Chapter 9 "All that Jazz"
Antonia had been the con artist of all the operations; she admitted that she hadn't been as skilled as ghost in the art of deception due to the times her emotions got the best of her, and her exterior hadn't been as cold and care-free as johns or as Business savvy as Gordon's. She was nowhere near as smart in the level of logistics and electronics as AJ and Jake, and her head was right where it needed to be in terms of where the younger Jessie wasn't. Her skill had a quiet esteem to it, and though her roles in the jobs weren't dominant or even evident in most cases, they mattered in the small areas that the other's seemed to overlook.
The crew was the best at what they did, only because they all complemented one another's abilities. Antonia knew that there was always an element of surprise, something that would change the dynamics of a plan, in a matter of missing the smallest thing.
Something deep down was pulling at her, it hadn't been the job, but the feeling she had been having ever since she arrived in L.A.
She had to be sure even now that if this didn't work it was only because she had over looked something. She had placed all her trust into an idea, with the hopes that Eli would not fail her. That he would get it right.
Antonia creased the sheet three times and soon folded the last paper before placing it in the envelope. She let her tongue run over the thin line and pressed down sealing it shut. She stopped for a second to look to the door. Getting up she walked over to it and unlocked it to open it just slightly. One of her eyes scanning the area.
"Ghost?" She called out softly.
There was no answer when she looked around the second time. Satisfied by the silence she closed the door locking it once more and proceeded to continue with the writing on the envelope. Once she had finished she placed a stamp on the right corner and sat the last envelope with the others that were sitting on the far end side of the dresser.
Looking over her shoulder, her eyes caught sight of the black case on the bed, top opened and the saxophone beside it.
She looked at the watch on her wrist. It was almost time to head over to AJ's to get the C4 for the job. She took in a deep breath before grabbing the envelopes and walking over to the case.
A catchy tune filled the room and Antonia looked up, she followed it until she found her cell phone resting on the chair in the corner.
She flipped it open.
"Hello..."
"Antonia, everything is finished, there's still some minor adjustments to be made but, it looks good"
"Alright, how much longer then, you got a time?"
"Give me two more hours…"
Antonia looked at her watch again.
"Alright, I have somewhere to be by seven, but I'll be by to pick it up"
"Okay"
"Hey, Eli…"
"Yeah…"
"Thank you"
She shut the phone and put it in her pocket. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes for a moment as her head fell. Staying in that position for a few moments she finally walked back over to the case grabbing her saxophone putting it inside and closing it.
John continued to click through the channels, nothing particularly catching his interest. He turned a little finding his glass of water that he picked up and finished with the partially melting ice that had been fading for some time. He sighed and turned off the TV before G entered the room.
"So what's going on with tonight" G asked as the two slapped hands, Himself enjoying his own drink that was half filled with scotch and ice.
"Brazilian…" John grinned taking out his phone and holding it in G's direction.
G smiled with a shake of his head as he took the phone to view the image of the half naked tanned woman on the cover screen. "Lucky bastard, how'd you manage to find that?"
"New York is filled with all type of exotic honeys just got to look G, but if she has a friend I'll see if I can persuade her to a double date or something"
"Good looking out mate, but make it a sister" He handed the phone back to John who placed it in his coat pocket.
"So how's Naomi?" He asked as he watched G sit on the opposite couch.
"They're keeping her a little longer, just so all that shits completely out her system"
"I see"
G breathed deeply before taking another drink and john caught on to his frustration.
"I'm trying my damndest to get her to agree to the rehab program; the job we got on Saturday will pay for most of the expenses"
John nodded.
"Good, I hope she goes through with it G, maybe then you can have the old Naomi back, I know you miss her"
John's attention was soon pulled by the vibrations coming from his cell phone. He pulled it out and pressed talk.
"Yea was sup man….no I don't, alright….bye" He hung up and placed his phone back in his pocket with a confused expression.
"Okay that was strange"
"What?" G asked looking up from his glass.
"Jake just called, asked me for Lilly's cell number"
"You didn't give it to him?"
"I don't have it"
G slapped his leg.
"Oh I forgot, he was going up to visit Jesse today, or something like that, Lilly was supposed to be going with him I think"
John's brows sat over his eyes as he looked up.
"Is ghost okay with that?"
G put his hand up quickly.
"Hey I don't get evolved mate, there all grown they can hash it out"
John shrugged slightly.
"I mean if Jake is screwing around with Lilly behind Ghost back, he's sure not doing a good job at keeping it a secret"
G grinned.
"You'd let ghost know, if you were sure something was going on?"
John shook his head as he ran a hand over his chin.
"No, I mean I know the saying goes, what if you were in his shoes, but I'm not, so I'll go with the other saying, turn the other cheek" John seemed to smirk a little.
