Copyright ©2020 by Creole Gaudet. All rights reserved.
No part of this chronicle may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system – except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper – without permission in writing from the publisher, Creole Gaudet.
JANUARY 28, 2020
GOLD TOWN CABARET – 4:50 p.m.
The club was quiet as Sway and I entered the main floor.
Wearing an autographed Lawrence Taylor jersey, the former NBA superstar, Dennis Rodman, was standing in the center of the room with the DJ’s microphone, delivering a few words, paying respect to Kobe Bryant.
Natalia, avoiding eye contact, was across the room, standing with Sarah.
We stood, listening until the music began. We then walked to the bar and took a couple of stools.
Sarah hurried over. “Hey, Andre…and, Sway.”
“So I guess Natalia is not talking to me anymore…”
“Oh, come on, Andre. You had to know she liked you.”
“She never told it to me and…”
“I know, you don’t see her that way. But she still had feelings for you. Once she gets over it, she’ll be okay.” Sarah pressed a roll of cash into my hand. “You got two hundred?”
“Yeah.” I looked to Sway. She went into her purse and removed two big bags. She held her arm low, handing them to Sarah.
“Oh, okay.” Sarah giggled. “We’re doing it this way now?”
“Something wrong with that?”
“No, not at all. I’m just asking. Actually, it’s smart. Keeps the eyes off you, right?” She gave me a hug. “Thanks, Andre.”
She motioned to Natalia. The two met and went on their way.
Sway looked to me. “She’s mad.”
“Sarah?”
“No, that other one.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. She’s not going to let it go… She’s going to try and fuck you over.”
CHEVRON – NORTHWEST HWY – 5:38 p.m.
I was alone when I arrived to meet Dan. Sway was back at the room cooking. Meatballs and spaghetti were going to be our very first home-cooked meal.
Dan was late again, making a big scene as he arrived. He’d grabbed his usual hundred sack and was gone.
I didn’t leave right away. I’d found myself sitting in the car, thinking about tomorrow and how the results from our tests could possibly affect our relationship.
What if Sway or I had something serious? What if one of us were infected with HIV? What about herpes?
How would I handle it? How would we handle it? Would that come between us? What was she thinking about right now? Are the same things running through her head?
I knew that I was completely in love with her, and I truly believed she loved me the same. Either way, my mind was made up, and I wasn’t going to leave her.
Using my phone, I went online to view my checking account balance. Sway was correct. I was spending a lot of money. I would have to hustle hard if I were going to put it all back.
I then did a Google search for the W Hotel downtown. I called and made a three-day reservation, booking the Extreme Wow Suite. That was a quick fifty-six hundred, but it didn’t matter; Sway was worth every penny of it.
I’d put the car in gear and was about to drive away when I saw Mandy’s Cadillac pull up next to me. She dropped her window. “What’s up, Andre?” She exited and walked over. “Are you working?”
“I’m tapped for bigs. I only have a couple forties…”
“I don’t have any cash… I really only need a bump.”
“What happened to your money? I’ve never seen you broke.”
“My man is watching me hard.”
“Rosebud?”
“Yeah, ever since I lost that bitch.”
“What’s her name…? Was it Sway or something like that?”
“That’s her… The one who sucked your dick.” Mandy grinned. “I know what she did.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Whatever… He beat my ass behind that shit.” She showed the bruises on her arms and along her legs. “He won’t let me get high at all. I can’t even fucking smoke!”
“Why do you put up with it? Leave.”
She laughed. “That motherfucker would kill my ugly ass on the spot if I ever even thought about it.”
“But if you could leave, you would, right?”
She pondered, looking around. “I guess every bitch would leave a motherfucker if she could have protection.”
“I don’t mean to another pimp. I mean for good. Like, get out of the game.”
“When you’ve been a ho as long as I have, Andre, it ain’t that easy.”
“I guess you’re right… I tell you what, you’ve been a good customer for a while, Mandy.” She perked in anticipation. “I’m going to let you have these two little ones.”
“You’re fucking with me, Andre?”
“No… Here.” She quickly tucked them into her bra. “Now, when you get your shit together and can pay me back, hit me up and I’ll meet you and grab it.”
“If not, you’re going to come looking for me…”
“I know you’re good for it. You’ll pay me back.”
“Thanks, man. I won’t forget this.” Mandy hurried into the mart. From my rearview mirror, I watched as she sped to the restroom.
As I drove home, I thought about what had just happened.
Did I, in my mind, somehow think that I’d paid Mandy back for rescuing Sway from her and Rosebud? Probably not, because I would have fronted her the coke anyway. I’ve always believed in taking care of my customers.
But…what’s going to happen when Mandy eventually finds out that Sway is with me?
Would it be easier to just call and tell her now? Would that help? Would she flip out and pass it on to Rosebud to maybe get some of the heat off of her?
Creole Gaudet
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