Get Some (15 page)

F
lo went home feeling numb. She was driving half-conscious. “Oh my God,” she said, gulping huge tears. “I can't believe it. Oh my dear God! I just shot my man!” She was going to open the car door and toss the gun toward the curb when a police car pulled up from behind. Flo made a right turn inside someone else's driveway and waited until the cop drove away. When she got to her house, she pulled the car to the backyard. She ran inside and bolted the front door.

Vernita downshifted to second and coasted through the yellow, revving the car loudly down the street. Trudy felt a large bulge under her passenger seat cushion. There was a ripped, jagged slash on the side. When she got to the next light she lifted her butt and pulled a duct-taped bag out. Vernita looked at Trudy while holding the bag. It was filled with a powdery substance.

“Oh, hell, naw! I knew this was wrong. We're in someone else's ride, driving with a whole gang of blow. Shit, I might as well drive us to jail right now and save some damn cop the trip.” Vernita didn't want to go to Flo's house, and seeing that coke made her nervous. Vernita started to turn but Trudy held her hand. Trudy knew this wouldn't be good.

“Look, girl, don't trip. We're almost there now. Just ease up and pull down the street real slow.”

“This was a fucking bad idea,” Vernita told her friend. “Somebody gonna get hurt.”

When they were three houses away, Flo burst out the door. She walked quickly down the driveway and out to the street.

Flo had put the gun in the bottom of a bag and was going to drop it down in the trash.

“Duck down—hurry, quick. Flo just came out!” Vernita shoved Trudy's head way down in the seat. Flo walked down the path with a small paper bag. She buried the bag down in the can at the curb.

“Vernita, stay calm. I know what to do. If she says something, you just talk to her, that's all. I'ma be right back,” Trudy said. Trudy left the steering wheel club on the seat and quickly got out of the car.

Trudy slipped from the door, ducking down between cars. She hid in a bush as Flo got to the sidewalk. Flo saw a Volkswagen idling a few houses down. She studied the driver. It looked like Vernita. What was Vernita doing driving a Bug? And why was she here on her street? Flo turned to leave but Vernita stuck her hand out and waved, so Flo walked toward her car.

“What are you doing here?” Flo asked nervously. She didn't know if Vernita knew she shot Charles or not. But she knew Vernita and Trudy were friends.

“Oh, my nephew just moved in down the street, guurl. I was bringing stuff to help him move in.”

Flo looked questioningly at the empty backseat.

“Oh, I ain't moving no boxes.” Vernita held out her hand. “I'm not breaking any of my nice nails, chile. Naw, I'm just bringing that little fool his car.” Vernita watched Trudy out the corner of her eye. “That boy got me gallivanting all around town. I didn't know you lived right here.” Vernita smiled wide, faking surprise. She saw Trudy running down Flo's long driveway and wondered if Flo still had the gun on her somewhere.

Flo faintly smiled. She tried to look normal. “Where's your Mustang?” Flo asked, avoiding her eyes.

“It's back in the shop. Girl, it's always giving me drama. Cars are just like men, chile, some broke, some go too fast, all of 'em a pain in the ass.”

“Well, I'll see you. I gotta get back in.” Flo was eager to get back inside. Someone might recognize her as the shooter. She wanted to get off the street.

Vernita saw Trudy was just getting to the yard. “Flo!” she barked out.

“What?” Flo said, worried.
Oh no,
she thought,
Vernita must know something.

“Girl, what in the world are you doing to your skin? I tell you your face is just glowing!”

Flo didn't feel like she was glowing at all. She did feel nervous. It made her feel clammy. But somehow she felt Vernita was bullshitting her now. She decided to bullshit her too.

“Girl, I don't buy none of them small expensive bottles.” Flo grinned at Vernita. She showed all of her teeth. “All I do is just rub in some Crisco.”

Meanwhile, Trudy was already inside the garage. It was an old cobwebby shack filled with all sorts of rubbish. Old coats and dead lamps and lots of beat-up boxes. A lot of odd paint cans were stacked on a shelf.