"I mind my own business, not another guy's business, for me the only business I'm concerned about is money and that's it"
"I'll drink to that and to the success of the job on Saturday, getting paid" G sat up brining his glass up as john grabbed his.
"Right own, well said G"
The two men knocked there glasses together.
"I gotta say, I seriously thought Jake and ghost were going to go at it the other night though, excluding the whole Lilly thing"
"Those two seem to have a lot of animosity toward each other, I never got the back story but when the crew first started to build ghost was reluctant to let Jake join, but I mean jakes skills are amazing, he was very much needed"
John sat back making himself comfortable in the cushions of the sofa.
"Ah still G even though I can't prove it, I can see where jakes coming from, plus that whole bologna about ghost reducing jakes cut based on this and that, you gotta admit it was bullshit, maybe bringing that dude Scott in isn't such a bad idea, manage the money, keep everything even"
G nodded, but john couldn't decide if he was agreeing or disagreeing.
"Yeah, but I've known ghost along time, whatever his issues are with Jake, I don't think he'd take extra cuts of the money"
John looked over at the balcony.
"Or maybe you just don't want to believe it because you've known him along time, trust is supposed to be there just cause there's history, but I don't know man all that money, my motto is better safe than sorry" He looked back at G before standing up.
"Yeah…"
"Whelp man I'm out of here, see you on Thursday"
The two slapped hands again.
"Alright mate, see ya"
Jake leaned on his car as he looked at the large prison before him. He hated the place whose walls held inside them, the only family he had left, like a cadged animal. He looked at his phone again and gave a quick sigh. There was no one else to call for Lilly's phone number. Jake figured that the only people who probably had it were Antonia and Ghost, Jake couldn't call either since him and Lilly's meeting was almost being done in secret. He looked up then, ready to enter through the doors alone, but when he heard footsteps coming from behind him he turned.
It was Lilly walking his way in a blue jean dress under a white shrug that complemented her appearance perfectly.
"Hey Lilly, I been calling around for you, thought you might stand me up" Jake said as she finally reached him.
"Sorry Jake I had ghost with me, he needed to be dropped off somewhere, that's why we weren't home" She said with a small smile as she looked up at the building.
"It's alright" Jake said as the two began to walk. He looked over at her again.
"You look pretty today; I like your new dress looks real flattering on you" He complemented.
She laughed, slightly shocked.
"Thank you, I'm surprised you noticed that it's new, I got it on Sunday actually"
Jake nodded his head.
"From that little French shop on seventh"
Lilly smiled.
"Yeah, how'd you know about that?" she asked.
"I over herd you talk about it a few times" Jake said as the two entered through the large prison doors side by side.
...
Antonia's feet were still sore from her night out with Lilly. She couldn't imagine how some women constantly wore high heels. The guy from the night before had called early that morning as Antonia was making her way to the club. It annoyed her that he had asked so many questions about her, and that he wanted to know so much, so there conversation only lasted a whole ten minutes before Antonia decided to make an excuse to call him back another time.
It of course involved the simplest of lies, that she would be needed at work and it would more than likely take the duration of her day since she was given a whole twelve hours.
Her annoyance hadn't been all from the guy from the night before entirely but the letters she was receiving from the court house about the charges that where being pinned on her. Miss Shirley had been right, but Antonia shrugged it off still expressing the attitude that her actions had been necessary that morning.
She cracked her neck and proceeded to toss both thoughts from her mind, she had better things to think about. Her sax was now the main focus and she prepared herself to play again. Running the rag over the keys, she looked up from the instrument at the sound of footsteps.
Taking a stand she was greeted by AJ.
"Hi…"
She threw her head back.
"Hey"
AJ grinned slightly.
"Sorry to intrude, Bruno sent me in here to grab his sticks"
Antonia sat back down on her chair up straight unlike her usual slouch annoyed at the fact that Bruno couldn't have gotten his sticks himself, and sent the one person she didn't want to be bothered with.
"Kay..." She said as she went back to polishing the saxophone.
"You should have been out there five minutes ago, I still got goose bumps" AJ said finally bringing to his lips a full smile.
"Why?" Antonia asked keeping her eyes on the sax.
"Tiffany just sang…"
She nodded.
"Yeah, she has a voice, still wondering why she hasn't done anything with it; girl could go places if she wanted to…"
AJ's stare on Antonia softened.
"Maybe she hasn't been given the opportunity yet" He suggested as he watched her hand move up and down the insterment in her arms.
"Could be" She said with a shrug.
"What about that jazz contest Bruno mentioned" AJ's brow rose in slight curiosity.
"I already told Tiffany to sign herself up, she's scared or something, doesn't want to be in it alone"
"Maybe you should give her support" He suggested.
Antonia stopped the cleaning of the sax to look up at AJ.
