Taboo 2, p.8
Taboo 2, page 8
“Wait a minute, let me finish. I told you that I wanted to adopt Messiah and raise him as my own son. I want him to see me as his father and as his daddy. I have been his daddy all of his life and I should be the only father he knows. Fuck Rasheed! If he was a real man, he should have been more concerned about bein’ here for his son, instead of worryin’ about who was screwin’ you and runnin’ the streets of New York and Atlanta.” Lamont’s nose began to flare. “I’m not feelin’ that shit, Sierra, not one bit, and if you take Messiah around this nigga again, I promise you, you’re gonna have problems!”
Sierra began to get angry. “What kind of problems am I gonna have, Lamont? And why are you threatenin’ me?”
“Because you keep forgettin’ that I have a decent career, and I went and made a good life for myself, and that I am more of a man than Rasheed could ever be. I didn’t have to kill nobody for a livin’ or sell drugs or go to jail in order to prove somethin’ to somebody. If you don’t respect that, if you don’t see me for what I am, then somebody else will!”
Sierra pouted. “I thought we had an honest and open relationship!”
“Yeah, we do, but don’t take this relationship for granted, Si.” Lamont sighed and walked away from her. “I’m goin’ upstairs to take a shower and then I’m goin’ out to hang with my dudes. I need a drink.”
“What about my dinner? How are you goin’ out? I made this dinner for you!”
“I don’t have an appetite right now. I’ll eat that shit tomorrow, man.”
Lamont passed by the children, who were sitting back in the family room and playing with their toys. He went into the bedroom and shut the door. He couldn’t believe Sierra. How could she even ask him that question after all the things that Rasheed had put her through? Not to mention, the rumors about Messiah being fathered by an inmate were still fresh in the minds of those peons at work, and his too.
He lay back on the bed and covered his eyes with his forearm. What the hell was wrong with women? They pushed and pushed their limits, not realizing that even the best men who were truly in love with them had boundaries.
This Rasheed dilemma was something that kept haunting him. He couldn’t help but wonder why Sierra had even bothered to get back with him if she wanted Rasheed to be in Messiah’s life. Part of their agreement was for Lamont to raise Messiah as his own, an agreement that he had kept. Now she was telling him that Rasheed wanted to be a part of Messiah’s life, a part that any court in the land would let him have because, after all, Messiah Amir Howell was Rasheed Gordon’s biological son.
Lamont jumped up and took off his uniform pants, throwing them in a heap in the corner of the bedroom. He wrapped a towel around his nude body and went into the bathroom to shower. Sierra walked in while he was washing up.
“Are you mad at me, Lamont?” she asked.
“Nope,” he replied as he sloshed soapy water all over his body.
Sierra pulled the shower curtain back. Lamont wouldn’t give her any eye contact. He was through with the conversation.
“Don’t be mad at me, baby. Can we try to work this out?” she asked.
“Can you close the curtain, Si? I’m takin’ a shower. I don’t wanna talk about that shit no more.”
Sierra gave Lamont a sad look and closed the shower curtain. Lamont rolled his eyes after hearing the bathroom door slam.
An hour later, Lamont pulled up to the Staxx pool hall. When he walked in, he spoke briefly with a few people he knew until he spotted his friend, Kaseem Brown, sitting at the bar.
“Yo, Kaseem!” screamed Lamont from across the pool hall. “What’s up, man?”
Kaseem turned away from the flat-screen television that was mounted over the bartender’s head. “Oh, shit! Looked who the cat dragged in! What’s up, homie?” he said, giving Lamont a bear hug. “How did you know that we were over here?”
“I keep hearin’ people at work talkin’ about this spot so I decided to take a chance and come out tonight. Plus, I needed some fresh air.”
Kaseem looked at him with a grin on his face. “What’s the matter? Sierra’s gettin’ on your nerves or somethin’?”
Lamont smiled. “No, she’s not. What makes you say that?” He wasn’t about to tell Kaseem about the argument between him and Sierra.