“Shit!” Trudy said out loud to herself. “How am I supposed to know which one it's in?” She started in the front, grabbing two of them down. But she had a hard time prying the rusty lids up. Luckily she remembered she still had her keys. Her house key was the longest. She pried around the can, but when she tried to lift the top it bent her key back.

Damn it! She needed something stronger. She looked in the garage. It was murky and dark. She moved one of the boxes and then stopped in her tracks. There was an awful sound coming from the corner in the back. Trudy bit into her lip. She held her frame rigid. The clawing sound grew more intense. The sound would stop and then leap into wild, full-fledged scratching. Trudy was suddenly aware of a harsh animal scent. It smelled like a dog that'd been caught in a storm. Trudy was frantic with fear. Her eyes strained toward the sound.
I got to get that money. I've got to get out! Even if this garage is teeming with rats.
Trudy kept still. She studied her foot. If the rat ran across it she didn't know what she would do. A box stacked with books sat next to her leg. Trudy grabbed the one on top. She threw it toward the sound. The horrible clawing sound stopped. Frantically a small kitten flew out the garage door. Trudy breathed her relief. It was only a baby. She had to get a grip on her nerves.

Trudy opened a box, carefully sticking in her hand. But when she felt something furry she let go and screamed. The box dropped and all its contents fell to the ground. Trudy stood terrified against the spiderweb wall. The garage became murderously quiet. When she looked down she saw it was only a doll. The doll's long black hair spread out on the ground. Its dead blue eyes stared into hers. Trudy used her foot to kick the doll out of the way. She used her heel to sort through the rubbish. She was afraid to stick her hands into anything now. But next to the doll's gingham dress was another small box. It rattled with the hard sound of metal. The box was full of old tarnished spoons. Trudy grabbed one of the spoons and went back to the paint cans. She worked the spoon around the can and easily lifted the lid. But this first can was wrong. There was nothing inside but rancid liquid. The harsh smell stung the skin in her nose. Trudy grabbed the next can, but when she violently pried the sticky lid off, it dropped on the hard concrete floor. Trudy hoped no one heard the lid dropping sound. She waited, listening for the sound of someone coming. Trudy stared in the round can, determined to finish her search, but this one was filled with yellow two-toned gunk. “Shit! Trudy said reaching for the next can on the shelf but she stopped when she heard something, something like a twig snap. She stood mute. She was holding her breath. She peeked out the garage and saw the bedroom light on. Flo stood in front of the window. Trudy didn't move. She just stood quietly and waited. Trudy knew Flo couldn't see inside the dark garage. But she might decide to come out and check. When Flo clicked the light Trudy took a deep breath. She hurriedly pried the next paint lid. It easily slipped off. Finally, she found what she wanted. Glued to the white gunky can was a clear plastic wad. Inside the wad were thick stacks of cash.

Trudy emerged from the garage. She wanted to wash the paint from her hands, but the water hose nozzle was set to spray and the hose wet Trudy's whole face. She adjusted it fast, rinsing the slippery paint off and rubbing her hands on the lawn.

Flo was in the bathroom when she heard the sound of water. The old copper pipes started to groan.

Trudy ran down the driveway with the can in her hand. She didn't know if Flo was watching or not. All she knew was she finally had her hands on the money and she was getting the heck out of there now. As she ran down the street a lone car flashed its lights. She ran back toward the black Bug.

Flo got a flashlight and examined the backyard. Someone had been rummaging around in the garage and there was a white puddle of paint on their grass.

“Come on!” Trudy said. “Let's get out of here quick!”

Vernita had the engine going. She shifted to first. The Volkswagen skirted down the street.

Trudy started counting out money. She handed a large wad to her friend. “Here, girl. That's yours. This is your cut. I threw in some extra 'cause you really helped me out.”

Vernita couldn't believe she was seeing all this cash. The idea hadn't hit until the money touched her hand. Vernita raced down the street with a smile on her face.

“Drop me off two houses down. Let's stay low-key. I don't want anybody to see me come in.”

When she got out Trudy scooted into the Bug's driver seat.

“So you headed to Vegas now?” Vernita said to her good friend.

“Yeah. But I have to stop in Barstow a minute first.”