"I give her plenty thank you; I was the one who suggested she join"
That stupid smirk she hated seemed to cross his lips at the wrong moment and she rolled her eyes looking away.
"No, I mean support like joining it with her, nothing like a friend on stage"
His eyes seemed to be looking through her, and that damn smirk that bothered her just wouldn't leave his lips. Almost in frustration of him and the current conversation Antonia went back to polishing the saxophone, anything to take her attention away from AJ.
"It's not my thing, didn't Bruno tell you that, seems like he tells you everything else" She finally said.
"Actually he did…"
"Then I don't have to explain" She said with a smirk.
"Well he didn't tell me why….Were you going to practice?" AJ asked acknowledging the saxophone.
There was a slight hesitation.
"Yeah…"
"Mind if I listen" He said taking a seat in one of the empty chairs nearby.
"Yeah I do actually!" She shouted.
AJ Chuckled and put his hands up in defense.
"Wow, look sorry"
"Whatever you're fine, I'll leave" She said getting up and beginning to pack up her things.
"Hey you don't have to leave" He got up walking over to her and grabbed her hand. She snatched it away quickly and looked at him.
"Antonia, I'm not here to fuck up your vibe alright, I just think your good…."
"Yeah well thanks, it's just something I want to do, without any interruptions" She looked to his eyes, green meeting blue.
"Why don't you want anyone to hear you?" He reached in his pocket taking out a cigarette and putting it in his mouth.
"Is it because you're a girl?"
Antonia cut her eyes at him after placing one hand on her hip.
"You can't smoke in here AJ"
"Opps forgot… my fault" He took the cigarette from his lips and placed it back in his pocket.
"And no it's not because I'm a girl, I'm quite confident in my skills"
He looked at her, still confused on the reason that she hadn't yet explained.
"The song I'm playing is private alright, it's for someone very close" She finally admitted.
"Okay fair enough, I'll leave you alone to play your song then…"
She rolled her eyes as he grabbed Bruno's drum sticks and turned to leave.
"By the way..."
Antonia looked at him glaring, warning him that he be brief.
"That color looks good on you, brings out your eyes…"
She watched him leave completely before slowly taking a seat in her chair as the sax rested on her arm once again.
Placing a finger over her lips that were colored in a deep red…
She smiled a little before preparing to play her secret song.
It had turned out to be a two hour session, but the best one yet since she hadn't had any interruptions from anyone after AJ had left her. Placing the sax back in its case she locked it shut and preceded up the stairs when she heard voices. She didn't make her way to the bar area where they were most predominate, but instead stayed just out of eye sight listening in. After ten minutes the conversation was over and Antonia finally walked from the staircase of the basement.
Mr. Gibbs the day worker of the club closed the door behind the last person to leave and Antonia without a word walked over to the window, to look down on them from behind the glass. She shook her head as she watched then board there transportation.
"Right on time, like always…" She said softly.
AJ had come to stand beside her after noticing her curiosity from the way she was looking out the window.
"Who are they?" AJ asked.
He leaned on the stair railing as they watched the line of people with their cased interments get in a white truck.
"Snobs…" Antonia said sharply with a fold of her arms.
"Most of their parents own half New York anyway, but they have to come here and take this shit to, they came to sign up for the Jazz contest, they do this every year…"
AJ's eyes followed until the truck disappeared in the distance of the busy city streets.
"Where they from?" he asked looking at her.
"I don't know performing art school mostly, I give credit where its do, there some bad motherfuckers on their instruments I went to the last contest" Antonia sighed and walked away from the window taking a seat on one of the chairs.
"Basically the whole Jazz contest has to do with well, music and jazz, this club as well as a few other's in Harlem sponsor the community contest. Bands or duets play and the audience decide who to give a check to. Most of the time it's used for new books in the library, new water fountains, better parks, but recently the young and the restless have decided to participate in the contest, they've been winning for the last two years so there goes the money for the kids…"
"So what are they doing with all the money?" AJ gave a chuckle of disbelief as one of his eyebrows rose as he took a look out of the window again.
"Those cases holding there interments were all well over a thousand, so there pretty much from million dollar schools, I don't understand why there even allowed to participate?" He continued making a valid point on the matter.
"That's the thing about the people around her AJ, there very open, no discrimination, just love, acceptance" Antonia expression seemed to lighten by that fact.
"Unlike your friends who looked down on this place the moment they came in here" She said continuing.
"Everyone still let you guys in with open arms, and didn't think twice, even after you were all so disrespectful"
She looked at him before looking back at the window.
"And I don't know what they do with the money, what you all do at Princeton on the weekends, nightclubs frat parties and hoes, perhaps you could give a better answer then I can"
Antonia gave a smirk when she didn't get a response from him. She concluded that she had been right to assume the worst of his kind or what she had now labeled him to be like. They were all the same in her opinion, every single one of them, the rich who cared only about themselves and their money.
