Queen Hustlaz Part 2 Page 9

  “We are doing just fine, and that was Dana’s nurse Rebecca. How are you doing?” Stephanie replied nonchalantly.

  “I’ve been good, been holding down the fort. You know how I do. Dana, I am so sorry about what happened to you. You look good, though,” Chris said, looking Dana over.

  “Thank you,” Dana replied, rolling her eyes.

  “Um, Stephanie, can I speak to you for a second?” he asked.

  Stephanie looked at Dana and back to Chris. “I can’t leave Dana here by herself.”

  “It won’t take but a second. Just walk with me to the Locker Room. You ain’t even got to go all the way. Please,” he begged.

  “Go ahead, Stephanie, I will be okay,” Dana said, seeing the urgency not only in Chris’s eyes, but also in Stephanie’s eyes.

  “I’ll just be a second,” Stephanie whispered.

  The couple walked away, and Dana watched them intently. She hoped Stephanie wouldn’t fall for Chris’s lies. After a few seconds, she saw Stephanie take out her phone and look over to her. Dana turned her head quickly, not wanting Stephanie to see her staring at them. Suddenly Rebecca appeared around the corner, smiling as she hung up the phone. Dana envied Rebecca and Stephanie because they seemingly had people who were interested in them and she had no one.

  “Hey, doll, what’s going on inside that lovely brain of yours?” she asked. She stood behind Dana and pushed her to the water fountain and sat down on the bench next to it.

  “Just tired, that’s all,” Dana answered.

  A few minutes later, Stephanie was walking back toward them. She didn’t say a word as she pushed Dana out of the mall.

  * * *

  Austin’s family had held a private funeral with only his family and closest friends right after his death, and then they had him cremated. They decided, after receiving several inquiries weeks later, to do a dedication of his life, where anyone who wanted to show their respect could. They had placed an announcement in the local newspaper, detailing the memorial.

  After mulling over the idea for a few days, Thad decided he was going to attend. He needed to get closure on Toby’s death, and he felt that was a great way to get it. He was going to get Chris to go with him, whether he wanted to or not. He called Chris but didn’t get an answer. “Hey, this is Thad. When you pick me up tomorrow, I want to run something by you. I hope you will be on time, too, man. Get at me when you get this message.”

  Thad hung up the phone and lay across the bed. He was filled with so many emotions he didn’t know which way to turn. He didn’t know who he could trust. He thought about Chris’s behavior and felt really funny about it. If he had to take him out as well, he would. He wasn’t going to leave anything to chance. He knew his life was going to be short-lived, so he was going to take out as many traitors as he could. Revenge would be bittersweet.

  After an hour, Thad’s phone started ringing. Looking at the caller ID and seeing Private on it, he already knew who it was. He wasn’t going to answer it. It was that time of the month again when Ramon and Sergio reminded him that they hadn’t forgotten him.

  He threw his cell phone against the wall, and it crashed and broke in pieces. He lay back and threw his arm across his face and slipped into an unconscious state.

  * * *

  The next day, Stephanie, Brittany, and Dana drove to Brooklyn to see Travis. Rebecca had requested the day off, so she didn’t accompany them on the trip. It took about two hours for them to get to Shirley’s, so when they arrived, Dana was in need of a bathroom break. When they walked in, Travis rushed Stephanie, hugging her tightly around her waist. She squatted down and talked to Travis, while Brittany wheeled Dana to the bathroom.

  Once she was in the bathroom, Travis whispered, “What’s wrong with Aunt Dana?”

  “She was in a bad accident, sweetie, but she is the same Auntie Dana and you ain’t got to be afraid to talk to her, touch her, or kiss her,” Stephanie answered.

  Just then, there was a knock at the door, and a few seconds later, Thad and Chris were walking through the door at the same time Dana was being wheeled out of the bathroom. Her expression spoke volumes as she looked into the eyes of Thad Royster.

  Before she could react, Travis ran over and grabbed her hand. “I love you, Auntie Dana. I’m glad you are all right.”

