Nine Lives: For the Love of Money (5 page)

Not knowing the depth of Infinity’s deception and deceit, I toyed with the notion in my mind. Thinking it might be nice to have a traditional family but first I had to kill two birds with one stone. The birds needed to be killed were finding out if Boogie really owed
The Overseers
for a stolen shipment of drugs and killing the bitch who took my female lover away from me. I wanted this bitch to suffer a slow, painful death for the way she was pursuing me; especially while pregnant. Something had to give. I just had to figure out what that was.

That night, once safely tucked away in a hotel room, Infinity and I ordered room service consisting of steak, potato, salad, shrimp cocktail and filet of fish. For dessert we had double chocolate cake with whipped cream and two cherries on top. We ate like we haven’t eaten in years.

Once the ‘itis’ kicked in, I took a two-hour nap, woke up then showered. I began to sing, ‘
You know you had me with your sensuous charm.
Yet you looked so alarmed as I walked on by.
In awesome wonder you had to know why I did not respond to carry on.

Love me in a special way, what more can I say love me now’

I was in my element, hitting every note, I was totally unaware that Infinity had walked in on me. He touched my shoulder surprising me. I jumped, turned around in my startled state as he proceeded to take me in his arms and shove his tongue down my throat. Feeling the throbbing between my legs, the cobwebs dangling and the need for some sexual satisfaction, I kissed him back passionately even surprising myself. This time there wasn’t any murderous intent, backstabbing or liquor involved as we French kissed. It was only a shared desire of wanting each other which we satisfied, over, over and over again, in the shower.

Finally spent and out of ways to bend and twist in order to hit the right spot, washed off then went back to the room where we lay in each other’s arms until daylight when there was a knock at the door. Infinity went to answer it.

After muffled talking and a moment of silence, I heard what sounded like an altercation of some sort. I grabbed his white wife beater off the back of the hotel’s office chair, in an attempt to get to him when I heard two gun shots.

Infinity screamed out, as I retreated to the other side of the king sized bed and hit the floor, in an attempt to hide in order to save myself.

“Hey don’t move,” I heard a loud, bass filled voice scream out, then shouts asking for assistance into a walkie talkie.

All of a sudden, I heard footsteps coming toward us. Another altercation broke out and the bass filled voice said, “Damn, they got away,” followed by a muffled response from the walkie talkie.

“Sir, can you hear me?” he asked Infinity.

Infinity mumbled a low yes as I came out from my hiding place.

“Sir do you know who did this to you?” bass voiced asked.

“Boogie,” was Infinity’s reply then he passed out.

My heart dropped. Could my brother be the cause of the turmoil at the front door? Was he the one who stole
The Overseers
shipment? This incident had my mind spinning and Infinity saying Boogie was the one who shot him didn’t help matters much.

I ran over to Infinity and stroked his face gently.

“Infinity, I’m here. Don’t you go honey. The baby and I need you,” I cried out.

The elevator doors open, the paramedics raced down the hallway, loaded him up on the gurney.

“One, two, three, lift,” the stockier guy called out.

The paramedics raced down the hallway with Infinity clinging to his life by a thread. As for me I yelled out wait I’m coming with him. The security guard informed me they didn’t have any time to waste waiting for me to get dressed. He said the cops would probably want to speak to me anyway so it was best to sit around and wait.

I was at a loss for words. I was pregnant, had been shot, lost my lover and now might lose the father of my unborn child. I secretly wondered what else would come my way and how much would I be able to bear it. I cried my eyes out asking God, why this was all happening to me, why was my brother’s name mentioned and what did it mean for my future.

As I picked up the phone to call Boogie in order to get a feeling on if he could be responsible for Infinity’s shooting or not, there was a loud knock on the door. There wasn’t a need to look through the peephole. If you were from New York, then you’d automatically know that knock was the sound of the beast.

I shook my head as I opened the door. I gasped. It was Boogie dressed like an officer.

“I don’t have time to talk now, turn around and let me hand cuff you,” he commanded.

I did as I was told knowing in my heart Boogie would not hurt me. I was right, he didn’t. Instead he took me to another hotel and told me the whole unadulterated truth. He did rob
The Overseers
, except he didn’t know it was their shipment. He also didn’t know how they found out but he killed Trevor over it thinking he was the only one who could have possibly snitched. Finally, he wasn’t the one who set up Persia or Boogie to be hit. Those two incidents were totally unrelated to anything he did.

As I cried Boogie, expressed his sorrow. He said he didn’t mean for me to be hurt, or for
The Overseers
to come after me so hard. He figured they wanted to get back at him so they were out to get me. He promised he’d protect me even if it meant his life.

He was my brother and all was forgiven on my end. I meant this to the depths of my soul. Even if my baby’s father died, I’d chalk it up to just a casualty of war.

