“Why the hell you questioning me like this? I came to ask you a favor and you down a nigga back!” he shouted.
Many people thought we favored, but I had yet to see it. The nigga was way too rugged to carry any similarities. From the way I dressed to the way I got money, he couldn’t compare. We were of no relation, and I didn’t know this nigga from a can of paint before approximately seven years ago. He was also two years older than me making him a pussy nigga without a plan. He was my bastard at this point. I took care of him ‘cause his Pops damn sure ain’t care to do it.
I was on my feet with my Glock gripped tightly. By all means, talk to me with yo’ muthafuckin chest but don’t holla at me, especially when I ain’t raised my voice at you. Respect went a long way with me and this clown ass nigga ain’t have none.
The butt of my gun was raining down on his face before he could blink. The disrespect was loud as fuck coming from him. He ain’t give a damn ‘bout my shit so why the hell did I need to give a fuck about him as a whole. When it came to loyalty, he displayed none. I’d been suspicious for a while. Just because he made me more bread than others didn’t mean he wasn’t disposable. He was already replaced, so the point of his existence was null and void if you asked me. OG could gain an unexpected guests tonight on me.
I didn’t stop beating his shit in until I was satisfied with the blood seeping from his skull. The way it stained the bottom of my Louie’s had me grinning from ear to ear. If a nigga was looking for a certified pair of red bottoms, I had them.
“Get the fuck up out my shit Enzo before yo’ mama be frying fish tomorrow,” I threatened.
Kong was signaling for security to come and drag him out. It was funny how no one was fazed by my actions. I played little to no games to begin with so anything pertaining to me was already a lane to proceed with caution.
Catalina came and stood next to me as the nigga was picked up and thrown over one of the guard’s shoulders. “Watch him Papi. He looks like the type that doesn’t let shit go,” she advised.
“Once again, who the fuck you think I am?”
I knew what was to come. Enzo was no longer on this side of the fence. He was considered a foe from here on out and come daylight, the city of Miami would know that. He wanted to play with a goon then so be it. Welcome to enemy territory bitch!
2
HEIDI MITCHELL
“Let me go! Please…” I screamed and begged. I never felt like I would have to beg for my life in a space that I considered a safe haven. Tears raced down my face as I felt twice the weight of anyone I knew on my back. A helpless feeling surfaced with me seeing no future for myself. I knew what was coming and that caused the fight in me to wither as the seconds passed.
“Nah. This what you wanted ain’t it? So, take it!”
A fist to the side of my face caused me to go limp, and the roaming of his hands along my body…
“Heidi. Heidi. Jesus Christ. Heidi!” My name was being shouted repeatedly.
My eyes shot open, and the first thing I saw was a hand coming towards my face. I quickly rolled to the side to avoid their touch and was on my feet seconds later. Snatching the lamp off the nightstand, I gripped it tightly ready to swing it with all my might.
“Heidi, it’s us dear.”
It took me a minute to realize I wasn’t in harm’s way. I took in the many faces that were across the bed from me and slowly let reality set in. I hated being touched for one and two, thiswasn’t the time to be hovering over me. My night terrors had started again and surrounding me like that only caused me to go into fight mode.
“Friend, are you okay?” My focus settled on the one familiar voice I knew. Niyani took slow steps in my direction with her arms stretched.
I ran to her like a child would their mother. She was the only person I saw myself finding comfort in at the moment. Throwing my arms around her waist, I broke down in her embrace. “He was right there Ni. It felt so real,” I cried.
“Shhh, it wasn’t real. No one is holding you but me. Calm down baby,” she coached me with a quivering tone.
Out of the many women that attended this retreat, Niyani was the only one I allowed in my space for real. We’d met on my very first trip here six years ago and each time I decided to come for some counseling and me time, she was here. I eventually got to know what she’d suffered, and her story was much like mine. We’d been inseparable ever since. She was a great friend to have.
“He was… fuck! He was taking what he wanted, again. Why won’t he leave me alone?” I was infuriated as well as terrified out of my mind. It didn’t help that I was hundreds of miles away from family either.
“I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It’s going to be okay. He’s long gone so you don’t have to worry anymore. Calm down, please. You’re shaking for Pete’s sake.” She was rubbing my back while squeezing my body tightly. This was a method we learned to center ourselves and regulate our breathing.
With Niyani naturally being eight inches taller than me, she towered over me. My five-foot canvas was childlike compared to hers. She taught me how to fight believe it or not. The private boxing classes helped me gain a fighter’s complex. I felt like I could finally protect myself.
“I just want to forget this and move on. Why can’t I move on?” I was questioning every therapy session I’d had. Nothing was seeming to work.
“I’m not sure but we’re healing every day you decide to live. It’s a process but we’re making progress. What you tell me last week, huh? It’s been a while since you saw him. Let’s get back to that,” she voiced.
Sometimes I wondered why I even came here giving all these folk my money when Niyani gave me more support and assurance than they did. I got that they were more professional and skilled but damn. What was I really paying for? ‘Cause I was still here year after trying to get some healing tools.
“God, I want this to be dead already,” I whispered.
