Side Chick Life 3: The Finale Read online

  Two Days Later

  Vega

  The note sat in my hand. My palms were sweaty as hell. Staring down at it my hands trembling a bit, I couldn’t think of one person the letter could have come from. Apart of me thought of Violet. She was the only one I knew who could have been bat shit crazy enough to send some bullshit like this. After everything that Adrial told me about her, I could put nothing past her. But I was sure she was long dead by now and Adrial probably buried her in his basement somewhere.

  The words seemed to leap off the page at me. The note was typed so I couldn’t try to decipher whose handwriting it could be. It didn’t come in an envelope with a stamp either. It was just a black piece of paper with white letters that read Secrets are a dime a dozen. All of us have them. Do you? It was printed in large bold letters in the center of the paper. No one knew. No one knew the secret of my past that I was keeping inside accept Adrial and his connect. He was the only one I could trust and the only one with enough connections to get me out of the jam I had gotten myself into.

  Scrolling through my phone as it lied on the table, I dialed Adrial’s number over and over again. “Come got-damn it. Pick up the damn phone, Adrial.”

  I willed it time and time again through five recurrent calls but came up short. Each time the calls kept going straight to voicemail like his phone was dead. Finally giving up, I turned on the TV allowing it to fill the silence that threatened to drive me insane over this shit. Initially I came in the kitchen to try and get a bite to eat but after finding the note, I was unable to focus on much else. Somehow, I needed to get the number to that connect Adrial had and fast. My eyes closed wondering what the hell I was going to do about all of this, when the phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey suga. Did you miss me?” Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard in my ear.

  “Violet? I-I thought you were… Why are you calling me?” I was in shock that Adrial had let her go. Though the thought of her made me sick to my stomach, I was glad that he decided to take my advice.

  “I need a reason to call the man that I crave so much? I’ve had a long couple of days. I mean it’s really been a trying time for me. I missed you. Didn’t you miss me?” She sounded like a young girl begging her daddy for attention.

  “Violet, don’t call me acting like everything is good between us when you know it’s not.” Almost immediately my thoughts shifted to seeing Angel’s mutilated body that day.

  “Awe don’t play me like that, Vega. I’m just trying to—“

  “Violet, I know what you did okay. I know what you did to Angel. Adrial already told me everything. Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about.” It took everything in me to remain calm.

  Busted, Violet grew silent. The sound of traffic in her background filled the phone for minutes as she breathed probably trying to think of what to say to me next. I didn’t need verification from her that she had done it though. She didn’t even realize that her silence spoke volumes. I waited her out. I wasn’t going to be the first to speak and offer up any more information than I already had of what I knew. I wanted to see what she was going to say.

  “I-I-I don’t know what you’re talking about Vega. I’ve never been to your house,” Violet replied in the lowest sounding voice. “Adrial is a damn lie.”

  “Why would he lie to me, Violet?”

  “Because he’s jealous of us, of our relationship, of what we have together baby.”

  “What do we have Violet? We’re not a couple. We’ve never been together. We were friends. That’s all,” I snapped realizing this bitch was ten kinds of crazy.

  Breaking news. This morning authorities were called to this south suburban rental property behind me when a father found his grown son dead in the basement. As of right now it is unclear of the manner of death but authorities are saying it looks as if he may have died from asphyxiation. The father seen here standing talking to police is clearly inconsolable about his son’s death. So far there are no suspects and police have no leads. As soon as we get more on the story we’ll surely update you on the findings. This is Casey Trumball, Eye Witness News. Back to you Tim and Susan.

  My eyes widened as far as they would go once my attention grasp hold of what I had just heard on the news. The entire scene was all too familiar. Slowly my head shook in disbelief. It was impossible. Adrial was a big man and was too proud of a man to allow anyone to get the upper hand on him. How the fuck did she overpower him like that? It was almost unbelievable but there was no denying that Violet had something to do with the shit.

