Vicious Is The Name That They Gave Me: A Philly Story (6 page)

Chapter 6

Kassidy

On our way to the Headquarters of Tha Philly Ridahs, I could not get my mind off of Tonya stupid ass. First she hits the car thinking it was mine. She was wrong. Then she tried to get Kiyah to roll on me thinking it was me. She was wrong again. What is going to be next? I really am not worried, because this bum bitch poses no threat. But what is wrong with her?
Seriously? Does she really think she can handle me? She does not know I will bury her ass six feet deep.
Tonya already knows the deal; she knows what I am about. She does not want this work.
Nobody can touch me out here. I’m the baddest bitch in Philly. There isn’t anybody who is going to step to me.
My hang out spot is no secret. So whenever she is ready, she can come visit.
Have a drink, and smoke before I whip her ass.
Everyone knows Tonya and what she is about. Nobody is worried about her.
Bitch, you are irrelevant.
She is always trying to draw attention to herself somewhere.

She would not have to do a search out for me if she would have done her part. Tonya and I teamed up to make extra money a while ago.
This is way before she started acting the way she is now. I don’t know what is wrong with the bitch now, but she wasn’t like this a while back.
So Tonya and I got together to do a job. The only reason I even agreed to this temporary partnership, is because I could use the extra money.
I won’t lie.
At the time, the squad was not making too many moves, and income was starting to get a little slim. So while I was waiting for money to come in, I took Tonya up on her offer. I could not resist saying no, as much as I love money.
It was calling my name.
Okay, instead of her being there herself she sends one of her little friends. That’s
no biggie. Now I really have no reason to look out if shit goes the wrong way, bitch. I don’t know you.
At the end of the day, it is about getting the money. Long story short, we are doing the job, and ironically the police come. Like I said, I don’t know the girl;
so the bitch better know how to run.
I had a backup just in case something was to pop off. But prior to us starting I had explained to her how it was going to go down. She gave me the assumption she can handle her own. So the cops bust in.
No problem bitch lets go, start running.
I was heading towards my backup; she was behind me. She chooses to be clumsy and fall.
How did you fall? Who falls when they’re being chased by the police? Dumb ass people. What the fuck?
She probably called Tonya and told her a whole different story. It seems like Tonya is coming at me to get revenge or payback. Whatever they call it these days. I just don’t feel like I did anything wrong. If it was to happen again, I would do the same thing, hands down.
I honestly feel like I did the best I could. I think she could have been a grown woman and state that she was not going to be physically present. But some bitches these days do not think, so it is what it is.

Word is going around that the girl I was with got caught and is facing charges.
Again, what am I to do? Put money on her books if she is charged?
While on the job, I believe one of the bodyguards was hit and did not make it.
Damn.
It was said that the judge is not letting her get out on bail and is giving her twenty-five to life without parole if she’s convicted.
Again, what am I to do?

When Chanelle pulled up in front of the building there were cars everywhere.

“Chanelle, where did all these cars come from?” Retta asked.

“We’re about to find out,” Chanelle answered as we got out. Once we got inside, we saw Essence, Ceyanna, Wanda, Tori, and Kareema.
These bitches get on my nerves. I do not see the use for these girls any more, Chanelle does. I told her we need new girls. She wants to keep playing make believe best friends. She is doing too much.

“Kareema, where the fuck did these bitches come from?” Chanelle asked ignorantly.
And I don’t blame her because she was already breaking the code.
Kareema had broken cardinal rule number one which is only members allowed in the building.
I want to know what her reason is for breaking the rules. She is not better than us.

“Who are you calling a bitch?”  One of the girls yelled.

“You can get your ass beat,” she threatened. Chanelle laughed. She loved when girls would call her out. That’s what gets her hype.

“Get my ass beat?” Chanelle repeated what the girl said. “Bitch, who are you? And you clearly do not know about me. Kareema check your guest. I don’t know if it’s one of your little sister big sister mentoring shit you be doing, but check her; before I do it. And you already know I have no picks. Line it up,” Chanelle instructed.  I saw Kareema doing a sign to the girl.
Get your minion. 

“If you must know, Chanelle.”

