Читать книгу City Traffic - Iesha Renee - Страница 2

They started off with my character. Saying things like I was shrewd and treated the office like a bullpen. That I abused other staff members for petty mistakes like poor filing. Which was obviously a lie. I mean if I slightly went off about a filing issue here or there. It was because we all had very serious jobs. Peoples lives depended on everyone doing every job right. Even the smallest ones like filing, it’s all crucial to building a case. When something was misfiled or went missing, it was a set back for the prosecution. Things like that could put bad people back on the streets. So I wouldn't call misfiling a petty mistake. Then they wanted to tarnish my career. They said I was a workaholic who slept at the station regularly. Which only happen about twice in ten years. They said I fixed cases and planted evidence to get such a high number of convictions. That was the deepest cut. I was extremely proud of the work Ash and I had accomplished. It was one thing to assassinate my character but it was another to tarnish Ash’s legacy.

I was angry at myself mostly because if I’d never did what I did he would have died a hero. Instead he was just the partner of a crooked cop. It was the biggest betrayal of our peers. They let his legacy go unacknowledged probably out of jealousy. Black cops still get treated like criminals when the narrative fits. While white male cops are untouchable. He was the best detective in the city. Better than I would ever be. As much as I tried we both knew he was just more clever. I was lucky to be his partner and it’s still my greatest honor to have served at his side. I was put on leave with pay. Once the internal investigation was over they concluded I made a bad judgement in firing my weapon. I was fired from the force but because of the circumstances and my stellar record; combined with high ratings with the chief, I would not be facing any charges.

A stroke of luck, however my luck ended there. The next few weeks were hard, to say the least. I was out of work and out of money. There was no one I could turn to. No friends from the force and no family who gave a shit in or near the city. I have a sister in Oklahoma but we’ve never got along. We didn’t grow up with our mother and once our father died we drifted even further apart. I haven’t spoken to her in years. The struggle got more real every day. I was a week from losing my apartment in midtown. I was using my car for job searching at retail shops and grocery stores but nothing ever stuck. It seemed as if my name had the devil’s pitch and I was turned away by every manager. They were armed with platitudes like ‘we aren’t hiring’ or ‘there are no positions that would fit your experience’. I realized I was feeding my gas tank more than I was feeding myself. Not that I was ever particularly hungry at anytime.

Instead of driving myself everywhere I parked my car and rode the metro around town to hand in applications and used McDonalds free wifi to submit electronic applications. All of my effort was for nothing and I was starting to feel depressed. The wight of my situation was getting too heavy to bare. Another week went by and at the end of the last day of my two week grace period, the dreaded eviction notice was waiting for me at my door. I contemplated riding the wave to court but I figured it would be easier to just leave. It was starting to look like I’d be living in my car for awhile so I used the last of my savings to buy a storage to move my things into.

I hired two young men who looked like they were on a football team from somewhere to help me move. I gave them each twenty dollars and they were happy to help a lady in need. I chalked that up to a bit of southern hospitality and assumed either they didn't watch the news or they wanted the twenty bucks more then they cared about what I’d done. Once I was finished moving my things into the storage, I used the left over of that money to buy a coke and a bottle of Johnnie Walker black, Ash’s favorite scotch. I went for a drive trying to figure out where to park for the night. I ended up in downtown near the grey hound bus station.

It was then that I realized I could have bought a ticket to anywhere in the country and started my life over. I’m not sure what kept me here but the pull was stronger than I’d realized. Was it familiarity, or comfortability? I no longer had any ties to this city so there was nothing stopping me from booking a ticket to Connecticut or Seattle. Well nothing besides the fact that I had no more money. I pulled into the McDonalds parking lot across the street and decided to make camp. I cracked open the bottle and took a swig. It was smooth on my tongue but violent going down.

I found an empty water bottle in the back seat and poured some scotch and coke into it. I sipped it thinking about my life and where it was now. I thought about Ash and everything we’d been through. I thought about the exact moment I fell involve with him. We were at a bar trying to blow off steam after a hard case at work. We were sitting next to each other but we weren't talking. A guy came up to me and asked if he could by me a drink so I let him. I ordered another brandy but when he asked to dance I declined and said I’d rather just sit there and enjoy my drink. I guess he thought that buying me a drink was actually buying my time.

He kept pressing me, he asked if I didn’t want to dance then why did I take his drink. I told him frankly that if he wanted the drink back so badly all he had to do was ask. Then I threw the drink in his face and dared him to do something about it. That’s when Ash stepped in to keep the peace. He tried to calm and separate us but the guy aggressively push Ash to get to me. “Mind your own business dick head and get out of my way.” The guy told him. I was ready to tango with the asshole but Ash grabbed his arm and when he turned around Ash laid him out with one punch. “Sleep it off you piece of shit.” He told him. I was touched and impressed but it really turned me on when he grabbed my hand and took me outside. It was just a little breezy but he took off his coat and put it around me. “Don’t worry about that guy. If it wasn't me it would have been someone else to put him on his ass.”

