Читать книгу Lovely Vines - Tondria Leatrice - Страница 10
ОглавлениеChapter 3
The Club
The Spot Where It Goes Down
Samaya had a routine when she got to the club, and it works every time. It consists of scoping out the money in the room first before she hit the stage and what clients were there, so she’d know what music she had to pick.
Queen always came late since she started fucking with Merch, but Samaya didn’t complain since he was the streets and kept them with that good flame.
“We don’t clock in until we hit the stage, bitch,” Queen yelled as she entered the dressing room. Samaya already knew Queen was high off dick, and flame, when she was this happy, and happy meant they’re making extra money that night.
Samaya and Queen always shared the same dressing room unless Samaya’s younger sister Tara came in to make a quick dollar, which was rare. Skunk snatched her ass out the club scene, and put her on the right path. Tara received her high school diploma and graduated cosmetology school at nineteen.
“Thank you, Merch,” Samaya mumbled as she hit the flame. “Girl, hush! I haven’t seen him since this morning,” Queen replied.
Samaya said, “Long as you’re happy, we’re paid.”
Before doing their rounds, they took a couple of shots and flamed with their aunt, Teresa. Teresa made sure they had her best wigs on before hitting the stage so that she could advertise.
Samaya went out to greet clientele, noticing a few new faces, hoping they came to spend that bread for the main event.
When she made them wait for lap dances, it always worked for the newbies because all the other females were thirsty as fuck. Samaya would stand up and dance slowly and let them fantasize while the other females go straight to their laps bouncing, giving no tease.
Samaya said, “It’s some new money out there. I need to shine when I hit the stage.”
Queen said, “Yeah! I saw Merch and his friends here talking to Rocky fat monkey ass.”
Samaya said, “Merch came back here looking for you with his irritating ass.”
Queen said, “He told me! He said, ‘She still needs a man to tame that smart-ass mouth.’ I ignored his ass.”
Samaya said, “He can’t even tame you? The fuck he worried about me for?”
Teresa said, “I know, right! He got some fine-ass brothers. What the daddy look like? Shit!”
Queen said, “Auntie, you are so crazy.”
Teresa said, “I’m serious, though. How long are you gonna make your clients wait this time, Samaya?”
Queen said, “That shit be working for her. I tried that shit, and all my clients went to somebody else.”
Samaya said, “I already told yo ass you talk too much and to get butt naked on the stage.”
Teresa said, “Well, damn! That’s my cue to leave.”
Samaya saw this pretty woman walking up like a model with a white short silk dress, hair pulled up in a cute bun, and body looking like a gold glimmer.
Samaya said, “Jai? Okay! I see you.”
Jai said, “Yes, Saria. You look good, girl.”
Jai winked her eye at Samaya like they had a secret, but she knew Samaya wasn’t with that licking shit.
Samaya said, “You’re working that outfit, Ms. Jai.”
Jai placed a hundred-dollar bill in Samaya’s G-string. “Get yo money, girl.”
Samaya said, “Thank you, sweetie. I have a VIP table reserved for you by the stage with the bottle of your choice.”
Jai said, “I like your outfit also. Let me see how you work, girl.”
Samaya said, “Bitch finally listened to me. Take everything off! More money!”
Jai said, “What?”
Samaya said, “I’m thinking out loud. Come with me, girl.”
Samaya was picking up Queen’s money, noticing that Jai was mesmerized in deep thought watching her ass.
Queen backed up in front of Jai twerking to the beat, and Jai made it rain rain. When Merch walked up, he dropped so much money on his Queen to get Jai’s attention then walked off.
Teresa said, “Damn, Queen! Get that money.”
Samaya said, “Yassss, bitch!”
Jai said, “Okay! Work that shit!”
Samaya said, “I’ll be back, Jai!”
Samaya rushed to the back, passing Queen as she exited the stage with all smiles, and paid well. She stood behind the curtain until she heard the DJ announce her name.
She was still nervous as day one, so she would peek out to see if her regulars were at the stage.
DJ said, “Time for the main event…Sexy-ass Saria to the stage!”
DJ always added extra if you threw him a few extra dollars, making the ladies feel extra special. Especially if you’re pretty, and he wanted to fuck. He’d say your name like you’re a Hollywood actor coming out to get a goddamn Grammy.
Merch said, “Look, bro! There she is!”
DJ said, “Ms. Saria…”
Samaya was strolling down the stage, noticing that Merch was trying to grab Queen before she could get to the stage.
DJ said, “Fellas and beautiful women. Help me welcome Saria to the got damn stage.”
