24. Corinthians
Corinthians
Isat in my car, debating whether I wanted to go into Rowdy’s, where Melissa worked.
I’d been dodging her calls for the last week.
She finally got tired of it, showed up at the shop, and reminded me I'd given her my word about celebrating me. I wanted to argue with her, but I didn’t; she was right.
I needed to celebrate my wins, and over the last week, not only had I hired all my barbers, but I officially had an opening date.
I was prepared to live out my dream, and spending time with my only friend outside of my family was how I was going to do it.
Even though I'd rather be at home.
I got out of the car, locked my doors, then crossed the parking lot and went inside Rowdy’s.
The music was loud but not overly deafening.
Melissa was working the bar, talking to a man.
I could see her smile from where I stood.
She was enjoying herself, more than likely flirting.
I couldn’t knock her hustle, though; she always said she sold the illusion of going home with every person that sat at the bar and hardly ever did.
I took a deep breath, let it out, then walked over to the bar and sat down. Melissa flirted with the man for a few before finally pushing away and approaching me.
“I just knew you were going to flake on me,” she said, smiling. “I’m so glad you didn’t.”
“I told you I was going to come,” I told her, laughing and shaking my head.
“How long did you sit in the parking lot before you got out of the car?” she countered with a smirk. I playfully rolled my eyes. “Exactly, you probably tried to think of a million reasons as to why you should be here instead of every reason why you shouldn't.”
“I could be at home working,” I told her. “The shop opens in less than two weeks. I have other things to do.”
Melissa held up her finger, then walked away.
I watched as she flirted with a new customer.
This one was short, barely taller than her five-two height and chubby.
He looked out of place here but comfortable in his surroundings.
They talked for a little while before Melissa nodded, then walked away.
She reached under the counter, pulled out her phone, typed something into it, then put it away.
“Okay, sorry about that,” she said, coming back. “That’s my boss's third in command; annoying ass nigga thinks he runs something when he doesn’t.”
“He’s third in command,” I reminded her, and Melissa shrugged. “His word means something, sometimes.”
“Never,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “He’s trying to impress that damn sports reporter that’s here; that bitch doesn’t even look in his direction.”
“What reporter?” I asked with a laugh, and Melissa pointed to the other corner of the bar to Shai David. “What’s she doing here?”
“Slumming it,” Melissa laughed and shrugged. “She comes here when her baby daddy isn’t in town and flirts with Shaun’s old goofy ass to get free liquor like she ain’t got a kid at home. That bitch gives me deadbeat mama vibes.”
“You don’t even know her,” I reminded Melissa.
“But I came from a deadbeat mama, so I know one when I see one, and that bitch is a deadbeat. Her baby daddy is just dumb and don’t see it,” Melissa said. She pushed up from the bar and looked around. “You want something besides water to drink?”
“No,” I answered, shaking my head.
“I didn’t think so,” Melissa said. “Give me a few; I gotta go get some from the back.”
“There’s water right there.” I pointed to the case on the floor behind the bar.
“That shit been there all day; it’s not cold,” she said, stepping back. “I’ll be right back. If a nigga approaches you, be nice. He could be the love of your life, and you don’t even know it.”
“Doubt it,” I replied.
“You and sister fine as hell yet don’t want any nigga that approaches y'all. I will never understand it,” she told me.
I waved her off, not wanting to have the same conversation.
Melissa always suggested that I treat men the same way she did.
Use them for what she needed them for and leave them calling her phone.
She came back with a few bottles of water.
She put one in front of me and the others in the small fridge under the bar.
“Thank you,” I said.
She picked up the water, opened it, grabbed a thinly sliced lemon, pushed it into the bottle, then reached under the bar for a straw and handed it to me.
I lifted my brow in surprise. “House rules: we have to open all bottles, no matter if it's water or liquor. I hate the shit.” I nodded.
“And I know how you are about putting your mouth on bottles,” she laughed as I took the straw.
I put the straw in my water but didn’t drink it. I wasn’t thirsty. For the next two hours, we talked as she worked. A few men approached me, but I turned them all down. My phone buzzed, and I looked at it and smiled.
“I already know that means you’re about to go,” Melissa said, pointing to my phone.
“It does,” I said, standing. I always set a timer when I go out. Melissa was aware and wasn’t offended.
