Actor, writer, filmmaker, creating fantastic stories.
The crowd was now smiling and cheering. I felt hot, cold, and clammy all at the same time. I looked back at Sway. She tugged my arm as we left to a round of applause. I couldn’t make it to the exit quickly enough.
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“After what Rosebud and Mandy did, I tried calling them to… I guess to explain. I was probably trying to ask for help, but I didn’t know how. My sister answered, and we were talking. They took the phone away from her and hung up on me.
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It racks your nerves when you’re hot. You begin to imagine scenarios where, if being pulled over, how you’d run at least far enough to toss the shit out. Knowing you would probably be arrested anyway for evading the police or whatever list of charges they have on the books, it would still be better than being caught dirty.
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“Yeah. I won awards. I would have had to have gone to college, but I’d made up my mind that I was never going to put myself in that kind of debt. That’s a ripoff. All that for a job starting at fourteen or fifteen dollars an hour. It would take me nearly seven years to pay that shit off, all while living in poverty. Fuck that.
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JANUARY 26, 2020
KNOCKOUT SPORTS BAR – NORTHWEST HIGHWAY – 3:30 p.m.
Sway and I had decided to check out Knockout Sports Bar for some eats. I was having the Knockout Burger, and Sway was trying the Uppercut. We’d sat across from each other at a table near the window.
“Where did you get the name Sway?”
“I didn’t like my real name, so I started telling people to call me Sway.”
“What is your real name?”
Sway lowered her head. She smiled… “Sadie.”
“Sadie?”
“Yeah, I was named after my grandmother.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
She looked to me. “Sadie?! You have to ask what’s wrong with that?!”
I laughed. “That’s a beautiful name…if you weren’t a white girl and it was like 1846…and you were a slave on a plantation.”
She pouted. “Oh, stop!”
“I’m just playing. What’s your last name?”
“Persson.”
“Sadie Persson.”
“That’s me.”
“Can I ask you something else? It has nothing to do with your name… If you don’t want to talk about it, I’ll understand.”
“I’ll tell you anything, Andre; whatever you want to know.”
“How exactly did you get caught up with Mandy and Rosebud?”
“Oh… Well, I was working… They came in and were looking all fly, like stars.”
“Where were you working?”
“At Twin Peaks, as a server. Every time I would check on them, Mandy would ask a lot of questions. And when she found out that I wanted to sing, she told me that they had a record label and were looking to sign new talent.”
“You sing?”
“I do a little something.”
“Okay… I want to hear some of that later.”
“I told them that I was just starting out and I needed training, and then Rosebud said that they had all that and a studio I could work out of. He showed me pictures of them popping bottles with Yeezy and Pharrell.”
“Was it in a public place or like a club or something?”
“Yeah.”
“Motherfuckers like that spend all their whore’s money to hang out with celebrities and use that to go back and show how big they are.”
“At the time, I didn’t know that.
“So, I went to the studio and he had his producer playing some of his tracks. But they weren’t good at all.
“I asked Rosebud, and he said that it was just something to see what I had and that he had top-notch producers coming in to see me.
“He told me that I had the look to sell millions. All he needed to do was put a package together and develop me.”
“Did he bring anyone in?”
“Yeah… They were all pretty good and professional, too. He said that we needed to keep working until we came up with a hit, something he could bring to Yeezy or Pharrell. So we were recording all day, every day; even into the night.”
“What happened to your job?”
“He said that I needed to make a decision. If I wanted it, really wanted it, I had to devote one hundred percent.”
“You quit?”
“Yes.”
“How did you support yourself?”
“He took care of everything. He had me stay with Mandy at her place.”
“Where were you staying before?”
“At home. I’m from Lewisville.”
“Everything sounds good so far. What happened?”
“Well, Mandy woke me up one night. She told me that Rosebud was going crazy; that he was pissed off.”
“At you?”
“At everything. He was looking at how much money he was spending and that I was taking way too long to develop, and that he was out of a lot of cash.”
“Ah… Here we go.”