  “Vega, don’t you love me? I thought—“

  “Stop, Violet,” I interrupted her incessant rambling. “Now look, I know that after everything he’s done to you that you were probably well within your right to do so but… Did you kill Adrial?”

  “Huh? What are you talking about? Adrial isn’t dead.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “Is he dead?” It sounded as if she may have been smiling. “He’s not dead. How do you know?”

  “Because it’s all over the morning damn news, Violet. They’re saying he may have died from asphyxiation. You suffocated him? Did you kill him? Did you kill my best friend?” I pressed again.

  Before I could get any other words out, she hung up the phone. I knew she had done it. I didn’t understand how she had done it but there was no denying that she had something to do with his death. I was saddened by the loss of Adrial but I felt fucked up that all I could think about was the fact that I had just lost the only person who could put me in touch with the connect.

  Across Town

  Mika

  Tears dripped from my eyes onto the last picture I had taken of my son, Keylan. I missed him like a fish missed water. I needed him to breathe, to live and now that I was without him I didn’t understand how I could get my life back together. All I kept thinking about was dumb shit like taking my own life and ending it all. I just wanted to be reunited with the one person in the world who loved me unconditionally no matter what. He loved me because I was his momma regardless of any flaws. I hated myself for putting up with David’s bullshit for so long.

  “Damn you awake again, huh?” Ox queried rolling over spooning with me.

  “I couldn’t sleep.”

  “I know baby. Maybe it’ll be easier once we finally have the funeral for Keylan. You need that closure.” He kissed my bare skin from the shoulder down to the small of my back.

  I knew Ox meant well but I wasn’t ready to focus on any of that shit right then. I just wanted to find David’s ass and make him pay for what he did to my son. No, it would never bring Keylan back but I felt like it was the only thing I could do to soothe my aching soul and prove to my baby’s spirit that momma never gave up on him. Even if I didn’t kill David and he killed me first, at least I would for damn sure die trying.

  “Ox, I’ve decided that I don’t want to bury my son. I can’t stand the thought of having him six feet deep with bugs and everything eating away at his flesh.” Tears continuously fell silently from my eyes.

  “You have to bury him baby. Ain’t shit else you can do about that. I know it’s hard but you ain’t never alone, Mika. I’m always gonna be here for you. You know that.”

  “I know. But I’m gonna cremate Keylan. That way I can always keep him close to my heart.

  Without waiting for him to respond, I peeled back the covers sliding out the bed. I headed for the bathroom turning the shower on. As I stepped into the steaming hot shower, the water that beat against my face felt so good. It relieved a bit of stress that I was feeling and couldn’t shake. I didn’t know if I would ever feel better without my son but if I didn’t move on I knew the only way out for me was death itself. I didn’t have much to live for anymore. Yeah, I had Ox and my feelings for him grew stronger each day but I didn’t know if it was enough to make me stay on this earth with him.

  “Mika, I know that you’re stricken with grief and depression, but are you sure th
at’s what you wanna do?” Ox asked as I finished rinsing soap off of my body and stepped out the shower.

  “Yes, I want my son here with me. I don’t want him to just become another plot in the ground.” I tried not to become annoyed.

  “Then if that’s what you want, I’m behind you 100%. I’m gonna go call the funeral home and tell them we’re on our way to make the arrangements.”

  “Wait you had him sent to the funeral home already?”

  “Mika, it had to be done.”

  My head lowered. “I know.”

  That was the one thing that I liked about Ox. He took charge when he needed to and never challenged me. Whatever I wanted to do he was down for me. He was so supportive throughout this entire ordeal and for that I couldn’t thank him enough. Honestly, I could see us getting married and having some kids of our own. But that was only if we made it out of this shit alive. David wasn’t exactly an easy mark but Ox was no punk either. I just hoped that we would have a forever after all this shit was said and done. It was hard struggling with my emotions everyday.

  “You ready to go?” Ox came back in the room fully dressed thirty minutes later just as I was finishing up the light make up I decided to toss on.

