Juicy: The Complete Series (25 page)

“My wrath.”— Pandora

“Excuse me, ma
’am. I’m sorry but you can’t go up there,” The doorman said stopping Pandora at the door.

“Well why not it
’s my condo?”

“Because, ma
’am. As of this morning, the property manager has been issued a warrant to seize all of your personal assets including your home. The police are not allowing anyone in your door,” The doorman tightened his lips in dismay, “Sorry.”

“Argh!” Pandora shouted in rage as she headed back out of the revolving lobby doors.

She walked back out the door meeting Oxy who was patiently waiting on the corner. The two walked off headed back down to the Harrison Street Red Line el station quickly scurrying down the stairs. They remained silent until Oxy became bored with their little rendezvous and began whistling to pass the time away.

“What the fuck is that noise?” Pandora snapped.

“Uh, duh, it’s called whistling,” Oxy snarled back at her.

“Well stop it. It
’s giving me a headache.”

“Yeah, cause the train station ain
’t loud enough,” Oxy rolled her eyes, “Why are we downtown anyway? I hate it down here. It’s always so crowded and motherfuckas is rude.”

“Look, if you gonna be with me then stop questioning every little thing I do. That place we just came from used to be my fucking place. I can
’t believe it’s gone.”

“Girl, fuck that place. As soon as we
’re married you’ll be in the biggest house we can afford,” Oxy smiled, dreaming.

“Yeah, that sounds nice,” Pandora did not sound interested at all.

“Why do you always gotta be negative, P? I’m pouring my heart on the table here and you just keep shutting me down.”

“Ugh! Shut the fuck up with that sentimental shit, Ox. Damn,” Pandora said irritated by her very presence.

“What happened to your spot, Pandora?”

“Does it matter? I lost it okay, along with everything else,” Pandora lowered her head thinking how easy life would be if she were dead.

The more she thought about the turn her life has taken all in a couple of months, the more she began to wonder what death would be like. Her soul yearned for a good clean death, one that would not hurt at all and one that she would never see coming. It would be the sweetest taboo for her even though she had not been able to do any of things she wanted to do in life. It all seemed like a distant thought as she mentally prepared for a sweet death much like the one Shakespeare used to describe.

“Is that why you keep threatening Diamond to give you that money? I told you I can give you everything you need baby and more.”

“You know, I don’t remember agreeing to let you in my business, Ox,” Pandora stuffed her hands in her jacket pockets for warmth from the Downtown Chicago tunnel air and walked up to the approaching train’s door.

“Hey, if we gonna be together you might as well confide in somebody. What the fuck else are we gonna do?” Oxy smiled devilishly.

Pandora side eyed her not wanting to trust her with any information for one minute. There was something about her that never sat quite right with Pandora from the first moment she began talking to her back in county but the more she talked to her the more she realized that she needed to use her for resources. The train was virtually empty for a middle of the day ride but it made Pandora less edgy. After her arrest, she had always felt like someone was watching her in the shadows.

“I told you everything, so try to get it when I tell you this time. First of all let
’s get one thing straight. Those bitches stole my money…mine. I would’ve been able to bail out and afford my own damn lawyer if it weren’t for that and now I want my shit back.” Pandora spat sternly. “I don’t understand why I got to keep explaining this shit to you. It’s like you’re not listening or something.”

“At any cost huh?”

“You damn right at any cost. Those hoes weren’t thinking about me so why the fuck should I let this shit go?” The veins in her forehead began to pop out from her torrent.

“Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. I
’m just saying niggas get shot for less and you just won’t let the shit ride,” Oxy retorted, “Over some money?”

“Listen bitch. If I find out you talking to them and telling them shit I swear to Christ you will regret it.”

“Pandora, why would I talk to them? I’m not fucking them, I’m fucking you,” Oxy reassured her. “Meanwhile I would like to get a bit of that. Shit, I’m fucking frustrated.”