She swung her head down and got on all fours, started crawling, and slowly twerking her ass to the beat. The more people that came to the stage, the faster she approached the edge, stopping and bouncing her ass for each tipper.
When Jai approached the stage, she stood next to Teresa, Queen, and a group of guys. Samaya looked at Jai like, My bitch!
Jai said, “Aye, girl!”
Teresa said, “Get it, girl!”
Samaya climbed the pole and came down in the splits, bouncing her ass like she was making a baby, watching Jai and Queen make it rain, but not like the man wearing all white.
DJ said, “Saria…doing her thang, fellas.”
To see him better, Samaya showed out doing a headstand with her face facing his, and the pole between her cheeks giving her balance. When she saw who it was, her stomach tightened up, and her body started doing shit on its own.
Jai said, “Aye! Get it, girl.”
Isaiah from around the hood, Lovely Vines, done came to see her at the come-up spot. She saw him push politely past Jai and place a stack of cash on the stage, and her ass must have seen it, too, the way it started twerking.
That shit turned her on, and she gave him eye contact the whole time, not knowing if she should be mad or happy at the same time he came to the job.
Queen knew the drill, and she started picking Samaya’s money up for safekeeping from the thirsty when she couldn’t see it.
Seeing all that money this customer was throwing made Samaya’s ass have its own goddamn brain. Her ass cheeks were talking in sign language to his brain and pockets.
She stood up, slowly massaging her body, giving his fine ass all the attention, noticing he had a few guys standing with him as if they were watching his back.
Queen said, “Damn bitch! Twerk…twerk that ass?”
Teresa said, “She’s snapping! Don’t break your back!”
Samaya made her way off the stage, nervous for no reason, and her family was right behind her.
Samaya said, “I’m nervous, Queen! I liked all his shit on Lovely Vines.”
Queen said, “All you need is a few shots, hit this flame, and go get him.”
Teresa said, “I was hoping that wig didn’t fall off.”
Samaya said, “Auntie…oh my gosh! Let me freshen up!”
Teresa said, “What’s funny? I’m so serious. You were shaking, twerking, and some mo shit!”
Queen said, “Spray on some perfume, and brush your teeth, because your ass looked like you saw a ghost. Scary ass!”
Samaya said, “Let me lock my money up until Toonie gets here. I need to step back out to greet, and show love to the ones who tipped well.”
Teresa said, “He’s the only one that tipped well. He made everybody move to the side.”
Queen said, “This is my first time seeing him up close. Girl, he fine just like his brothers.”
Samaya said, “Who’s his brothers? Don’t tell me, let me guess. Lovely Vines, huh?”
Queen said, “Remember, I told you. Merch wanted to hook you up with his brother.”
Samaya said, “Well, he looks like a chocolate bar with muscles. Did you see Jai?”
Queen said, “We talked for a hot minute.”
Teresa said, “Well…I want to meet the chocolate bar who created their ass!”
Queen said, “Auntie, I don’t know his father. He got some fine-ass cousins though.”
Teresa said, “Damn! I need an uncle. Fuck these little boys.”
Samaya said, “Let’s go chop it up with Jai, before her fine ass leave.”
Queen said, “You need to go chop it up with the dude before his fine ass leave. All that money he just placed on the stage, girl.”
Samaya said, “I’m not about to look all thirsty.”
Teresa said, “Y’all young girls kill me with that thirsty shit.”
Queen said, “Auntie, we the same age damn near.”
Teresa said, “My mama wasn’t no joke. I still like them older.”
Samaya and Queen went back to the front to finish up the night with private dances, and the VIP.
Teresa stayed in the back, selling wigs, making appointments, and giving out her number to the girls.
Jai said, “OMG! Girl, that man threw all that money on you. You made that shit look simple.”
Samaya said, “That comes with the territory. You look, you pay! Let’s go get a shot, girl.”
Jai said, “Well, I’m going to mingle a little bit before I leave. It’s some nice-looking men in here.”
Samaya said, “You’re right about that, girl! Go on and get you one.”
Samaya didn’t see him anywhere in the club. She wanted to thank him, but she couldn’t find him, so she went about business as usual.
She made a few thousand giving lap dances, and a few VIP requests from her regulars, and that made her night a good profit.
When she made her way to the dressing room to change, she was surprised when she opened the door. Isaiah was sitting in her chair, looking at his phone as if he didn’t see her walk in. “What the fuck,” Samaya shouted.
Samaya said, “Are you lost? Do you want a lap dance? VIP is in the front, sir.”
Isaiah said, “I know where I’m at, and when I want a lap dance, you’ll give it to me. Have a seat, please.”
Samaya said, “Really? How’d you get in here, sir?”