"I guess in the end there hopeful that the rich and mighty will take pity on them" She said looking to the window with a blank stare. "Damn, doesn't reality sting… truth is they could give a shit, to them a little contest like this is pocket change, but to this community it's a new library, or after school program for trouble kids…"
With that statement Antonia had made her way back down to the basement to get her coat, AJ followed her and walked over to the piano.
"What if you entered the contest?"
"What?" She asked, slightly taken back by his sudden suggestion and one that he wouldn't let up on it seemed.
"No-no" Antonia shook her head looking over at the soft blue eyes staring back at her. "I play for the pure enjoyment of it, I don't belong in some contest, besides I have no partner and you have to sign up as a team of some sort" She concluded.
"What if I entered with you?" AJ suggested again.
She chuckled a little.
"Right, and what exactly would you do?"
AJ walked over to the dark haired girl placing his own fingers against the keys to press them lightly in to a soft twinkle of a melody.
"When I was little it was a requirement from my mother that I get piano lessons"
"So you play?" she said as her brow rose up.
"I hated it at first, but after getting the hang of it, I started to enjoy it, more and more, kind of grew on me"
Antonia's sharp green eyes looked down watching the dance his fingers were providing for her entertainment that seemed to answer her question.
"Are you any good?"
"Good enough to win this contest and get those rich kids back to Beverly Hills where they belong"
Antonia closed the piano topper causing AJ's fingers and the melody to come to an abrupt stop.
"Guilty conscience huh?" she asked with a dull expression remembering his silence to her question about the Princeton functions. She walked over to the chair and took a seat.
"No, I'm just done pretending" AJ said placing his hands in his pockets raising his gaze.
"Pretending?" she asked eyeballing him.
AJ walked over to her looking down at her curious eyes that met his.
"If you can't tell by now, from what you think you know about me, you're just like them"
Antonia glared at him.
"Who?"
"the kind of people you hate so much, if your apart of these people around here like you claim to be, open your eyes just a little and see things for what they are, not just what they look like"
He paused for a minute before looking at her with a half smile.
"You know you talk a big game, but when it comes down to it, you being all pro community, you sure don't do much to back up all that shit you talk…"
AJ moved a hand past her to grab the ashtray and walked out the door of the club without any more words.
Antonia sat there quiet, letting what AJ said sink into her stomach. It made her feel slightly sick in some strange way, and there was a lump in her throat. Was it anger, did she want to cry? She had pondered for a moment whether to go after him, to tell him off, but her judgment was clouded with five different feelings, and because no one was more dominant then the other, she didn't know which to act on. Should she hate the soft face blue eyed guy, who's snobby girlfriend had got an assault charge put on her record, or perhaps like him just a little for his honesty. Besides Ghost, no one really had said things to her in such a matter of fact way. How could she be like the people she hated? She brushed it off and concluded he must have been crazy. There was no way he was right, she thought, no way.
...
Both Lilly and Jake had walked out in silence, they had passed Jakes car making their way to Lilly's as she looked at the clock on her cell phone, she placed it in her purse and turned to look back at Jake.
"I have to go, ghost is waiting on me"
Jake nodded as he placed his hand in the pockets of his jeans.
"I know you have a hard time, seeing Jessie like that, but how are you feeling now?" She asked softly as if to be as compassionate as possible.
"I feel like the guilt is washing up over me all over again Lilly, I just…I never wanted Jessie to turn out like our father" Jake rested his back on the car door looking forward.
"You know I wanted him to be somebody, and it seems like in wanting that so much, I'm the one that's actually holding him down"
Lilly folded her arms with a small smile.
"He's still a kid, there allowed to make mistakes; it's good for him even if you don't see it that way"
Jake looked over at her.
"And I think that this experience will actually teach him something, this might be the very thing that keeps him from going back"
Jake nodded and the tension on his jaw eased.
"A blessing in disguise…"
"Exactly" Lilly said as her smile grew.
Jake grabbed Lilly's hand and met her eyes.
"I'm glad you were able to come with me, I needed the support"
"Hey what are friends for?" Easily she shook her hand, until Jake finally decided to free it.
"Why do you care about him so much Lilly, I don't understand it?" He asked shaking his head.
"I don't know Jake; don't ask me things like that, I just know that I do alright" she defended.
"Has Ghost ever once said Lilly I like your new hair style, Lilly I like your new shoes, or Lilly you look beautiful?" Jake argued.
Lilly didn't say anything, and moments later only looked down in the silence that surrounded the conversation.
"All he's ever done is paid for your schooling" Jake went on.
"He thinks that constitutes for love, no its not gifts…it's not a pay off, moneys got him so blind that he can't even see what you're really worth" He protested as she looked at him again.
