“Why not?”
“They said there wasn’t enough evidence. By the time they started taking me seriously, I was in the middle of gunfire, in the parking lot of my job.”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“Who told you about this?” She popped some popcorn into her mouth, then set the bowl back down.
“It doesn’t matter who told me. It only matters that I finally know. No wonder you’ve been acting a little withdrawn lately. Comin’ to see me less at the bar. I figured maybe it was because you were hanging out with Axel, but then I’d see him and Legend, and some of his other friends, everyone except you. You’re usually outgoing and lively. So what’s going on with the situation right now?”
“Well, the police finally found him and questioned him just a few days ago. Of course, Master denied everything, and was cocky about it.”
“That’s really his name? Master?”
English nodded. Melanie rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Go on.”
“So, you know the deal. He even had his fake alibis in order, but Axel already knew he’d do that. Regardless, the police told him to stay away from me and he was served with a Protective Order, which stipulates no contact of any kind, electronic or physical. I went to the court date, he didn’t show up, so it worked out in my favor. Things have calmed down. No more calls or text messages after that, but I don’t know… I still feel like he’s not finished. The calm before the storm. He’s a sore loser.”
Melanie brought the joint to her mouth, and puffed.
“If you had told me, I could have helped you,” she said in a groggy pitch as her eyes turned to slits.
“How?”
Melanie’s cheeks compressed as she took another hit and exhaled.
“I’ve got guns so you can protect yourself. I keep ’em all around my apartment. Whatever you needed, I could’ve helped you get it. I would have lent you one in a heartbeat, honey.”
“Oh, baby, don’t let my suits fool you. I’ve got one, too. Her name is Henrietta, and she don’t play.”
Melanie laughed lazily, and nodded. “Cool. Good. Weapons sometimes can be taken away, fall, or jam. Do you know how to fight? With your prissy self.” She sucked her teeth.
“Like, throw a punch? Yes.”
“You weren’t raised in the hood like me, where fightin’ wasn’t an option but a necessity. I need to see what you got. Get up.” Melanie set her joint down.
“Oh, come on, Mel! I’m not trying to do this with you.”
“It’s for your own good. Now rise up.” Melanie stood, straightened out her light gray leggings that clung to her shapely thighs, tugged at her crop top, then ran her hands along her thin arms, one covered in a tattoo sleeve. Her long, wavy dark brown hair was tucked behind her ears, and her stiletto shaped dark pink nails glistened under the recessed lights.
“You invited me over tonight, said you were free, and now this has turned into this mess. I just want to chill, Ms. Coochie Board!”
“Get up. For real. I’m not even asking you anymore. I have to make sure, in my heart, that you can take this guy on if he catches you by surprise,” Melanie stated sternly before going behind her couch. Moments later, English was standing a couple of feet away from her. Both in their socks, they looked silly.
“Put your arm up like this. No… higher…” This went on for several minutes, with Melanie showing her how to stand, and land a solid punch.
“I told you I already know how!” English kept thrusting her arm in the air, landing most of her blows.
“You aren’t that bad, I’ll give you some credit, but you could hit harder, English. You have to put more power behind those punches. Legend taught me how to hit. My brother hits hard. Now, I’m going to show you how to do the same.”
“I have a brother, too, I’ll have you know. My sister is the one who taught me to fight though. I can hit way harder than this. Did you stop and think because you and I are just practicing, and you’re my friend, that I’m not putting my all into it? I’m not trying to break your nose.”
“Show me. I can take it. What you need to do is—”
Suddenly, her friend’s phone rang. “Hold on. Stay right there.” Melanie went back into the kitchen and grabbed it.
“Hey you, what’s up? … Uh huh… yeah, you can drop it off… Huh? Oh, English is over here … Uh huh … Just like we talked about … No. That’s not fair, you could have called him and told him that yourself… I don’t give a shit, that still didn’t… I said no! Why would I lie about that? … You’ve got me messed up. What sense does that make? Boy, bye… I will see you when you get here…”