“At first, it was like all I had to do was hang out with Mandy, and she was going to fuck a few guys right quick to get the money for me for Rosebud because she didn’t want me to not realize my dream. She had me as a lookout to make sure the police weren’t riding around and to be there in case one of the tricks started tripping or try not to pay her.”
“She was doing all this for you.”
“Right? So then one day she wasn’t feeling good and was on her period, so she needed me to take her place.
“I told her I wasn’t going to do shit. She had the wrong girl.”
“In comes Rosebud.”
“She texted him and he was like, there in five minutes.”
“Where was this?”
“At the Delux… He came in yelling and throwing me around the room. He beat the shit out of me, Andre. I thought he was going to kill me.
“He was trying to make it seem like I was using him and that he was trying hard to make me a star and that I was ungrateful. He pointed out that even Mandy was doing everything she could for me and that it wasn’t even her fucking dream.
“What’s so messed up is that I knew he was fucking with my head, but I was still buying into it.”
“That’s how they do, Sway.”
“After that it…” Sway stared into nothing. “I was a virgin. I’d never been with a man before. I was saving myself for the right guy, but my very first experience was with a fucking trick. An old, stinky, bearded white meth-head for like eighty fucking dollars. That was all I was worth…”
“Sway… Look at me.” I reached across the table, taking her hand. “I’m going to tell you something and I don’t want you to ever forget it.” She looked me deep in my eyes, never blinking. “You’re still a virgin. What happened to you was not your will. You were a captive. There’s a difference. You were not in control of that situation.
“It’s a new day. This is a new start.”
Creole Gaudet
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.
It was about ten minutes to three when Demi arrived.
As usual, she’d sent a text saying that she was pulling in, and I’d gone down the stairs to the back entrance to let her in.
As soon as I opened the door, Demi started. “I’m about to lose it on these bitches, Andre. They’re adding to the gray hairs I already have creeping out of my damn head.
“I’m sorry for being so late, but…that last girl, I’m going to strangle her. She got into this big argument with her customer over little to nothing, then he got mad, and no one got tipped. You believe it?
“All that for nothing. I’m trying to teach them. When I was dancing, we had respect for the customers. That’s your money. That’s how you get paid. You don’t fuck that up.”
We entered my floor. “A heads up. I have company.”
Demi paused. “It’s not anyone from the club, is it?”
“No, it’s a friend of mine. She’s staying for a few days.”
Sway stole her eyes away from the TV as we entered. I introduced. “This is Sway. Sway, this is Demi.”
“Aw, she’s beautiful. Much prettier than Holly or that Jeanice.”
Sway looked to me. Demi continued. “It’s nothing, just some of the girls at the club asking me about Andre.” Demi turned to me. “I know, I talk too much.” She grabbed the forty sack from the kitchenette table, replacing it with two crisp twenties.
I relaxed next to Sway as Demi removed a cut straw from her bra. She dipped into the baggie, drawing a pinch for each nostril. “Whoo shit! Is this new?”
“It’s the same. I’m getting low, though. I have to score soon.”
Demi looked to Sway. “So where do you dance, pudding? I can’t place you. Have we met?”
“I’ve never danced before.”
“Oh, darling, I’m sorry. When you’ve been in the business as long as I have, you think every pretty face you see is dancing.
“If you ever want to, come work with us at Big John’s. I’ll teach you everything. I’m old and retired now, I’m just a waitress, but I still know the game.” Demi smiled. “Easiest money in the world for a pretty girl like you. I can set you up with my best clients. No dick sucking or fucking. I only work with gentlemen.”
I cut in. “Yeah, we’re going to get settled for now. She has some things she wants to work out.”
“Okay, let me know, or just send her over to me. I’ll get her on, day one. We’re in Fort Worth, so she won’t have to worry about all that Bio-Verify bullshit like Dallas.”
Demi stood. “Well, I’m on my way. Gotta go let the dogs out and then I’m going to take me a long hot bath.”
She looked to Sway. “It was a pleasure to meet you, pudding.” I stood in the doorway as she walked away. She turned and whispered. “I like this one. She’s fucking gorgeous.”
“I know.”