"So you know what love is then Jake"
"Yeah I do, I know it's not selfishness"
Lilly's sighed.
"When was the last time that it's been about you, you as a person, not just cooking and cleaning and being there for him when he wants you to, but you as an individual, as a woman, your hopes and dreams, huh?"
Lilly shook her head as her arms released from there fold, she looked to the sky, letting the sun hit her brown skin.
"I ask myself that sometimes to, but I just feel like I'd be selfish to say something, ghost has been through a lot, I need to be there for him, to help him…"
Jake looked at her, noticing her avoiding looking back at him.
"You can't save him Lilly, even if he wants to be saved, ghost has to save himself, he has a lot of issues, and all I see him doing is placing them on your shoulders"
Lilly pushed herself into a walk.
"I have to go Jake, bye"
...
For the next two days the crew had work tirelessly preparing for the next job that they were planning. It was Thursday and around 8:46 when Antonia and ghost had walked through the door to greet Lilly who had a cold dinner waiting for them.
"You guys are late, I put your plates in the oven and microwave"
"Took longer than expected, Antonia pointed out a problem spot John missed, so we had to go over plan C and craft it again" Ghost took off his jacket and through it over the top of the couch.
Antonia looked to the kitchen going to the microwave and grabbing her plate not bothering to warm it up before beginning to retreat to her room.
"Oh Antonia" Lilly called after her. "One of your friends called for you, I told her you'd call her back once you got back in"
"Okay, thanks" Antonia said continuing on her way.
Lilly turned to look back at ghost.
"Ghost I need to ask you something"
"Yeah"
"What do I mean to you?" She asked.
"What do you mean?" Ghost said looking over at her.
"I mean what do I mean to you?" She asked again.
"Uh, well…you know when been together for a long time, you're my rider Lilly" Ghost said with a shrug.
"Your rider?"Lilly said in a way that expressed her confusion of what he meant.
"Yeah like my right hand" Ghost replied in confirmation.
"Okay…."
Lilly looked down as Ghost walked passed her and into the kitchen. She closed her eyes before turning and making her way to the bedroom.
"Girl what you doing?" Tiffany asked through the other end of the phone line.
"Nothing just lying down, about to eat some cold food my cousin's girl made" Antonia said crossing her legs with the plate in front of her.
"Well get yourself some clothes prepared for Sunday"
"Huh, for what?" Antonia said looking at the plate and picking up a green bean.
"Cause me and Bruno want you to come out with us"
"Uh so why do I need to come with you two love birds, Hello Tiff, third wheel"
"It anit even like that chicka" She laughed.
"I'm only kidding, I know your all loyal to your baby daddy or whatever" Antonia chucked the green bean in her mouth.
"You know that band you were talking about two months ago?" Tiffany asked.
"Oh yeah the blue jays, what about um?" Antonia said eating another green bean.
"Well Bruno, somehow as crafty as he is, got tickets for the concert"
Antonia sat straight up from her slouch.
"You're kidding"
"Nope, he told me to tell you you're welcomed to come"
"Well shit yeah I want to go" Antonia said happily.
"Just make sure you wear something cute girl"
Antonia smacked her teeth.
"Why you want me to look cute?" she asked.
"I'm not trying to impress no one"
Tiffany paused.
"AJ's meeting us there"
Antonia got quiet for a second before speaking.
"What…"
"Hey he's not as bad as you make him out to be, he's actually pretty damn coo' if you sit and talk to the dude for five minutes, besides him and Bruno are coo' and it's his tickets what do you want?" Tiffany said quickly, professing that it hadn't been her idea to invite AJ.
Antonia sighed.
"I don't know Tiff I mean you know how I feel about that kid, he just gets on my nerves, his joker looking grin, the clothes he wears; I mean he looks like he's from a modeling company that kicked him out"
"Ah come on Antonia what are you going to do all night Sunday just sit in the house, come out and have some fun with us, if you don't like that boy that much, just stay by me the whole night, pretend he's not even there"
Falling back on her bed Antonia kicked her feet in a slight temper tantrum that was unaware to her friend on the other end of the phone.
Antonia had wanted to see the group play ever since she heard about them on the radio. They were only going to be in New York for one night and leaving back to their hometown in New Orleans the very next day. They had an old school touch to their music, it was jazzy and fresh all at once, the saxophone duet was extremely fascinating in the ability to tell the story the words didn't say. Of course the tickets had been all sold out by the time Antonia even knew about it.
She had been elated at the fact that despite the type of relationship her and Bruno shared he was willing to give her one of the tickets, but the thought of AJ made her stomach twist. She still hadn't gotten over there confrontation and only wanted to enjoy the band instead of worrying about the tension that would be floating over all their heads if the two of them were in the same place, but she really wanted to see the band, and perhaps Tiffany was right, it wouldn't be hard for her to ignore him.