Isaiah said, “The same way you did! Have a seat!”
Samaya said, “What do you want?”
Isaiah said, “You! I’ll call you, so be ready, Ms. Saria.”
Samaya said, “How did you get my number?”
Isaiah said, “Never mind all that. I’ll call you, or you can call me. Take my business card, lovely.”
Samaya said, “Oh my gosh! All these monosyllabic responses.”
When Isaiah went to leave out the door, Queen, Sunshine, and Teresa came in giggling as he brushed past them, and that made them laugh even harder.
Sunshine said, “Hey, Saria! Damn, he smelled good.”
Teresa said, “Change clothes, Queen, so your slow ass can take me home.”
Queen said, “Let me see what Merch talking about. I might need you to take my car.”
Samaya said, “Queen, did you let that man in here?”
Sunshine said, “He was fine as hell. Is that your man?”
Queen said, “What man? Sunny, mind ya own—”
Samaya said, “You know damn well who I’m talking about.”
Teresa said, “I don’t know who let his ass back here. Did you get the number?”
Sunshine said, “If she didn’t, I’ll go get his shit. Now ignore that!”
Teresa said, “Queen, if you don’t handle this scorned kneecap broad, I will.”
Samaya said, “Thirsty-ass broad! Don’t know who they’re dealing with.”
Samaya sighed loud to piss Sunshine off, so Queen ignored her only because Samaya did. Queen handled her business with Sunshine and left with Teresa.
Queen saw him all in Jai’s ear, but Teresa grabbed her arm and pulled her outside. “Don’t worry about that,” Teresa whispered.
When Samaya was leaving, she saw Isaiah and his friends standing by the main entrance with Merch, and Rocky off to the side. When she saw Sunshine approaching the crowd of men, they all shook their heads no, so she laughed to herself, watching Sunshine turn and walk away fast with a frown.
Samaya always waited for DJ to walk with her to the car so that he could get his tip, and a little conversation that she knew wasn’t going anywhere.
DJ said, “You did your thang tonight!”
Samaya said, “My thang? Thanks. What they want with Rocky, DJ?”
She always kept her pistol on her side until she got in the car. Then she put it on her lap in case someone tried robbing her for their money back, or the other strippers’ stickup friends.
DJ waited for her to get in the car, as usual, so he could shut her door, and try to get some pussy.
DJ said, “I don’t know, baby girl. You know all the shit he is into. He probably owes them money. Rocky in debt with everybody. I see you’re going to get home safe.”
Samaya said, “Always! Here’s your tip. Thank you.”
DJ said, “Thanks, baby. What’s up with you? When can I take you out? Let me get your number? You got a man, huh?
Samaya said, “Damn, DJ! Stop with all the questions. I’m going home. I don’t go out with coworkers, and I most definitely don’t give out my number. We talked about this before, DJ.”
DJ said, “It’s Donald, Saria. You’re too smart and pretty to be in here dancing. When are you gonna stop doing this?”
Samaya said, “How do you know I’m smart? My dancing is just a hustle. I’m gone! Thanks again, Donald.”
The building Samaya lived in had an underground parking lot and cameras everywhere. She felt safe once the gate closed because she knew Donald wasn’t the only man that wanted her.
*****
Queen let her auntie take her car, but they waited for Merch to finish chopping it up with Rocky before Teresa left.
Queen said, “Look, TT! There his cousins Tee and Ax.”
Teresa said, “I’m not getting introduced in a damn parking lot to some young thugs.”
Queen said, “What does that mean? You and Samaya something else.”
Teresa said, “Presentation, baby! Where you meet them matters how they treat you. Here your man come. Love you. Call me tomorrow.”
Queen said, “Why didn’t Toonie show up tonight?”
Teresa said, “I don’t know! Samaya will find out. Bye!”
*****
Queen didn’t even let him shut the car door before she started drilling him with questions.
Queen said, “What did you do today? Where did you go? Thought you were linking with me before I came to work?”
Merch said, “Hello, Queen! How are you doing?”
Queen said, “Hello, Merch! What did you do today?”
Merch said, “I handled my business. What did you do today?”
Queen said, “Fucked you, then came to work.”
Merch said, “Funny you weren’t here when I first came. I left and came back.”
Queen said, “I know, my cousin told me. And I got that. Thank you.”
Merch said, “Oh! Now you don’t know what to say? Don’t get quiet!”
Queen said, “I ran to the store to get some Backwoods and gum. What about—”
Before Queen could finish asking another question, Merch cut that shit short real quick.
Merch said, “Don’t start asking me all these damn questions. You ready to do this or what?”
