Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
Fifteen-piece. Lemon pepper. All flats. Fried hard. A side of ranch dressing and buffalo sauce. Carrots tossed.
I told your hard-headed ass not to make my bond. I have nowhere to be and no one to see. I could’ve waited on the judge. I would’ve been released.
Bitch, why would you spend a red cent getting me out? I would’ve been released after seeing a judge.
I replayed the start of my conversation with Saga as I traveled down the lengthy hallway that would lead to my freedom. It had been six days since Chubs and his partner cornered me in the Design District. Hadn’t it been for the unpleasant surprise, I would’ve gotten away.
However, I had no idea another officer was headed in my direction.
The moment I turned the third corner, prepared to hop into my whip with Saga waiting at the wheel, I was shoved to the ground.
My knee stung at the thought of the nasty scrape that was a result of my arrest. It was healing beautifully, but the pain still resonated.
“See you again soon,” the clerk laughed, showing every gapped tooth in her mouth.
I’d never seen her a day in my life. And, I never planned to again. But I was aware that first-time offenders were almost always repeat offenders. Most just didn’t get caught. I wouldn’t. Never again.
“Girl fuck you and that greasy ass bang. Shampoo that quickweave before your scalp molds, bitch.”
The sight of her was repulsive. I sped up, pushing through the double doors. Fresh air nearly swept me from my feet. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quick enough. The man in the drop-top Chevy Chevelle swept me up first.
I paused at the top of the stairs, still waiting for Saga to come running. She didn’t. And instead of her loud mouth and contagious cackling, there was silence.
I peered out into the parking lot, observing the fine man with flowers on the hood of his car as he sat patiently, awaiting my arrival.
“The devil comes in many forms,” I whispered to myself as I took the first step.
And then I took eleven others until I was on level ground.
I made my way toward Flocco, completely caught off guard by his generosity and personal interest in my freedom.
My heart ached in my chest. Fine bumps had sprinkled themselves all over my body.
And, suddenly, I was wondering if I looked good.
Smelled like prison sheets. Or had the staleness of the toothpaste on my breath.
Unsure of either, my feet never halted. I passed Flocco, prepared to walk all the way home. My nostrils widened to capture his scent. He smelled divine. I closed my eyes briefly to savor the aroma, marking it in my mental rolodex.
“You’re one stubborn woman, Hyph,” he said, calmly.
No yelling.
No urgency.
No frustration.
“I don’t have the capacity, Flocco– For whatever it is that you want. So instead of wasting your time or mine, let’s just let it be.”
The scent I’d tried etching in my brain was no longer too distant to fully capture and hold onto. It was close. It was behind me. It was on the side of me. It was in front of me. Fresh flowers in hand. Finally, I froze.
“Let’s not,” he demanded, extending the flowers in my direction.
My shoulders curled inward. My chest sank. I was in a whirlwind, and I wanted nothing more than for it to stop. It didn’t. Not until he opened his mouth. And, every time he closed it, it began again.
“I know somebody fucked your shit all up. And, I understand you’ll need time. I’m a patient nigga. I’m in no rush for something–for someone who I already know is mine. So whether it be today or ten months from now, nothing changes.”
“What do you want from me, Flocco?”
“A date–”
“A date?”
“Yeah. a fucking date, Hyph.”
“Because you bailed me out, although I didn’t ask you to?”
“Nah. I wanted to take you out before you got yourself in a jam. I freed you because I couldn’t stand the idea of you in there. No woman of mine will be left sitting in that bitch if I can help.”
“I’m not your woman.”
“Yeah. Aight.”
He pushed the flowers in my direction. I took them. They were beautiful.
And pink.
And white.
And yellow.
They reminded me of the softness I’d leaned into over the last four years. It washed away like mud in the shower the moment I stepped foot outside of the home I’d created with Zeek. Everything hardened that night.
“Lesson number four… I’m going to buy you flowers, and you’re going to take care of them.
You’re also going to tell me which ones you hated, so I never buy them motherfuckers again.
And every time you walk past them in your home, you have to think of me.
It doesn’t matter if we’re on good terms or bad terms… I’ll always get you flowers.”
I tittered. “More lessons?”
“One date, Hyphen. And, a ride back to Dooley.”
I sighed with a shake of the head.
“Before I agree, I need you to understand something, Flo–”
“Laurence. My name is Laurence.”
“Laurence, I need you to understand something.”
“What?”
“No feelings– No filter– No fucks to give. That’s where I am in my journey right now, and not even your charm can persuade me otherwise. You’re in control of your feelings. Keep them in line, and I promise I will do the same.”
