The Plug's Daughter Read online

  Clearing my throat, I let out a soft, “Hello.” I was trying to sound normal and hoped that I did.

  “Sen? It’s Keenyn.”

  “Keys,” I let out a breath in relief. Thank God it was him. “How’re you doing?”

  “I’m good. I meant to call you earlier, but it’s been a lot going on. What you doin’ tonight?” He asked and I could tell that he wanted to see me.

  “It’s cool. I understand. Nothing much. Netflix and ice cream.” Honestly the television was off and I had no appetite.

  There I was, a beautiful woman with money in my early twenties and my life was slowly, but surely going to shit. I was supposed to be out on the town enjoying myself, but I was hiding out from a nigga who wanted to destroy me for whatever reason. Trell had his own agenda the whole time and it had never been about me. I had no idea what else he had under his sleeve, but I was sure that it was going to be at my expense.

  “Word, word. Why don’t I come check you out? I mean, I have to be honest, I can’t stop thinkin’ ‘bout you. I mean, I’m not tryna push up on you. I just wanna chill wit’ you for a lil’ while. No pressure. I promise.”

  I smiled, but I knew that it wasn’t a good idea. Calling my mother had crossed my mind so that she could smuggle me out of Atlanta and send me to another safe haven. Maybe it was best for me to relocate again. I couldn’t go back to Miami though. It was too much going on and I was running away from something that I could only pray wouldn’t catch up to me.

  “Well, I uh, I’m gonna be honest wit’ you Keys. I got a…boyfriend who lives here…and…”

  He cut me off. “Oh, damn, nuff said shawty…I…”

  “But that doesn’t mean that I can’t kick it with you. I’ll come to you,” I said quickly. All a sudden I felt brave.

  Maybe I could call Trell and throw him off. If I told him that I was going to sleep and went along with his plan, maybe he’d leave me alone for the night. The thought of being with Keys made me feel safe.

  “Cool, uhh, I’ll text you my address.”

  “Okay.”

  “See you in a minute.”

  “A’ight.”

  We hung up and I dialed Trell’s number.

  “Sexy, you thought about what we talked about huh?” He asked like nothing had even happened earlier.

  I wanted to blow his brain out of his head myself, but what he’d showed me made me change my mind. Maybe I could tell Keys all about everything and he could help me. That nigga Trell had some shit on my pops that could get him locked up for life, or worse. Trell had it all covered. He said that if I told my father anything his crew had the word to take shit to the next level. That meant ending my life and my father’s. Prison seemed to be the least of my worries and his.

  “Yeah. I just wanted to call and tell you goodnight. I’m goin’ to bed.” I yawned to drive my point.

  “Okay cool. I’ll be there to check up on you in the mornin’. I’m handlin’ some shit, so…”

  “It’s okay. My pops is comin’ over in the mornin’ and I don’t think you should be here. I’ll call you when he leaves.”

  “Yeah, what the fuck ever yo’. I’ll pop up over there if I want to. Like I said bitch, I’m yo’ daddy now. You better be in the bed too. You don’t know if I’m goin’ ride by to see if yo’ car there. Try me if you want to Sen.” His sinister voice made chills travel all over my body.

  “Okay,” I said making a mental note to call a taxi just in case he went through with his threat.

  * * *

  Keenyn

  Damn, I shook my head when I thought about Jasenia having a nigga. That shit was a huge disappointment and I wasn’t trying to be her side nigga too. I’d been through that bullshit with Elena, but at least Jasenia had been honest with me. It had been twenty or so minutes since we talked. I had a glass of Hennessey and was twisting a blunt when my phone rang.

  “I’ll be there in a few minutes,” her familiar voice greeted my ear and I smiled although her news of having a boo threw me for a loop.

  “Okay. Did you eat? I got some Chinese food that I picked up on my way back from Dame’s.”

  “Yeah, I did, but I need to smoke. I know you got something. I’m sure I’ll get the munchies after that.”

  We laughed. “You right on time shawty.”