  “Yeah,” I answered, tossing the eyeliner on the vanity and heading out.

  Fifteen Minutes later we found ourselves in the parking lot of Davis Funeral Home right off 79th and Kedzie. I wasn’t particularly fond of any funeral home but once we walked in, it was very clean and we were greeted pleasantly. Ox did most of the talking. For some reason, I became catatonic. I couldn’t speak and damn near couldn’t breathe but I was determined to stand tall and get through this.

  “Would you like to view the body before the procedure?” The man asked delicately. “We can have him all nice for you by tomorrow so that you can visit and have your last moments with his physical essence.”

  “Um…” That was a question I wasn’t prepared for. I didn’t know if seeing my son like that was what I needed right now.

  “Yeah, I think that would be good closure for you baby.” Ox rubbed my back soothing my anxiety.

  I turned away from him taking a few steps toward the window staring out. Darkness overcame me. To remember my son lying in a casket was much more than I could bear at the moment but to not see his angelic face one last time would weigh heavily on my conscience as well. Confused, I gazed out onto the traffic watching as the cars zoomed past unaware of the pain that I was feeling inside. They were all going on with their lives like any other normal day while mine felt like it was standing still.

  In the distance, someone appeared to be standing in all black on the bus stop. It was odd because it looked as if this person was staring back at me but I couldn’t tell because they were two blocks away. My eyes squinted hoping to get a better glimpse of who it was. Then the person’s head tilted to the side like they were trying to see who I was too. I gasped loudly as Ox touched my shoulder startling me up out of my daze. I turned to him and then back at the guy on the bus stop but he was gone. It was like he disappeared into thin air.

  “Baby, we’ve gotta give him an answer. Do you want to have a small viewing for Keylan tomorrow?” Ox kept his voice low yet to the point.

  “No,” I asserted loudly. “Lying in a casket is not how I want to remember my baby. I have tons of pictures to remember his beautiful face. Please sir, just cremate my baby as soon as possible.”

  “Not a problem. However, because cremation is an irreversible process and because the process itself will eliminate any ability to determine exact cause of death, many states require that the coroner or medical examiner authorize each cremation. Some states have specific minimum time limits that must elapse before cremation may take place. In Illinois, 24 hours must pass, plus all authorizations must be obtained prior to cremation,” the man recited like it was written on the back of his hand.

  “Okay, so give me the paperwork so I can sign and get it done. The you can just call me when my son is ready to be picked up.” I shrugged.

  “Yes, ma’am. Excuse me.” The man rushed off to the back as Ox stood behind me caressing each of my shoulders.

  Staring back out the window, I couldn’t help but to feel some type of way about doing this but I knew it was the best thing to help me heal. Besides, I didn’t want to have a place where David could easily pop up whenever he wanted to visit the one person he was supposed to care about more than anything in this world but didn’t. He didn’t deserve to see my son if David lived. Why should he have a designated place to mourn him? David deserved to die a cruel and untimely death just as he had ultimately given my baby.

  The Next Day

  Violet

  This was the west side of Chicago where niggas really did not play games and was almost always about their money. On Chicago Avenue and Central Park, niggas stayed getting paper. Out west, most of the niggas ran so many underground drug cartels that it was hard for the police to tell who was who sometimes so I knew I could come out here and find what I needed with ease. I walked up to the brownstone's door and rang the bell.

  Reno looked out the window as I waved up to the second floor to him. He rolled his eyes at me before buzzing the downstairs door for me to enter. When I reached the second floor he stood for me waiting at the door. He sized me up as I came up the stairs heading up to him. For someone who once called his self my friend, he sure had a stank look on his face when he saw me though. I missed his dark chocolate ass even if everything that came out of his mouth was a cheap shot to my ego.

  “Ha! I thought I’d never see you on this doorstep again. To what do I owe this honor?” Reno opened the door munching down on his oversized Twix bar as crumbs dropped to the floor with others becoming stuck to his mouth.