I was speechless and hot with desire. The muscles bulging from his shirt were doing nothing to help quench my thirst. It was just that no one had ever stood up for me like that before. It showed he really cared about me and giving me his jacket was so tinder and sweet it made me wish he’d beaten that guy up because I was his girlfriend. You might think it’s pathetic but you weren’t there. Of course I couldn't let him know that’s how I felt.

“You didn't have to play superman back there.” I said as we were walking back to his car. “I can take care of myself.”

“I’m fully aware you could have taken him out just as easily. But I wasn’t going to let you fight a drunken idiot in a bar. As hot as that would be, I wanted any consequences to fall on me.” And it did, the owner charged fifty bucks to his card for the stool that broke when the guy fell onto it. Plus thirty for the two scotch drinks. I sat in my car thinking, drinking, crying and praying for about three hours before I finally passed out.

The next morning I woke up with a minor hangover. Nothing a large cup of coffee wouldn't fix. I used the change in my console to scrape up a dollar for coffee and headed into the McDonalds. I took my laptop inside to charge it and to check on any applications or emails. In a way, Micky D’s had become my new headquarters. Strolling past the spam in my email I almost passed an invitation for an interview at a hotel downtown. I was so happy and so renewed in my hopes that I jumped up to get ready without reading all of the details. I got all dressed up and ready in the bathroom and made my way to the Rush hotel. I’d never heard of it but it was a job and at that point I was far from picky about a paycheck. I got there five minuets early just as I planned. The lobby was very large, it was the modern stark decor that said you will be spending lots of money here.

I walked over to the front desk where three female associates where all wearing the same white scrubs uniform down to the ballerina bun hairstyle and red lipstick. When it was my turn in line I was helped by the one in the middle. Her name tag said Hyddie “Hello, welcome to The Rush Hotel, can I help you with checking in?” She asked robotically yet politely. She gave me the female judgmental elevator look. She judged me by my wrinkled slacks and dingy blouse and concluded that I did not belong there. “Or is there something else I can do for you?” She asked in the perfect customer service voice. She immediately turned her attention to her keyboard and practically disengaged.

“I’m actually here for a job interview.” I said. “I’m here to see a Mr.Kruger.”

She looked down and stroked a few keys on her keyboard. “There seems to be some kind of a mistake. Mr. Kruger isn't scheduled to be here until Next week.”

“I guess there is a mistake. I received an email just this morning for an interview at 1:30 today.”

“I’m sorry ma’am, I won’t be able to help you today.” She said in dismissal. I on the other hand was not satisfied with that answer or the fact that I wouldn't be having my interview. I took out my phone hoping to god that their wifi wasn’t secured so that I can get online and check my email. Because my phone bill was the last thing I could afford, my service was cut off. I was forced to use a free google number. I tried to connect but the wifi was indeed secured. I was tempted to ask for the wifi password but I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of knowing my business. So I pretended to check my email and bowed out of this match as gracefully as possible. “Look at that, I’ve gotten my dates crossed. Have a nice day.” I said.

I did my best to walk with purpose as if I had somewhere to be and I’d just wasted precious day light on her. But in fact I had nowhere to be and no purpose at all. I exited the lobby and sat down on a bench outside next to the valet booth. For the first time I had nothing to do, no plan for my day. I spent the night before wallowing in self pity. The way the day started I thought everything was about to change. I put all of my eggs in one basket that technically hadn't been woven yet. I was kicking my own tail when a lady sat down on the bench next to me. She was barely wearing anything. A fishnet body suit over her neon green bra and panties. I tried not to judge but she was either in sex work or there was a pride parade somewhere. She lit up half a blunt then exhaled like she’d just finished a marathon.

There was a second of awkwardness before the turned to me.

“Wanna hit?” She asked.

“I’m not a smoker, but thanks” She took another drag and threw her head back looking straight up. “Oh my god I’m so sick of doing this shit.” She said. Since she brought it up, I had to ask.

“What is it that you do?” I was trying to confirm my suspicions.

“Bitch look at me, what do you think I’m doing?”

“So I’m a bitch? I guess that makes you a hoe.” I said getting angry. I was not about to be disrespected by some random from the streets. Even at the lowest point in my life I’m still me.

“No bitch I’m a stripper. Ain’t nobody a hoe. Maybe sometimes I’ll fuck for a stack but I don’t make it a habit. These Russian ‘muthafuckas got money but they don't know how to handle a booty like mine. They like to look and touch but when it comes to the business they get all sweaty and confused. Ion’ got time for weak shit. I like a man to squeeze the cheeks and spread them before putting in a big hard dick.” I really wasn't interested in her sex life but the money talk got my attention.

