The Glamorous Life (36 page)

O
nce she was done filming, Bambi’s cell phone rang. It was Brent Jackson the attorney, calling to confirm that the charges had been dropped against Lynx because the case was flimsy at best and there was no witness. Bambi knew that Lynx would be returning soon. Her life would be normal again.

M
eanwhile, Columbo was at the police station canceling all the arrangements he had made for his retirement party. Since Ronnie’s death had been ruled a suicide, he had no case against Lynx. So he had to start over from scratch and find a cunning way to build a new case against Lynx, his number-one nemesis. After all his phone calls were made, he went out and got drunk with his police buddies.

A
cross the North Carolina border, in a small apartment in North Durham, on the television, a news reporter updated: “The body found in the Town Hotel has been identified as Ronald Shaler. The medical examiners have ruled this death a suicide.”

Ronnie sat, tears streaming down his face. His identical twin brother, Donnie, was dead and somehow had been identified as him.

He knew that there was only one person who could pull off such a clever plan: Lynx. The beautiful girl the night before … Everything was all a set-up, and he’d fallen for it. He hadn’t seen it coming because the drugs had his mind. He’d had no idea that his brother would have to pay the price for his mistakes.
He had paid dearly by losing his brother, but out of every bad situation comes something good. Well, now all his problems were washed away. Columbo would leave him alone. Lynx would forget about him. Although a part of him had died, he felt that the rest of him could live.

Now he could start a new life somewhere. Maybe he’d get clean and find a new game. But one thing was for sure, Ronnie thought. Lynx was gonna pay someday.

A
t the end of the day everyone thought that they could start a new life, turn over a new leaf, and toast to new beginnings, but they all seemed to forget that
sometimes you just have to charge it to the game.

All in all, the saga continues….

Acknowledgments

I was always told to make my visions so big that the only way they could ever come into existence is if God stepped in! So, first and foremost, I have to give all the glory and praise to God. It is only because of His favor and blessings that I am here today.

I reflect over the period as I breathed life into this book.

I lost tragically and gained tremendously. I lost a couple of friends. Money was stolen from me without a gun. I was back-stabbed time and time again, and had a major surgery. But the most detrimental thing, the straw that really broke the camel’s back, was when I talked and laughed until 11:30 p.m. with my grandmother, who was so full of life and also the most influential person in my life, only to get a call at 6:00 a.m. that she had went on to glory. Through all that I had experienced in life— the pain, the heartbreaks, the struggles—
nothing
could prepare me for such a life-changing blow. But through it all, I weathered the storms in my life.

For years I never knew who my true warriors were. Kennisha and Timmond, you two are the joys of my life. Thank you for understanding and being excited about my career. Mommy, as always you stood beside me. You were the general in my army, taking on the nanny role at times when you had your own life going on. My stepfather, Balldey, thanks for loving my mother as you do. Lord knows I know she can be a real boa constrictor (smile). Elouise Perry, for loving me as if you birthed me, you have the power to make me find the best in a bad situation. I am so thankful for our unique relationship!

Dee, I can sometimes drive you crazy with all my drama, but without a reasonable doubt, I know you got me. Niecey Butler,
wow
! You are one of my dearest friends. I thank you for being so loyal to me through it all. To my “twin” Tamia Washington, there is no way I could ever repay you for being my backbone during my surgery and for being my caretaker, surrounding your
own
life around my medicine times and doctor appointments and never complaining about my whining and all my extra theatrics. Katona, I can’t thank you enough for always being on standby and available when I need you to meet me at the mall in thirty minutes! Your opinion is greatly appreciated. Sheva, throughout all the years we’ve fought like strangers and we’ve had some of the best of times. But all in all I love you, and never forget it. Dedria, I know you got me and I got you. Melissa, I know I am constantly worrying and pressuring you to get a million things done for me. After my lip smackin’ and tantrums, you always come through for me. This is to the talks and laughs we have … you know which ones I am talking about. Pat MacEnulty, although we are very different, we are so much alike. I love you like my mother pushed you out too. Joi, as always, you continue to hold me down and are always on point early
whenever
I ring your phone, eternal love to you. My sistah Wahida, who would have thought two chicks with so much spunk would turn out to be so close, look at us. Chandra Steward, it amazes me how we both are caught up in our own lives, but it only takes one phone call for you or me to hit 64. It’s only a minute before your magazine (damn, damn, damn) is going to be a
major
publication! Diaamah, you are such a sweetie pie.

