Читать книгу Ghetto Girls Too - Anthony Whyte - Страница 17

TWELVE

Behind the renovated door of her mother’s one bedroom apartment, Coco went to the window and tried to shut the world out. She felt like her every move was being watched. Were eyes trained on her? she wondered. Coco moved around the apartment trying to cover up the different angles from which someone might be spying on her. She wound up pulling all the curtains shut then sat down on the sofa and flipped on the television. Coco saw flashes of the news and finally settled on music videos. She laid down and closed her eyes for a few minutes, still attempting to shut out the world.

Mental images kept invading her attempts. First, Kamilla then Lil’ Long going down in a hail of gunfire. She, holding a gun in her hand, gawking at the surprised look on Deedee’s face then the argument that ensued. Was it wrong for Eric to cover up the truth? Was it the right thing for him to do? Who knew? I mean he could’ve definitely have shot Lil’ Long. That mug deserved to die. He already caused enough grief. I wonder what he’s gonna do? The question came with no relief. I’m sure he’s gonna come back at us if that sucker lives. Was that what had made her feel upset at Deedee? No. Deedee was out of bounds. She had no business criticizing anyone’s neighborhood. That was that.

The knock at the door stirred her from her semi-coma back to the real world.

“Who is it?” Coco asked slowly rising from the sofa.

“It’s me. Deedee is on the phone. She wants to know if you’re alright.” It was Miss Katie. For a moment, she considerd asking her about the conflicted feelings she felt toward Deedee. Coco decided it wasn’t the right time.

“Tell her I’m fine. I’m in the shower trying to get the dirt out of my hair. I’ll call her back later,” Coco yelled.

“Will do, Coco. Hurry, you hear?”

“Okay, thanks.” Coco hurried to turn on the shower and pumped the volume of the television higher.

“…Beautiful, I just want you to know that you’re my favorite girl...”

Pharrel’s chorus suddenly invaded the apartment. Coco’s bootie shook to the Snoop Dog laced track. She felt a tinge of happiness at the knowledge that Easter break was here and it would be another week before she’d see Deedee back at school. Coco figured by then any resentment felt toward Deedee should be gone. I’ll shower then go call my mother. See how she is holding up. I’ll be all right, Coco thought as the spray of the water hit her naked body.