“Barstow? What the hell is up there?”

Trudy showed her the folded-up paper Pearl had given her.

Vernita saw the words “Rainbow Tree Rest Home.”

“Miss Dee's up there. Can you believe Tony hid her up there? I'm going to check on her on my way out of town.”

Vernita hugged her friend. She rubbed her big wad of cash. “I must admit. I definitely had my doubts. Who'd-a thought you could really pull this fucking thing off?”

Vernita patted her stomach. That's where she'd put her money. Her panties held the wad snug against her warm skin. The thrill of having all this money began to sink in. “Woowee, this sweet cash sure makes me feel good. It was a lot of trouble but I guess it was worth it.”

“I told you don't worry. Didn't I say it'd be okay?” Trudy grinned at her friend and her friend smiled back. “Hey, maybe I'll send you a postcard.”

Trudy revved the engine. “I better get going.” Trudy held her friend's gaze for a minute. “I'll never forget you helping me, girl.”

“Well, let me know, homechick, if you need me again.” Vernita smoothed the small hairs on the back of her neck. She looked radiantly happy. Her bright green eyes shone. She was relieved. This crazy shit was finally over. She kissed Trudy's cheek and teetered back to her house. Her high heels smacked the rough concrete. But when she got to her door her wide smile dropped. The fine lines of worry began inching around her mouth. What about Lil Steve? What was she supposed to do now? The money didn't seem to offer much protection from him. She wished Trudy had asked her to go away with her. Staying here alone felt dangerous now.

V
ernita pulled the wad out of her panties once she got in the house. While keeping the light off, she studied the small room, wondering where she could hide it. She settled on the ceramic water jug in the kitchen. Lifting the three-gallon jug up off the base, she drained half the water in the sink. Vernita laid the plastic wad of cash down in the base, placing the half-full water container back on top.

“Lord,” Vernita said, “I'm glad this shit's done.” She turned the hot water faucet on in the sink until it flowed nice and warm on her skin. Emptying a small amount of shampoo into the palm of her hand, Vernita began washing her short, spiky hair. Vernita liked to wash her scalp whenever she felt stressed. It cooled her down and made her feel refreshed. She took off her blouse and put on a light robe, laying a towel around her small neck. Lathering her head until her whole scalp was nice and foamy, she closed both her eyes, letting the warm water flow as she slowly massaged in the soap. The rushing warm water felt so good and relaxing. Vernita let the water beat the base of her neck. With her head under the spigot and her eyelids shut tight, someone suddenly seized her and held down her head.

A hand grabbed Vernita's mouth. Another held her crown. The sink basin rapidly began filling with water. Drumming her ears like a hot sloppy tongue, the warm water killed off all sound. Vernita struggled. She fought with all her might to rise, but the hands forced Vernita back down. The soapy water hurt her eyes. The soap stung her nostrils. But not getting any air inside of her lungs made Vernita's body twist wildly with panic. Though she fought and she strained, her arms flailing around, there was no way to get any air. The hand left her mouth and pressed her face against the bottom. Vernita thrashed away and screamed. The rising water surged with hostile bubbles. Vernita tried to bite the hand but it was clamped around her jaw. She twisted, she kicked the wood cabinets under the sink, but she couldn't get the hand off her neck. Vernita began to feel herself growing weak. Her rubbery legs started to buckle. The water in her nose seemed to ease into her brain. With her eyes open wide she could see only gray. Her arms dropped. Her heartbeat grew faint. As the gray world began to grow darker and turn black, the large hand lifted her back out. The hand pushed her against the washing machine. All the neatly stacked clothes dropped silently to the ground. Vernita began to choke uncontrollably loud. She ripped open her eyes and looked around the room wildly. Someone was holding her from behind. Jimmy stood a few inches from her eyes.

Jimmy took the moist towel and wiped Vernita's cropped head as the other man held her wet body.

“Thought y'all was slick.” Jimmy said, glancing at the jug and then back in her eyes. “Where's Trudy, huh? Where the fuck is my stuff? What'd you dumb bitches do with the rest?”

