Pretty Dangerous (2 page)

“Like I said, she’s been busy. Well so have I
honestly. I mean with my two kids and the business. You know. But
she’s a devoted aunt. I can tell,” Willa replied.

“In other words, Adrienne is being her usual
snotty self. I’m going to get her on the phone and set her
straight.” MiMi tapped a fist on her thigh.

Willa leaned forward. “If I even thought she
wasn’t being good to Sage, nothing would keep me away from her
house.”

“And I’d be with her,” Jazz added with an
edge in her voice.

“Priority one is getting you out of here,
which will happen soon,” Willa added, forcing sunshine into her
tone.

“When?” MiMi’s voice trembled as more tears
filled her eyes and finally spilled down her cheeks. She wiped her
face again. “Damn, I have to stop being such a cry baby. I was
doing good, but it’s been three whole weeks.”

Jazz sat up with an interested expression.
“Find either the toughest or smartest woman on the cell block. Best
if she’s both, but that’s rare. That way you won’t have to watch
your back twenty-four seven.”

“I volunteered to help in what passes for a
beauty salon. So I made some friends, if that’s possible in prison.
Alliances are made and broken in here like crazy. Takes a lot of
energy to keep up with who is with who.” MiMi heaved a deep
sigh.

“You’re lucky you didn’t get sent to another
prison,” Willa added quickly when MiMi snorted. “Najayo is
considered a model prison not just here, but in the Caribbean.”

“I’m in a cell with two other women and a
toilet. My bed is a mattress on a cement shelf attached to the
wall. I don’t care about reforms or friends. I want out,” MiMi
shouted. She didn’t care that the guard appeared again. She’d gone
from tearful to angry.

“Sure, sure. I was just saying...” Willa
glanced at her sister for help.

Jazz took over. “We’re meeting with the
lawyer at two o’clock this afternoon. The warden says we can come
back in the morning. We’ll have answers. Okay?”

MiMi appreciated Jazz’s no nonsense approach
for once. Jazz had been in MiMi’s place a few times. So she knew
sugarcoated hand holding didn’t go far, especially not in a foreign
lock-up. Things could go bad real fast.

“Thank you. Now go make it be true.” MiMi
raised both eyebrows as she stared at each of them in turn. “Wait a
minute. Everything closes for siesta hours from noon until two
o’clock. Are you just saying stuff to make me feel better? What’s
really going on?”

“Prison has changed you, girl. All suspicious
and stuff,” Jazz retorted.

“Anybody tried to jump you or anything?”
Willa leaned across the table. She scanned MiMi like a nurse
examining a patient.

“I’m okay. Thank God I know about make-up,
fashion and job interview skills. I even co-led a couple of the
classes.” MiMi sat straight and smoothed back her hair.

“You are wearing lip gloss,” Willa blurted
out and turned to her sister. “Jazz, I told you she looked stylish
to say she’s in prison.”

“I met one of the best hairdressers in
lock-up one time. She stabbed a couple of people,” Jazz added and
popped her gum. “Like I said, make friends with the baddest badass
in here.”

“Luz and Diana have been nice to me. I give
them tips on life in the states. They both want to go to New York
or Los Angeles one day.” MiMi cocked her head to one side at the
snort from Jazz. “Well?”

“Let me guess, they told you they want to be
models. Girl, please. What they probably want is to run a game for
their boyfriends. Don’t tell them your business.” Jazz pointed a
forefinger at her.

“Y’all call me suspicious. They’re not even
here for drugs or anything. I don’t think so I mean.” MiMi bit her
lip.

Jazz slid her chair close to MiMi. “Tell me
you didn’t try to play detective and ask these women about DR
banking and transferring cash.”

“No. I mean, I asked some very general
questions about crime, and you know, my father might send me
money,” MiMi said and winced when Jazz groaned.

“We definitely got to get you outta here,”
Jazz said.

“What? They know my boyfriend effed up and
got me arrested. Most of the women are in here because of a man,”
MiMi protested.

“Exactly, they’re all hooked up with thugs.
One of those dudes could be hooked up with Felipe or some other
American gangsta. They’ve got the money and they don’t want
questions asked,” Jazz replied.

Jazz’s harsh whispered reality scraped over
MiMi like hot barbed wire. “I wasn’t specific. I swear, very vague
like I was curious about them and they’re experiences.”

