Not My Mother's Footsteps (7 page)

Renz and a crack head name Pac man cruised in the stolen black navigator as they popped molly’s, headed to ditch the truck. Pac man was a crack head that would steal, rape, kill, and destroy for any drugs. Renz knew the day he asked Pac man to follow through with a job he wouldn’t have any trouble as long as he was high. Renz was high himself at the moment but his mind was focused ‘why was that girl in there man?’ he kept asking himself referring to Butter. He didn’t want to kill her, but she had seen their face and that would only cause trouble later.

“Yo Pac make sure the gas can in the back” Renz said as he popped yet another molly, they were going to burn the truck and any evidence besides the bodies involved. Renz chuckled a little to himself as he thought about the way Geno was pleading like a little bitch for his life. Though Renz hated taking Geno out just a little bit because he was Terrell’s cousin but it had to be done; it was all a part of the plan.

Renz pulled the Navigator onto a long dark dirt road, once he got to the end, he put the car in park and hopped out. “Pac man get ya ass out, hell are you doing?” he asked as he looked at Pac man just sitting in the passenger seat zoned out, moving his lips but no words were spoken; he was high.

“Oh shit” Pac man said as he climbed out the truck.

Removing the cap from the gas can Renz began to douse the entire truck with gasoline. Placing the gas can on the ground Renz reached behind his ear and pulled out a perfectly rolled blunt, striking a match he lit the blunt then tossed the match onto the truck causing it to burst into flames. “Damn that’s a big ass fire” Pac man said slurring his words like a drunk.

“Here you go man” Renz said digging in his pocket pulling out two grams of crack and three molly’s handing it to Pac man. Pac man’s eyes lit up like little kid on Christmas morning. “Gone get out of here, and don’t smoke all that shit at one time” Renz said sounding as if he really gave a fuck. Pac man disappeared so quick down the road, Renz couldn’t do anything except laugh. Renz stood there a couple seconds watching the truck burn and then he headed up the dirt road, his car was not far away. ‘Time to execute the next part of my plan’ Renz thought as he walked to his car.

~             

Terrell pulled into his garage, and after placing the car and park and turning it off he looked over at a sleeping Phoenix. He still wasn’t sure what had happen, but he didn’t care he just wanted her safe because she seemed extremely scared. Terrell watched as she slept peacefully, he thought she was beautiful but something about her was different tonight; more makeup, less clothes, and of course the numerous of bruises and marks on her face and body. “Phoenix” he called out but she didn’t move. “Phoenix” he called again this time lightly nudging her leg.

“Please no!” she yelled as she jumped out of her sleep.

“Whoa calm down” Terrell said holding his hands up.

Phoenix frantically looked around forgetting that she was with Terrell, after realizing she wasn’t in any danger, she calmed down and looked over at Terrell “I’m sorry.” Phoenix was a nervous wreck, she just wanted to sleep and hoped that when she woke up this day never happened.

“It’s cool, you good?” Terrell asked sounding concerned.

“Yea, yea I’m fine” she said unsure her own self.

“Okay cool, this is my crib, let’s go inside” Terrell said opening his door. Phoenix opened her door after him and slowly got out of the car.

“Watch your step” Terrell said as they walked up the stairs heading inside his home. Once they were inside Terrell flipped on the light and kicked off his Jordan’s “Umm you gotta take your shoes off” he said pointing to her 6inch heels.

“Okay” Phoenix said stepping out of her heels and turning and placing them where Terrell had put his shoes. As she did this, Terrell watched her closely, she was beautifully perfectly polished toes, nice slender smooth honey colored legs, a small round ass that bounced involuntarily whenever she moved.

‘Ahem’ “You can follow me” Terrell said clearing his throat trying not to think of any sexual things. “This is where you can sleep” Terrell said as he showed her the guest bedroom. “Also if you need to shower, the bathroom is right there” he said pointing to the closed door.

“I do want to take a shower, but I don’t have any clothes” Phoenix said sounding childlike because she was embarrassed.