I wiped my eyes as Boogie asked me if I wanted something to eat. I told him I didn’t need anything heavy, just an egg with cheese sandwich, light on the mayo and some Doritos with a Hawaiian fruit punch.

Boogie teased me about the egg and cheese sandwiches saying I’d go on a farting spree. I playfully punched him in his arm. He grabbed me around my neck and held me tight to his chest. Almost to the point I couldn’t breathe.

“Lil Bit, I love you. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I am glad you are like a cat, Nine Lives and all that. You have been through the ringer and just like a cat you land on your feet bouncing back,” he said. I was scared for a moment. Although I knew Boogie loved me, he was tough when it came to showing emotions. Getting him to hug or show any kind of affection was tough. At least to family because from what Misty said he was the type to slobber a girl down, her clit and everything. On second thought I’m glad he didn’t go around kissing on me.

Back to the issue. Boogie stood up and started walking to the door.

“Lil Bit, I’m going to the store. Are you sure that is all you want?” he asked me.

“Yes but tell me why are you going to the store when this hotel has room service,” I asked him in return to his question.

“Well it’s best to keep a low profile. I’ll keep my hat on low so the camera’s won’t catch my face. Also with over 20,000 cops in New York City the grocery store owner who sell loose cigarettes is not going to remember much about me because he’ll be too busy avoiding eye contact praying I don’t bust him,” he said earnestly.

“Okay, wait, a low profile I understand but I don’t understand why leave the hotel room.”

“Well knucklehead, if we keep ordering room service one of the employees might become familiar with us. They might notice the scar on the right side of my face. Right now it’s best to keep our distance from them because they would be the first ones the police question.

“Oh now I understand,” I told him.

“Good, I’ll be back,” with that said he went to the store. He took too long to come back I decided to throw on my sneakers to go looking for him. As I opened the door to go out into the thick of the night, he got off the elevator.

Boogie rushed to the hotel door, thrust a paper bag in my hand and pushed me back inside the room.

He looked over his shoulder then closed the door slowly peeking out until he couldn’t see anymore.

When I asked him what was wrong, why was he acting so strangely?

He looked out the peep hole and said he spotted some unsavory but familiar faces. It looked like they were following him. He lost them but he didn’t know if we should remain at this particular hotel. He said it may be safe to find somewhere else to go. 

Boogie also said it was important for them to think that he gave them the slip. In doing so they would leave the area and we could make a clean getaway. He said it probably a  few hours until the coast was clear.

I shuddered feeling like I wanted to go upside Boogie’s head. Although I had my brother’s back, this was really his fault. Now my baby and child’s father was caught in the middle of his mousetrap.

Lost in thought, I unwrapped my sandwich, opened my bag of chips and picked at my food while Boogie paced the floor back and forth peeking out the peephole more often.

Something was brewing but I wished I knew what it was. Until whatever it was reared its ugly head we just had to watch our backs; closely.

Chapter 5

Flash forward to the present time, the day my boo Hazel called me. She touched down in New York City not too long ago. She was wanting to meet up. Despite the fact I needed a friend to talk with because Misty was so sometimish. Not only that but I still remembered Boogie’s words to me as the cops arrested him the first time around, “Lil Bit, don’t trust nobody.” It was these thoughts that plagued my dreams at night.

Then as I thought about it, this was Hazel, not just an average bitch off the street. She always showed her love for me. She always had my back. She was the only bestie I had in that God forbidden place a year ago. If not for nothing else. I wanted to see her just to talk for old times’ sake.

Rapidly I tried to think of a way to be able to meet her without becoming caught up with the black assassin or any other possible person who’d follow and attack us.

I didn’t see any other option but to tell Hazel to come to Riverdale. I gave her the address and brief directions in case the taxi driver didn’t know how to get to my residence. She told me she’d be here within the hour. I made it my business to run to the supermarket to buy a few groceries. I left Dorah in the room with my momma who was sleeping, went through and locked the front door. An eerie feeling came over me which I shook off.

I made it to the grocery store and back in under forty minutes. Hazel didn’t come through until about an hour later. It was perfect timing though because it allowed me to get a jump on the new recipe I was trying out just for her.

Once she arrived I took her belongings, putting them in the guest room, I screamed out, “I hope you are hungry.”

“Hush all that noise. Dorah and I are trying to nap,” my momma screamed out.

“Sorry, ma’am,” I said.

“Sure I am hungry. You know I wanted to ask you what you were cooking because I smelled the food from outside in the hallway” she replied walking to the back of the apartment. She heard my momma rustling to put on her slippers and cursing under her breath. She was getting up to close the bedroom door as to not disturb Dorah. Before she did she said, “Keep down all the noise, we are sleeping in here.”

“Sorry, Ms. Hunt, it won’t happen again,” said Hazel apologetically.