To my three divalicious friends: Sharissa, keep smashing ’em baby! I know that our daily talks are so routine, but when you call and you ask, “You OK?”, it means so much. Thanks for sharing all visions with me for your soon-to-be-multiplatinum-selling album,
I Found Love.
The book diva, Neechie (Chunuchi), girl … we have got to keep the clown radar on at all times (smile). Maybe we should write a book on that. You are so talented. My shopping partner, BT (Brenda Thomas), there are so many great things I could say about you. Thanks for being ready to go to combat at the drop of the dime for me, and also for being able to tell me to calm down and cease-fire.

Uncle Sonny, you have been like a father to me, loving me as only a father could love his daughter, always wanting to be my protector, watching out for my best interests at times when I don’t know what’s best for me. Dad and Joanne, Kim, you will never know how much it meant when you drove eighteen hours to see me on Thanksgiving. Thanks bunches.

Brenda Williams, thanks for stepping in, assisting me in my matters big or small when I felt so overwhelmed. You were right … you are the best at what you do. To the best promoter of all times, my Auntie Trena Buck, girl, Don King ain’t got a thing on you … Oodles and ca-zoodles of thanks to the official Internet Queen, publicist, and travel companion. Cousin Cha, you wear so many hats and you never complain. Much love! The whole Alan Furs family, especially Dena, my personal furrier, you keep me laced in the latest hottest furs. Thanks so much!

To my Wayne, I owe you so much. I thank you for making me your first priority over everything. I know that you wouldn’t let me hit the ground if you were falling yourself. My brother Jerron, although at times you are like a wedgie, always on my butt and full of do-do, I love you and I know that you only want the best for me. Craig, for keeping me on my toes and loving me under all conditions. What would I do without you? Knowing I have your boundless love is more than anybody can ask for. David Slatton, I don’t have to put it out there, but you know what for, thanks a bunch! Kathy always being so pleasant and working me in.

To the fallen soldiers on lockdown, to the ones I know and the ones I don’t. I know your pain, struggle, and the hourly battle you fight within the unjust system. At times you may feel like you are alone, but never are you, for you are in my heart. There is not one night that doesn’t go by that you are not in my prayers.

Endless thank-yous to my Johnnie Cochran of the literary world, Pam Crockette. I am so proud to say that you represent me. Thank you for believing so passionately in my career. You have been more than just an attorney. You’ve been, at times, my inspiration and motivator. After our talks I feel I can conquer the world.

To my Random House family, thank you all for assisting me in making history and for welcoming me into your world with open arms. Extra special thanks to my editor, Melody, for allowing me to keep my voice, making my transition to the majors as painless as possible and for stressing to everybody just how important this project is. Also for seeing my vision for
Street Chronicles,
A Nikki Turner Exclusive. Danielle Durkin, always being so patient no matter how crazy my question is. Carl Weber, thank you bunches for thinking of me when putting out some of the hottest projects! Marc, for getting me such a great deal that put me in a situation that, without a doubt, I could provide for my children. Earl Cox, for consulting me through all the endless drama no matter.

To the people who make all this possible,
my fans.
I could never thank you enough. I thank you and love you not only for reading me, but for spreading the word like an epidemic, sending me e-mails, letters, and coming out and sometimes driving many miles to see me. It all lifts me up and keeps me going more than you could ever know.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Please stay tuned for
I95,
yet another Nikki Turner Original. To the many street vendors and bookstores who’ve welcomed me into your stores and always made me feel so at home, I thank you.

This book,
The Glamorous Life,
could not be complete unless I thank the ones who did this long before I ever thought of putting it down. Shelia E and my dear friend, Cool C, I told you young jun was going to do like never before! Thanks for having my back!

To Tresure Blue and KaShaun, I love y’all … thanks for believing in me enough to take my advice. Brandon McCalla, you are truly a talented warrior, your ideas and drive amaze me. Kedy, Seven, Larry, Akbar, Kim I love y’all for seeing my vision for
Street Chronicles
and understanding the big picture. You all are so talented!

Lastly, to all those who attempted to steal, kill, and tried to destroy my life in anyway possible, what you never realized is that it all makes me that much more determined to do what I do best.
So,
the only thing I can do for you is keep lifting you up in prayer!