28
“Girl, you aren’t ready yet?” Afrika asked, as she closed the door behind her to Asia’s dorm room. “We’ve got to be at the gym in twenty-five minutes.”
“I’ll be ready. The only thing I need to put on is my tennis shoes and comb my hair,” Asia said in a non-committal voice.
“Coach isn’t going to tolerate you coming in late.”
“Nikki, did you see Deon last night with that skanky ho? He dissed me like he’d never seen me before.”
“Well, Ms. Thing, I don’t see how you have any room to talk. It sure looked to me like you and Zavion were an item, or are you kissing cousins?”
“Shut up, Nikki. You don’t get it. Deon asked me for my phone number and he was talking like he wanted to get with me. I don’t like being disrespected.”
“I vaguely recall that at the pizza place you denounced Deon because he was a big ole footballer and that your eyes had found a new subject that you were truly digging. Now what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. But I’m afraid what Keith said about Deon is true.”
“And what is that?”
“That you and your telephone number are merely one of Deon’s conquests in his athletic black book.”
“For real, did Keith say that, Nikki?”
“Maybe…not quite like that, but he said, in so many words, that on the yard, Deon is not only a killer on the field but off the field, too. I say you’re the lucky one, Asia. See, the sister he was with at the party won’t be on his arm next week. They’ve already conquered and divided. But you on the other hand, you’ve still got Zavion. I like him.”
“But what if he turns out to be like Deon? They say all jocks are alike.”
“Your statement has some merit, but there’s something different about Zavion. I watched him last night at the party. His eyes were only for you. He didn’t look at any of those other girls who were trying to throw their stuff at him.”
“For real, Nikki?”
“For real. I was looking out.”
“Zavion and I had a nice talk before we went to the party. He told me about his life growing up. Mind you, it wasn’t very pretty, but because of his grandmother, he wants to succeed. That drew me to him even more than his good looks.”
“Girl, it’s me, Afrika…Nikki, whatever you want to call me. But I know you. That tall, fine, muscle bound, take-it-to-the hoops b-baller was what drew you to him.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. But he really is a nice guy.”
“Well, I’m getting ready to leave your tail. I’m not going to be late for you or anyone else. When we’re out there on the field cheering today, flash an extra helping of booty toward Deon. Then diss his ass when you get a chance.”
“I feel better already. Tell coach I’ll be right there. And, Nikki, thanks for having my back, girl. You’re the sister I never had.”
“Same at you. I’m out.”
MIMI WALKED INTO THE STORE, LOOKING LEFT AND RIGHT BEFORE she entered. She wasn’t sure what kind of gun to get. A small pistol would do. Something to scare the crap out of Victor and maybe a bullet or two to remind him who he was messing with.
The room was full of guns—small, medium, large, rifles, shotguns, you name it. Mimi’s lips parted in awe, not sure what she expected but realizing that after all, she was at a gun shop. The wooden walls were lined eight rows deep across the horizontal plane of the shop. It made her dizzy because she had no clue what she wanted and what to ask for.
A stocky, older white gentleman stood behind the counter. She noticed how he sized her up the moment she walked through the door. Her best smile appeared on her face, and the chore of purchasing a gun became painless.
“What can I do for you, Miss?” the proprietor asked.
“I need a small handgun. I live by myself, and I need to feel safe, especially at night.”
“Well, you aren’t alone, ma’am. You won’t believe the number of women who’ve been in here to purchase a gun or two in the last year. They almost outnumber the men. Let’s walk over here and I’ll show you something that might fit your needs.”
Mimi followed. “What is that with the pearl handle?”
“I can tell you like fashion, even in your weapons,” the man said, eyeing Mimi in her short pale yellow brocade jacket that sat on top of a black knit turtleneck and black stretch trousers that hugged her like a glove. “Nice jewelry,” he continued, looking at the nuggets and the big rock Raphael had placed on her finger. Mimi let out a small laugh. “That there gun is a twenty-two-caliber Ruger. Cost you about three-hundred fifty dollars. Range is about twenty-five feet.
“I’ll take it,” Mimi said without hesitation.
“I haven’t told you all about it yet. Have you ever fired a gun?”
“No,” Mimi said, giving it some thought.
“I can point you in the direction of a good practice range—indoor, outdoor facility. I’ll give you the address so you can check it out. May I see some ID?”
Mimi gave him her driver’s license and paid with a credit card.
“You won’t be able to take the gun with you today. There’s a waiting period. That’s the law. But I’m sure that I’ll be calling you in no time. In the meantime, check out the practice facility.”
