The four girls announced.
“Save me some shorts,” Josephine requested.
“I’m gonna get a drink,” Danielle yelled. “Whew, I’m hot and thirsty.”
“That ain’t nothing new, bitch.” Josephine said.
“Mind your own Bl, bi-yotch.” Danielle answered.
“I seen you bumping an’ all up in Deja’s face.” Coco turned to Deedee and said.
“He’s just trying to push up. Nothing else…” Deedee started to speak but Coco cut her off.
“I’ll tell you the two things what madukes always be running, ‘don’t get friendly too quickly, and don’t trust no man,’” Coco sleepily mumbled. The alcohol had numbed her thoughts, but she was still in charge of Coco. She had been done before but Deedee had no way to know. She stared at Coco and for a moment Deedee felt nothing but pity, then a tinge of nervousness as her eyes met Deja’s stare. Coco saw her reaction.
“Why is he clocking you so hard? What’d ya do to home-boy? He’s got that sick puppy-dog look going on, yo. He’s only trying to catch a new owner. You got him open like Seven-Eleven, girlfriend,” Coco said giddily. She even managed a chuckle.
Deedee stared at Coco. She watched as the alcohol stimulated the meltdown of Coco’s hard edge. It made her friendly and almost childlike.
“This must mean it’s my turn to burn,” the thug that called himself Lil’ Long said as he approached them. Coco grabbed his hand. She motioned to Da Crew. They turned and strutted back to continue their domination of the dance floor. Deedee marveled again at Coco’s moves. She was startled when she felt someone palming her ass.
“Hey,” she said, and whirled around to face Deja. “Chill with that, please.”
“Chill with what, honey?” Deja asked and showed his hands feigning innocence. He was full of fun but Deedee was not in the mood for his humor. “You need to stop acting so stuck up.” Deja said.
“You need to stop trying to cop a feel,” Deedee replied emphatically. “I don’t like that,” she continued. “Most guys will buy a girl a drink and then try to kick it. Maybe that’s what you should be trying to do. Buy me a drink and talk sexy to me or sump’n other than trying to feel on my behind.”
“You’re a spoiled and bossy bitch,” Deja said dejectedly. “That’s because you think you’re all this and that,” he continued, his voice rising and competing with the bass.
“All right, party people. Yeah! Give it up for Coco and Da Crew. Young Ghetto celebs, in da house doing their thingy-thing. Alrighty…”
“Oh shit, oh no he didn’t,” Coco said. She smiled, drunkenly acknowledging the onlookers.
“Let’s get da fuck off this floor,” Josephine said.
“Why? The deejay’s only trying to blow us up. That ain’t such a bad thing,” Danielle countered. The girls followed Coco off the floor anyway.
“You guys can really go!” Deedee said when she caught up to Coco. Da Crew kept walking toward a booth.
“We’ll be back in a few,” Da Crew, Danielle and Josephine said on cue.
“They must’ve seen their boyfriends. Hey, don’t get lost, girlies,” Coco replied.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Deedee asked without warning, surprising herself and Coco. She had figured Coco wouldn’t mind talking a little.
“Nah,” replied Coco effortlessly. Deedee had been right. She delved further.
“Why not? Don’t you want one?” Deedee pried.
“I don’t need one. Men shouldn’t be trusted. See men, they start out as boys. They love to beat up on girls and grow up to be men who take advantage of women. They do that because they think women are weaker. But not me, I’m not gonna be nobody’s house pet, you feel me?” Coco reached for a light and fumbled to get the last cigarette from her pack. Deedee nodded as if she understood. “And boys are no good,” Coco finally declared. She shook her head as if she was shaking her thoughts out. Deedee just didn’t see her pain. She felt it. She thought of reaching out and giving Coco a hug, but decided against it. What difference would a hug make anyway? Deedee reasoned.
“Lemme get some of that stogy,” Josephine said.
She pointed her hands showing nails, tipped and manicured. Coco passed her the burning cigarette. Deedee considered offering another cigarette, but Coco turned and walked away. She moved clumsily under Deedee’s watchful eyes, found an empty chair and plopped down. Either due to the time, or the effect of the alcohol, Coco seemed tired and worn.
“Looking for me?” Deja asked. He was holding two drinks in his hands.
“No, I’m... Yeah, what time do you have?” Deedee answered.
“I have all night and most of the morning. Got to get some shut-eye, know what I mean?”
“I’m talking about the time on your watch, Mr. McNasty—I mean Deja,” Deedee quickly added when she saw Deja’s face folding into a grimace.
“Its three-thirty, bitch,” Deja said, limping away.
“I’m sorry to hurt your feelings. I didn’t...” Deedee yelled apologetically. “Oh well,” she said, hurrying back in Coco’s direction.
Coco’s chair was empty. Where was she? Deedee wondered. Anxiety slowly crept in. Deedee felt uncomfortable. She wanted to leave. Damn! Where are these girls, she nearly said out loud, but checked herself. What a night, meeting Coco and her posse, the gunshots outside the other hangout, and now, feeling stalked by Deja for something she had said. I’m leaving, she told herself.
“Where are you running to, honey? Still looking for me?” Deja asked, turning on the charms.
“I’m looking for my friends, ah, Deja,” she said, using his name correctly.
“Always looking for everyone else but me, huh?” Deja asked.
“They’re in the blunt-smoking section. Over there in the VIP area,” he continued, motioning with a movement of his head.
“Thanks... Thanks a lot,” Deedee said, overplaying the graciousness.
She attempted to turn away, and Deja grabbed her right hand. His grip was strong, her body jerked back from the motion.
“Why do you insist on touching me?” she started to ask. Deja cut her off and shoved a Dutchmaster cigar in her face.
“You’ll need one of these if you’re going over there,” Deja cautioned as he offered Deedee the cigar. “Have blunt, will travel,” he said with a smile.
“No, I’m not into traveling high,” Deedee said and put her fake smile on.
“Bitch!”