"Alright Tiff; I really want to see this band live, so screw AJ, I'm in"
...
AJ buttoned the last of his buttons of the shirt that hid that tattoo on his right arm and took a glance in the large mirror of the hotel room bathroom. It was Sunday night and he was preparing himself to meet Bruno for a concert that was being held on the eastside of Brooklyn. He looked over at the clock and went back to placing the finishing touches on his look for the night.
It seemed usual almost his style, and yet from the button up to the suit jacket, blue jeans and dress shoes, something was missing that would tie the whole look together. When he realized he had wasted five minutes in thought pondering on what it could have been, he sprayed a line of cologne on and turned off the light.
He went to the sitting room and grabbed his wallet and over coat from the closet. The weather was changing and because he knew they would be walking an extra coat seemed to fit the occasion just in case.
He took out his key locking the door behind him as he stopped to feel around in his pockets making sure that his pack would be handy when needed. He was just about ready to leave when something caught his attention. Walking quietly to the wall he placed his back to it, leaning in just enough to listen.
"Come on Sara AJ really, cheating?" Kathy smiled.
"Well you know how he was back at school that Monica reed wanted him bad, she was such a slut, and I mean he's been leaving early coming in late, it's a little weird behavior for a boyfriend" Sara folded her arms.
"Yeah flirty and stuff, but as long as I've known the guy he's pretty much been that way, it's just part of his personality, he just doesn't act on it…unlike Kyle, and what made you think of Monica, that scank never held a candle to you, her cheers sucked and all the guys in our class said she was a lousy lay"
It had turned out that Sara had come back from shopping a little early, if she had ever been shopping at all. AJ leaned in a little closer when that thought came to mind. Sara grabbed her blonde hair and began to twirl it around her fingers.
"AJ is attracted to pretty girls, just like you're attracted to older men; we all have our thing…"
AJ placed his hands in his pocket before taking out one of his cigarettes, his Nicotine fetish becoming harder to fight as he stayed out of sight and continued to listen to the conversation.
"Whatever Cathy" Sara sassed.
"But you know I'm right" Smirked Kathy as she raised a brow at her friend.
"AJ, I mean he has one of the hottest girls around, he'd be an idiot to go for anyone else, so stop worrying you're a hottie"
Sara smirked a little at the confidence that was growing in her.
"Yeah, you're right, I am hot and AJ is one lucky son of a bitch"
"Speaking of bitches, how do you think his mom is going to feel about the marriage; you know she's always had it out for you"
"I'm not worried about her, AJ's a big boy can tie his own shoes and everything, besides his father's on my side, in-fact he just loves me to pieces"
"Yeah I'm sure he does" Kathy said with a little smile.
Both the girls laughed.
"Anyway she'll come around eventually. Me and AJ are meant to be together forever, he seems a little indifferent about it but he'll come around, even if I do have to fuck his brains out every night and get him sprung off me"
AJ's lips curled as he looked down at the ground, closing his eyes he shook his head before igniting the fire that lip his cigarette, he proceeded then down the stairs of the hotel and out the door.
...
Antonia glared at the back of AJ's head as the four walked the rest of the way to the club where the concert was going to be held. It was something about him that was pissing her off, besides the fact of him being there. She just couldn't put her finger on what it was.
"So I was like yeah, right whatever" Bruno said cracking up from a story he decided everyone needed to hear as they walked.
AJ laughed and rubbed the back of his head. It felt like someone was looking at him, but every time he glanced back, Antonia turned her head and Tiffany only smiled.
Bruno was wearing a black turtle neck, jeans and a nice sized coat that was blue and grey. Tiffany was dressed in black jeans, a pink button up, with her short hair styled in a way that brought out her smile perfectly as her small pink coat finished the look she was going for, and Antonia in her boots, dark jeans, black shirt and leather coat had decided that even if she wasn't going to be what Tiffany suggested as cute, she would at least dress in a way to be presentable for the night. There was no makeup this time and she had almost carelessly put her hair in the usual ponytail. The four had an odd look about them, but none the less worked.
When they had finally arrived the place was packed. After getting inside Bruno searched around for a table for the all of them to sit, but found no luck in the search.
"Come on yall?" he protested grabbing Tiffany's arm since she had been the one closest to him.
"Where just gonna have to stand"
Tiffany nodded her head.
"But let's try to push our way to the front, let Antonia know" Bruno said as loud as he could over the music and the talking people.
"Hey Antonia" Tiffany said catching the other girls attention.
"Bruno says let's move closer to the stage"
Antonia nodded.
"Alright…"
"Grab AJ's arm so we don't lose anyone"
Antonia rolled her eyes with a nod as she grabbed AJ's arm.