Queen said, “I guess! This what you want, right? That’s what you were in her ear about?”
Merch said, “Look! We don’t have to do this shit!”
Queen said, “Why her, though?”
Merch said, “You’re the one that told me to pick or find somebody. Got damn!”
Queen said, “Whatever! I’ve been ready!”
Merch said, “Well, stop all that pouting shit, G!”
Queen said, “Not pouting! Just asking questions and making conversation.”
Merch said, “At least say hi or how are you doing before questioning me, Detective.”
Queen hit his arm then went back to game mode. When she leaned over and pulled his dick out, Merch already knew she was ready. No questions asked and sucked it all the way there without hesitation.
Queen said, “He’s ready now. Come on!”
*****
After everybody left, Rocky locked up and called a few people to meet him at the club. They all sat there listening to him, but needed more information before going through with it because Rocky’s MO was getting over on people.
Rocky said, “I know what I saw. If y’all do what I say, everything will go as planned. Now, if y’all want to be some pussies, and let this opportunity pass gone head.”
Man 1 said, “Hold the fuck up! I’m not a pussy!”
Man 2 said, “I’m not a pussy either. What the fuck!”
Rocky said, “Either! Either! Either! Well, let’s not let this pass. I’m selling the place to them first.”
Man 3 said, “If everything split evenly, I’m game.”
Rocky said, “Don’t do shit until I say. Let me find out where the briefcase is.”
Man 2 said, “What’s in the briefcase?”
Rocky said, “Money and flame!”
*****
Lia wasn’t about to tell everything she knew about Mr. Simms. She knew they weren’t telling her everything about the case with him, so she played their game with them.
She saw Mr. Simms go in, and leave with a group of people after the club closed, but Thomas wasn’t about to get promoted off her hard work.
Lia said, “I didn’t see him come or go. You think he knows we’re on to him?”
Detective Thomas said, “I know he’s not that hard to spot. We should get a search warrant for his house also.”
Lia said, “Let me figure out a way to get more concrete evidence first. I’m not letting his nasty ass get off from us fucking up as Afonso did.”
Jez
Mixed Up
Jez had a schedule for every day and hated if she was thrown off because that would throw her whole day off. This morning was the gym at 5:00 a.m. sharp, so she rushed past her mother and her overly strong cheap coffee.
Jennifer said, “Good morning. Would you like some coffee?”
Jez said, “I’ll pick some up on the way. Thanks.”
Jennifer said, “See you tonight for supper?”
Jez said, “I don’t know. See you later, Mother.”
*****
Jez was leaving the gym and noticed a few men walking into the parking garage laughing, but she paid it no mind. She stopped to buy water out of the vending machine as she watched them get in a silver car with tinted windows.
As she approached her car, she noticed another note from the mystery man that kept putting love notes under her windshield wipers. She grabbed it and started crying, immediately opening her car door and watching her back. “What the fuck,” Jez cried out.
I’ve been watching you!
You are so beautiful
One day you’ll be mine!
I will love you forever!
After reading it, she threw it in her console with the rest of them. She started thinking hard about who it could be, wondering what was so funny with the men that just passed her in the gym to the few guys that spoke to her in the gym, and a lot that just looked.
It couldn’t be the guy at the coffee shop because she’s never seen him at the gym, and the only men in her cosmetology class were into men.
Back to the coffee shop by 7:00 a.m., finished with her class at ten thirty, coffee again at ten forty-five, and off to help her sister at her shop by 11:00 a.m.
When the shop closed, she went home to her parents’ house by six thirty every night faithfully.
Whoever was leaving the notes either knew her schedule or worked out at the gym, and she hoped they didn’t know where she lived.
*****
Jez didn’t have to worry about money, so she saved all her money from working at the shop and the clients she had at school.
Right before graduating from cosmetology school, she signed up for business management, and her parents paid for school and transportation.
*****
When Jez entered the class, a few girls were looking at her, smiling all hard, so she turned her back to them and set her station up. She wasn’t about to fake it with their whispering ass, knowing they didn’t like her, and she didn’t care for them either.
The teacher said, “Hello, everyone. Let’s get ready to open the doors. We’re past all the color testing, so relax. You can test on clients or friends with the cut and style. Did everyone hear me?”
“Yes,” all the students said simultaneously.
Student 1 said, “Jez, do you have a client or friend coming today?”
Jez said, “Why? Client and friend are the same shit!”
Tara said, “Jez, my sister coming.”
Student 1 said, “Just asking. Tara. How’d you do on the coloring?”
Tara said, “I took that before you started. I’m done with everything. I’m here getting clients and money.”