“Yeah, well, you and me both,” Pandora mumbled, “Meanwhile, if you were really a friend you
’d help me give those bitches exactly what they deserve.”

“And what exactly is that my fiancé?”

“My wrath,” Pandora replied sinisterly.

“Ah ha ha ha ha!” Oxy chuckled holding her stomach for relief then mocked, “Yeah alright boo. I got you. If you down for this shit I
’m with you but know that now that I’m out, I ain’t going back, straight up.”

Pandora slowly looked at her face confused as to why she would think that for one minute she was going back either. Her laughter was insulting. It pierced through her earlobes and made her stomach boil. Her sarcasm ate at her like a flesh eating disease and tore her open from the inside out. She could not for the life of her figure out why this bitch was taking her for a joke.

“I’ve tasted blood before, Oxy. This shit is real. It’s not a damn game,” Pandora snarled through her teeth hoping she got the message.

“Okay, okay. I feel you. So you
’re a bad ass. Well, what do we do now bad ass?” Oxy asked crossing her legs, giving Pandora her undivided attention.

“Now I need some money to go cop some heat. That
’s where you come in.”

Oxy was not surprised. She knew eventually Pandora was going to come knocking on her Financial Avenue. She smiled and nodded her head refusing to engage in anymore revenge talk. Pandora sensed tension in the air but brushed it off. She knew that regardless of how Oxy felt she would do anything she told her to do including shoot one of her thieving whoring sisters right between the eyes.

“Well I ain’t got any money on me. I have to ask my dad,” Oxy said staring straight ahead as a bunch of kids walked through the train cars.

“Then ask your dad.” Pandora mocked her as she turned looking out the window.

An hour later they had finally made it back to Oxy’s house. Pandora raced to the bedroom and dropped her jacket on the floor. Oxy followed close behind to figure out what the hell she was on. She sauntered up to Pandora’s waist dropping to her knees to give her center a kiss through her jeans. Her hands firmly gripped her backside, giving it a good squeeze.

“Let me see your phone again,” Pandora said tapping her shoulder and reaching out her hand.

“You gonna call your sisters again?”

“Naw girl, damn. Just give me the damn phone,” Pandora waved her hand at her wildly expecting the phone to magically appear in her hand.

Once in her possession, she began trying a million different numbers, typing one after the other into the phone trying to get in touch with her old hood hookups. Oxy sat trying not to stare but she was intrigued to know what Pandora’s next move was. It was crazy that everything she wanted to do was more important than having sex with her fiancé. She watched as Pandora talked on the phone like she was running a business. Her confidence was sexy but it meant nothing if she could not enjoy it. Frustrated yet again, Oxy fell back on the bed pouting, yearning for just a small taste.

“Hey. I
’m home! Is anyone here?” Ivan yelled as he walked to the dining room table.

“Yeah dad, we
’re up here,” Oxy bellowed back, looking at the clock noticing that he was home rather early today.

“We?” Ivan mumbled as he removed his coat and hat and tossing them across the chair.

“Yes we dad. Did you forget that Pandora was here?” Oxy said coming from the staircase while she fidgeted with her fingers.

“With us?” Ivan roared.

“Shhh, dad, lower your voice. She could hear you. I thought you wanted her here. What’s the deal?” Oxy stressed.

“Oxy, I do not like that girl. She is bad news and I don
’t know what you have brought in our house but I don’t like it,” Ivan was firm sending off a treacherous look unknown to his daughter.

“Shit, it can
’t be any worse than what’s already here.”

“What did you just say to me?” Ivan
’s eyes punctured through Oxy’s soul like a piercing gun.

Oxy swallowed the lump that sat in the back of her throat as her heart rate tripled in under a second. Sweat droplets began to form on the smalls of her hands and the back of her ears realizing that she had fucked up. Her only thoughts were that he would save his torment for another time seeing as though they had guests who he surely would not want witnessing what kind of man Ivan really was.