  Dana felt tears gather up in her eyes as Travis crawled up in her lap and kissed her on her cheek. She felt a pang of guilt as Farrah’s family embraced her with all her current ailments. She hugged Travis and talked to him for a few minutes before she realized that Stephanie was outside talking to Chris. Had she planned to have him meet them there, knowing it would make her feel awkward? A thousand questions ran through her mind.

  “Auntie Dana, you want to see my new truck?” Travis asked.

  “Uh, yes, I would. Where is it?” Dana asked.

  “It’s in my room. Would you like to see it too, Uncle Thad?” he asked.

  “Yes, I would, thank you,” Thad replied.

  As the trio disappeared into Travis’s room, with Thad pushing Dana in, Brittany sat back and prayed that Dana kept her composure with Thad. She knew that Dana had some unresolved feelings toward him and his friends.

  After a few minutes, Travis came running out of his room and Brittany immediately assumed that something was wrong, until he ran up to his grandma and asked her where the photo album was.

  “Auntie Dana and Uncle Thad want to see the pictures we took when we went to Disneyland,” he said excitedly.

  “Let me see if I can find it,” she replied, laughing.

  After she located the photo album and gave it to Travis, he skipped off singing. She looked at Brittany and smiled. “I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time. It’s a wonderful thing seeing Dana and Thad in the same room together. I know the girls blamed the guys for what Larry did, and to tell you the truth, I did also for a while, until they showed up on my doorstep and we discussed everything. I realized that they had nothing to do with what Larry did to my sweet Farrah. I miss her so much, you know. There isn’t a day that passes that I don’t think of her. I see her in Travis in so many ways. When he smiles, when he cries, when he sleeps; she is all around here.”

  Brittany had tears welling up in her eyes as she listened to Shirley talk about her daughter. Shirley was also in tears as she talked, but her smile never faltered.

  After about fifteen minutes, Dana and Thad emerged from Travis’s room, laughing and playing with Travis, who was sitting on Dana’s lap as Thad pushed them into the living room.

  They left about an hour later, and as they drove off, Dana looked in the rearview mirror at Stephanie. “So did you and Chris have a nice chat?”

  “Yes, we did. It was refreshing to talk to him without arguing. I think we’re growing up,” Stephanie replied laughing.

  “Um-hmm. Well, I guess that’s why you were so eager to come today,” Dana implied sarcastically.

  Stephanie laughed. “What you mean by that, Dana?”

  “I’m saying, when y’all were talking at the mall I’m sure you told him we were coming here and made plans to meet him here,” Dana said.

  “Ain’t nobody planned to meet Chris anywhere! What the fuck are you talking about, Dana?” Stephanie groaned.

  “Again, I’m talking about how you ran into this man just yesterday, and today he conveniently shows up at Shirley’s house while we were there. That shit was planned and you know it! I guess you turning out to be a snake just like—” Dana started, but was cut off by Brittany.

  “Ay, Dana, chill out! Why are you trying to start something? That girl ain’t set nothing up. You tripping!”

  “Bitch, who the fuck do you think you checking? I knew y’all two were against me, and it’s showing daily. It wouldn’t shock me if both of y’all had something to do with Thad and Chris showing up there,” Dana cried.

  Stephanie laughed again and stared out the window. She was grinding her teeth to keep from cussing Dana out. She also wondered who Dana was
about to call a traitor. Something wasn’t right, and she was going to find out what if it killed her. She didn’t know how much more she could handle before she really snapped, pushed Dana’s ass into a pond somewhere, and watched her crippled ass try to swim. Stephanie laughed at the image that formed in her mind.

  “Dana, you are paranoid for real. We aren’t doing anything but trying to help you. You are just like a sister to us, and we got your best interest at heart. Stop thinking everyone is against you,” Brittany said.

  “Whatever. No one really has my back. I know y’all feel like you’re obligated to help me, but on the real, I’d rather be in a rehabilitation center getting ’round-the-clock care. That way, you can live your life without having to worry about me,” Dana replied sadly.