“So how did you get into dancing?”

“Well my cousin is the DJ. This place is like an uppity hotel but the bar has a secret strip club in the back. They call it Kitty Bar. He told me I could come dance if I brung some big booty white girls with me. I did but there was already a bunch of white girls working here. I work the bar during the day but since I’m the only black girl I’m the last to dance at night. I think of it as saving the best for last but it’s probably a fetish thing. I get the most money thrown though so I’m not trippin’ on it.”

“Do you like it or do you really want to leave?”

“I do want to leave but the money is too good to leave without having a way to keep making the same money.”

“So it’s just about the money then? You don't feel any shame being the token black girl dancing for a bunch of foreign white men who prefers white women?” After saying it I realized it came out harsher than I intended.

“Again, Ion’ got time for weak shit. Before I danced here I was dancing at Legacies but it got raided and closed down. The men are all the same. It don't matter who's throwing the money when I have bills to pay and a sick mother who depends on me for her care. As long as it’s American money I won’t feel shit but the molly workin’.” I was shocked at her candidness. She gave so much information without me asking many questions. It was a bit strange how much she told me. I was a stranger to her and I basically had her life story. As a cop I had to ask questions and make threats all day before I got that much info. I was seriously considering dancing when one of the valets walked over.

“Damn Shine what are you doing here? You know you not supposed to be out front. You want me to loose my job?” He said grabbing her arm and pulling her up from the bench. He pulled her all the way around to the side of the building. Instinctively I stood up to follow them. I didn’t know her but I didn't need to in order to protect her from abuse. I had to will myself to stay behind. When I saw him walking off alone towards the parking lot I quickly ran over to check on her.

I saw her leaning on the wall with the blunt again. “Hey are you ok.” I asked. “That guy was pretty rough with you.”

“I’m fine, that’s just Stanley.” She said offering no other explanation. He came jogging back with a wad of lose clothes in his hands. He handed her the clothes and kissed her on the lips. “I’ll see you later baby.” He told her before walking back to his car. “Well it was nice talkin' to you.” She said. “But my break is over, I need to get back to the bar.”

“Wait, before you go I need to ask you something.” As I took a beat to work up the courage I felt that I was trading in my self respect. Considering I was living in my car and frequently getting kicked out of McDonald’s I probably didn't have much self respect left. Pride wasn't going to get me off the streets and my reputation seemed determined to keep me there. If I was going to survive, I had to make a decision right then. “I was just wondering, if you could help me get a job, as a stripper?” I regretted it as soon as I said it. I wanted so bad to take it back. To walk into that hotel and demand to be seen. I just knew that would solve nothing. I still wouldn't have a job and I would still be poor, living in my car with no way of making money. “You, want a job here?” She asked surprised. “You’re kiddin’ right? Have you ever even seen the inside of a strip club?”

“Of course I have. Why would you say that?” I was a little offended. She had no right to judge me. Although I’d only been to one because a strip club was once the scene of a crime that I was assigned to. But she didn’t know that. “I saw how you looked at me when I sat down.” She said. “I could tell you thought I should be embarrassed. I could also tell you liked what you saw. I always get that same look from middle aged women.”

“Excuse me? You definitely tried it.” I said. I knew I looked rough but middle aged was a damn lie. She stepped back and started going in on my outfit.

“Look at you. The pants suit alone screams ‘I’m a black woman with something to prove’. I bet you thought you were doing something with that straight black pony tail.” She laughed and continued to roast me. ‘I’d say you’re rigid but those loud ass wrinkles give you away as either lazy or a bum.” She laughed. “Damn when was the last time your nails were touched by a drill?”

“Ok enough. I didn’t ask to be roasted I asked for your help. If you aren't willing to give it just say that, so I can be on my way.” She was still laughing so I started walking away.

“Okay, Okay dang girl I was just playing!” She said behind me. “Let me ask my cousin if he can talk to the boss about bringing in a new girl. I’ll help you but it’s not up to me.”

“That’s good enough for me.” I said.

“Come back tomorrow around noon. That’s when we start opening up for lunch. I can get you in front of my cousin but the rest is up to you.”

“I’ll be here. Thanks so much Shine.”

“You don’t have to call me that. Rebecca is what I go by. Shine is my stage name.”

“You seem pretty cool Rebecca.”

I smiled big and happy, feeling revived and renewed with hope. I started walking back to my car thinking about all of my future money. I was so done being broke I didn’t even want to wait.

“Hey wait!” She called after me. I stopped and looked back. “What’s your name?”

“It’s Chloe!” I yelled back.