I closed and locked the door. “So, who’s Holly and Jeanice?”
“They work at the club with Demi.” I returned to my place next to her.
“That much I know. But who are they?”
“Nothing for you to worry about.”
“You’re sure?”
“Sure, I’m sure. I met Holly through Demi… It was business, and she then… It seemed like she flirted… Jeanice talked about going out to the movies, but nothing happened.”
“Why not?”
“Well, I sent them both a text. Holly replied with only a hello. I sent her another one the next day, and she didn’t text me back. Jeanice never replied at all. So, that was that.”
“Good for you.” She took my hand. “You don’t need to be chasing bitches.”
“You’re okay?”
“Yeah.” She looked to my head. “You got curly, wavy hair, but you’re black.”
“My mother was mixed.”
She ran her fingertips through it. “Why don’t you let it grow out? Like, let it come down.”
“Like Priest?”
“That would be so fucking hot. I’d fuck you every day.”
“You could do that now.”
“That sounds good.”
“You’re smelling all pretty. I’m going to go and take a shower.”
“You need any help in there?”
“I got this… I can take it from here.”
“Ha, ha, you’re so clever.”
When I came out, Sway was under the covers and sound asleep. I brushed my teeth and put the cash and coke away for the night.
I turned off the lights, got into bed, and placed the remote on the dresser after flipping off the TV.
I settled into my pillows, relaxing. I looked over to Sway. Her back was towards me. The light pouring from outside created a halo over her. She was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen, and here she was, right next to me.
I knew to make it work, I’d have to play it just right. Be me, and hopefully we’d be able to accept each other for who we are.
Maybe we could be great together.
As I drifted, I imagined Sway and I covered with diamonds, riding in a brand new Mercedes or maybe a bright red Bentley Coupe.
We’d have all new clothes and the best meals prepared for us by the best chefs. We’d live in the most expensive apartment in Dallas. Maybe a penthouse.
I was suddenly shaken from my thoughts. “No, fuck no.” I looked to Sway. She was talking in her sleep. “I said fuck no! And fuck you!”
She began throwing her arms and kicking her legs. I sat up, looking over to her. I could see her eyes moving from side to side under her lids.
A primal scream emitted from her lungs, echoing off the walls. “I’m not doing it anymore! I don’t care what you do to me!”
I shook her shoulders. “Sway. Wake up, baby. You’re having a bad dream.”
She opened her eyes. “Rosebud!” She jumped from the bed, taking defense with her back to the wall.
“No, baby, it’s me. It’s Andre.” I leapt to the floor.
“Stay away from me, Rosebud. I left you, and I’m never coming back to work for you again. Where’s Mandy? I know she’s somewhere hiding.”
“Sway… Baby, you’re dreaming.”
“Get her out here, too. She needs to hear this so she can know. No fucking more. I mean that fucking shit.
“I’m in love now… Something real. You wouldn’t understand this…”
I stepped to her, wrapping her tightly into my arms. “Sway, it’s Andre, baby. You’re just having a bad dream, that’s all.”
“Andre…?”
Creole Gaudet
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.
OCTOBER 10, 2021
HOME – 8:45 p.m.
It was late evening when Paco arrived. He’d emptied his pockets, dropping the lumps of cash onto the coffee table.
He lowered himself into the plush leather sectional and reached for the remote.
It was the middle of the third quarter, and Zeke was high-stepping into the end zone for a touchdown. Brett Maher capped the drive off by adding the extra point to extend the Cowboys’ lead against the Giants to twenty-four to thirteen.
Paco sorted out the bills by denominations, edging the corners, facing, and stacking them into neat piles of tens, twenties, and hundreds.
He reached into his boxers, pulling out the cardboard matchbox from between his scrotum and thigh. He slid it open, removing the two eight-ball sacks of cocaine, clutching them into his palm.
He sighed as his mouth widened into a yawn. His eyes heavied.
He again looked at the cocaine. A gentle smile formed on his face as he began to reminisce.
JUNE 20, 2022
DOUBLE PLATINUM CLUB – 10:18 p.m.