“Yes, I need to fucking know,” Chanelle got smart.
I don’t blame her.

“I asked them to come. I need help with something,” She confirmed.
I just don’t believe this girl.
I don’t care if she is best friends with my sister.
Something is not right with her and I don’t like it.
One of these days, I’m going to beat her ass, she just doesn’t know. She always puts her emphasis on how Chanelle should raise me. 
Bitch, I am a grown ass woman.
In the beginning, Kareema was cool. But lately, her demeanor has been awkward. She acts like she is smarter than everyone on the squad.

“Like what? What do you need help with, that you need all of them here?” Chanelle asked waving at the crowd. Kareema grew speechless and gave Chanelle a cold look.

“Why the fuck are you looking at me like that for?” Chanelle asked bluntly. Ceyanna started laughing.

“Chanelle, I paged your ass like twelve times and you’re just now coming. Everybody here was waiting for all of you to come. Some crazy shit just happened,” Kareema stated.
Okay, we are here now.

“And? We are here now so stop bitching,” Retta took it upon herself to jump in the conversation.

“All of you just chill, alright,” Tori tried to keep the peace between everyone.

“Nobody was even talking to you. So shut the fuck up,” Chanelle demanded. Everyone remained quiet.

“Chanelle let me tell you something. I don’t give a fuck how many bitches you beat up. I don’t give a fuck about how many you knocked down. I don’t give a fuck about many lives you took. I don’t give a fuck about what you are capable of. You’re coming at me like you’re fucking tough! Bitch, I will knock you senseless. Say something out of pocket again and I’m running up in your shit. I promise you,” Tori said.
Alright, the beef ended a few seconds ago, you didn’t need to say all that shit. It was unnecessary.

“Tori, you got a problem with me because you’re talking real tough and this is the first time I have ever seen you get like this. Don’t start showing off in front of this nut ass crowd,” Chanelle said rudely.

“Whatever Chanelle. I’m tired of you acting like you’re the toughest girl in Philly. You are the most trifling girl in Philly. Honestly, you’re one of them around-the-way girl,” Tori stated.

“Alright. Can we talk about something else?” Wanda tried to bring everyone back to the reason why we were here to begin with.

“Yeah, because this isn’t getting anywhere. Anyway, how did you all find out about Constance? Retta asked.

“I went to the house where she was and found her. The paramedics said she was shot twice in the chest,” Tori answered.

“Do you know who did it?” Chanelle asked.

“We were thinking Dollah had something to do with it,” Kareema stated.

“So what are we going to do?” Wanda asked.
Wanda asks too many damn questions.

“We have to come up with something, obviously,” Chanelle said sarcastically. Everybody was sitting down thinking. I couldn’t sit here and not do anything. I went into the kitchen to make me something to eat. Not really in the mood for something heavy, with so much going on, I didn’t really have an appetite. I decided to get vanilla ice cream and mix some Brandy in it.

“What have you been up to?” Chanelle startled me.

“Damn Chanelle, you didn’t have to creep up on me like that,” I said. I heard what she asked me and still did not respond.

“What have you been up to Kassidy?” she asked me again with a firm tone. I figured she was going to question me about Tonya’s dumb ass.
Here we go with this irrelevant bitch. Must we talk about her?

“What do you mean? I’ve been doing my thing, making bread you know? Just like you taught me, big sis,” I answered while not giving her eye contact. I can feel her staring at me. I refused to look up.

“No, I don’t know. What do you think, I’m stupid? I’m not one of your little friends Kas. So stop the fuck playing with me. What the fuck have you been doing? Don’t make me ask again,” Chanelle grew tense.
The cursing is unnecessary.
I know she is my big sister but I do not tell Chanelle everything.
You know like when I first got my period, I didn’t tell her. Or like when I caught that DUI, I didn’t tell her. See, I don’t tell her everything.
Yes, she has always been my rock since our mother stepped out of our lives, but I still feel that I deserve my privacy. Out of nowhere, Chanelle walks around the island, gripped my shirt, and pushed me against the wall. She started laughing.

