jess rolled out a green wheelie bin. She left it on the sidewalk, then hopped into the car with the male.

“Follow them,” Tama said.

***

Tama smiled as the mofo drove off, leaving Jess at Nike’s mother’s house. He hoped no one else was there. He’d been waiting bloody ages to get some alone time with her, and although he wanted to smash something up real bad, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Anyway, sex always made him feel better.

He got out of the car with the baseball bat. “You can piss off now,” he said to Naf.

“Just call me when ya need me,” Naf replied.

“Sure.”

Tama headed down the footpath and into the driveway. His excitement grew as he walked through the empty carport, and around the back of the house. The weatherboard bungalow was the same size as his home, but painted in sky blue rather than white. Different types of trees ran along a high wooden fence, giving the house a degree of privacy, while greens grew wild in a small patch next to a tin shed.

He pulled out his Swiss knife and unlocked the back door. He closed it quietly then walked through the dining-room and into the adjoining lounge. Except for the rumble of traffic coming from the main road, the house was quiet. He crept down the passage. A toilet and bathroom were on his left. He poked his head into the empty study to his right. The next room contained a queen-sized bed, cabinet and two overloaded bookshelves.

Singing came from the end room. Unlike the others, the door was shut. He pocketed the knife and opened the door a fraction. With her toes wriggling, Jess lay on a bed with earphones on and her eyes closed. Although she was damn hot she couldn’t sing to save herself. Well, she’d be singing a whole different tune for him soon. Tama smiled inwardly, finding the cliché funny.

He slipped in and closed the door quietly. The room looked like it belonged to a girl with its walls covered in posters of pop-stars and actors. He guessed it was probably Maia’s bedroom. With the way she usually dressed, all grunged up in baggy trackies and hoodies, he would have pegged her for a reggae or rapper chick, not a teeny-bopper. It made him realise how young she was. With her curves, he’d forgotten she was only fourteen.

Anyway, he wanted Jess, not Maia. He placed the bat on the carpet and walked silently over to her, his heart racing like a Nascar finalist. She wore a skirt and sweater, the later emphasizing something he definitely needed to touch.

He wanted to yell, “Fuck me!” as the front of his jeans began to fill out. But shit, now he was here he didn’t know where to start. He pulled out his switchblade, then re-pocketed it. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he also didn’t want any screaming or fighting. With Jess he wanted to be gentle—he just hoped he could be.

Man, he ached to kiss her, then strip her naked and make her groan in pleasure. And condoms—he didn’t need one with her. He knew she’d be clean, no disgusting diseases like the other bitches he knew. She was nice, sweet, someone he wanted to keep. Plus, he’d love it if he got her pregnant—a little Tama in her oven.

Her hand moved up to her stomach and rubbed it, her pretty face changing into a grimace. He hoped she wasn’t sick, because it would be his damned luck if she was. Well, he couldn’t stand here all day staring at her. He pulled off his boots, undid his belt, and stripped. Once naked, he climbed on the bed.

Her eyes shot open. Tama leaned down and kissed her lips.

47

Maia

Maia watched Mikey as he slept. He had an IV in his arm, a clip with a wire on his middle finger, and a blanket up to his armpits. He appeared even paler than last night, with dark circles under his eyes. She still couldn’t believe he’d died. Although it had only been for a minute, she felt sick just thinking about it. Yeah, he’d help Tama taunt her, but he didn’t deserve to die for that. Plus, he’d apologised twice and...

Maia scrubbed a hand down her face, annoyed with herself. Man, she
was
superficial. She wasn’t here because he’d apologised, it was because he was good looking. Yeah, he was a bit on the skinny side, but he had such an angelic face. She frowned, remembering the way he’d grabbed her hood and his far from angelic expression as he’d tried to get through the window.

She got up and headed for the door. A large woman entered, dressed in a crinkled navy skirt and white blouse. A black bag rested over a shoulder and a wrapped muffin in her right hand. Despite having a rounder face and double chin, she looked like Tama with her flat nose and dark eyes.

“Who are you?” the woman asked harshly.

Maia winced, hoping she wasn’t in trouble. Her mother may have lied for her last night, but
she’d
continued it today, pretending she was Mikey’s cousin.

