“It will be okay. I got your back. Well, shit, let’s roll out. It’s Saturday, I feel like a drink or two. We can go to the Fridays at the Ladera Center. Maybe, that will take your mind off things.”
“I think I’m going to stay at home and watch reruns of Good Times,” Kendra said dryly.
“C’mon, Ken. You will feel better. I promise you,” Nia pleaded, making sad eyes.
“Oh, damn, Nia. I hate when you look like that. Okay! Okay! I’ll go. Just get that dumb look off your face.”
Kendra couldn’t stop laughing as her sister made sad faces.
“I’m going to grab a sweater,” Kendra said.
It was very crowded at Fridays. The ladies chose to sit in the bar area. They placed their orders as soon as they sat down.
“I’ll have a Patrón margarita with an extra shot of Patrón on the side,” Kendra told the bartender. “And can you make sure it’s blended?” she asked politely.
“Dayum, girl! You sure you can handle that? That’s a big girl’s drink,” Nia said, looking at her sister and feeling sorry for her.
“Aye, bartender. Bring me a Zombie, top shelf,” Nia said.
The bartender blended the drinks and placed them in front of the women. They were happy to drink and to talk.
“You know I feel like going back to dancing, right?” Kendra confessed, slurring her words.
Nia looked at her and started laughing. Then, she said, “You know damn well Bigg Boss ain’t letting you back in that club. What has it been, about six years since he kicked your ass out?”
“Fuck you! I walked up out that bitch. He ain’t throw nobody out,” Kendra snapped.
The women were enjoying themselves. Kendra didn’t have school, work, or Trent on her mind. She was tipsy and feeling herself.
“Hold on, girl. I will be right back. I have to go use the little girls’ room,” Kendra said as she walked off towards the bathroom.
The restaurant was jammed pack. Kendra was almost to the bathroom when she tripped. She just knew she was about to hit the floor when a pair of strong arms caught her before she fell.
“Are you alright, miss?” the strong gentleman asked with a smile.
“Excuse me. I’m okay. Thank you, sir,” Kendra answered. Embarrassment was written all over her face. Kendra looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to her.
“No one saw you, cutie. It’s just me and you,” the gentleman said.
Kendra thanked him once more before disappearing into the restroom. After washing her hands, Kendra returned to the bar area and was stopped by the man who had caught her from falling. “My bad. I don’t mean to be rude, but you are so damn beautiful to me, and I just have to ask your name?”
“My name is Kendra, but everyone calls me Ken,” she said, sashaying her way to the bar.
“Lovely name. By the way, my name is Wiz,” he said, extending his hand for her to shake it.
Although Kendra hated street names, she had to admit the brother was all that and then some.
Wiz stood six feet, five inches. He had a Hershey complexion with a nice Colgate smile. Wiz’s hair was cut in low fade, and he sported a neatly trimmed goatee.
“I know you’re probably here with your man, but I just had to take this opportunity to let you know how fine you are,” Wiz said.
“Actually, I am here with my sister tonight.”
“Well, can I buy you and your sister another round of whatever you’re drinking?” Wiz offered.
“That’s okay, Wiz. I can buy my own drink, but, hey, the gesture was nice. Thank you again,” Kendra said. as she walked back to her seat at the bar.
Nia was now on her second drink. “Why are you smiling?” she asked Kendra upon her return.
Before Kendra could answer, Wiz walked up and said, “Kendra, if you won’t let me buy you a drink, will you, at least, take my number?”
Wiz handed her one of his business cards. Nia kicked her sister.
“Ouch,” Kendra mumbled as she quickly shot her sister a look. Realizing what Nia wanted, she said, “Oh, I’m sorry. Where are my manners? Wiz, this is my older sister Nia. Nia, this is Wiz.”
As Wiz and Nia shook hands, Kendra rubbed her leg in the spot where Nia had kicked her.
“Pleased to meet you,” Wiz said.
“The pleasure’s all mine,” Nia giggled.
As he walked away, Nia asked, “So, is he the reason you took so long in the restroom, chick?”
Kendra rolled her eyes and answered, “Girl, that fine-ass brother caught me before I fell flat on my face.” She chuckled. “He’s fine and all, but I have a man. I’ll just hold on to his number for a ‘just in case’ moment, though.”
“A ‘just in case’ my ass,” Nia smirked. “The brother is fine. He puts Dwyane Wade to shame.”
“Look, It’s getting late. I think it’s time for us to head on home,” Kendra said.
“C’mon, Ken. The fellas are out grinding. They won’t be coming home till morning, so let’s just go ahead and enjoy ourselves.”
“Alright already. Bartender, give us another round,” Kendra said, trying really hard to enjoy herself.
They remained at Fridays until closing. At the end of the night, Kendra and Nia were both buzzed. When they left, Nia was staggering, so Kendra had to help her sister make it to the car.
“Y’all gonna be alright?” Wiz asked as he pulled up beside them in his white 745Li.
“Yeah, we straight. Thanks, again,” Kendra said.
“I know you have a man, but, if you just need a friend to talk to, I’m a phone call away. Nice meeting the both of you,” Wiz said before pulling off.
On the drive home, Nia held her stomach and said that she was feeling sick. When they were halfway home, she told Kendra to hurry and pull over. Before the car came to a full stop, she was on the side of the highway, throwing up.
“Aww! You look a hot mess,” Kendra joked.
“Fuck you,” Nia slurred. “Stop at a gas station and get me some BC powder and a Sprite please.”
When they arrived back at Kendra’s home, Nia threw up again. Once Nia was done, Kendra helped her sister get cleaned up. Then, she made sure there were clean sheets and covers in the guest bedroom. Kendra took a nice, warm bath. She had surrounded herself with some aromatherapy candles that gave off a calming scent. Just when she had started to relax, her cell began to sing “Baby, you give good love…”. Kendra picked up the phone after the third ring.
“Hey, baby,” Kendra cooed.
“We’re just about to finish. I have this last dub sack, so expect to see ya man early, a’ight, shawty?” Trent said.
“Okay, babe. Be careful. Love you, boo.”
“Love you, too,” he replied, hanging up the phone.
Chapter 3
Nicole strutted down Main Street with a couple of workers. She stopped in front of Trent and asked, “Can I talk to you?”
Trent handed one of the workers his package and stepped off to the side with Nicole.
“About the other night. Trent, I was out of line, and I wanted to tell you how sorry I am,” Nicole said.
Trent looked at Nicole and said, “Don’t even trip, little mama, and I apologize for putting my hands on you.” He replied as he stroked Nicole’s cheek.
“I know you didn’t mean to, daddy,” Nicole said.
Marcos walked up and said, “Yo, man. I’m outta work, and it’s time to get on.”
“Yeah? Me, too. I gave Renzo my last dub, so we can make our way to the house,” Trent said. Then, he turned to Nicole and said, “Do you need a ride home?”
“Nah, I’m good. I’m staying at the Huntington tonight,” she answered.
“Ugh, that nasty-ass, crack-infested shit,” Marcos laughed.
“A’ight. then, we out,” Trent said, hopping in his work car.
It was three in the morning. Trent and Marcos felt good. They had been able to dump their packs without any interruptions from the Crew Cuts. Trent hopped right on the highway. They made it home in ten minutes. To Trent’s surprise, Kendra was still up.