He looked at her.
"Come on, where moving up to the stage, don't get lost"
AJ gave a nod as Bruno had begun to lead the way.
It took some time but the four of them managed a space almost in front of the stage.
AJ looked around again.
"These guys must be pretty popular, full house"
"Yeah they are kind of a big deal, there from Harlem, guess you really wouldn't know about places like that huh? Antonia said with a roll of her eyes as AJ looked at her.
Bruno shook his head.
"Just ignore her man; some people just don't know how to act in public"
Tiffany nudged her.
"Antonia stop being so damn mean"
AJ caught on to Antonia's attitude towards him early. He was almost positive that she was still upset about what he had said to her a few days before. However, he only grinned at her comment.
"Mark paler the drummer, he did twenty eight shows in Washington before he joined the blue jays, Travis Kelly was said to have one of the most amazing harmonica's in the south, writers who where there writing articles on the man said even without the man physically, the harmonica would still reign supreme, they even went as far to write that the sound was so moving, it was almost as if he left his soul in it"
Antonia folded her arms and turned her attention to the stage.
"Guess you read the back of the ticket"
AJ grinned at her before doing the same as Tiffany leaned over a little, whispering to Bruno.
"Well I didn't see a bio on mine, but I doubt they could put someone's history on the back of a ticket"
The lights dimmed down a bit as a man came from behind the large red velvet curtain, dressed in a suit.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's my pleasure to present the act that you've all been waiting for, the men who put the blue in blues and the Jazz in jazzy, the one and only Blue jays!"
A loud erupting cheer filled the entire club and Antonia smiled. Her eyes stuck on the stage as the band made their way from behind the curtain.
Antonia looked up, her heart in a flutter as she was only feet away from the band she admired. Never had she thought to see them live.
When they first started playing the songs were a cool pace, not too fast and not to heavy, but once they got into the second and third the mood changed.
The piano began followed by the slow beating drum that made way for the start of the harmonica.
AJ cheered when the band began to play.
"You know this song?" Antonia asked looking over at Him with a smug face.
"Who doesn't know this song, it's a classic…" AJ clapped.
Antonia gave him a look before looking at the stage then back at him. He was really engaged in everything that was going on; rocking his head and cheering on parts that he thought deserved their own applause and admiration. She was unaware that a small smile was making its way on her lips as she continued to stare at him.
Finally she turned, clapping and finally allowing herself to actually enjoy the music without worrying about AJ.
The drum sticks where tapped together "A one and a two and uh…"
Bruno's smile grew when she heard the sound of the Saxophone as the replacement for Michael's voice, the main attraction of "Blame it on the boogie" one of his favorites. The crowd cheered as many started to move around, some even in a dance.
The band had played five songs and by the time it was over the energy had seemed to escalate more than it had when the band had first come to the stage. Tiffany smiled as she looked over at Bruno as a way to say thank you.
The man who had first come to the stage was back.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, give one more round of applause to the fabulous Blue jays!"
The crowd responded and the band bowed as they took their exit.
"Now people all the proceeds from the performance tonight will go to sponsor the annual Jazz contest that we do every year, there is still time to sign up to participate, but it won't last forever, so get over to bunkers clubhouse with your own band and show us your talent, we take all type of creativity, do and write the songs in your own vision, but remember it is jazz based, thank you and good night"
Antonia looked down for a moment before looking to the stage again.
"Hey, yall ready to bounce?" Bruno asked.
Tiffany nodded and motioned for AJ and Antonia to follow.
The night air though slightly cold, felt good after being in a crowded room. The four of them had begun to walk, Bruno and tiffany in front, AJ not far away and Antonia behind.
"Man that was amazing, thanks" AJ said patting Bruno's shoulder.
Bruno only smiled.
"Ah no problem AJ, it was worth it, those guys kick ass, and besides I think we all had fun" He said looking back over at Antonia who placed her hands in the pockets of her jacket with an unreadable expression. She turned her attention from Bruno to the moon above them. It was just as big as it had been on her night out with Lilly.
"Well I for one thought-"Tiffany had stopped mid sentence as her eyes widened
"Antonia!" She called out as Antonia turned to find a woman behind her.
Everyone stopped and Antonia looked at the woman, she finally managed to speak after the shock had faded a little.
"Mom?" Antonia said as softly as she could.
Bruno and tiffany looked at each other.
"What you doing out here girl, I thought that was you, what you doing?"
Antonia looked down at the outfit the woman she had called mom had been wearing. It was half of nothing almost mistaken for a bra, and a skirt so short that it wasn't very much necessary. Her hair was messy looking, a bit greasy and Antonia could smell the after effect of her mother's teeth, that hadn't been brushed in weeks.