“I think that because you haven’t been out with the fellas in about a good six months! You know how many times me and Clemmons tried to get you to roll with us? The only thing that I heard was, ‘Nah, man, I gotta go home to wifey and the kids’ or ‘I gotta ask wifey if it’s okay to take my mouth off her titty!’ You’ve been actin’ like a little biatch and shit!”
Lamont laughed hysterically. “Man, fuck you! When was the last time you asked me to come out?”
“Man, you don’t remember?” Kaseem said with a loud chuckle. “Then again, you probably don’t. You’re too pussy whipped to remember!”
As they talked trash to each other and played a few games of pool, Lamont didn’t realize that he was being watched by two women—two women who would most likely change his life.
Chapter 9
India
The Staxx pool hall was located a few blocks from Rikers Island. It was where most correction officers came to unwind and get away from the stresses of the job. There were different cliques of officers who mingled with each other while shooting pool. What made it ironic was that even though they came to the pool hall to relax, the officers still managed to find time to talk about work.
The sounds of Ne-Yo boomed through the speakers as the Charles twins walked through the door of the pool hall. Although they were dressed very casually, they still looked like a million bucks. The men were leering at them and the women shot them a nasty look or two. Accustomed to all the hate they received from their peers and coworkers, the twins were unfazed by the attention. They were on a mission, and no one was going to stop them until their task was complete.
They copped a table and some pool sticks and instantly began playing pool, just the two of them.
Suddenly, India smiled. She had spotted her target from across the room.
“Just the man I wanted to see,” India said. Asia looked in the same direction as her sister. It just happened to be a coincidence that Lamont Simmons, Sierra’s man, was there. India couldn’t believe her luck.
She tapped her sister excitedly. “Asia, Asia, look! That’s Sierra’s man right over there! That’s the guy I was tellin’ you about!”
Asia shot one of the balls into the side pocket of the pool table. “Who, bitch? Who is it?” she asked with an exasperated look on her face. India had always been the more dramatic twin.
“Sierra’s man! He’s right over there,” India said.
Asia’s eyes widened as she took in the physical attributes of Lamont Simmons. “Damn, he looks good. I love his physique, even looks like he got a little swag about him.”
India laughed. “Doesn’t he? He’s not the street guy we normally go for but he’s seems so manly, you know what I’m sayin’?”
Asia couldn’t take her eyes off Lamont. “You didn’t tell me that he looks that good, though.”
“Well, now you know,” India replied with a look of satisfaction on her face. She was pleased that she got her sister’s approval.
“So are you gonna holler at him or what?”
“Yes, I am!” India gave Asia a pound and swung her hair across her shoulders. From across the room, India found herself locking her eyes on the disturbingly handsome Lamont. She noticed that he had a fresh haircut and his goatee was trimmed up just right. She was instantly attracted to him.
The twins quickly made their way over to the bar, where Lamont and Kaseem were obviously headed.
“What’s up, Deputy Simmons?” announced India, walking up behind him. “Hey, Captain Brown,” she said, patting Kaseem on the shoulder. Kaseem nodded at her and smiled.
Lamont smiled. “What’s up, sweetie? Um, where do I know you from?” he asked.
India rolled her eyes. “I work in the same facility as you do, sir!”
Lamont laughed and put his arm around India’s shoulders. “Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie! I see so many people on a day-to-day basis; I don’t know names, only faces. I don’t even think I ever saw you around the jail. Are you on the wheel or somethin’?” he asked, referring to the nickname the Department of Correction used for a rotating schedule.
“Yeah, I am, but I have worked in the control room with you a few times. I see that you haven’t noticed me,” she said while pretending to sulk.
Lamont chuckled and India smiled as she watched his eyes roam all over her shapely frame. She smiled as she thought about how everything was definitely working in her favor.
Kaseem sat at the bar with his beer in his hand, staring at India and Asia. “So can we have some introductions, please? What’s up with this young lady right here?” he asked, checking out Asia from head to toe.