“It’s cool” give me a second” he said walking out the room leaving Phoenix standing there. “Here you go” Terrell said when he returned handing her a pair of his basketball shorts, and a tee-shirt. “The washcloth and towel along with some body wash is in the linen closet there” he said pointing to the closet. “You need anything else?” he asked as he walked towards the door to give her, her privacy.

“No thank you” Phoenix said politely.

“Okay I will be downstairs in the living room” he said before walking out the room.

Phoenix stood in the middle of the floor looking around, and before she knew it she was crying; crying for her, Butter, and even Geno. Walking to the bathroom, Phoenix couldn’t stop the tears, and to be honest she didn’t want to. The entire time in the shower Phoenix cried, her tears were mixed in with the shower water that one couldn’t tell the difference. As soon as she was done with the shower she quickly dressed and went in search of Terrell she had to at least say thanks.

Phoenix slowly walked towards the living room on the plush white carpet feeling as though she was walking on clouds, she stopped once she made it to the entrance.

Terrell heard her coming, and when she made it to arched entry way he looked up and was stunned. Her face was now make up less and even with the bruises she was flawless. Her small frame swallowed up by his shorts and t-shirt but yet it looked like she was runway ready. Phoenix hair hung past her shoulders now wet and curly. “Wow” Terrell said out loud without thinking.

Phoenix being self-conscience with herself and frankly not trusting anyone folded her arms across her chest and hung her head. “Hey my bad” Terrell said realizing how even sounded saying that even if he was thrown off his game how beautiful she was. He went to say something else as his phone began to ring, seeing it was Renz he pushed the ignore button deciding to call him later. ‘You want some food, something to drink?” he asked as he picked up his own drink.

“Umm no thank you” Phoenix said though she was hungry as hell.

“Look Phoenix I know you don’t know me, but I’m not going to hurt you I promise.” He said truthfully.

‘Yea right like I never heard that before’ Phoenix thought. “No thank you, I just came down to say thank you, and that I was going to lay down for that night, if that’s okay with you?” Phoenix asked as she watched him take a sip of his drink.

“That’s cool, imma chill out here though, if you need me just let me know” Terrell said never looking at Phoenix, it wasn’t because he didn’t want to, it just was best.

“Okay, goodnight” Phoenix said before turning and heading back upstairs. As she walked away, Terrell looked up and followed her up the stairs and his mind couldn’t help but to wonder, but that’s all it did because he would never disrespect her or any other women.

As soon as Phoenix got up to the room she quickly closed and locked the door, Terrell was nice but she couldn’t be to safe, because the last guy she thought was nice became her pimp. Pulling the sheets back Phoenix climbed under the fluffy down comforter, and before her head hit the pillow good she was out.

Phoenix adjusted her eyes to the ray of sun that shined through the crack of the curtains directly on her. Sitting up she wiped her eyes, and then the corners of her mouth while yawning ‘whew I need to brush my teeth’ she thought to herself as she smiled. Climbing out of bed and quickly making it back just the way she found it, Phoenix then headed to the bathroom to handle her morning hygiene routine.

Phoenix could hear Terrell talking, she wasn’t sure if he was alone, but she could tell it was serious, he didn’t sound mad just focused. Looking at the wall clock in the bathroom it read 7:26am “damn does he sleep” she whispered as she placed her washcloth down. She knew he could not have gotten much sleep because it was four something when she went to bed and he was still up.

Feeling nervous for an unknown reason Phoenix tip toed downstairs, she couldn’t stay upstairs all day so she went in search of Terrell. Reaching the living room she could see the TV on but the volume was on mute, but she didn’t see Terrell. Still hearing him talking she followed his voice and found him an another older gentleman sitting in what she assumed to be a game room or man cave. As soon as she reached the door both men stopped talking, and Terrell looked up at her smiled “You sleep well?” he asked politely.

“Yes, and I’m sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt” she said unconsciously tucking her hair behind her ear.

“You good, you didn’t interrupt anything” Terrell said as he lit the blunt he had been rolling. “Phoenix Old School, Old School Phoenix” he said introducing them as he blew out the smoke.

“My names Sherman, sweetheart” Old School said as he shook Phoenix hand like the gentleman he was. Phoenix smiled ‘he seems like a very nice man’ she thought. “Imma go ahead and slide out, holler at me later Terrell” Old School said as he fist bumped Terrell. “And it was nice to meet you young lady” he said to Phoenix as he nodded his head towards her and headed out the door.