  “So what? I can’t come visit you now?” I stepped inside of the cramped two-bedroom apartment annoyed at how revoltingly filthy it was. “Damn you motherfuckas don’t believe in cleaning up in here?”

  “Aye, don’t come up in here judging our shit. This is a bachelor’s pad and it ain’t shit but two bachelors living up in here. We clean up when we have hoes over.” Reno’s eyes darted up and down my body giving me the short look. “You’re the one who decided to come over unannounced.”

  He brushed his hand over his blonde buzz cut. Blonde just wasn’t his color but he never listened to me when I told him that. Reno was an off and on friend from college who dropped out once he found a career in drag. The gay nightlife scene paid more money than he thought a degree would I guess. He had always wanted to be in show business, acting and singing. But his three hundred pound 5’6” stature needed a little work for the pros.

  “Look, I need to borrow some dough real quick,” I sighed looking around deciding that it was not worth it to find a place to sit down.

  “Now look bitch. I’m tired of you coming over here asking for money and shit. Them niggas you spreading your legs to need to be funding your broke ass. I done told you about that shit.”

  I already knew that meant he was broke. He never liked to admit that he was broke cause it fucked his head up about dropping out of school even though it was nothing for him to go back. Reno was just too stubborn to admit that the drag queen thing wasn’t working out like he expected it to. Dre, Reno’s roommate, stepped his fine ass out the bedroom looking like he had just waken up from a long night’s sleep. The only thing that covered his freakishly tall lean body was a thin pair of plaid boxers.

  “What’s going on out here?” Dre slew footed his way to the refrigerator staring inside.

  “Shit. This bum over here begging for scraps again.” Reno treated me.

  “Shut the fuck up, Reno.” I rolled my eyes settling them on Dre as he snatched an orange can of Crush soda from the fridge and cracked it open.

  “Well, what’chu tryin’ to do?” Dre asked slamming the refrigerator door as he moved closer to me.

  “I need to get some protection. You feel me?” I responded.

  “Mmm, hmm.” Dre no
dded darting his attention over to Reno as he placed his ear buds to his laptop in his ears. “Well come holla at me in my office then. I’ll see what I can work out for ya.”

  He led me into his bedroom taking a seat on his beautiful white micro fiber loveseat in the corner of the room. A full sized bed sat in the other corner. In all the times I had been to their pad, I had never been inside of Dre’s room. He kept it almost like a miniature studio apartment. I cleared my throat, mesmerized by how well he had kept the medium sized room adorned with hundreds of pictures on the wall, a large computer area in another corner with a 65” TV mounted to the wall. This room appeared like the best one in the apartment.

  “So what do you need?” Dre asked plopping down on the loveseat crossing his legs.

  "Um, yeah I need a lil’ something to take care of some business."

  "What business?"

  "My business," I said looking sternly trying not to get too smart.

  "Ok, ok short stuff. Don't hurt nobody. What kind of piece you need?" He asked as he lit a cigarette.

  "Any kind of semi-automatic you got, preferably with a silencer,” I replied. “But I can deal without the silencer if I have to.”

  "Whoa! That's some pretty heavy artillery there. Ok lil mama. That kind of heat comes with 3 rules. First, you did not get this from me. Secondly, you did not GET this from me! And lastly, I’mma need $850 up out you and that’s without the silencer."

  "Damn, I didn’t know you sold that kind of shit up in here. I thought you just sold coke. But com’ on Dre. You know I don’t have that kind of money."

  "Girl, you can't get heat like that for no scratch. You obviously trippin'."

  Dre got up off the loveseat and put his hand out as if to show me the door. Feeling like shit for him even wasting my time, I stood up sluggishly heading for the door. It fucked me up in the head that I was never going to be able to make that kind of money if I couldn’t go back to my dorm room to find some old numbers to my past sugar daddies. It was too hot for me right now to go back. I was knee deep in shit and needed to come up fast. I feared the cops catching me before I got a chance to even a few scores. I had no idea what I would do to get the money.