“You think I’m playing don’t you? You think because you’re getting dick that you are mature now, huh? You think because you smoke reggie, you are grown, huh? You think because you’re getting a couple of dollars, you’re on top now? You think because you’re making a few moves, you’re that bitch? You think a lot of things, don’t you? But did you ever think that all of this happened because of me? You forgot that part right? You want a reality check? I’m going to give you one. I’m about to bring your ass back to real life real quick. I gave you all of this shit and I’ll take it all away real quick. So fuck with me if you want to,” Chanelle gave her little speech as always.

Chanelle knew my strengths, and she knew my weakness, but she would never let me know hers. I wish I did.
I would use them against her right now.
I don’t even think she has any weakness. She is like a cold-blooded murderer that doesn’t give a damn. Chanelle is capable of doing whatever she is pleased to do. No one could tell her otherwise. Was I scared of her? I don’t know. We never got to that point. She didn’t say anything else and neither did I. We continued to stare at each other. I blink my eyes and when I open them, that’s when she raised her hand up to my face. I thought she was going to hit me, but she didn’t.

“You’re not grown, Kassidy. So what have you been doing? Don’t act like you don’t know what I am talking about either. Play dumb with everybody else, not me. What did you and Tonya do?” she asked. I sucked my teeth.
I understand that she wants to inquire about what took place, but I don’t need her in my face as if I am four years old. But I’ll give her what she wants.

“We did a move together,” I said trying to walk away but she held me back.
This bitch is getting too comfortable now.

“Okay and? It still doesn’t explain why she is coming for you,” She stated.

“I still have the money. Instead of being there like we planned, she sent one of her friends. Okay, the police came and she got caught. End of story,” When I finished she started to laugh.
Oh, now you want to laugh, just a minute ago you wanted to be dee boe. Something is wrong with this girl. Love her to death but something is wrong with her.

“You’re sneaky! You’re so sneaky! I’m thinking some other shit happened,” She joked.

“Uhh huh,” I said.

“Alright, let’s go back in,”

Chapter 7

Vicious

After Kassidy and Retta cleared the room, I made myself comfortable by lying across the couch. I watched how Kareema stared at Chanelle with disbelief in her eyes. Kareema trusted Chanelle to make sure I would be okay. Chanelle had me proving to her who I was and what I was about.
The bitch was surprised.
Kareema folded her arms across her chest.

“You don’t care do you?” she asked Chanelle. Chanelle rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth.

“Care about what, her?” she asked pointing her finger at me.

“Her name is Vicious, and yes. You just don’t give a fuck, do you? Like you really think she’s another Kassidy, don’t you?” Kareema’s anger became tenser then it already was.

“Hold up, pause. Leave my sister out of this. And Vicious isn’t my kid. I didn’t raise her. So what do you mean by I don’t care? You lost me,” she played dumb.
That’s cute.

“Don’t sit up here and lie, C. Essence told me what happened. Why would you do that, huh?” Chanelle turned her head. “She’s not a smut. She’s not a hoe. She’s not a trick. She’s not you. So why make her do that? Out of all the things in the world, why that? You feel proud that she lost her virginity to your little game?” Kareema was trying not to get emotional.
How did she know I was a virgin? Was I that obvious?

“Okay, she got burnt,” Chanelle took this as humor.

“You think that shit is funny? You think it’s funny to have young girls fuck grown men? You think it’s funny to have them fucking just anybody? Yeah that’s real funny, on top of that with Kassidy niggah,” Kareema questioned her.
C-Roc is Kassidy man? What the hell?

“Listen, Vicious didn’t have to do it. She could have said no. She chose her fucking actions,” Chanelle said. Kareema shook her head.

“Come on Vicious, we out,” I followed Kareema outside and into her car.

“What’s up,” a girl from behind in the back seat said. I was a little startled.

“Vicious, this is Tori. Tori this is Vicious,” She introduced us. We replied our greetings.

“So how did it go?” Tori asked Kareema.

“She’s full of shit,” She stated.

“Kareema,” I called her name with a soft mellow voice.

“Yeah,” she answered.

“It’s partially my fault and partially Chanelle’s fault. It isn’t all on her,” I said as if that would make things better.