“Hang on” Terrell told Phoenix as he followed Old School out the room. She could hear them whispering when they reached the front door, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying so she just sat on the sectional and waited for Terrell to come back. “You hungry? Terrell asked as soon as he came back in the room. Phoenix wanted to say no, but he didn’t give her a chance “Come on now, you gotta eat. We don’t have to go out, we can order whatever you want, I can go pick something up or hell if it’s a desperate need I will even try to cook something. But I’m telling you, pick one of the first two because I’m not much of a cook” Terrell said seriously as he laughed.

Phoenix couldn’t help but laugh “umm whatever you want is fine” Phoenix said not really sure what to eat.

“Come on now, you decide” Terrell said sitting next to her, a little closer then she expected.

Phoenix was not use to people allowing her to make up her own mind because since she was 10 everyone told her what and how to do things. “Waffle House?” she said with more of a question.

“You want Waffle House? If so we can go there, or have it delivered, it’s up to you.” He said looking at her.

Phoenix wasn’t even sure if she really wanted Waffle House, but she knew whatever they ate, they were eating it at his house, she was not in the mood to be in public. “Yea Waffle House is fine, and we can eat it here, since I don’t have any clothes, can’t be out in public looking crazy” she said with a nervous chuckle.

“You look fine to me either way” Terrell said looking at her which caused Phoenix to blush. They just stare at each other for a while, and something happen in that moment that Phoenix couldn’t explain.

“Umm thanks” was all she could say. Terrell stare at her a few seconds longer before getting up and going to find the menu. Phoenix was happy when he finally got up, Terrell made her feel a certain way and she couldn’t explain it.

~

Geno slowly opened his eyes, he wasn’t sure where he was and when he tried to move he was in a lot of pain. When he went to speak he realized he couldn’t because something was down his throat preventing him from doing so. Just as he was about to try to move his hand a young white lady dressed in scrubs came rushing over. “Mr. Eugenio, please don’t try to move” she said gently touching his shoulder. “I am Katie and am your nurse” Geno looked up at her with pleading eyes as if to say what happened. “You were shot 3 times, we thought we were going to lose you, but luckily the doctor was able to stop the bleeding and it looks like you will make a full recovery” she said with a smile.

Geno lay there staring up at the ceiling recalling what happened; he remembered being bum rushed back into the trap house. ‘Wait my girls’ he thought as he recalled them being there too. Geno could remember two guys came in demanding money, he couldn’t see one of their faces because he wore a mask but he recognized Pac man’s face; he was mask less. ‘I am going to fucking kill him’ he thought to himself. The nurse began administering medicine through Geno’s IV and before he knew it he was dosing back off to sleep.

Renz was once again greeted by Terrell’s voicemail “Fuck is this nigga doing that he can’t answer?” Renz asked he threw his phone on the passenger seat. He was calling to tell Terrell that he was on the stores side of town and could pick up the weeks profit. “Fuck it” he thought as he headed in direction of the store, he was gonna just go by and pick it up then take it to Terrell’s house.

Ten minutes later  Renz pulled into the Tiny Giant parking lot and  parked his car. After popping a molly and taking a sip of the bottle water he threw his shades on and hopped out the car. Walking casually into the store, Renz was a little thrown off when he saw Polo in the spot and not Old School stupid ass. “What’s up?” Renz said with a head nod to Polo.

“Can’t call it, what’s going on?” Polo said. Polo never really liked Renz he always thought it was something about him that just won’t right; he only tolerated him because of Terrell.

“Hell you doing up in here, where Old School?” He asked grabbing a bottle of water, the thing with molly’s they made your ass sweat and thirsty as hell.

“Nigga you aight?” Polo asked ignoring the fact he asked where Old School was.

“Yea I’m cool” Renz said downing the water and reaching for another one. “So what you doing up in here?” Renz asked trying to take a different approach.

Polo knew what was up with Renz he had seen it all before in the hood plus he use to sell the product so he knew he was high. “Ion know where he at, I was just asked to come so I did that no questions asked” he said as he watched Renz down another bottle of water.