“Maia Daniels.”

The woman’s brows pulled together. “You’re the girl Tamati stabbed.”

Maia nodded.

“Why’re you visiting Michael?”

“He’s in my class at school. I wanted to check that he was alright ... I-I’m going now.”

“You don’t hafta go. Come sit with me,” she said, taking Maia’s arm.

Maia squealed. Shit, the woman knew she’d been stabbed; she didn’t have to pull on her effing arm.

The woman let go. “Sorry, dear, I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She smiled at her sadly. “I appreciate you visiting my boy. Please stay. I could do with the company.”

Maia tried to hide her surprise. Mikey’s mother? She looked nothing like him, in fact the total opposite, both her features and girth far too wide to even remotely resemble him.

Mikey’s mother placed a chair next to the one Maia had been using and sat down. “Come talk with me,” she said, patting the seat next to her.

Maia trudged over, wishing she hadn’t visited. The woman was bound to tell Mikey when he came to. There was no way she wanted him knowing that after what Stella had said. She didn’t want to encourage him.

“What class are you in together?” Mikey’s mother asked, peeling back the wrapping on the muffin.

“He’s in my homeroom.”

Mikey’s mother took a bite out of the muffin. Crumbs fell onto her lap. She brushed them off and swallowed. “I’m sorry about what my nephew did. He’s a horrible boy. I hope they find him, and lock him up.”

Maia studied her bitten fingernails, now feeling even more nervous about going home. Despite her nightmares, she still felt safe in the hospital, knowing Tama couldn’t get to her. But once she went home it was a different story.

Mikey moaned in his sleep. His mother leaned forward and brushed back his hair. “This is Tamati’s fault. If Michael had listened and stayed home he wouldn’t have been shot.” She caressed his cheek. “He’s got such a sweet face. He looks just like his father did at the same age.”

Maia felt like she was intruding. “I should go.”

“Well, it was nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Maia stood up, then froze as two policemen entered the room with the same nurse who’d allowed her to visit yesterday. The nurse no longer appeared friendly and was looking at Mikey’s mother with a look of ... Maia frowned. Was that disgust?

The older of the officers stepped forward. “Are you Ms. Harris, the mother of Michael James Thomas?”

“Yes.” Mikey’s mother stood up. “Did you get the person who shot my son?” She edged past Maia, heading for the officer.

“We’re not here in regards to that—” the officer said.

“Then what’re you here for?”

“I’m arresting you for the sexual and physical abuse of Michael James Thomas. You do not have to say anything...”

Mikey’s mother stepped back and shook her head. “He’s my son, I’ve done nothing wrong.”

The officer kept on talking as though Mikey’s mother hadn’t spoken. He reached out for her arm. “Please come with us.”

She took another step back. “It’s not true, I did nothing to Michael.”

Mikey moaned. Maia looked over at him as his eyes slowly opened.

“Ma’am, it’s best that you come with us or we’ll have to use force,” the officer said.

“I’m not going anywhere. My son … I-I’m not leaving my son.”

Mikey’s heart-rate picked up on the monitor. The nurse pushed past the policeman and stopped by the head of the bed. She started talking to Mikey softly.

The younger officer stepped forward. “Ma’am, if you resist arrest we will have no option but to cuff you.”

“Who said this about me?” Mikey’s mother glanced at her son. Her angry features went blank for a second then darkened. She rushed towards him. “You brat!”

Mikey gasped. Both police officers lunged forward and grabbed her before she could reach him.

“Don’t touch me!”

She yanked her arms free and shoved the younger officer into the nurse. The older man wrapped an arm around her neck, placing her into a choker hold. His partner righted himself and pulled out handcuffs.

“You li’l shit!” she screamed.

She swung at him as he attempted to get a hold of her. He blocked and grabbed her arm.

“Let. Me. Go!”

With the help of his partner, he clamped on the cuff and pushed her into the next bed. The other cuff went on, then she was yanked up by her arms and the back of her blouse.

She continued to struggle. “How dare you!” She looked over her shoulder as they forced her towards the door. “Michael! Tell them I didn’t do anything.”