He’d just walked in, taken a seat at the bar near the entrance, and ordered a beer when he heard the sound of a sweet voice. “So, how did you get the name Paco?”
Paco smiled. “My mother called me that since I was young.”
“I like it. I think it’s cute.”
“So, how do you know my name? I would have remembered you.”
“We’ve never met.”
“So, again, how do you know my name?”
“I have my ways.” She stalled, panning the room. She giggled. “I heard the bartender say it.”
“What are you drinking? Can I get you something?” Paco signaled.
“A Red Bull… With a straw.”
“Now, tell me your name.”
“Tawny.”
“Nice to meet you, Tawny.”
The two locked into a stare. Tawny quick-glanced her drink as it was placed upon a napkin. She lifted the can in a toast. Paco returned the gesture. “Thanks for my drink.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“You have a very interesting look.” Tawny studied his features. “You’re like some kind of an exotic mix…of all good things. Is your mother or father Mexican?”
“My dad was black, and my mother is Spanish. Her parents are from Spain.”
“Did I hear you say your dad was?”
“Yeah, he was killed.”
“I’m sorry, Paco.”
“That was fifteen years ago. I was eleven.”
“How did he die? That’s if you don’t mind me asking.”
“A deal gone bad.”
Tawny paused. “I’m sure he was so handsome… I bet you look just like him, too.”
“Are you flirting with me?”
“Can’t you tell?”
“I don’t like to assume. I like to be sure.”
“I’m flirting.”
“Okay, well, you’re not so bad yourself, Tawny. You look a little mixed, too.”
“I did my DNA, and I have like six percent Sub-Saharan African in me.”
“I can see where it’s at. You have the blue eyes, but you have the lips like a black girl.”
“I got that booty too. And it’s all real.”
“I like booty. Stand up right quick. I want to see how tall you are.”
“No… Not right now.” She smirked. “A little later.”
“So you’re gonna make me wait to see dat ass, huh?”
“Yup.”
“I’d still like to see how tall you are. You don’t have to turn around.”
“You want to know if we’re a good fit?”
“Yeah.”
“I can’t take off my stilettos, but we are. I can tell.”
“How?”
“You’re about six one?”
“Two.”
“If I hug you in flats, my head will be right in your chest… Perfect.”
“Yes, you are, Tawny. You’re very beautiful. I’m sure you’ve heard every compliment that I could ever come up with, especially while working in a gentleman’s club. But, I’m speaking from the heart. I really mean it. There’s something about you. I can’t explain it.”
“I feel it, Paco. Since you came in through those doors, I haven’t taken my eyes off you…
“I was talking to myself, wondering, who is this cute, sexy man with the curly hair and all those muscles?
“I knew that I’d better say something before one of these other girls got to you first… Then you sat right next to me? That was when I knew.”
“Tawny… Do you believe in…?”
“Love at first sight?”
“Yes.”
“If I didn’t before, I do now.”
Paco peered slightly above Tawny’s shoulder. “I can’t help but to notice that server. She’s been watching us.”
“Who?” Tawny turned.
“She’s across the room. She has the long ponytail.”
“Oh, that’s my girl, Blake.”
“Blake?”
“Yeah, isn’t she pretty?” Tawny beckoned with a wave.
“Pretty? Tawny, she’s drop-dead gorgeous. She could be a movie star.”
“We grew up across from each other in Tyler.”
“Tyler?”
“We moved here to Dallas a month ago.”
Creole Gaudet
Copyright ©2020 by Creole Gaudet. All rights reserved.
No part of this episode 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.
HOME – 11:30 p.m.
We’d grabbed Sway’s bags and entered the building through the main entrance. “This is nice, Andre. I didn’t know you lived in a hotel.”
“I like to have options.”
“In case you have to move?”
“Yeah, I don’t stay in any of them too long. Three or four months at a time.” We arrived at the elevator. “It’s only temporary, though.”
“What’s next? Where do you want to go?”