“I hear that, well where the money for this week?” Renz asked as if he was the one always picking it up.

“Shit ion know anything about that, hell you know my ass aint never up in here, that’s Old School Job” Polo said lying through his teeth.

Renz was pissed, he wasn’t sure why Polo was there and not Old School and the fact that Terrell wasn’t answering his phone won’t sitting with him. “Aight man” Renz said grabbing two more bottles of water, and dropping a $20.00 bill on the counter before walking out the store.

~

Terrell and Phoenix had just finished eating breakfast and were relaxing in the living room watching TV when his phone began to ring. “Yo?” he answered. Phoenix couldn’t hear what was being said, but she could see out the corner of her eye that he was pissed; his jaw was flexing. After disconnecting the phone Terrell relit the blunt that he didn’t finish earlier.

“You okay?” Phoenix found herself asking before realizing it.

“Yea, yea I’m cool” Terrell said as he blew out the smoke roughly. “Look, I gotta make a run, you are more than welcome to stay here if you want, or I can take you home, or wherever you need to go” Terrell said turning and looking at her.

Phoenix really didn’t want to go home, she actually didn’t want to be alone, she was tired of being alone. She hung her head “Umm” she started.

“Hold on I think you getting it wrong, I am not telling you that you have to leave or nothing, I just have to make a run” Terrell said cutting her off.

“Okay, I don’t want to leave then” Phoenix said truthfully. “But I don’t have any clothes” she said looking down remembering she was wearing his clothes.

“What you don’t like my clothes?” He said with a smile which caused Phoenix to smile.   “Nah, I’m just fucking with you, when I get back we can go to ya crib and get you some clothes aight?” he said as he stood up from the couch.

“Yes” was Phoenix simple reply

“Aight I’ll be back” Terrell said impersonating Arnold Schwarzenegger “you got free range through the house, make yourself more comfortable he said” as he headed to the garage. Terrell never left anyone at house, hell he very rarely let people come over, but it was something about Phoenix he felt he could trust.

“Okay” she replied right before he closed the garage door behind him. Phoenix sat there and took a deep breath, even after everything she had been through in the last couple of months, hell years and especially the last couple of days this is actually the last time she felt at peace. She decided since he was gone, she should catch up on sleep, so she headed upstairs to get some sleep.

As soon as she walked in the room her phone began ringing. “Hello?”

“Phoenix!” Mariah screamed through the phone

“What girl?” Phoenix asked pulling the phone from her ear because she was being loud.

“Girl are you okay, I got your message last night and I didn’t understand a thing you were saying, I could only hear you crying and shit” Mariah said without taking a breath.

“I am fine now” Phoenix said as last night’s images invaded her mind.

“Well what happen, and wait where are you because I went by your house this morning because I was worried” Mariah said switching subjects.

“Mariah first off calm your dramatic ass down” Phoenix said as she climbed on the bed. “But anyway I’m at Terrell’s house, he came and pi-”

“You are where?” Mariah asked screaming once again.

“Mariah!” Phoenix shouted herself, tired of Mariah yelling in her ear.

“My bad Phoenix, but where you say you at?” Mariah asked lowering her voice.

“I said I am at Terrell’s house” Phoenix said with a smile. Even though Terrell had been nothing but respectful and helpful towards her, she couldn’t help but to think about how sexy he was, and she thought he was even more sexier when he got mad.

“Shut your mouth, are you serious?” Mariah asked in disbelief

“Yup serious as ever” Phoenix said still smiling

“I don’t believe you, where he live I’m coming over to see” Mariah said serious as hell.

“Girl bye” Phoenix said laughing hard. “I am not inviting someone over this man home when he not home, not only that I am in the bed about to go to sleep” she said while yawning.

“That’s cause your ass lying, but whatever I’m about to go in class anyway” Mariah said pulling into HU’s parking lot.

“What time you get out?” Phoenix asked sounding sad; she really missed school.

“Four, so I am going to call you then” Mariah said as she headed inside the building.

“Okay talk to you later” Phoenix said before hanging up the phone.