“Don’t even take up for her. Chanelle is a grown ass woman. She has no business making a bet with you, especially like that shit,” Kareema was heated.

“How did you find out?” I asked her.

“Essence,” She said quickly.

“Oh, yeah,” I remembered now.

“Aye, Kareema, there are some rumors going around bout Kassidy,” Tori said.

“Yeah, something about her and Tonya. Supposedly the girl she was with got caught. The girl that was with her, um what her name again. I think it's Nelly,” Kareema said.

“NELLY? Isn’t that Ceyanna’s cousin?” Tori asked shouting.

“Yup,” Kareema answered while shaking her head.

“Does Ceyanna even know about this shit?” Tori asked sitting back and lighting a cigarette.

“That’s crazy,” I let out in a low voice.

“Isn’t it,” Kareema added. Kareema cell phone went off. She answered with her Bluetooth piece.

“Hey,” she greeted. I watched as she reacts to whoever was on the other end.

“She’s in jail? Tonya and Kassidy had something to do with that shit man,” Kareema continued to talk to the unknown caller.

“Vicious, do you want to take a hit?” Tori asked me.

“No, I’m cool. I don’t smoke,” I answered while I continue to watch Kareema.

“Yeah, she was with Kassidy. Yup, uh huh,” Kareema nods her head in agreement to what the caller was saying. “Uh huh, and Kassidy left her,” Kareema went on with the conversation. “Can you bail her out?” I listened as she continues on until she hung up.
Ten minutes later.

“Who was that and what happened?” Tori asked.

“Ceyanna wants me to go with her to visit Nelly,” Kareema answered.

“Where are you headed to now?” I asked.

“Back to the house,” Kareema said.

“I am so tired. I want to go to sleep. There’s too much bullshit going on,” Tori stated. Kareema pulled up into the driveway. We got out and went inside.

“Well damn, so where is everybody?” Kareema asked.

“They’re gone,” I replied. We walked around into the living room. I saw a light-skinned girl lying on the sofa.

“Simya,” Tori called. She lifted her head up.

“Huh,” She answered still half sleep. I could still hear the tiredness in her voice.

“What’s wrong? Where everybody?” Tori questioned.

“The girls went out somewhere. I just came back from DC about an hour ago,” Simya explained. Tori and Kareema walked towards her to give her company. I went upstairs to my room.

“Vicious, are you going to sleep?” Kareema asked. I nodded my head yes.

“Alright, talk to you later,” Kareema said.

“Okay,” I told her and continued to walk upstairs.

              I stretched out across the bed. Too much was on my mind to go to sleep. I see I need to trend lightly because I could be dead by the end of the day. C-Roc is Kassidy’s boyfriend.
So why didn’t he tell me?
It would be very trifling for me to keep seeing Roc. But Kassidy and I are not friends.
So there would be no betrayal except we work together. I mean I think we do.
I thought about what my mother would do. No questions asked, she would continue to sleep with Roc if she was in my shoes.
She doesn’t care.
I can’t be this weak little girl anymore. I have to start showing some strength.
Yeah, I beat the girl up. But it doesn’t seem like that would be enough.
I have to be a bad girl or they would probably get rid of me like they did Constance and I see they are real loose with guns. They’ll shoot just about anybody.
I have to be like my mother or I’m going to die.
I have to show that I am fierce. Okay, I am a teenager but I can get down just like they do.
Is that why God never saved me from my mother? Is it because he wanted to show me what I would have to do to survive? I don’t know. But what would my mother do? Call Roc.
I decided to call Roc. As I was changing clothes, I dialed his number.

“Hello,” He greeted me with a sleepy voice.

“Hey,” I replied.

“What’s up, boo? I didn’t think you were going to call me. What’s good with you?” he asked.
Boo? Stop playing you know I am not your boo. But I am going to have to play the field to survive. Isn’t that what you call Kassidy? That’s what I felt like saying.

“Nothing, I just got in the house,” I told him.

“Alright, what you doing later?” he asked.

“Trying to see you,” I flirted.

“Oh alright, bet. I’m going to hit you back after I get things situated,” He stated and I agreed.

Vicious, what are you doing? I asked myself. Trying to survive I told myself.