“We’re pushing your lawyer into action. Your
daddy better stop this tough love crap and use whatever influence
he has.” Willa stood and slung her leather hobo purse over a
shoulder. “You stay out of trouble.”

“I’m, I’m going to be okay.” MiMi tried to
sound sure, but the crack in her voice betrayed her.

Willa gave her a hug. “Sure you will. Jazz
was just laying out theories why you should...”

“Gee, this visit has me feeling so much
better,” MiMi grumbled and folded her arms tight against her
body.

“Hey, if your new buddies really like you
then you’re gold. Keep your head up and your mouth closed.” Jazz
planted both fists on her hips. Her purse swung from the crook of
one elbow. “We got you on this. Right, sis?”

“We expect to get you out soon, and I’m not
just saying that. Bye.” Willa went to the door and tapped. “Sir,
ma’am, whoever, we’re ready.”

“Bye, girl. Look, I talked to Tomàs, the cute
tall guard. He’s gonna look out for you, too. Him and me might have
a date later.” Jazz winked at MiMi.

“Lord, give me strength,” Willa muttered.

The “cute” guard led them out. Jazz put a
little extra sway in her hips as she walked behind Willa. She gave
the guard a coy smile. MiMi nodded in approval and laughed. Jazz
would never need coaching in the ways of handling men. The female
guard appeared seconds later and motioned for MiMi to leave the
small room. With a sigh, MiMi complied. This particular guard
didn’t like MiMi one bit. No amount of charm had softened her. It
was Tuesday and Officer Alvardo had just started her five day
shift. The next few days would pass slowly.

****

That evening MiMi, Luz and Diana relaxed
outside after dinner on a small concrete patio. MiMi and Diana sat
in plastic chairs, while Luz leaned against the cinderblock wall.
They watched other female inmates play a lazy game of soccer on the
grass portion of the prison yard. Even at six o’clock in the
evening, the warmth and humidity still hung on. MiMi used a hand
towel as a fan.

“Ugh, I can’t wait to get out of here. A
month seems so far away. Ah.” Luz sucked in smoke from her
cigarette and blew it out.

“Yeah, well you better get some patience.
Stop messing with Lola. One more fight and that month will turn
into six.” Diana waved at another inmate.

“Tell her to leave me alone. She’s from your
town, one of your old friends,” Luz retorted.

“Okay. Have it your way. Don’t cry to me when
you end up with a longer sentence.” Diana shrugged and lit up her
second cigarette. She offered a half smoked one to MiMi.

“Not even being in here makes me want to
start that habit.” MiMi made a sour face.

“Uh-huh, in America they’re big on no
smoking. I need to quit if I’m going to find a nice American
husband.” Luz looked at her cigarette and then took another
puff.

“Yeah, I can see you’re making a real
effort,” MiMi joked. She ducked when Luz took a playful swing at
her head.

Diana watched them for a few seconds. “You
want to smell all fresh for that rich boyfriend of yours when you
get out, huh chamaca?”

“I don’t even want to see that, that...”
MiMi’s temper flared hot as the image of his smiling face flashed
in her mind. Luz let loose with a string of derogatory names in
Spanish. “Yeah, whatever you said.”

Luz laughed. “Ow, he should leave before you
get out.”

“So, you figure he’s gonna take the money and
run?” Diana’s tone was conversational as she gazed off at the
soccer game.

MiMi looked at her. “What?”

“You were asking a lot of questions about
hiding money and how to move money. Your boyfriend, he’s smart.
They think he’s a tourist that just got stupid.” Diana shifted her
gaze to MiMi.

“Roddy is exactly what he looks like, a
stupid tourist who scored and got caught. I just asked because you
both were talking about your old boyfriends and gang members.” MiMi
hoped her voice didn’t reflect her sudden case of nerves.

“You seemed a little bit more interested than
just making conversation.” Diana lifted a dark eyebrow. She pushed
away from the wall and sat down next to MiMi. “I might be able to
get a guy who can help, for a reasonable fee of course.”

“No way, you’re totally wrong. We’re not...
you know,” MiMi whispered and glanced around. “Roderick wouldn’t
know the first thing about that sort of stuff. And I definitely
don’t.”

“Diana, I could tell she was green the second
they pushed her into the cell,” Luz put in with a snort.

