Ghetto Girls Too. Anthony Whyte

by the minute. I don’t like…” Sophia continued but was cut off by Coco.

      “Lil’ Long had two gats,” Coco said. The others immediately turned their focus to her. “That’s his steeze, yo. He rides with those,” Coco explained with a cold stare that followed the trail of blood seeping from Lil’ Long’s body. She resisted the urge to squeeze off another round.

      “Two gats?” Sophia asked.

      “Two guns,” Deedee clarified.

      “It doesn’t seem like he’s going to be shooting anyone else anytime soon,” Sophia said and attempted to avoid looking directly at Lil’ Long’s motionless body with no success. She saw that the downed street warrior still clung to his weapons of choice.

      “Word. He’s laid out for the count, yo. He looks like he’s gonna bleed to death,” Coco added.

      “Look who’s laid out now!” Deedee seemed to release her anger in the taunt.

      “Rock-a-bye-baby,” Coco and Deedee said together with a high five. Deedee felt the tension ease but even with the adrenaline coursing through her, she still kept considerable distance away from his body. She did not want to venture too close to Lil’ Long.

      “Hope the ambulance breaks down on the way over,” Coco said as she walked away.

      Deedee mustered all the courage she had and allowed herself to lock onto Lil’ Long’s cruel gaze. In that repugnant moment, she saw the ghost of a smirk making its way onto his unsightly mug. It was as if Lil’ Long was giving her some kind of creepy warning.

      “How does it feel now?” she asked but got no answer. That cynical smile stayed attached to his mug. In the midst of wrestling with the thought of killing him, Deedee heard her uncle’s voice.

      “Everyone listen, this is the story. We were having guests over and this thug broke in trying to rob us. I shot him to protect mine. These are my guns and I have the right to use them. I was defending my guests, my property, and myself. All everyone has to do is please just stick to the story, all right?”

      “Honey, honey, please! I mean, are you in your right mind? How‘re you gonna explain the guns, huh? This is not a project building. There are no armed looters randomly visiting you. There is absolutely no reason for you to be sitting in your living room with guns,” Sophia said worriedly.

      “I was in the bathroom when he broke in. That’s all. He didn’t know that I was home so I surprised him. That’s it, sweetheart. It’s that simple.”

      “I don’t like it, Eric,” Sophia said regaining her senses. The blow to her head had initially rattled her. “Why don’t we just tell the truth, Eric?” she asked. “The more you lie, the more you’re gonna have to keep lying in order to cover up the other lies.” Sophia appealed to Eric. “I’m just afraid somewhere along the line someone might...” There was a long silence as Sophia paused. It was as if she was the voice of their deepest fears. “What if one of us breaks down? Or some key thing is overlooked? Then what?” Everyone heard the question but no one dared answer. Sophia continued, “I just think we should tell the truth and take our chances.” She pleaded with Eric but he shied away from looking directly at her face. He looked to the floor instead.

      Eric already had his mind made up. He had defended himself against a violent and illegal intruder, someone who not only wanted to rob his guests but who had also shot and killed Kamilla. Eric knew it was the best story and he defended it.

      “The truth, honey, is that the police ain’t gonna hear anything I’ve got to say. They’re gonna hear what they wanna hear then they’re gonna start questioning and dragging this case out trying to bring me down. The cops, they’re all about bringing the next black man down. It’s not happening here,” Eric said hoping for a sympathetic ear. “Everyone just has to stick to the story. It’s easy. I mean, is everyone on the same page or what?” Eric asked looking at everyone’s face but paying close attention to Sophia’s body language.

      “I’m with it. If we decide that’s it then that’s all that po-po is getting outta me, yo,” Coco said.

      “Deedee, are you okay? Do you understand what is going on, sweetheart?” Eric asked. Immediately, she knew the reason for his inquiry. He wanted to make sure he understood the worried look that had spread across her face. He moved to comfort her. Wide eyed with alarm, she recoiled when Eric tried to touch her. He eventually was able hold her and felt her heartbeat slow down from triple time.

      “But Uncle E...”

      “It’ll be all right, sweetheart. Everything will work out,” Eric said patting his niece’s shoulder and nodding as he looked at Sophia. He knew she didn’t want it like this but this was the only way so no one would go to jail. If it didn’t go the way he planned then the question would be, was he prepared to go? The thought fast forwarded through his overactive mind and he let it go. He would be ready.

       THREE

      Minutes later, the anticipated knock on the door was louder than expected. The deafening sound was a surprise to all even though they had been waiting for it.

      “Don’t worry. I got this, honey,” Eric said confident as he walked to the door.

      Before he could make it, there was another loud bang followed by, “Police! Open up.” Suddenly, Eric was staring at police officers with weapons drawn. He stood frozen as the door was broken and cops flooded the apartment. Eric had forgotten he still had a weapon in his hand.

      “Don’t shoot,” yelled Sophia”

      “Drop your weapon!”

      Eric Ascot threw the weapon to the floor immediately. He closed his eyes expecting a barrage of gunfire but nothing happened.

      “Officer, the man laying over there in the corner,” Sophia said and pointed to Lil’ Long’s body. The police diverted their stare. “He came here to rob my friends and fiancé. Eric, ah, my fiancé was able to shoot the man but not before he shot our friend, Kamilla,” Sophia said with the urgency of an appealing attorney.

      A detective quickly picked up all the weapons and walked cautiously to Kamilla and then to Lil’ Long. He addressed a nervous Sophia.

      “Slow down, sweetheart. Is everyone safe? Is there anyone else with weapons in here?”

      “Yes, we’re safe. There is no one else with guns, detective.”

      “Okay,” he said and holstered his weapon. He walked to where Sophia stood then looked at the body of Lil’ Long. “How long ago did this happen?” the detective asked and walked back to where the street fighter lay bleeding.

      “About fifteen minutes ago. My fiancé had to shoot the man you see over there. He tried to rob us,” Sophia repeated as she pointed.

      “How was your fiancé able to get his guns, Miss...? What is your name? I’m Detective Kowalski.” Sophia reached out and shook the detective’s hand.

      “Pardon my manners, detective. I’m Sophia Sullivan. This is Coco, Deedee, and Eric Ascot.”

      Detective Kowalski shook Eric’s hand and waved at the girls then he yelled into his walkie talkie, “Send the boys from the lab. We also need some paramedics over here right now. Mister…?”

      “Ascot,” Sophia said.

      “Yes, glad to see that you’re alive. Can I speak to you alone?” Detective Kowalski asked and walked to the kitchen with Eric. The uniformed officers descended on the girls like ballers to Cristal. Sophia warded off any questions she deemed inappropriate for the girls to answer. She hoped that Eric would stick to the story. After all, it was his story. She dialed on her cell phone. The remaining detective noticed.

      “May I ask who are you calling?”

      “I have a friend in the DA′s office. I was about to call and let him know what