“Dad I…”

“Is everything okay?” Pandora asked as she trotted slowly down the stairs aware that she was interrupting something very heated.

“Yes,” Ivan cleared his throat. “Everything’s fine Pandora. I was just telling Oxy here that uh, we need to go over your case some more.”

“Oh that would be good. Maybe we could do that tonight,” Pandora replied before winking and heading back up stairs.

“I’m sorry daddy. I didn’t mean to disrespect you,” Oxy stated hurriedly bowing her head, “But can I please have some money.”

“Money for what Oxy, drugs?”

“No daddy. I…I don’t think I want to do drugs anymore,” Oxy said calmly as she looked up into her father’s astonished eyes. “I just need some money okay? Can you give me some?”

Ivan was shocked by her sudden change of heart. Her eyes were not discolored and her voice resounded with sincerity. He looked down upon her attempting to cast a dark shadow over her frail form. His fist balled up tightly but his arm could not bring itself to raise feeling as though for once in her life she was attempting to follow the rules and obey. Even though he did not want to admit it right then and there his heart was pleased with her sudden change in demeanor.

“Um, well how much do you need, Ox?”

“About $500, but it
’s just for shopping daddy. So don’t worry.”

“Just shopping huh?” Ivan side eyed her as he took out his wallet, counting the cash he had inside. “Well I
’ve got four here.”

“Perfect. Thanks sir!” Oxy snatched the money from his hand quickly before he was able to change his mind.

“But you know this is going to come with a price don’t you?”

“Yes…” she said looking up into his awaiting eyes knowing he was waiting for a better response. “Yes daddy.”

“That’s better.”

Ivan handed her the money and watched closely as Oxy turned and headed upstairs to give Pandora what she desired. When she arrived, she found Pandora hunched over on the bed deep in conversation with someone on her cell. Pandora finally looked up and noticed her in the room rummaging in her closet for a new outfit to wear tonight; she quickly ended the call letting the person know she would call them back when she was ready.

“Guess what girl. I got the money!” Oxy danced as she waved a fan of cash in her hand.

“Straight up, cool, how much is that?” Pandora smiled impressed by her achievement.

“$400!”

“Huh? That
’s it? Okay boo that’s not enough,” Pandora laughed.

“Damn, how much you need? Shit I had to beg my dad for this,” Oxy barked as she slapped the money down on the dresser like it was worthless.

“Hmm, don’t worry about it. You did good babe, but I’ll get the money myself. Hey, do you wanna get high?” Pandora asked enthusiastically.

“Oh…uh, naw, I
’m good.”

“Come on. I know you have something lying around here girl. I don
’t want to go out tonight sober. Let’s get fucked up really quickly. If we do it now we won’t be so high that we can’t drink later,” Pandora insisted.

“Naw girl I
’m good on that. I don’t wanna do drugs anymore. Figure I’d turn over a new leaf for my newfound family.”

“Wow, well when did you decide that?”

“Today, I realize I don’t need that shit you know. The only drug I need is right here baby,” Oxy smirked walking up close to Pandora gently rubbing her hand on the front of her jeans then moving slowly in between her legs.

“Awe that
’s good, I’m proud of you,” Pandora recited cynically, “So let’s get it in one last time. I mean even though you quit doesn’t mean I have to and I’ve been locked up for weeks sober as hell. I could use something to take the edge off.”

“Shit you need something to take the edge off, as uptight as you
’ve been around here. But give me fifteen minutes with my tongue on that clit and I can handle that for you babe.”

“No!” Pandora caught her excitement and lowered her voice, “I need to get wasted. You
’ll give me what I want right?”

Oxy was not big on peer pressure but felt like she could treat herself just one last time to a goodbye high. All of Pandora
’s talk of getting high just put the thought back in her head of the feeling that she would be missing once she finally gave it all up. She decided that one for the road would not be so bad and that it would be only that one and tomorrow would be a brand new day for her.