Jackie D.: Life After A Balla

Asia closed her eyes as visions of the night she killed Keon flashed in her mind. She then rubbed her temples in a circular motion. Stress crept up on her within seconds.

“Are you okay, Ms. Jones? Did you know this man?” Chris questioned.

“Yes, I did. We dated for a short time, but I’m just taken back by the news that he’s dead. We were really good friends. We would probably still be dating if I hadn’t moved away. I spent a lot of time at his place so of course my finger prints would be there,” Asia tried to convince.

The lawyer jotted down some notes, “I see… so it sounds like you… I mean we are gonna have to prove this.”

“If I just told you that I used to date him and spent time over there can’t you tell them that my fingerprints will probably be all over that crime scene? Aren’t you supposed to be my lawyer? Do some damn work and get me off on these bullshit charges,” she said, grabbing him by the shirt. An officer pulled her away within seconds.

The lawyer’s face turned beet red as he quickly began stuffing papers back into his briefcase. He then rose from the table and walked out of the room without saying another word.

Asia immediately broke down crying. Oh God, what if they give me the death penalty? I didn’t mean to do all the bad things I’ve done in my life. I regret mistreating my son, killing Keon, and stealing money from so many people. I just ask for forgiveness because it looks like my life is over and I’m about to rot in this place .

Felicia, who had just taken over as the driver, yawned and she pulled into the driveway of her three bedroom home on Harbor Island. It normally took anybody doing the speed limit almost ten hours, but Dre who drove over eighty-miles per hour the entire time got them there in nine, including the two times they’d stopped for restroom and food breaks. She pressed the garage remote and pulled into the two car garage, before parking the car and turning off the ignition. Instantly all the memories of the many summer vacations she and Justice spent there flashed into her mind. When Felicia felt the water building up in her eyes, she closed them tight trying to fight back tears.

How did things end up like this Justice? I did everything right in our relationship and you still left me. If you would’ve loved me the way I loved you, we would still be together right now .

Felicia was so deep in thought she didn’t hear Dre calling her name.

“Felicia…Felicia, shake that shit off, we got business to handle. Now ain’t the time to get all sentimental on me!” he warned.

She delivered several sighs, and then rolled her eyes in a manner that should have informed Dre that she didn’t appreciate being talked to that way. Dre was on a mission and had already removed Kareem from the front seat and waited for her to open the door. Even though Dre had decided not to keep him in the trunk very long, Kareem’s hands were still tied and his mouth was still covered with tape.

“Hurry the fuck up, Felicia!” he barked.

Felicia eyebrows rose and her expression went soar. “I don’t know who you think you’re yelling at, Dre. I’m not a child. I’ve had enough of your mouth for one fucking day. Don’t rush me!” she shot back.

She leaned down and put her feet back inside her heels, then got out of the car. When Felicia walked past Dre, she slung her huge designer purse over her shoulder hitting him as she put the key inside the door. Just like her house back in Georgia, Felicia’s vacation home was just as beautiful. The one story home had soaring twenty-five foot ceilings, expensive hardwood flooring and a gorgeous gourmet kitchen. Not to mention the top of the line furniture she’d decorated with.

“Do you have to use the bathroom?” Dre asked Kareem. When Kareem shook his head back and forth, Dre responded with, “good.” He grabbed one of the chairs out of the dining room, told Kareem to sit down, then tied his legs to the chair, “Now, I’m gonna remove this tape, but if you make any noise that I don’t approve of, the shit is goin’ back on.” When he snatched the tape off, Kareem winced from the pain, but didn’t make a sound.

Dre didn’t waste anytime removing the gun from his waist. “Now, time to make that call,” he said, pointing the firearm at Kareem’s forehead with one hand and handing him his cell phone with the other.

Kareem let out a huge sigh before dialing the number.

Felicia, who was still pissed off, walked into the bedroom and closed the door so she could change her clothes. After getting comfortable in a pair of shorts and a tank top, she sat on the bed. She was having second thoughts about the whole thing, especially now since Dre’s intentions didn’t seem good.

“Felicia, come in here. I gotta go meet the nigga, Cruze. I need you to watch him until I get back!” Dre yelled. When she didn’t respond he walked right into the bedroom without even knocking. “Did you hear me?”

Felicia just nodded her head. She was tired and wanted to go to sleep to make this whole nightmare go away.

“Look mannn…I apologize for the way I’ve been talkin’ to you Felicia, but this shit got me stressed out. I need you right now. We almost got what we’ve been waitin’ for. Please don’t quit on me now. Can you go in the livin’ room and watch him,” he pleaded.

Without saying a word, she got up off the bed and walked back into the living room.

Dre followed then leaned over Kareem, whispering in his ear. “Remember nigga, your family is on the line, so don’t fuck up.” He then looked at Felicia. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon,” he said just before grabbing the keys and walking out the door.

Felicia was starving but knew it was nothing in the house to eat since she hadn’t been there in almost a year. She didn’t really care about the house being fully stocked with food, but she did care about its cleanliness. Felicia had housekeepers come twice a month to make sure the place was kept up to her standards.

She leaned against the oversized island in the kitchen and crossed her arms trying to decide on what to do about food. When she glanced over at the refrigerator and saw a number for pizza delivery, she grabbed the phone and ordered two large pizza’s and a two liter Sprite. When she looked over at Kareem who was staring her down but not saying a word, she pulled her eyes away from him and walked back inside her room to wait for the food. It was hard enough that she was having second thoughts about the situation, and his saddened puppy dog look wasn’t making matters any better.

“Just remember what Dre said about you making any noise when that pizza guy gets here. Don’t try anything,” she still decided to say.

Thirty minutes later, Felicia emerged from the foyer of the house with two white boxes in her hand. She placed the boxes on the table, grabbed some ice and two cups to pour the soda in from out the kitchen and sat down. Opening the box, Felicia grabbed a slice then reached over and placed it in Kareem’s mouth.

“Thank you Le Le…I mean Felicia,” he said while chewing. “So…you’re a doctor, huh?”

Felicia showed a slight grin. “Yeah.”

“I just thought about the lab coat I saw in your closet. That also explains your bank account balance. The day you left me that note, you must’ve accidently wrote it on the back of your bank statement. I was so excited to have me a paid girlfriend.”

Once again, Felicia grinned.

“Look, can I ask you something? Did you ever have any true feelings for me?”

She looked over at him, feeling bad for misleading someone who obviously cared for her at one point. “I never meant to hurt you, Kareem. I just wanted to know what happened to my husband,” Felicia said, giving him another bite of pizza.