  After we hung up I made my rounds to see if the crib was straight. I had to make sure that my bathroom was clean and my kitchen was up to par. Women like Sen didn’t play that nasty shit. She was used to the finest and whether she had a nigga or not, I wanted to impress her sexy ass. Shit, I wanted her bad. Way more than I ever wanted Elena. For some reason I was willing to fight for her.

  About fifteen minutes passed before the doorbell rang. I looked through the peephole and saw her standing there looking like a fallen angel. Damn, I was willing to go through whatever I had to just to get next to her. Without hesitation I opened the door and let her step in before pulling her enticing body into mine for an embrace.

  She seemed surprised by my gesture, but not in a bad way. Soon I felt her body relax against mine and I held her even tighter. For some reason I got the vibe that she needed that hug. After I kissed her on the forehead, I finally let her go.

  “What’s a beautiful woman like you doing at home watching Netflix and eating ice cream when you got a man? The only reason I ain’t takin’ you out on the town is cuz I don’t wanna have to kill a nigga.”

  She shook her head with a smile on her face, but there was something in her eyes that didn’t match it. I wanted to know what was up with her, but I didn’t pry. It wasn’t like we’d been in touch over the years. We’d just reconnected, so I didn’t want to push her to reveal too much of herself. I’d give her time. Besides, she had a man. Damn.

  I led her to the sofa and we both took a seat. After lighting a blunt we engaged in conversation. Sen was so damn smart and everything we talked about was deep. Nothing at all about the conversation was superficial, but she didn’t tell me anything about herself.

  “Of course I know all about Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Riots. It happened in 1921 in Oklahoma,” Sen challenged me when I asked. “Don’t think just because I had an education abroad that I’m not up on my Black History sir. It was a sophisticated system of keeping our money in our own community. Businesses were booming and everybody was wealthy. There were doctors, lawyers, teachers, schools, stores and hospitals. Even indoor plumbing until those jealous ass, cracker ass KKK ruined it with their bombs and shit.”

  There was an angry look on her face.

  “Well, excuse me for insulting your intelligence ma.” I couldn’t help but smile because when I brought that up to Elena she didn’t know what the hell I was talking about.

  “I’m high as hell,” she sighed. “You said you got some Chinese food right?”

  I couldn’t help but stare at her. “You’re so damn pretty and smart as fuck too. Why your man ain’t checkin’ for you?”

  Her eyes suddenly misted over with tears, but she seemed to keep them at bay.

  “What’s wrong Sen?”

  She shook her head quickly. “Nothing…I uh…”

  “What’s up wit’ yo’ nigga? When I brought him up your eyes changed.” I shook my head as I grabbed her hand. “I know I haven’t seen you in years, but I’ll always have your back Sen. You can tell me anything baby girl.” I had a feeling that whoever she was with was a conflict of interest when it came to Mendosa.

  In her father’s eyes, she was off limits to any man, but something told me that the situation that she was in was a lot more…complicated. I had a feeling that if her pops found out who her man was, it was going to be a major fucking problem.

  “Let me enjoy my high Keys, okay.” She squeezed my hand and the light was suddenly back on behind her eyes.

  I reluctantly let it go and got up to fix us both a plate of food. I’d let it go for the moment, but I had to know what was going on with her. When I returned to the room she was puffing on one of
those electronic cigarettes. It was all high tech looking and shit with a glass tank and a bright orange battery.

  “You smoke that shit?” I asked wondering about the contraption.

  “It’s called vaping,” she informed me with a cute giggle. “I used to smoke cigarettes, but I don’t like the way they smell.”

  “You trust that shit?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I figure I gotta die from something right.”

  “But you wanna find cures for diseases. Why would you say that?”

  She sat her plate on her lap and dug in before answering me. “Lighten up Keys. I’m not trying to kill myself.”

  “You better not be…” My voice trailed off as my eyes focused on a faint scar on her wrist.

  I wanted to ask if she’d tried already, but I didn’t. My heart ached for her because a voice deep inside of my being told me that the beautiful, pampered princess had not had an easy life. Instead of focusing on the fucked up shit, I decided to be that friend that she needed.