“Uh-huh.” Diana gazed at MiMi for a few
seconds.

“Hey, your pal Lola is tryin’ ta get your
attention,” Luz said and pointed to the other woman standing a few
feet away. “Tell the bitch I said hello.”

Diana transferred her gaze to Luz. She gave a
short laugh and shook her head. “You never learn. Three times
inside and you never learn.”

“Yeah, yeah. Makes two of us,” Luz retorted
and winked at her.

Diana threw down her cigarette, crushed it
out and strolled off, still shaking her head. Moments later she
joined a group of inmates. Soon they were engaged in conversation.
Their exchange flew right over MiMi’s head. Once again she
regretted not paying attention in her high school Spanish class.
She listened for her name or any word she might understand. Soon
the women moved away.

“I have to get away from this place,” MiMi
mumbled.

Luz waved to a player on the field who raced
along. “Watch what you say to Diana. Her man is big into one of the
gangs.”

MiMi looked at her sharply. “She never
said...”

“She wouldn’t. If he thinks you or your
boyfriend are operating without his permission? That would be a
sign of disrespect. Hey, score already,” Luz shouted. She kept up
her pretense of concentrating on the game.

“Like I told her, Roddy is a dumb tourist.
I’m dumb for even being interested in Roddy.” MiMi forced herself
to laugh, hoping it sounded genuine.

Luz didn’t look at MiMi. Instead she waved at
another clump of inmates seated on the grass watching the game.
“I’ll keep close to you, so will my cousin over there, the one with
the ball.”

“I thought you and Diana were good friends.”
MiMi swallowed against the lump of terror in her throat.

“It’s smart for me to know what she’s doin’
and sayin’, okay? We get along, but I know to watch her. You
should, too.” Luz glanced at MiMi briefly. Then she glanced at
where Diana stood with a clump of other inmates.

“Why are you telling me this?” MiMi wiped
beads of sweat from her forehead. Suddenly the heat came from
inside her gut.

“Diana, Lola and some of their friends are
getting way to cocky for their own good.” Luz wore a serious
expression for an instant before she smiled. “Hey, let’s get a
basketball game goin’ next time.”

The players finished the game when guards
signaled they were to wrap it up. They called back to Luz playfully
about what she could do with a basketball. Half of it was in
English, half in Spanish. A few women yelled Creole. Luz let loose
another string of Spanish as she stood up.

MiMi stood as well. She wore a smile, but
whispered out of the side of her mouth. “I don’t want to get caught
in some kind of gang war, Luz. I mean just because I was making
conversation? I didn’t even bring up Diana’s past. She did!”

Luz looped an arm through one of MiMi’s.
“Relax chica. You should be okay until your girlfriends get you
out.”

“Lord, let that be real soon,” MiMi said. She
repeated that prayer for the rest of the night.

Two days later, MiMi entered the court room
making her best effort to look innocent. The judge maintained a
bland expression when her case was finally called. She wore the
dove gray skirt, a white blouse, and sensible pumps Willa and Jazz
had brought her. MiMi glanced down at herself. The plain clothes
would have to go later, but today she strove to fit the bland
outfit. The judge gave MiMi a critical stare as she walked in with
Officer Alvarez close behind. The woman nodded that MiMi could
proceed to the table. MiMi sat between her attorney and the court
appointed interpreter. She was doing fine, calmly listening to the
muted translation from the petite woman. Then Roderick came in.

MiMi stopped listening and turned to her
attorney. “What’s he doing here?”

“Your cases are linked.” Mr. Columba
replied.

“Our cases are not ‘linked’. Roderick decided
to buy weed without consulting me,” MiMi said and huffed in
outrage.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and looked
back. Willa frowned a warning from the front row. Jazz gave a
slight shake of her head and mouthed, “Keep cool.”

Mr. Columba looked past MiMi at the
interpreter. He continued in Spanish. Apparently explaining in
detail exhausted his limited English language skills. He spoke
rapidly making discreet gestures toward the judge and then the
prosecutor. The woman nodded, let him finish, and then placed a
hand on MiMi’s left arm as if to urge restraint.

“Mr. Columba says the judge wanted to save
time because you were arrested together. Señor Jefferson also
mentioned you several times in his statement,” the woman said with
a note of apology in her voice.