“So were you serious about that?” I ask looking out the window on the passenger side “Serious about what?” Fredii replies, her left hand at ten but her right is at twenty and four as she pours chocolate stars into her mouth. Focusing on the road illuminated by street lights casts a shadow over her brown face. I glance at her, still unsure of what I am about to say “The es-…the escorting” I utter. Fredii laughs, “Oh trust me you are more than ready!” she states focusing on the road. “Don’t worry when you get in here, just be yourself, these things are by request only. If you do not want to commit, then just say no. They can’t get mad, they can’t throw fits, or Jerry will throw their asses out. Besides, right now, you are here to watch. Well, we are here.”
We pull into a small apartment complex off of the highway, Fredii turns off the engine and looks at me. Her high was coming to an end. “Now before we go in here…I have to tell you, this party isn’t like any party.” Fredii looks up at the complex as if memories start flooding back.“You are going to see a lot of shit, you are gonna see a lot of people you know.” I see the look in her eyes, trying to piece together what is going on in her head, before I can answer she turns to me, smiling with those big brown eyes, you’ll do fine. We walk up the cold metal stairs to an apartment overlooking the pool area, music is booming from inside, I am surprised they have not gotten shut down yet.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Fredii knocks on the door, I see the curtain quickly open and close. Suddenly the door swings open as purple lights flash and Slow Jams boom throughout the apartment. A man of darker complexion with dreadlocks opens the door in a silky turquoise kimono, his chest glistening with sweat. He looks at us both a big devilish grin.“FREDII! Look at you girl!!!!” Fredii smiles “Hey Jerry!” they hugged as if they haven’t seen each other in years. Jerry’s cologne strongly hits my nostrils. “Girl, I haven’t seen you in forever!!” Jerry states grinning, his golden tooth shining in the apartment lighting. Fredii blushes looking down. “I know right…just been busy trying to survive and take care of my kids,” she says. “I know that’s right! I GOT FORTY.” Jerry jokes, crackling at own joke. This guy is a trip, I think to myself, letting out a slight chuckle. Both Jerry and Fredii look at me, I feel a bit unsettled. Jerry takes his eyes off me for a second and looks at Freddii “Um…who is this?” For a few minutes, it is so silent you could hear a pin drop as Fredii, Jerry and myself all stare at each other..awkwardly, Jerry more focused on me. “THIS….is….Mitchell, Mitchell Forta,” Fredii states, breaking the silence. Jerry stares through me, smacking his lips against his golden tooth. “…Mitchell huh…” his hands on his hips, I feel so uneasy, while staring at Fredii and back at Jerry. Suddenly, Jerry burst out laughing, looking towards Fredii as Fredii awkwardly laughs staring at me. Jerry put his hand on my shoulder, still laughing at his joke. “You alright boy, I knew I could get you…” still chucking, I look towards Fredii as she slightly shrugs, “Y’all come on in the party…it’s on fire!!!”