“I’m sure it won’t,” momma replied then shut the door in our faces.

“Girl, don’t worry about momma. She’s always a crank bucket when she need to sleep. That’s that bipolar though. You know they need their sleep or they ruin the rest of everyone’s day,” I said.

“Now Lil Bit, who you telling about a bipolar person? You know I got that shit too. It’s not a joke the way it makes you feel. One minute you up, the next minute you’re down, or the next minute you are filled with rage cursing everyone out. You are right about us needing our sleep though. We not only ruin everyone else day, our day is ruined as well so don’t get it twisted thinking it’s something personal when it’s not. We probably hurt ourselves more than anybody with the mistakes we make and the bridges we burned. Anyway, though tell me what’s on the menu,” she stated grabbing my arm leading me down the hallway back towards the kitchen.

“Well, it’s a little vegan recipe I found on the gram. It has kale, sesame seeds, avocados, cheese and I made toast to go with it. In addition, I juiced us some berries and I made a pan of eggplant lasagna just in case the vegan dish was too light,” I told her.

“Sounds mmm, mmm, good but when did you become vegan?” she asked unsure of my transformation.

“I didn’t. I just know you don’t eat meat or anything so I decided to surprise you. I hope you like it.”

“I’m sure I will,” was her reply before becoming quiet.

“What’s wrong Hazel boo. Why are you so quiet?” I asked her then walked up behind her. I ran my fingers through her hair, craned my neck to lay on her shoulders then looked up into those light eyes of hers and began to speak just to reassure her I was there for her as she had been for me during my brief incarceration.

“So much has been going on Hazel. I don’t want to make today just about me. You just came home; you seem troubled.  I don’t want to worry you with my problems so why don’t we just eat and you tell me what’s bothering you instead. You know all I want to do is just return the kindness you have shown me since I first met you.”

Automatically I expected her to pipe up and start yapping away as she always did when given the chance; sometimes she’d even speak in Spanish. I only knew part of what she said though because in school, I learned Castilian Spanish and what she spoke was Spanglish. However, today she was very sullen and non-talkative which was a different side of Hazel. A side which she hardly showed.

I kept prodding her which was like pulling teeth. After a few moments I decided to let the issue go until she was able to tell me on her own. I wanted her to feel comfortable in telling me anything without feeling as if she had to say anything.

I made our plates and one for Dorah, which I put into the microwave until she awoke from her nap.  Momma was on her own as she didn’t like anyone making her plate. She was funny like that. I remember growing up she used to think we’d spit in her food. Once we learned of her diagnosis we realized it was her mental health which made her feel like that.

Even though Hazel was the type to peck at her food, I placed a larger serving of eggplant lasagna on her plate than I know she’d normally eat.

If I didn’t know anything else there were two things I knew about this young woman sitting before me; food was her comfort and when she was silent it usually meant trouble, for the other person that is. I wanted her to feel both comforted and that she could confide in me so I could reassure her, I’d definitely be down to ride for her no matter the issue.

I sunk my fork into the cheesy lasagna and shoved a heaping forkful into my mouth. The cheese melted in my mouth and I was amazed at my own creation.

I swear having Dorah made me a better all-around woman. I was now cooking, cleaning and doing laundry more often instead of fast food and drop off service all the time. Her and her father, who I was co-parenting closely with, were the center of my world. Me chilling a lot with Infinity didn’t sit well with my brother. I tried to explain to him, I needed Infinity more than ever, plus with the way the black assassin tried to kill him, I doubt he had anything to do with the hired killer out to get me. Despite all of this my brother still had his doubts. Hell there were times I did as well.

“Hmm, you know what Hazel?” I said in between chews, “this is so good you need to eat it while it’s hot.”

“I’m sorry lil Bit. I’ll try to eat a little bit. No pun intended,” she began, “The food look and smells so good but I’m hurting right now. I didn’t want to ruin this time between us. Especially since we haven’t seen each other in so long. I have a major favor to ask you.”

“Go ahead Hazel. You know you can ask me anything. If it’s in my realm of possibilities to accomplish it I will, if not then I’ll find a way.”

Hazel pushed her plate away, looking at me with tear filled eyes she began to finally tell me what was weighing so heavily on her mind.

“I really need a place to stay sis,” she said sounding disheartened.

“Do you mind if I ask you what happened when I thought you were staying at your mother’s house?” I asked her then continued, “tell me boo, what’s the reason for your tears. Did you and mom dukes have a falling out or something?”

“No, we didn’t have a falling out. Matter of fact when I spoke to her during the course of the weekend everything seemed to be fine. She told me I was more than welcome to stay with her and Javier while I got myself together. You know I even asked her about my step-father and she said he was on the ship. He’d be home in a few months. We discussed things and she told me even though my step father and me don’t get along, I could stay with her until he came home. She expected me to have found a place by then and suggested I get a room if finding a studio apartment was too hard,” she relayed to me.

