said.
“Nah, homie, it’s best you mind your own business,” I snapped.
“Nigga, you better watch yo’ mouth. I don’t know the kind of niggas you’re used to dealing with, but around here, you got to show respect, boy.”
I was tempted to punch this nigga in his mouth, but I kept my peace. After all, I was a defense attorney, and I knew the law inside out. There was no way I was going to fuck up my chance of walking out on bond. Not over a bum-ass nigga that probably has nothing to lose.
When I got to Rikers Island, I was processed, given a name badge, a mat, and some sheets. I walked into the unit that I was assigned to, and, boy, did reality set in. There were a bunch of burly looking dudes posted as soon as I walked on the floor. I tried not to make eye contact. I just walked to where my cell was located. I dropped my cot on the floor and looked around for the nearest phone. It wasn’t hard to spot, but a long line of people stood there. It didn’t seem like I would be getting on the phone anytime soon.
It was dinnertime, and I passed on it, not because I wasn’t hungry, but because I wasn’t trying to eat that shit. I stayed back on the unit while the majority of dudes left for the mess hall. I didn’t waste any time. I hurried and jumped on the phone. What’s crazy was that in the midst of the cell phone frenzy, I barely remembered numbers because everything was stored on my phone. So I couldn’t call anyone except Destiny and my mama. I didn’t have any money to put on the phone, but after talking to a dude that stayed back on the unit, he decided to let me use his credit. In return, I would put money on his books when I bonded out.
The first number I dialed was Destiny’s. The first time, the phone went straight to voicemail. I hung up and then dialed her number again. I listened as she picked up. The recording informed her that this was a jail call, and she could press five to accept.
“What do you want?” she immediately asked.
I was thrown off by her nonchalant attitude. This bitch knew where the fuck I was, and this how she was acting?
“Yo, did you call Leon, and why the fuck my bond ain’t posted?” I yelled into the phone.
“Listen to me, you bastard. Don’t you call my phone, acting like I owe you shit. You need to call one of your nasty-ass whores to come and bond you out.”
I wanted to fly through the phone and squeeze the life out of this silly bitch, but I remained calm.
“Yo, what kind of shit you on? I understand that you’re upset, but now isn’t the fucking time for your selfish rants. I’m in fucking jail, and I need you to get some money, get a bondsman, and come get me out ASAP,” I calmly said.
“And you’re not listening. I’m not doing shit else for you. You got your ass in there, now you figure a way out. Please don’t call my fucking phone anymore.”
That bitch hung up in my ear before I got a chance to respond. “Ha-ha,” I chuckled to myself. If this bitch only knew how much I despised her. I wished she would do us both a fucking favor and kill herself.
I rubbed my hand over my head. I had to figure a way out of here. Next, I dialed Mama’s number.
“Hello, hello,” she answered frantically.
“Hey, Mama.”
“Hassan, what the hell are you doing in Rikers?”
“Long story, Mama. Imani had me locked up on some bogus charges.”
“What kind of charges, and do you have a bond? Lord, Charmaine goin’ whup that ass.”
“Chill out. You know these phone calls are recorded. Anyway, I have a bond, but I left my wallet and everything in the house. I asked Destiny’s dumb ass to bond me out or call my partner, but she acting dumb and shit.”
“So, what you want me to do? You want me to go get your wallet from the house?”
“Nah, I ’ont want you going over there, getting into it with her ass.”
“Boy, ain’t nobody worried about that ho. I need to get you out of there right away.”
Before I could respond, the phone cut off. I think the credit ran out. I hung up the phone and walked back to my bunk. I felt a little better now that I’d heard my mama’s voice. I no longer felt alone, and I knew she would do whatever it took to get me out of here.
Chapter Two
Destiny Clarke
This man had to be the dumbest person I’ve ever met. Here he was with a great career, and he went and caught a case behind some pussy. Pussy that didn’t even belong to him. Boy, I tell you, these so-called men do not think with their heads. They think with their cocks, and because of that, they are always getting caught up in some bullshit.
From the minute the police showed up, I knew his ass did something he had no business doing. I waited for a few hours. Then I called the jail and found out he had a string of charges, including assault and battery. “Damn fool,” I chuckled to myself after I hung up the phone. I tell you, pussy is a powerful weapon.
I called Mama’s phone. I needed someone to vent to.
“Hey, Mama.”
“Hey, baby, how you doing?”
“You ain’t goin’ believe what I’m about to tell you. The police locked up Hassan.”
“Say what?” she asked in astonishment.
“Yes, this morning. I heard a loud banging on the door, so I jumped up. It was the police with a warrant for him. I called the jail and found out he had numerous charges, including assault and battery.”
“Assault and battery? I ’ont know much ’bout the law, but ain’t that when you hit on somebody?”
“Yup. I think it’s the whore that he’s been sleeping with.” I had to be careful around Mama. I didn’t want her to know that I’d met Hassan’s other woman.
“He’s a bigger fool than I thought. You helped him to make a life, and he’s throwing it all away behind a trick. I tell you, they should lock him up and throw away the damn key.”
“Yea, I was shocked at first, but that’s what his arrogant behind gets.”
“I’ll be happy when he’s finally out of your life for good.”
“Me too, Mama. Anyway, I got to go. Love you.”
“I love you too, baby.”
As soon as I hung up, the phone started ringing again. It said unknown, so I was a little reluctant to pick up. Nevertheless, I answered and immediately realized it was Hassan calling from jail.
I should’ve hung up on him, but my curiosity got the best of me. What surprised me the most was the bastard questioned why he wasn’t bonded out yet. See, he really thought I was just a dumb bitch, and I can’t blame him, because I put up with his shit for years. The only thing was, Hassan didn’t know that I was no longer that scared bitch that he married. I was as cold as an ice cube in the freezer. By the time our conversation ended, I knew he had an idea of who he had turned me into.
I knew I was getting stronger every day. The old me would’ve been down at the jail, bonding out my husband, screaming and hollering. But not today. I’ve grown to realize that the fool never loved me, and I was done playing the dumb bitch.
* * *
I decided to go through Amaiya’s closet and bag up the clothes she could no longer wear. I planned on selling the house after the divorce was final. Too many memories of Hassan in the house; plus, I needed a new start away from it all. Then I heard the doorbell ring.
“Who the hell’s trying to sell me something now?” I said out loud.
I put the bag down and marched down the stairs. I looked through the peephole