  “Girl, if you don’t shut the fuck up . . . Even if you weren’t living with me, I’d still worry about your ass. Stop acting like a big kid. Yes, you are stuck in that wheelchair, but God willing, you will walk again. You can’t just give up hope. And I’m here for the long haul so, again, stop talking that crazy-ass nonsense,” Brittany scolded her.

  Dana dropped her head and started to cry, not because of the sincerity in Brittany’s voice, but because she was angry and couldn’t do anything about it. She was confined to where she sat and couldn’t get out of that spot until somebody helped her. She wished she could hop out of the car at the stoplight and go her separate way and head as far away as possible from Brittany and that traitor, Stephanie, but she couldn’t. When she got back to the house, she was going to make a few calls and go off on her own, without either of the two women currently in her presence.

  Chapter Ten

  Chris and Thad left Shirley’s house a short time after Dana and Stephanie left. Thad too had questions for Chris. “So what did you and Stephanie talk about?”

  “Shit, man, we just talked about old times. I tell you, I do miss her a lot. If I had just followed my heart when I was with her, I wouldn’t be without her now,” Chris answered.

  Thad looked at Chris for a few seconds and laughed. “Nigga, don’t tell me your ass is whooped! You pussy whipped, my nigga?”

  “While you joking, I just might be. I fucked up, man. I loved her, and I still do. I should never have listened to any of you when it came to my relationship with her. I had a good thing going with her. She was like my best friend.”

  Thad again sat in silence for a few minutes and decided to change the subject. “Ay, man, did you see that section in the paper about Austin’s memorial?”

  “Yeah, I saw something about it in the paper. They said it will be Sunday afternoon. Why, are you going?” Chris asked, looking at Thad curiously.

  “Yeah, I was thinking about it. I should pay my respects. You feel me?” Thad replied.

  Chris looked at Thad in amazement. Although the cops ruled his death an accident, Chris didn’t feel like it was a good idea for Thad to go. “Ay, Thad, I don’t think you should go. I mean, that would be kind of disrespectful, in my opinion.”

  “Well, I’m going, and you’re coming with me, or else! Shit, I don’t think we need any more bloodshed, ya feel me?” Thad murmured quietly, but not so quiet that Chris couldn’t hear him or understand the meaning behind the statement.

  Chris looked at Thad long and hard, until Thad threw him one of those “nigga, we got a problem” looks. Chris turned his head and looked quietly out the window. Thad laughed. “I didn’t think so!”

  Chris’s mind filled with thoughts of how he could eject Thad from his life for good. He wasn’t going to keep slick threatening his life.

  * * *

  Thad dropped Chris off at his car and headed to the club. He needed to relieve some stress, and what better way to do that than getting some play from his favorite stripper, Rosa. He couldn’t believe that Chris had tried him about a bitch, especially one like Stephanie. He was also tripping about seeing Dana of all people. She held a lot of answers to questions, and he was going to get them. He wanted to know how Tiffany ended up at the warehouse dead and how Dana left alive. He wanted to know if Dana saw Toby there, and how he appeared when she saw him. He needed those answers!

  When he parked his car outside the club, his phone rang, and as he viewed the number, he saw that it was private. He never answered private calls at all but when it called a second time he decided to see who it was. “Hello, and who the fuck is this calling me private?”

  “What’s up, young blood? Do you know who this is?” the person on the other end asked.

  “If I knew who the hell this was I wouldn’t have asked!” Thad yelled.

  “I suggest you calm that tone when you speak to me. It’s because of me that you’re still breathing! I’m just letting you know that we are still out here and we haven’t forgotten about you. Yes, you and that sweet-ass friend of yours. Time is ticking, my friend, and believe me when I say time is not on your side!”

  The person started laughing, and Thad snapped, “Listen, you piece of shit, ain’t no kind of bitch in me! When you get tired of playing games on this phone, come see me, bitch! You killed my brother, so I’m ready for you. I ain’t hiding, my nigga, but you are and very well at that! Pussy.”

  Thad looked at his phone and realized that the person had hung up and probably didn’t hear his outburst. If that was the case, Thad was sort of relieved. He let out an agitated breath and sat in his car, staring out into space. His brother was dead, and he was next. He wondered how life had gotten so turned around for him.