I pushed the button for the third floor. “My dream is to move downtown into a high-rise apartment. I want to be able to walk onto my balcony, somewhere on like the fiftieth story or some shit like that.” Sway grinned. “Then I can look at all those pretty fucking buildings, the cars passing along on the highway, and the people walking down below… I’ll be on top of the world. Of course, I’ll have a legit business, so I won’t have to do this anymore. Then I’ll know I’d made it.”
“Wow. That sounds good. I can see it too.”
The door opened. We walked to my room. We entered. “Andre… You have a fridge, a stove…” She stepped to the middle of the suite. “And you have a king-size bed.” She parted the curtains halfway. “You have a nice view… There are some buildings… They’re kinda pretty.”
“Yeah, but…”
“I know…” She placed her things across the bed, then walked to me. “You’re going to have all that.”
“Thank you.”
Sway gave me a soft kiss on the lips. “I’d like to take a shower…”
“Oh, sure. Let me get everything together for you.” I moved quickly, laying out a set of towels on the counter. “Here you go…” I leaned over, opening the lower cabinet. “I got some soap down…”
“Baby, we got all I needed from Walmart. I can take it from here.”
“Oh, alright. Okay… I’m gonna go watch some TV or something.”
“I won’t be long.”
I was across the sofa when Sway came out. She stood, wrapped in a towel, her damp hair fell in waves. “Can I borrow a T-shirt, Andre?”
Her pretty scent filled the room like only a woman’s could. “Oh, sure. There are some in that middle drawer.”
She looked to the TV. “What’s that?”
“Super Fly.”
“Old school. Who’s the pimp with the long hair? He’s so sexy.”
I side-eyed Sway as she lowered the towel. I was now seeing her naked for the very first time. Her small breasts were pert and perfect. Her bright pink areolas were topped with long, pointed nipples. “That’s Priest. He’s a coke dealer. And the guy he’s with is his partner, Eddie.”
“What’s it about?”
I stole a quick peek at her pussy as she pulled up her panties. It was fat, meaty, and clean-shaven. “Well, Priest came up with a plan to buy some keys from his mentor, Scatter, at a good price. Then he and Eddie are going to break it all down and sell it for a million dollars and split it.”
She lowered the shirt over her head, pushing her arms through the sleeves. The tail dropped, riding just below her butt cheeks as she crawled up next to me.
I then received a text from Demi, asking if she could drop by on her way in. I agreed.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, that’s just one of my regulars. She’s going to stop for a minute. They’re letting her off at two.”
“You need me to leave or something?” Sway sat up. “I can wait down in the lobby…”
“No. You’ll stay right here.”
“Are you sure? I have my license. I can drive around the block a few times…”
“Sway. Relax… Stay right where you are.” I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close to me. “Let’s watch the movie.”
“Okay, but who’s she? She’s beautiful.”
“That’s Georgia. That’s his woman. This is my favorite part where he’s finally telling her his plans and where she fits in.”
“She loves him, too. You can see how she looks at him.”
“Georgia is ride or die.”
“How many times have you seen this?”
“I’ve been watching it since I was about eight.”
“Okay…”
I looked to her. “What are you grinning about?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on, you’re thinking something. What is it?”
“Nothing. Like you said, let’s watch the movie.” I reached into her ribs, tickling her. “Stop!” Sway fought back, grabbing my wrists. “Stop! You’re gonna make me pee!”
“Well, tell me.”
“Okay, okay. Please don’t tickle me…” She watched cautiously as I lowered my hands.
“I’m listening.”
“Priest is a sexy dope dealer with dreams and goals… He wants to make it big and get into something else. Get out of the coke game, right?”
“Right…”
“Okay…”
“What?”
“Do I have to spell it out for you?”
“You’re saying that I’m…”
“You idolize Priest, Andre. You’re living his life, but only it’s not a movie. You’re real.”
I’d often heard that when you’re too close to something, you sometimes can’t really see it. Like not being able to see the forest for the trees. “Is that bad?”
“No, baby. You’re living the dream. It’s your dream. I think it’s wonderful.” She climbed up on me, staring into my eyes. “And I want to do whatever I can to help you reach that dream.”
“You do?”
“If you’ll let me… Let me be your Georgia.”
Creole Gaudet
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.