Jez said, “That’s a good idea.”
Student 1 said, “I asked my baby daddy’s sister to come, but they act funny when he does.”
Jez said, “Act funny? The teacher said we could use clients. Didn’t you hear her?”
Student 2 said, “Here she goes. Girl, quit talking to her.”
Jez said, “I would act funny if she wanted to do my hair. If she stops talking and listens to the damn teacher, she’d have clients.”
Student 1 said, “Hold on, bitch! I do listen!”
Student 2 said, “You’re a mean bitch, Jez!”
Tara said, “Your lips are loose with that bitch word. Act pretty and professional, so you can pass this time.”
Student 1 said, “Fuck you, Tara!”
Tara said, “You need to fuck this test.”
Jez said, “You’re talking, but you’re the one that told us she failed every test and had to repay for a retake. Not to mention, they’re getting rich off her dumb, not coloring, no cutting, or styling, ass.”
Student 2 said, “I didn’t say all that. You’re adding extra, just like your extra ass.”
Student 1 said, “All y’all ass fake!”
Tara said, “Watch that y’all shit.”
The teacher said, “Excuse me, ladies! I’m opening the doors. Smile.”
Jez said, “Now we’re fake, because y’all talk about each other. Get the fuck out of here.”
Teacher said, “Jez, you did a nice job on that color yesterday. I’ll be making an appointment with you soon. Keep up the good work.”
Jez said, “Thank you, I really appreciate that.”
Tara said, “Hey, girl. I’m proud of you.”
Jez said, “Thanks, Tara.”
Student 1 said, “Teacher always amping.”
Student 2 said, “You know she has to amp her pets.”
Jez said, “You need to amp your girl, so she can get some pet clientele and graduate.”
Tara said, “Not ‘graduate,’ Jez, stop!”
Jez and Tara laughed, clinking their combs together.
Teacher said, “Now. Now. Ladies, let’s keep it cute.”
*****
Jez headed to the coffee shop before going to work with her sister.
Jai said, “Hey, twin, how’s it going this morning?”
Jez said, “Here’s your coffee! Surprisingly you’re here early.”
Jai said, “What’s with you, no hello?”
Jez said, “Sorry, sis! It’s just, this is like the fourth note left under my windshield, and I don’t know what to do.”
Jai said, “You reported it to the security office already. You should call Daddy’s crazy brother, or get a gun.”
Jez said, “Uncle not crazy, he’s defensive.”
Jai said, “Go to the police, as I told you before.”
Jez said, “Okay. The manager said they would keep an eye open because the security cameras been down for a month now. I just looked at their ass, like, okay.”
Jai said, “If a muthafucka were stalking their daughter, they’d fix the cameras.”
Jez said, “It has to be somebody that works there, or following me. What the hell?”
Jai said, “OMG! They got you cursing all out of your element. Quit going to that location, period. That’s some fluky-ass shit.”
Jez said, “I’m quiet, but I don’t want a man that can’t approach me.”
*****
Jez picked up her clothes from the dry cleaners every Tuesday before going to the shop.
The cashier said, “Hello. How can I assist you today, beautiful?”
Jez said, “Hi. Here’s my ticket.”
The cashier said, “You don’t talk much, huh?”
Jez said, “I’m fine. Thank you!”
The cashier said, “My name is David.”
Jez said, “Well, you know my name. Nice meeting you.”
David said, “Lift your head up, beautiful, it’s okay.”
Jez said, “How much?”
David said, “You have five items. It’s on the house today, miss.”
Jez said, “That’s nice, but I insist on paying. Thought appreciated!”
David said, “See you again. Have a nice day.”
Jez said, “Yeah! Yeah!”
It couldn’t have been David leaving a note because the gym is across town, and I barely speak to him. He can’t get my information or my whereabouts just from my credit card, Jez thought.
*****
When she approached the house, she saw the lights still on, so she knew her mother was still awake and full of questions.
It used to piss her off when her sister said, “You are acting like our mom,” but she saw it herself and didn’t like it.
John said, “Hello, daughter. How was your day?”
Jennifer said, “She’s coming in later and later each night.”
John said, “Honey…leave her alone.”
Jez said, “Hello, Father. Hello, Mother. How was your day?”
Jennifer said, “He asked you first. You didn’t say much this morning. What’s going on?”
Jez said, “My day was productive. I passed my styling and coloring so far. Mother…come in and get a style from your daughter tomorrow.”
John said, “That’s a good idea! I’ll bring her.”
Jez said, “Dad…Mom knows how to drive, right? See you in the morning, Mother.”
Jennifer said, “Hmm. Yes, daughter.”