  We talked more and enjoyed our meal of beef and broccoli with shrimp spring rolls. After a few shots of Avion Silver she fell asleep on the sofa. I watched her sleep peacefully for a few minutes, enjoying the gift of her beauty. Then I gently picked her up and placed her in my bed. After covering her up with the blanket I went into the living room and sprawled out on the sofa. All I could think about was Jasenia as I drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 6

  Jasenia

  3 years ago

  Miami, FLA

  “You’re at that school around all those pretty young bitches all day,” my mother said as she sipped Chardonnay from a crystal goblet.

  We were having dinner on a Sunday evening, which was our thing since I’d officially moved back home a year ago. During my entire childhood I was away. Sometimes I wondered if my mother even wanted to be around me. After expressing my feelings to her she decided that we should work on bonding. I looked like my father and so…I felt she resented me. It was like looking at me hurt her, so after they divorced, she sent me away.

  “What does that have to do with anything?” I speared a perfect piece of salmon and savored the flavor.

  My mom had always been a good cook, but being a good mother was a whole different story. She’d always been around physically when I was in the States, but emotionally she was disconnected. It was like she couldn’t bond with me. My father and I were closer. He often told me that he and my mom broke up because she was jealous of our relationship. She felt that he gave me way too much of his attention and she got none. He said that when she finally decided to leave he asked to have custody of me. She never really wanted children anyway. She’d even admitted that fact to me time and time again. I was born because she wanted to keep him. He wanted children, so…The thought made me shake my head.

  My mother only kept me with her after they split to get at my father. She sent me away only to keep me away from him. Well, I guess she wanted me away from her too. I resented her for that shit. Although I had the best education that money could buy, and I’d been exposed to places and things that most black girls my age didn’t get to see, it didn’t matter. That was time that I could’ve had with my father; the parent who truly loved me.

  “Well, you know that it’s time for you to pull your weight. It hasn’t been cheap raising you.” Her mouth was in a tight line as her golden brown eyes twinkled with mischief.

  My mother was delicately beautiful at 5’5, 135 toned and fit pounds. She kind of reminded me of the actress Dorothy Dandridge with her classic beauty and poise. Her honey toned complexion was flawless and her slender nose was the result of a nose job my father had paid for. She’d also had breast implants and a Brazilian Butt Lift at his expense. However, my mother was a walking contradiction. Her beauty was her weapon and she was a deadly woman. Loving money was her vice. She was conceited as hell and she was a master manipulator. Using that to her advantage, she decided to become a female pimp. She’d been running an escort service since I was thirteen.

  “What?” I dropped my fork. “I have a full scholarship mom...Daddy fronts the bill for everything. What have you paid for? It’s not like you even raised me. Every dime you’ve ever made you’ve only spent on yourself!”

  “You ungrateful bitch!” She yelled as she slammed her fist on the table in anger.

  I looked up at her in disbelief. “What the fuck? Are you serious right now! I’m an ungrateful bitch? You should’ve left me in Atlanta with my father! You don’t give a shit about me!”

  She seemed to calm down as she took a deep breath. Her tone wasn’t as harsh when she spoke again. “I’m sorry honey. I am…really.”

  My breathing was labored because I wanted to haul off and slap the shit out of her. Because of her ass I was emotionally scarred. She never put her hands on me, but she had been mentally abusive since I was a little girl. Not only that, but she had a way of pushing me away. I felt so neglected and abandoned. When I was with my father, I genuinely felt loved.

  “Whatever. Thanks for dinner, but I have to go. I have finals tomorrow and…”

  “Jasenia, I…well…” Suddenly the aggressive woman I’d known all my life seemed at a loss for words.

  “What is it mom?” I was annoyed and all I wanted to do was leave.

  “Well, I know that you love money too. You’ve always been so loyal to your father, but what about me?”

  That made me flinch. She couldn’t be for real. I didn’t say a word as she continued to talk.