“I’m sorry for being so rude. This is my twin sister, Asia Charles, and in case I haven’t formerly introduced myself, I’m India Charles.”
Kaseem shook his head approvingly. “Asia and India. Beautiful names for some beautiful sisters.”
India smiled at Kaseem. “Thanks, Captain.”
“You can call me Kaseem outside of the workplace, baby. I’m not a captain twenty-four seven. That’s just my job title.”
“And I’m Lamont. What brings you ladies out?”
India sighed. “It was a little boring at home so we decided to hang out tonight. You know, get a few drinks, have a good time, then go back home. It’s very rare that we both have the day off at the same time.”
“So, India, how do you like the job?” asked Lamont.
“Well, so far, so good. I don’t have too many complaints about it,” she replied.
Lamont was definitely checking her out. He seemed like he wanted to get to know her. She knew that it wouldn’t take much to reel him in.
“That’s good to hear. What else do you do on your days off?”
“Nothin’. I’m usually all work and no play,” India replied with a smirk on her face.
Lamont licked his lips. “Oh, really? Why is that?”
India shrugged. “I hate the different shifts you have to work when you’re on the wheel. I have to plan my life around my work schedule.”
“I can’t stand the wheel either,” Asia agreed.
“You’re a CO too? Wow. Were you ladies in the Academy together?” Lamont asked as Kaseem looked on.
“Yeah, we were,” said India. Lamont and Kaseem looked at each other and nodded in approval
“That’s what’s up. What jail do you work in, Asia?” Lamont inquired.
“I work in C-95,” she replied.
“How are they treatin’ you in there?” Kaseem asked
“They’re okay. Personally, I think that there are a lot of haters on this job. They hate without even knowin’ you.”
Lamont chuckled. “There is a lot of hate. Trust me, I’ve been goin’ through the same thing for the last nineteen years on this job. The hate, the gossip, and the lies are endless.”
“Some of those people revolve their lives around Corrections. Personally, I think they’re pathetic,” added India.
Lamont shook his head in agreement. “That they are, that they are.” He looked at the bartender. “Ladies, I apologize for bein’ rude. Would you ladies like somethin’ to drink?”
India looked at Asia, who seemed impressed with their chivalry. “Thanks, but we have our own money,” India said.
Lamont waved her off. “Save your money, I got this. What y’all want? You want drinks? Appetizers? What?”
“Okay,” India said as she slid on the bar stool next to Lamont. “I’ll have an Apple Martini.”
“What are you gettin’, Asia?”
Asia sat next to Kaseem. “I’ll have an Incredible Hulk.”
Kaseem chimed in. “I got you, baby girl. Did you want anything to eat with that?” he asked.
“I’m okay for now,” replied Asia, putting on a megawatt smile.
They sat at the bar for an hour or so and chatted with each other. Kaseem and Asia made small talk while Lamont and India were engrossed in their conversation.
“So, India, are you plannin’ on makin’ this job a career? Were you thinkin’ about takin’ promotional exams?”
India sighed. “I dunno. I haven’t really had the chance to figure out how and what I’m gonna do yet. I think I’m just gonna go with the flow for a little while, you know, feel things out before I start thinkin’ about takin’ promotional tests.”
Lamont reached over her to grab a napkin. India held her breath as his broad chest brushed against her arm. He was so sexy; he made her lower area tingle. It was funny, because she didn’t even think that Lamont realized what he was doing to her.
All the undeservin’ bitches like Sierra always get the good men, she thought.
After some hours had passed and the quartet had played a few pool games, it was time to call it a night. They all walked outside together to their respective cars, with Kaseem hopping in his Audi Q7 and pulling off first. Lamont took the liberty of walking the twins to Asia’s Jeep Cherokee.
“You ladies seem like some real cool people.”
India smirked. “You think so?”
Lamont laughed. “I know so. Is that more like it?” he asked, tipsy from the beers he drank.
“Thank you, Lamont,” India replied.
They arrived at Asia’s truck. She pressed the alarm and climbed into the driver’s seat, giving Lamont and India a moment to themselves.