“My feelings are already involved, Hyph. Don’t you get that shit?”
His thick brows crinkled on his forehead. He was dazzling, even when baffled and disappointed.
“Mine aren’t, so please tread lightly.”
I turned toward his car, leaving him to think about what I’d just said to him.
Though difficult, it was my truth. I wouldn’t be responsible for what happened to his feelings.
I’d warned him of the dangers of fucking with fire.
He was eager to be burned. I couldn’t save him. It was up to him to save himself.
“Don’t piss me off, baby girl.”
A tap on the wrist reminded me that doors weren’t an option around Flocco. I allowed him to open mine and happily settled into the passenger seat. The walk home would’ve been a long one, and my feet would’ve been throbbing by the time I made it to my door.
But the time alone would’ve been worth it. The moment with nature. The freeing of my thoughts. The rebooting of my nervous system. The steadiness of my heart. The outpouring of my emotions. I needed that, but I wouldn’t be getting it tonight.
Tonight I was melting against the peanut butter leather of Flocco’s seats. They were trimmed in red stitches and in pristine condition. I imagined my foot against the woodgrain dash as he assaulted my clit with his tongue.
Get ahold of yourself, Hyphen.
I braced my ears for impact, waiting to hear a rapper’s voice emerge from the speakers with enough force to wake a deaf senior citizen. My patience was in vain. Instead, my ears were met with rhythm and blues. Soft, slow music that made it possible to rest my head on the seat behind me.
I closed my eyes, allowing Flocco’s presence to engulf me. For the first time in months, I felt safe again. Fresh air pushed from my lungs.
It’s okay. Everything is okay. My voice was low in my head, but I didn’t miss it. The music wasn’t loud enough for me to make that mistake. Neither was the bass pumping uncontrollably.
Ten minutes elapsed before the wheels stopped rolling on the Chevelle. Channing city lights were bright and joyful. In the midst of uncertainty, they brought me a sense of clarity. Alongside the call box of Suge’s, Flocco rolled his window down.
“Girl that nigga ain’t gone do nothing,” the drive-thru worker boasted. “Welcome to Suge’s. Go ahead.”
The agitation was heavy in her tone. Though it wasn’t Flocco’s fault that she felt whatever she was feeling, one would’ve assumed he was the issue.
“Uh, yeah. Let me get two smoked sausages with coleslaw. Put honey bbq sauce on both of those.”
“Um hm. Is that it?”
“Nah.”
“What else, then?”
“Two orders of seasoned fries. Extra ketchup packets.”
“That’s it?”
She was eager for Flocco to finish his order.
“Nah.”
“What else?”
I lifted up in my seat and flattened my palm in Flocco’s chest. I pushed his body backward and leaned forward.
“If you would have some fucking patience and let the man finish speaking, then you wouldn’t have to keep asking him what else. That nigga might not do shit, but I will. So, please– With the night I’m having– Don’t piss me off!”
I settled in the passenger seat again.
“Go ahead. Finish your order.”
“And, let me get two red kool-aids. Both large. Light ice.”
When he quieted, I leaned over again.
“Now, that’s all.”
“Alright, pull around then. I’ll have your total at the window.”
Her attitude was apparent. I didn’t give a damn. Suge’s was incredible and known for the rudeness of their staff. However, there wasn’t a time I’d visited that the food wasn’t spectacular. Most put up with the attitudes of the employees because they knew they’d be rewarded graciously.
Extra fries.
Extra sauces.
Large portions.
Fresh and hot.
The possibilities were endless. If there was nothing more to expect from Suge’s, it was good food and poor customer service. Still, they were thriving. Dooley couldn’t get enough.
“Hold the spit on all of our shit, too,” I yelled as Flocco pulled off.
“I don’t put my hands on women, but these motherfuckers throw down up here. And, if one touches you, I’m going to jail.”
“I can handle my own, Flocco.”
“Point I’m making is, you’ll never have to when I’m around.”
“And when you’re not?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“One call and I’m on my way, Hyph.”
I didn’t counter his claim. Instead, I trained my eye on the window he pulled up beside.
“That’ll be $24.12.”
Flocco reached in his pocket and counted off the necessary bills. Just as he moved to shove the small knot back into his jeans, I reached over and wrapped my hand around it.
“What?”
“I want it,” I admitted.
Defeated, his shoulders slumped, and his head shook from one side to the other.
Apprehensively, he released the wad, allowing me to add it to the purse I’d stuffed the government-issued bag containing all of my personal belongings inside.
It was the same bag I’d stuffed merchandise from four stores inside of.