Chapter 5
Greg and I walked the long way home after an early dismissal. Ever since the incident though, he would only walk me to the corner of my street. My aunt was still on some stay-away stuff, and he didn't want to give her any reason to go ballistic on me. He knew the situation at home, and he wanted my life to be drama-free.
“You like Malik, don't you?”
I knew that question was coming sooner or later. I just didn't know when. He always knew when I was interested in someone or something. He never missed a beat, and I couldn't hide the fact that I was in love with his best friend Malik. He was sexual chocolate on a stick.
Let me school you on Malik. He was one those fine brothers that any man or woman would drop their drawers for. He reminded me of the ex quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Michael Vick. They both shared that dark complexion and that cute baby face. But what he had over Vick was his light brown eyes. He stood about five eightâfour inches above meâwas muscular, fine, and bowlegged, with a tight ass. He maintained a sharp, low Caesar with deep waves, and he had those just-right LL Cool J lips that were to die for. Whoa! I must say that boy was a beauty. Man, I can see his face now . . . just drop-dead gorgeous.
“I know you heard me ask you a question.”
“Yeah. And what made you ask me that question?”
“Don't try to avoid it. Just answer it.”
“I just asked why.”
“Forget why. Better yet, forget the question. I'm going to tell you straight up. I know you like Malik; it's written all over your face. But I'm warning youâstay away from him. He may be my best friend, but he is bad news.”
“Whatever.” I laughed.
“I'm serious, Desire. I'm not playin'.”
“How can you say that about your friend? Your own best friend?”
“Because I know the truth. Trust me on this. I really don't want you around him. I see him flirting with you, and it makes me sick to my stomach. He knows better, but he's hardheaded. You, on the other hand, are no dummy. You're hardheaded too, but you tend to make wise decisions. I schooled you well.”
“Yeah, I know, but he is soooooooo cute.”
“Don't let the baby face fool you. Beauty is skin-deep. Besides, he's too old for you anyway.”
I knew Malik was too old for me, but he was cute. That's all that mattered. Plus, he liked me, and I liked him back. It wasn't a crime. We weren't sexually involved. Well, at least not yet.
Anyway, we stopped at the corner, and I noticed that my aunt and uncle weren't home. It was around that time when Auntie Linda had to take Uncle Frank to his regularly scheduled doctor's appointment.
“You wanna come inside?”
“Oh no. I'm good with your house, Dee.”
“
My aunt and uncle are gone. Pleeeeeeease?”
“Your aunt will kill you if she catches me in the house.”
“Just for a few minutes. They won't be back for a while.”
He thought about it for a second, and then sighed and looked at me.
“A'ight,” he sighed.
“Just for a few minutes. Then I'm out. I ain't tryin'a get you in trouble.”
I was too excited to chauffeur him into my palace, the room I had described to him numerous times over the phone. I can see him now clear as day as he glanced around my room with his bright eyes bulging out and his long eyelashes. He scoped every wall. He burst out laughing, clownin' me of course, because I had framed posters of Tupac plastered everywhere. I was crazy about Tupac.
“I knew you were a Tupac fan, but dang! I didn't know you were sweating him like this. Can the brother breathe? You got him all framed-up on the wall like you knew him personally,” he joked.
I playfully hit him. “Shut up! You want something to drink?”
“You got a Heineken?”
“A what?”
“Ha! Ha! Nah, I'm just joking. I'm cool. Thanks for asking.”
“Gotta be courteous.”
“I taught you well.”
“Indeed you did.” I laughed.
“Sooooo, this is the room that you lock yourself in to be away from the rest of the danger zone.”
“Yup! This is my cozy comfort getaway palace.”
“I really hope things get better for you here.”
“It's been okay lately.”
“Remember though . . . ”
“It will only get better,” we said at the same time.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. But how soon?”
“In time.”
“Well, it needs to speed up.”
“Patience is a virtue.”
“In the eyes of who?”
“Who you think?”
“I don't know.”
“Let me ask you something. If you could live anywhere in this world, then where would it be?”
“Ah, I would have to say in L.A. with Tupac.”
“Get out of here.” Greg laughed.
I laughed too.
“I'm serious, Desire.”
“I don't know, Greg.”
“Well, next time someone asks you, know the answerâAlways have dreams.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
“Yes, please do. Did you think about calling your father like we discussed?”
“Yeah, but I don't want to.”
“It may help sort out some of your feelings.”
“I know, but . . . ”
“Hey, no sweat. You can't rush sensitive situations like that. My fault. When you're ready, just let me know. I'll be here to lend a hand.”
“Thanks.”
“You're welcome. Have you written anything lately?”
“I started two poems that I didn't get to finish. I'll let you read them tomorrow. I have a finished one you can read now though.”
I handed him the piece of paper, and he began reading it aloud.