“Are you ladies gonna be all right on the drive home? Nobody’s too drunk here, right, Asia?”
Asia chuckled. He didn’t know that the twins were two lushes. They were able to drink most men under the table.
“I’m good, Lamont,” she responded. “I only had one drink tonight.”
India opened the passenger door. A wind passed through and her long hair blew into her face. Lamont stood there for a moment, as if he was mesmerized with her.
“Thank you, Lamont. Thanks for everything,” she said.
“You’re welcome, beautiful. I guess I will see you around the jail, huh?”
“Yeah, you will, so don’t be a stranger,” India added.
She was glad she wore the best fitting jeans in her closet, because Lamont was taking it all in with his roaming eyes. The tight Juicy Couture T-shirt she wore hugged her D-cup breasts and only made her even more of a threat to Lamont’s beloved Sierra. India knew she looked good. The look on Lamont’s face said it all.
“I won’t, sweetheart, I won’t,” he said with a lustful look in his eyes.
India pulled Lamont back just as he was about to walk away. “Wait! Don’t you want my phone number? How are you goin’ to keep in touch with me—outside of work?”
Lamont hesitantly reached into his pocket for his cell. He put India’s number in the phone. He looked as if he didn’t want to give out his number at all for fear that his whole spot would be blown up, so India just settled for giving him her phone number. Something was better than nothing.
After giving Lamont her digits, India gave him a nice kiss on the lips, even gave him a little tongue with it. A few seconds passed when Lamont stepped back, wiping India’s lip gloss from his lips.
“Man, what did I do to deserve that?” he asked, smiling from ear to ear.
“Nothin’,” replied India. “I just wanted to thank you for showin’ us a good time.”
Lamont hugged India again. She made sure she pressed her breasts against his chest.
“See ya, baby girl,” he whispered in her ear.
India climbed into the Jeep and waved good-bye at the enamored Lamont, who stood there until they pulled off. Once they got to the corner of the block out of his sight, Asia and India began laughing hysterically. They gave each other high fives.
India looked back. “Do you think that Lamont is goin’ to call me?” she asked.
“Sweetie, he’s gonna do more than call you. He was actin’ like he wanted to marry your ass!” replied Asia.
A feeling of redemption came over India as they drove home. Tamir’s death wasn’t going to be in vain after all.
Chapter 10
Anwar
The weekend had come and gone. It was a Monday morning in Five North. The cells that were being opened and closed awakened Anwar from his sleep. He reluctantly sat up on the bed inside of the dank cell and dragged himself to the cell window.
Looking out the small, rectangular cell window, everything that Anwar saw on the outside of his concrete box got under his skin. This was everything from the chipped paint on the walls to the inmates who walked around the tier of Five North, acting as if they were right at home. These types of detainees spent most of the days trying to convince everyone that they were the toughest dudes.
Anwar looked down on those inmates. They were posers, talking about things they never had or were ever going to get. Being locked up numerous times was like their sounding board but going to jail wasn’t what made someone a “gangster.” They had a perceived notion that extortion and gangbanging was the way to go, but the real gangsters had other inmates “offering” them commissary and contraband without saying one word or lifting a finger.
Then there were the inmates who resorted to begging. They were willing to accept scraps of cigarettes, food, and articles of clothing from other inmates.
Not Anwar. Anwar ain’t askin’ none of these niggas for shit, he thought.
If there was any way that someone could be locked up and walk around with a bourgeois attitude, Anwar made this very possible. A sociopath in his own right, it was highly unlikely that Anwar would make friends with any of the other cons during his skid bid anyway.
After standing at the window for quite some time, Anwar watched the female officer who was working in the housing area for the day. She was also the same pretty woman who Scooter had pointed out in Intake the day before. He claimed that she was Rasheed’s baby’s mother. Although Anwar was good friends with Rasheed, he never had the pleasure of meeting Sierra. Now that he saw her in the flesh, he could understand why his friend was so attracted to her.