  * * *

  As Sunday approached, Chris was feeling more and more uncomfortable about making an appearance at the memorial. Thad called him around ten o’clock and told him that he would meet him at the plaza where the memorial was being held around eleven-thirty. Chris hesitantly agreed and hung up. He sat for a few minutes more, and then got up and started getting dressed. Chris was dressed within thirty minutes, and as he was heading out the door, his phone rang. “Hello.”

  “Hey, what you up to?” the caller asked.

  “Shit, about to go to this memorial service in a few,” he answered, smiling.

  “How ’bout we meet afterward if you ain’t got anything else to do?” the caller suggested.

  “That’s what’s up. I will call you when I get back,” Chris replied.

  “Do that. I will be waiting for your call. See you later.”

  “All right, cool.” Chris hung up the phone and headed out the door.

  When he got to the plaza, he sat in his car listening to music and waiting for Thad to pull up. He noticed several people pulling up, and before long, the parking lot was filling up. After a few minutes more, Thad finally arrived.

  The two walked into the plaza in the area where they were holding Austin’s memorial. Red and white roses filled the room, and sitting on a table in the front was a gold urn with white doves engraved on it. His family sat in the front row, and they were all dressed in white, with blue and pink flowers in their hands.

  Thad and Chris took a seat in the back of the room and very closely watched each individual who entered. Thad knew a few of the people who walked in, and he nodded to each one respectfully. Once everyone was seated, and the service started, Thad watched each person who held a rose stand up as the preacher spoke. They placed their roses beside the urn, and as the last person placed the final rose, the choir began to sing.

  The service lasted about an hour and a half, and once it was over, everyone started exiting the building. As Thad and Chris walked out, a few people approached Thad, asking about Toby. They were wondering why he hadn’t shown up. Thad made up an excuse and apologized for Toby’s absence, and he rushed to his car.

  The last person to walk up to them was Austin’s pregnant fiancée. She hugged each of the guys. “I feel like I know you guys personally. Austin talked so much about you. I know he was an asset to you guys, but I just wanted him home at night. He was my everything. You know, a year or so ago when he first asked me to marry him, I thought about saying no. Hell, I did at
first because I didn’t want to stress about whether he was going to come home to me, you know, and I told him that. After a few weeks, he proposed a second time and he promised me that he was done with the street. We struggled at first, and his garage wasn’t doing good at all, so I asked my father to loan us some money to stay afloat. He did, and Austin was able to gain clientele from an ad we placed. He told me that as long as we were together, he’d never be a poor man.” She laughed a little bit. “I never once imagined that he would die doing something right!”

  She began to cry, and a young guy walked over and put his arms around her shoulders. “Sis, come on, let’s go to the car.” She walked out, rambling incoherently.

  Thad didn’t utter a word to Chris at all before leaving. Chris frowned, not knowing what Thad was thinking, but he knew whatever it was wasn’t good.

  Chris brushed it off and got in his car and grabbed his phone. “I’m on my way home. Meet me there,” he said before hanging up.

  As he pulled away, his mind was racing a mile a minute. He had to figure out what Thad was planning.

  * * *

  After returning from Austin’s memorial, Thad couldn’t get over the many people who spoke very highly of him, and the things Austin’s fiancée said. He couldn’t help wondering how Austin was struggling if he had snitched on him and Toby. Toby trusted Austin, and he knew his brother’s judgment of people was always on point. He saw several pictures of Austin and Toby, which crushed his heart. He sat in his room, thinking about the past. He also thought about how different things were now, and then, he began to wonder about Keith’s whereabouts. It was as if he just disappeared off the face of the earth.

  He remembered that Dana had started seeing him right before he went missing. Thad couldn’t help but notice that, when everything happened to them, Dana and her girls were somewhere lurking. “Maybe Austin isn’t responsible for Toby’s death,” he thought aloud. He was beginning to feel that she might know a lot more than he realized. He was going to find out what happened to Keith, and who was really responsible for Toby’s death if it was the last thing he did.