“I knew it,” she laughed. “Here, drink this before you leave.” She pushed another bottle of water towards me.
“I told you every other time you offered me water that I was good,” I told her, pushing it back towards her. “It’s not like I’ve been drinking and need to get hydrated. I’ll be good.”
“It’s hot as fuck out there,” Melissa said, putting the bottle back in front of me. “It’s a small bottle, just down it before you go.”
“Fine,” I said, then picked up the water and drank it. Since it had sat on the counter the entire time I’d been here, it was no longer cold. I finished the water then set it on the bar top.
“There, you happy?” I asked with a laugh, and she nodded. “Of course.” I turned and walked away.
“Bye, Corinthians,” Melissa yelled with a laugh. “I’ll see you later.”
I threw my hand up in acknowledgment and didn’t stop walking.
I was ready to get home. I got to my car, and my stomach twisted.
I ran around my car and threw up the water I had drunk.
I wiped my mouth with my shirt, hating the feeling, and leaned against my car to catch my breath.
Once I felt like I had myself together, I got in the car and started it.
My house wasn’t far from the bar. Another wave of nausea washed over me, and I rested my head on the steering wheel.
I wasn’t going to be able to drive home like this.
Playing it smart, I reached into my purse for my phone and realized I didn’t have it.
I lifted my head and looked around, and that’s when it dawned on me that I left it in the bar.
Using the little bit of strength I had, I got out of the car.
But I didn’t make it far before I had to rest my head on the roof of my car.
I heard someone call my name, and I looked up to see Melissa coming towards me holding up my purse. “You left this,” she said. “What’s wrong?” she asked, rubbing my back.
“I don’t know,” I told her, shaking my head. “I got out here and instantly felt like shit.” I lifted my head to see her watching me. “I need to call my cousins and have one of them come get me.”
“Just come back inside; I will take you home,” she offered.
“No,” I moaned. “I can call Ex; he lives close.” I reached for my purse, but she moved it away.
“I will take you home,” she insisted. “Get in the car. I just gotta run in and tell Shaun’s ass I’m leaving.
” She helped me around the car, opened the passenger door, and helped me into the car.
I don’t know how long I lay there with my eyes closed, but when I finally opened them, Melissa was climbing into the driver's seat. “Alright, off we go.”
“How are you going to get home?” I asked her when my car started. I was feeling dizzy now, so I had to close my eyes.
Melissa didn’t answer me, nor did I care. I was trying my hardest not to throw up. I don’t know what the hell came over me, but I hated the feeling. I covered my face with my hands and let sleep take me for the short car ride to my house.
“Hey,” Melissa said, shaking me. “Corinthians, we’re here.
” I wanted to respond to her, but all I could do was moan.
I heard the car shut off, the door open, felt the car shake, then the door close.
I took a deep breath, then moved my hands from my face and opened my eyes.
Melissa came around and opened my door. “Come on. I took you with me instead of going to yours. I know how you are about people being in your space.”
“People?” I asked her as we walked up the steps. “Where are we?”
“My boss’s,” she answered, and I tried to pull away. “Chill, he’s not going to trip, trust me. His house was just closer than yours, and you don’t look too good.”
“Take me home,” I said, trying to pull away from her. Melissa grabbed my arm and pulled me back. I wanted to fight her, but I was too weak at this point and wouldn’t last long on my feet. “Call my cousins.”
“Later,” Melissa said, pulling me towards the door. I leaned against the wall, trying to get myself together. “Just come in and chill. Bobby wants to see you.” She used a key to unlock it, then pulled me into the house.
“Bobby?” I quickly lifted my head. “Who the hell is that?” My heart slammed against my chest.
“My boss girl, I know I told you his name before,” Melissa laughed and guided me into the living room. I fell into the couch and laid there, hanging halfway off. My head was spinning so fast, and my stomach felt like it was going to explode.
“Call my cousins,” I said, trying to push myself up. “Call Ex, or Krude. He might talk shit, but he’s going to come no matter what.” My eyes started to close on their own.
“I will later,” Melissa insisted. “First, try and sleep it off.”
“What did you give me, Melissa?” I slowly asked her. There was no doubt I’d been drugged. Images of her insisting that I drink that water before I left flashed in my mind. I opened my eyes to see her standing near the door.