  “I mean, why don’t you recruit some girls for me. I’ll make it worth your while. You’re driving that nice ass Benz and you stay flyy like your mama. Flash those designer bags. Why don’t you carry one of those Ferragamo bags that your daddy bought you? Entice those bitches. You can make a gwap baby girl. Listen to your mama.”

  I gave her a wicked look before I got up from the table. “I’ll call you later...mama.”

  She didn’t say anything as I left and slammed the door behind me. So, she wanted me to help her exploit young women who were struggling to get an education. That was the whole point of our little dinners. All I could do was shake my head. What would my father think if he knew that my mother was trying to pull me into her illegal way of life?

  She made a lot of money and all, but I’d never wanted any part of what she did. The money was tempting though, so I thought about it as I unlocked the door of my Benz. My phone buzzed inside of my purse, but I didn’t answer. I knew that it was my mother…Missy…the Madame.

  * * *

  When my eyes fluttered open and I looked around the room anxiety quickly set in. Where the fuck was I? My focus wasn’t really working and my head was hurting like hell.

  “Shit,” I whispered when I sat up and realized that the unfamiliar looking room was spinning.

  Damn, I hoped I hadn’t fucked a strange ass nigga again. All of a sudden I felt nauseous as hell when the events of the night before came rolling into my mental. The images of what Trell had shown me was making me trip. Suddenly I was in a panic and I was hyperventilating.

  Calm down, I told myself as I squeezed my eyes closed. I had to think. Okay, I was at Keenyn’s, so I must’ve been in his bedroom. It was all coming to me. We’d had a nice time talking and vibing, but deep down inside I wanted to spill my guts to him. I wanted to tell him everything. I wanted to start from the beginning, but could I trust him? Shit, could I trust anybody other than my father?

  I took deep breaths like my therapist had showed me. Years had passed since I’d seen her. I’d been dealing with my anxiety attacks really well lately, but shit was starting to hit the fan. There was no way I could go on the way that I was. I was a strong bitch, but even strong bitches could fold under pressure. Time and time again I’d been a victim of that shit.

  My nausea subsided and I stood up on wobbly legs realizing that I had all of my clothes on. Good, that meant I hadn’t fucked Keys. Thank God. I mean, he was attractive as hell and intelligent, but I couldn�
��t go there. It would make things too damn complicated. My fucked up ass life didn’t need any more complications. I was living, walking proof that money didn’t buy happiness. With access to plenty of it, I was a mess.

  There was soft knock at the door. “You okay in there?”

  “Yes,” I called out loud enough for him to hear.

  “Uh, it’s a pack of toothbrushes in the bathroom and I cooked some breakfast.”

  I almost laughed. A pack of toothbrushes? Who did that? It was thoughtful though to think of your guests. He must’ve had bitches over often.

  “Thank you!”

  I walked into the master bathroom and found the toothbrushes in a drawer. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I tried to brush my weave. It was time for me to get my hair done. Wearing a sew-in was easy, but my real hair needed to breath. I made a note to self to handle that as soon as I got my head straight.

  After getting myself together the best I could, I ventured out of the bedroom. Keenyn was sitting at the table and there was a plate beside him waiting for me. I smiled, but it was short lived.

  “You made it,” he said with a grin as I joined him.

  “Yeah, thank you.”

  “For what?” He asked. “You ain’t gotta thank me.”

  “For being a friend. Mmm, this looks good. You’re gonna get me fat.”

  I looked down at the scrambled eggs, toast, grits and turkey sausage links and said grace before digging in.

  “I like thickness baby girl,” he laughed.

  I laughed too and the food was good. We talked a little bit between bites and then an overwhelming feeling to get something off my chest took over me.

  “Can I trust you Keys?”

  He glanced over at me in surprise. “Hell yeah. Why’d you ask me that?”

  “It’s been a lot going on and so I have trust issues. Honestly, I can only trust my father. I need to know that I can trust you too.” The tears burned my eyes and I willed them away. Yet, still, they fell.