Vernita was stunned. Water leaked from her lips. Jimmy held his gun while another man held her body. The man clutched her hard in a rib-crushing vise.

“You a cute little thing,” Jimmy said, eyeing Vernita's slim frame. “I like a little more meat on, myself.” Jimmy grabbed the back of her neck.

Someone held Vernita's arms tight, pulling them way behind her body, which lifted her breasts up a few notches.

Jimmy took a knife from out of her drawer. He cut the robe's sash, revealing a lacy turquoise bra. “It'd be a shame to mess up something as pretty as this.”

Jimmy lit a cigar. He watched Vernita's worried face.

Vernita strained and the hand eased up a little. She could see the slight hint of a slender goatee. It was Lil Steve! His jawbone looked funny. The bottom looked unhinged, and it was horribly swollen and bruised.

Jimmy took the sharp knife and cut open Vernita's bra. Her small breasts now stood completely exposed. Jimmy ran the knife point across the tip of one nipple. He began kneading and squeezing the other exposed breast like a kid playing in wet sand.

Jimmy stopped, whispering inside Vernita's warm ear. “Tell me where your friend is and I swear I'll stop.”

But Vernita stood mute. She didn't say one word. Her eyes pleaded with Lil Steve. Why didn't he do something? But Lil Steve couldn't look Vernita in the eye.

He realized she must have been working with Trudy. She'd tricked him, although he wasn't sure how. He couldn't even look in her face.

Jimmy forced her head back in the water again. He held her so long she felt like she was dying. Water enveloped her nose and her lungs. She frantically fought against his hands.

When she rose again, Vernita was sputtering badly. She choked but could not catch her breath.

Jimmy stared in her eyes. He wiped her face with a towel. “Now, I know you don't want me to do that again.”

“I swear!” Vernita screamed. “She didn't tell me shit!”

Jimmy grabbed her head and bashed her face to the sink.

“Wait! Trudy took Charles to Watts. They went to King Drew after Charles was shot. I swear to God, that's all I know!”

But Jimmy wasn't convinced and ducked her back underwater, holding her face all the way to the porcelain base.

Vernita struggled and thrashed, bubbles rose to the top. Though she fought Jimmy desperately and strained hard to breathe, her brain was beginning to grow numb. Vernita watched the swirling water upside-down in the sink. She wanted to live. She tried hard to speak but all the words came out garbled. There was no way to talk underneath all that water. Everything turned a dull, scummy gray.

Jimmy stopped plunging and lifted Vernita back up. As she rose she took in a lung full of water and suds. When he brought her up again, her skinny legs buckled. She fell to the cold kitchen floor and passed out.

Jimmy straddled her, pressing against her small chest and heaved, pushing the water back out of her lungs. He wanted her alive enough to get what he wanted. He blew in her mouth while pinching her nostrils. He jammed his hands against her chest again and again until her blurry green eyes fluttered wide.

“You like swimming, huh? Ready for round three?” he joked. A cruel smile creased the skin around the corners of his eyes. “But I don't know. I had trouble bringing you back. You may not wake up this time.”

“Barstow . . .” Vernita muttered as water rolled from her nose. “The Rainbow Tree Rest Home in Barstow.”

Jimmy grabbed the phone and dialed information. “Yeah, Barstow. You got a Rainbow Tree Rest Home over there?” Jimmy smiled and wrote down the number.

“Now see,” Jimmy said, standing, “wasn't that easy?” He picked up his coat, keys and fat, steely Glock. He took the money from the jug and put it in his coat pocket. He stopped, taking one last look at Vernita. He picked up her purse and walked toward her front door. But when he got to the door Jimmy abruptly stopped and turned. He shot Vernita right in the stomach.

Lil Steve was sick. He couldn't believe Jimmy had shot her. He doubled over and vomited on the cold tile floor.

“I told you I'm getting to the bottom of this shit. The only reason you alive is I need you to get me Trudy and that ugly burnt fool you roll with.” Jimmy lit his cigar and stood in Lil Steve's face.

“Here,” he said, shoving Vernita's purse in Lil Steve's hands. “This shit may come in handy.”