are we gonna do that…?”
Sheryl overheard Candace on the phone. Probably with Melanie, she thought. A couple weeks after the incident, Candace and Claire were still at it. Sheryl took a stance and went to Mimmy and told her the reason for spending all the money in one boutique. The sisters were in the bathroom playfully watching each other get dressed.
“Why Miss Claire, you look soo wonderful, big sis.”
“I do thank you, Miss Candy. I’d say you’re looking quite ravishing.”
They laughed lightheartedly. Their tone changed to a more serious one as they continued to admire themselves.
“Really though, they ain’t ready for this,” Candace said, smacking her sister’s naked ass.
“Show me what you’re working with,” Claire said.
It was then that Mimmy blasted through the bathroom door in a huff of fury.
“How dare y’all do that crazy shit in Washington Heights? I’m not raising any common thieves…”
“Mimmy, we weren’t doing anything. It was Sheryl’s fault…”
“Don’t tell lies, girl. Melanie’s father already spoke to me…”
“That ol’ Orphan Annie bitch…”
“Go to your room, right now! You’re both grounded,” Mimmy thundered.
During the summer of 2004, the sisters gave Sheryl the hardest time of her young life. They told so many lies that Mimmy kept Sheryl on whole month of punishment. She stayed on Mimmy’s bad side. Mimmy forbade her to leave the apartment.
Many a summer nights when Sheryl would rather be out, she was in the apartment. Resentment for her spilled over in the way Mimmy treated her. There were times she felt like running away. Sheryl wished for her mother. She wanted badly to see the woman who was now seven years removed from her life. During this time, she cried a lot. Sheryl made a pact to search for her mother and let her know about the misery her leaving had caused.
Claire and Candace were now freed of Sheryl’s involvement. Along with Melanie, they embarked on a summer robbery spree. On a regular basis, they would be boosting, hanging out in clubs, and shoplifting. It got so hot that by the middle of summer, the police were also after Melanie. The police turned up the heat, and she had to flee NYC before the end of summer. It was rumored she was in Florida but no one knew for sure. If they did, they weren’t telling. The Osorio sisters started their own crime crusade.
Toward the end of the summer, Sheryl Street happily moved back to Florida, vowing never to return. She had graduated from high school along with the sisters. Their plans were to move to Hollywood and become rich and famous actresses. In the meantime, Claire and Candace were busy establishing another career.
“All right, strap yourself in sis. Look-out Fifth Avenue, here comes the Osorio sisters.”
It was early July and the shopping district was crowded. The stores were receiving fall merchandise and all were busy. Summer sales attracted so many shoppers that sales staffs and security were constantly hopping around. Candace and Claire joined the fracas. The shopping grid stretched out blocks and blocks along Fifth and Madison Avenues. They were charming and smiles but there was only one thing on their minds—boosting.
They checked the store security after waltzing into Armani. They sashayed in and out of Christian Dior, Gucci, and Valentino before finally hitting Dolce and Gabbana. The girls kept it moving from sales racks to sales rack while steering clear of the salespeople in Saks. They did an end to end sweep of Giorgio’s, carefully inspecting merchandise. All the while they smiled, cataloging the security systems in their memory banks.
“Damn, it’s crowded in all these stores,” Claire observed. “I can’t really operate like I want to.”
“Let’s head over to Saks,” Candace suggested. “It might not be as crowded.”
“Candy, I want those new Gucci boots today…” Claire started, but Candace interrupted her.
“We’ll do Gucci in a minute, big sis.”
Claire and Candace exited carrying large shopping bags. They walked into Gucci and headed for the leather to sample the couture.
“Good day ladies. May I be of some assistance?” a salesgirl greeted.
“No thanks,” Candace smiled seductively.
“Very well… Enjoy your day at Gucci.”
“Thank you,” Claire said.
“Claire, check out those over there,” Candace said.
“Let’s get to the shoe department first,” Claire said.
“No, let’s hit that on our way out,” Candace said.
She was looking at a pair of leather pants and carefully examining the security locks attached.
“Big sis, this is really hot,” Candace said.
“Yeah Candy, they’re very nice,” Claire nonchalantly replied.
“Okay, I got it. Let’s see what they got in the shoe department,” Candace said, shaking her head. Claire followed wearing a smug smile.
Later at lunch, Claire and Candace laughed and talked about the adventure that quickly became their calling card. The girls auspiciously began their boosting career. The girls boasted about slipping by security systems. Their arms were filled with the days’ loot as they made their way to the train station.
“Lunch was really great. I was so hungry,” Candace said as they walked on to the platform.
“I want some new perfumes,” Claire said.
“Let’s go get them,” Candace said.
Confident but playful, the girls walked past a few high-end boutiques and beaneries in search of the nearest perfume store.
CHAPTER 5
Sheryl left New York City to attend college in Florida. She wanted to be as far away as possible and nothing to do with the family that had partially raised her. Sheryl resumed living with her step dad, Gilbert, on a day by day basis.
The heckling from both sisters was enough to drive Sheryl crazy. Furthermore she didn’t like the way they took advantage of Mimmy. It hurt her every time they lied to Mimmy and she had to help them with the covering up. Sheryl would do anything to get away from Candace and Claire. Including living with and caring for an alcoholic stepfather.
Although money was tight, Sheryl was able to transfer her credits and started as a junior at Florida A&M. Sheryl Street was looking to establish her independence. In so doing, the calls to her former caretaker, and unofficial adopted mother, Mimmy, grew less and less. Thoughts of her natural mother’s whereabouts taunted her more and more. It was during this time that Sheryl became interested in law and order. The idea hit after she had watched a recruiting advertisement on early morning television.
“…Further your career as an attorney while working as a police officer for Dade County...”
Sheryl explored further. She found that the county would not only pick up the cost of her legal studies, but she would be paid once she joined the department. It was a no-brainer. Through the police department she would be able to track her mother’s whereabouts easily. Sheryl found all the resources that could significantly change her life, and she couldn’t wait to make the jump. The day came and her heart was almost jumping from her chest with excitement. When she went in, and put the uniform on, it was the most exhilarating feeling from a single move she could make.
During this time, Candace and Claire went about making their names boosting in New