“Well then Hazel boo, what happened?” I asked her; wanting her to get to the point of the matter.

“Well, I went by my mother’s house before coming here. Guess what lil Bit?” she asked.

I damn near rolled my eyes feeling she was being evasive in her story.

“What?” I snapped.

“They don’t live at the same address anymore.”

“Get the fuck out of here Hazel. Are you sure? Maybe they went grocery shopping or something,” I suggested to her to ease any doubts she may have of feeling abandoned.

“No, my family is gone. The worst part is they didn’t even leave a forwarding address or a phone number for me to contact them,”

“I’m sorry boo,” I told her then stated, “You know you can stay here with me and Dorah. She’d love to spend time with her aunty Hazel.”

“There’s more,” she said.

“Huh, what could be more than that?” I asked bewildered.

Her tears came hard and heavy now, “The super stated that a young guy was killed during a buy and bust. Shortly after that the family left. I feel in my heart it’s Javier. I mean who else could it be but my baby brother?” she asked.

My heart went out to her. I know if anything ever happened to my brother Boogie, I’d lose my mind. This was just a fucked up situation. One I hoped didn’t actually pan out to be what we were both thinking.

Not knowing what to say to Hazel, because I felt her situation was just as fucked up as mine, I weighed my words before deciding to speak.

“Listen Hazel, they didn’t say for certain it was Javier so until you find out otherwise let’s hope for the best. Now I know you said everything was fine when you spoke to your mother but did she sound distressed in anyway? Maybe a way that you could have shaken off thinking it was nothing to worry about?”

Bombarding her with questions she didn’t have an answer for seemed to make her flustered. Her pretty brown skin turned a little reddish. She took a deep sigh.

“Mami didn’t sound distressed more than usual. I mean my mother and my relationship had always been strained. You know she used to hit me a lot over my step father thinking I was sleeping with him. Could you imagine a twelve-year-old girl sleeping with a grown ass man because she wanted to? Nah, that wasn’t in my DNA but she thought so. Well like I said she used to hit me until I fought her ass back. After that I was sent from one family house to the next until she forgave me. Once back home I thought everything was fine. Two years had passed; she’d say her smart remarks every now and then but I brushed that shit off my shoulders. Then I got arrested.”

“I remember you were telling me something to that effect. Sheesh, I’m sorry. My mother and I used to go through a war of the words but she wasn’t a spanker. I think she hit me once or twice,” I admitted to Hazel totally unaware of how outcasted that would make her feel.

“Anyway, as I was saying, once I got arrested she’d accept my phone calls, visited once with Javier and my step pops but would never visit after that. I didn’t mind that as long as I could hear everyone’s voice. I knew at the end of the day; I wouldn’t want to undergo all the correction guards put you through just to spend a few minutes with a loved one.”

“Dang, again, sorry you have to go through this. I mean I really am. Have you reached out to your extended family; aunts, cousins, uncles or anyone close to them?” I asked her continuing to pry deeper.

Hazel swiped at the tears in her eyes with the back of her hand. That broke my heart and touched the depths of my soul.

“No one is answering for me and the one who did said she couldn’t speak right now.”

“Well did you tell her it was a fucking emergency? I mean what the fuck. Give me the fucking number, I’ll get you some answers. How dare they?” I said seeing red now. This was my friend. It tore me into pieces not to be able to help her emotionally but physically I can make a few phone calls to try and ease her fears. 

“I’d like to leave it alone for a couple of days. I hope you don’t mind but I left your number with the super in case they came back to the building for any reason,” she informed me.

“Stop with all the asking me if you can do things. When I told you, I’d do anything for you within the scope of my capabilities, I meant it. Yes, the super can call me. I don’t care what time he calls regarding your family,” I told her in response to her statement.

“She, the super is a she and mad cool too. Now I must say thank you. I do feel better knowing you have my back. I’d also like to change the subject for a few so let’s dig in,” she said sounding a little better than she did a minute ago. We talked for a bit while eating. The conversation then tapered off. Each one of us in our own thoughts. I know my thoughts were plagued with how to tell her that I had an assassin after me and I’m sure she wanted to know what was going on with her family? Were they alive, dead or incapacitated somehow? I know all those things plagued my mind as well. After a couple of more bites, my mini me ran in the kitchen and tried to jump into my lap.

“Hey mamas, are you hungry?” I asked her getting up from my seated position. She nodded her head up and down. I placed her in her high chair, went to the microwave and took out the small plate I made her earlier. I placed it in front of her then kissed her as she dug her little spoon in to scoop some food into her mouth.

Hazel and I laughed at Dorah as she finally got some food into her mouth and not on her undershirt.