“Heroin. Deliver us from evil, this world is a living hell, the system is so corrupt, drug dealers are settling well. Mothers are killing their babies, thieves are getting three to five, crooked cops get suspended with pay; it's a deep blue sea of crime. But dirty laundry hits the fan, welfare frauds are beyond, fathers are donating sperm; babies are air born. It is so contagious; this madness here on earth, you can't depict a lifetime, contraceptives don't work. Crack cocaine gets you ten, a rapist; I'll cut you a deal. Murder, if you know Johnnie Cochran you'll be a'ight, Chill! Just be aware of severe life sentences; state time leads to federal crime, a pregnant girl is having contractions, thirteen on her second child, man we don't love them hoes, but you sleeping with ya best friend's girl. Let's rebuild our cities, instead of jails for our upcoming males. Thugs are turned into playboys, newborns can smell the corrosions. A blind eye can see through glass, a bullet can spell out a name, murder is on another level, can't you see it's all a game? Pollution is turned to destruction. HEROIN! HOT DAMN! IT KILLS! He Even Runs Outside Infants Nerves. Addicted to what? HEROIN! Yeah, yeah, it's ill. Nicotine gets you hooked. Snort, sniff, or smoke can string you out. No prescription is needed for HEROIN, it's in our lives on different routes.”
He applauded me. “Damn, girl, this is deep. You got skills.”
“Thank you. I have one more too.”
He started to read another one aloud: “Full of shit, muthafucka,” but then he immediately stopped after a few lines.
I guess the profanity was a bit too much for him to continue to read aloud. So he read it silently then commended me on a good job once again.
“See, I told you. You ain't stupid. You know the game these dudes be out here runnin'. I like this one. Yeah, this is the jump-off right here.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah!”
“It's just a bunch of words and sentences to me.”
“No. What you have written is poetic. This is talent right here.”
“Mmmm. I guess.”
“Don't guess, know. You got potential right here. This is major.” He looked at his watch. “But we'll talk about this later. My minute is up, and I gotta get going.”
He got up to leave while taking another peek around the room. I glanced around too and almost broke my neck to cover up the open condom I spotted on my nightstand. I ran to pick it up, but it was too late. Greg's tunnel vision had spotted it already.
“What the hell is that?” He pointed as he moved closer to it.
“What is what?” I asked, pretending to have no clue as I stood right next to the evidence.
He grabbed my arm. “Don't play stupid with me. Are you having sex?”
He stood so close to me, yelling in my face, that I could smell the green apple Now and Later he was eating on the walk to my house.
“No.”
I was getting scared then. It was the look. He had the same look Jen's brother had when he'd forced himself on me. I started crying because it was like, here we go again. Auntie was right.
“My fault, I'm sorry. I'm overreacting,” he softly spoke as he wiped my tears. “You know I love you like a sister, right?”
“Y-yes,” I stuttered, not knowing what to expect next. I was hoping he was not about to come on to me, 'cause we were close enough to kiss.
“And you know I care about you?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Okay, now, don't take this the wrong way when I tell you this.”
My heart was racing. I felt like I was about to be violated. I took a tiny step back and started to quiver.
“Dee, don't be scared. I know I was trippin' out a minute ago, but I'm cool now. I just want to have a heart-to-heart with you. Let's sit down over there.”
We made our way over to sit on my bed.
“You are in eighth grade, and I'm graduating this year. You are maturing and physically developing faster than most females your age. Boys are going to be at you harder than they are now.”
“I know.” I sighed, indicating I didn't have time for a speech.
“Just listen. I have told you before that your body is your temple. You make the choice of whether you are ready to be intimate or not. A guy will pressure you into trying to do things. Don't do anything you don't want to. The tight clothing and stuff you wear needs to be at a minimum. These guys in school are flying out of their jeans to get you in the bed. Don't fall for it. And, last but not least, stay away from Malik. You will be in high school next year. Stay away from these nasty little boys. Keep your head in your books. And now, with that said, explain to me why you had an open condom on your nightstand.”
“I wanted to see what it looked like.”
“Desire, don't play me.”
“I'm serious. I was curious, so I opened it.”
“Where you get it from?”
“I don't know.”
“Desire, this is me you're talking to.”
“All right. I got it from Malik.”
“From who? What? What the hell for?”
He got up as if he was about to hit me, and I flinched, but he punched double jabs in the air. “Desire, I mean what I say. He may be my best friend, but he's bad news. Stay the hell away from him.”
“Ookayyy, Greg,” I pleaded.
“I gotta go.”
Just as he started to walk down the stairs, I heard keys rattling in the door. I pulled him back upstairs.
“Oh shit!” I whispered. “They're back.”
“I knew I shouldn't have come in. Damn!”
“Quick, hide in my closet.” I shoved him in my closet as I heard my aunt heading toward my room. I squeezed the closet door shut and then realized I still had the open condom balled up in my hand.
I quickly opened the closet door and threw the condom in with Greg. I hated that he had to be jammed up in my pint-sized closet, but there was nowhere else for him to hide.
“What you doing in my house this early?”
“I had a half a day.”
“And what you looking for in that closet?”
“Uhh, I was looking for . . . my, my cleats,” I stuttered.
“Your cleats, huh. Let me see what your lying ass is talking about.”
“Why do you always think I'm lying? I'm sick of this! You never believe me, and you are always accusing me of something. I'm tired of this shit!”
I got bold. It was the only way to stir her attention away from the closet.