“Okay then. Thanks for everything, and I hope to hear from you real soon.”
“You will. I hope you won’t need the gun before we get clearance.”
“We both hope so,” Mimi said, grinning. “Bye now.”
Mimi walked out of the store and headed for her car. As soon as she settled behind the wheel her cell phone rang. She looked at the number and answered it right away.
“Hey, Brenda, what’s up? Did you tell, Victor?”
“He didn’t come home last night. Now I’ve lost the venom I had to confront him.”
“The right moment will come. It may not be now. Just don’t let on that we’ve met. You may need to formulate some kind of plan in the event he goes ballistic.”
“Maybe you can help me.”
“You’re the psychologist.”
“I know, but I need my best friend’s help.”
“I’m sorry that I had to lay that in your lap yesterday, Brenda. But I feel better that you and I have no secrets. Why don’t we get together on Monday, when Victor goes to work? It’s too risky, our being together on the weekend.”
“Let me check my calendar. I’ll get back with you.”
“Sounds good. I’ll wait for your return call.”
“Thanks, Mimi. Thanks for everything.”
“You’re welcome, Brenda. Thank you.”
Mimi terminated the call. Within seconds she pulled up John Carroll’s name from her call log and dialed. She felt good about her immediate accomplishments—sharing her secret with Brenda and having enough nerve to enter a gun shop and purchase one. She collected her thoughts when she heard John’s voice on the line.
“Mimi, you all right? Don’t tell me that fool had the nerve to contact you again?”
“Nothing like that, John. I’m feeling pretty good right now. I finally talked with Brenda. She knows everything.”
“What did she say? How did she react?”
“She wanted to be angry with me for waiting all these years to tell her. She even pointed an accusing finger my way. Those were natural reactions. I didn’t expect any more or less. Well, maybe I wasn’t quite ready for her to admit that she wanted a divorce from Victor.”
“Why wouldn’t you? You laid the worst kind of news on her… about her husband no doubt, and that the young lady who befriended her daughter is actually her sister.”
“It seems she’s been in a miserable marriage for longer than I could even imagine. It was almost as if this was the final nail in the coffin…the one thing she needed, explosive enough to give her the ammunition to walk away. I felt so sorry for her.”
“What is she going to do?”
“Ask Victor for a divorce.”
“From all I’ve seen and heard about Victor, that might not be an easy feat. I don’t believe he’s going to let Brenda walk out of his life. She’s the person who’s carried him. Sure, he makes good money as a director, but she’s the real powerhouse in that family.”
“That’s true, but I believe Brenda will find a way out. But I’ve got another surprise.”
“Don’t make me wait. Maybe that wasn’t a good statement, considering our past.”
“You’re crazy, John. Remember that is our past. Anyway, I purchased a gun.”
“For what?”
“Do you really have to ask that question?”
“Yes. Mimi, I hope you aren’t going to do anything foolish. Even Victor’s sorry ass isn’t worth a trip to prison.”
“I didn’t purchase it so that I can put a cap in Victor’s ass. It’s more to scare him in the event he decides to continue to harass me. Now if push comes to shove, he just might find himself in the morgue.”
“Do you have the gun on you?”
“No, they have to check me out first. I hope to hear something in a few days to a week.”
John was silent. “Mimi, think about all you stand to lose going up against Victor—your husband, your daughter, your family, and my friendship.”
“Thanks for including yourself in that scenario.”
“Mimi, I’m concerned and you’re scared. If it means that I have to spend a few days at your place to make you feel at-ease, I’m there.”
“If I need you, I’ll call. I’ve got a couple of more errands to run. Take care.”
“You don’t like what I’m saying, Mimi, but I’m concerned. I’m only a phone call away.” A pause. “Why don’t you meet me for lunch after you finish your errands?”
“Thanks, John. I’d better not. I feel guilty taking up all of your time.”
“Let me be the judge.”
“Besides, I told Afrika I couldn’t come see her cheer today because I had so much to do.”
“Excuses. Call me when you finish your errands; you make the decision as to where we’re going to eat.”
“You make it hard to say no, John Carroll.”
“I wish I was as on top of things years ago.”
“Well, it’s a little too late. I’ll call you.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Mimi smiled as she put her BlackBerry in her purse. She was happy John had turned up in her life at a moment she could use a good friend.
Mimi turned on the ignition and sped away from the gun shop. Was she only getting the gun for protection or did she really want to see Victor dead? The gun was not in her possession at the moment. Yet, it was in Victor’s best interest to be on his best behavior because she hated him, and nothing at this moment would keep her from blowing that imbecile away if it came to that.