“In the bedroom.”
“Grab it while I get mine. We need to get to that club,” he says with urgency.
When he storms out of Sunjiya’s room, she rushes to the bedroom. She’s dressed but her small toiletries are still on the sink in the bathroom. She stuffs them into her suitcase, then walks back into the main area of her suite. Akeem taps on the door. She opens it, he grabs her bag, and they head downstairs. He bypasses the front desk and they go straight to the parking lot. After starting the engine, he turns to face Sunjiya. Her pretty face has looked worried since the first unanswered call to Honey.
“This shit is just a setback. We’re going to find your sister,” he says with so much confidence.
“I hope so,” she says solemnly while nodding.
He backs out of the parking space, and about thirty minutes later, they are back at Lazy’s. It’s eleven o’clock on a Monday morning and the parking lot is half-filled with cars. Inside ofLazy’s, time seems to stand still. No matter the day or time, titties, pussy, and ass are on full display and some of the patrons get so caught up they lose track of time. Wives, children, and even jobs are quickly forgotten and Sunday night customers find themselves still inside on Monday mornings.
“You stay in here and I’m going to go see if she’s here,” he says once he’s parked.
“No. I’m getting out. If she’s in there, she’ll talk to me before she talks to you,” Sunjiya insists. “Plus, maybe another dancer knows Tanjaya too. We’re both getting out. We’re partners,” she adds in a softer tone.
“After last night, we’re more than partners,” he says and she smiles. Honey’s disappearing act this morning caught them both off guard and they really hadn’t had any time to talk about last night. It’s heavy on both of their minds but this Honey situation takes precedence. “I know you remember what I said,” he says.
“I promise I do. I remember everything,” she assures him before stretching over the middle console. She leans in to kiss his cheek but he turns and their lips meet. After kissing him, she looks into his intense eyes. “Especially those lips,” she says, then winks. “Now, let’s go find Honey so I can get to my sister.”
He kisses her this time then kills the engine. After making sure the gun in his Ones is secure, he gets out and opens her door. Together, they walk to the front. Although there’s no line, there are still two people at the door. They are not the same people from last night but their purpose is the same. While the smaller one checks Sunjiya, the meaty security guard pats Akeem down. Like his predecessor from last night, he misses the gun near his ankle.
They enter, pay at the booth, then divide to conquer the club. The scene is vastly different from last night. People are not crowding the tables or beds. In fact, it’s practically empty, maybe ten or twelve, a fraction of the hundreds crammed in herejust mere hours ago. The emptiness exposes the true dilapidated state of the club. The neglect is loud and evident. Each crack, chipped paint, and broken table, bed, or chair leg is on full display. The alcohol and women provide enough distraction for the men seated around the stages but Sunjiya is sober and not fazed by the women. Her vision isn’t compromised and the raggedy state of the club is disappointing.
The goal right now is to leave here with Honey’s real name and hopefully her address. Akeem works the ladies and Sunjiya deals with the men. While he finesses the two bartenders and the two dancers that approach him, Sunjiya wanders to the back of the club. One of the security guards stops her right when she tries to enter the door markedDancers Only.
“So you think you can just walk past a nigga like that?” His deep voice booms over the music. His long arms fold across his massive chest and he glares down at Sunjiya for an answer.
“I was supposed to meet Honey back here,” she says, embellishing the truth. Her eyes study his face for something, anything, but his expression remains stoic and unreadable. Then, out of nowhere, his lips curl into an unexpected smile. The softness of his smile contradicts everything about his appearance, surprising Sunjiya. “Is she in there?” Sunjiya probes.
“Baby girl, cut that shit out and give me a hug,” he says before pulling her in for a big bear hug. “You had a nigga concerned and shit. You good?” he asks with genuine concern.
He must think I’m Tanjaya. He knows her.
At this moment, Sunjiya is at a crossroad. She can either go into her long explanation about her and Tanjaya being twins or she can roll with his assumption and play along. After a few seconds of contemplation, she decides on the latter in hopes that he might be able to help.
“I’m good,” she says, answering as Tanjaya.
“Real shit?” he asks while staring into her eyes. “’Cause that nigga was foul as fuck. I hated when his bitch ass brought you here,” he says with disgust while shaking his head.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just need to talk to Honey before I leave.”
“Where you headed?” he asks, but when she diverts her head, he nods in perceived understanding. “I get it. Can’t have err'body in yo’ bizness. Just stay the fuck away from here or Miami.”
“I will but is she in there?” she asks, bringing the conversation back to Honey.
“Nah. You know she don’t work days. Plus, she called out tonight and the rest of the week. I don’t know what’s up with her but Ano mad as shit. That nigga been cussing all fucking morning.”
“Damn. I hope she’s okay,” Sunjiya says.
“It’s probably something with her kid,” he says.
“Let me call her then. You got her new number?” she asks, taking a chance that he might be able to give her a number that works.
“You know Honey don’t fuck with anybody once she leaves here. Hell, she’s worked here five years and I still don’t know her real name. She don’t play,” he says while shaking his head. “I’ll tell her you was here when she gets back though.”
“I appreciate that,” she says while nodding. “Anybody back there?” she asks.
“Nah. It’s slow. They all on the flo’ and Miss Kat went to get food for him,” he offers.