"What are you doing, it's practically freezing out"
Quickly Antonia took off her jacket and went to place it over her mother's shoulders, but she fought the jester.
"Why don't you mind your damn business…?" Her mother took the jacket and threw it to the ground.
She had been an attractive woman, but the effects of the drugs and the time being on the streets had disfigured her beauty, and she wasn't even recognizable to her daughter anymore.
"What are you doing out here anyway?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you that question, I thought you were going to a rehab" Antonia said folding her arms.
The woman laughed.
"Rehab right, and who's supposed to pay for that smart girl?"
"I told you I would get the money" Antonia said sharply.
"Look, I look out for myself just fine, you think I don't know about Naomi and that shit pork brother of hers ,trying to send her away, I'm a grown ass woman, I don't need a daycare" She said throwing her hands up.
"No you need help, Here take it easy" Antonia said trying to steady the woman's wobble, her shoes four inches high.
"Get off of me; I don't need your fucking charity alright" She yelled pushing her away.
"What, charity?" Antonia asked as her expression hardened.
The woman looked over Antonia again and walked up to her pulling on her shirt.
"Why the hell you all dressed up?"
"I'm not dressed all up" Antonia said, her eyes in a slight haze now, she knew that everybody was watching them, including people passing by.
"What, are you turning into a little tramp?" She yelled out.
"Moms lower your voice a little please" Antonia said calmly.
"Answer my question Toni, huh you being a little tramp, you going to sleep with those boys over there now, just because they took you out or whatever they did for you, huh, you lying bitch whore!"
Antonia stepped back before catching a breath; she grabbed her coat from the ground before quickly walking away.
Ten minutes later Bruno pointed after finally locating Antonia, who was sitting on the top of the bench that led to a park with a small dark pound in the distance. AJ looked to Tiffany who nodded her head. She walked over to her friend keeping herself a few feet away.
"Antonia…." Tiffany said softly.
Antonia sniffed wiping away the tears quickly so that no one would notice them.
"I don't want to talk right now, please just leave me alone"
"Just know that your mom loves you very much…"
Antonia laughed slightly as a few more tears escaped.
"Yeah, I doubt it…"
Tiffany looked over at AJ who looked back at her.
"We should go, give her some space"
AJ sighed before running a hand over his hair, looking back over to Antonia whose back was to them, then turning and following behind Bruno and tiffany.
Antonia put back on her jacket as she looked to the water. Folding her arms, she fought to keep herself warm as the tears ran down her cheeks freely after knowing the three were gone.
As a breeze hit her uncovered skin she reached in her pocket to pull out her cell phone. When the number speed dialed she placed it to her ear, the bottom to where her lips could speak.
"Hello?"
"G…"
"Hey Antonia, was sup?"
"Please, make Naomi go to rehab…"
She closed the phone and grasped it in her hand before placing the other over her face, finally letting her self cry.
...
The next day Bruno and Tiffany were at the café. They had come early enough to spare a few minutes to look around the club a little, but there had been no Antonia there. Tiffany had called her more than a few times just to see if she had made it home okay and that she was safe. There had been no call back, no text message from her, nothing at all.
Bruno put his head down as he sat in one of the booths across from Miss Shirley.
"So that's what happened, I mean we were all having a pretty good time until that" He said finishing up his story.
The elder woman shook her head, almost in disbelief.
"That's a shame; no young girl should ever have to see her mother like that, or hear those terrible things come from her mother's mouth"
"Yeah it was pretty harsh, Antonia even tried to offer her jacket, but her mom literally threw it on the ground right in front of her"
Tiffany had come over from the phone to stand beside Bruno and place a hand on the table.
"I felt so bad for her; it was like none of us really knew what to say"
"None of us?" Miss Shirley asked curiously.
"AJ was with their"
"Lord…"
"What?"Bruno asked.
Miss Shirley shook her head.
"That poor child is probably going through, tiffany have you gotten a hold of her?"
"No, nothing, I tried all last night; they say she hasn't been to the club…"
Bruno stared blankly into the distance.
"First she gets arrested, loses her job, then last night, I feel bad…and usually I don't feel bad, but no wonder she's so mean, she can't help it"
Miss Shirley gave a small smile.
"You couldn't do nothing honey, some people have hard life's, and most of um don't want you feeling sorry for um, Antonia don't want no sympathy, so once she does come back around, don't look at her no different ya hear, she's still the same, no matter what the circumstance is, it won't be right to judge her"
"Yes Miss Shirley"
"Alright now babies, let's get to work so we can start our day off" She got up and made her way to the back to start cooking.
"I hope she's okay…"
Tiffany sighed, looking out the café window.
...
It had been more than two days and Antonia still couldn't get the image of her crack head mother out of her head. Tiffany and Bruno had heard about Antonia's mother but had never actually seen her in person until that night, according to what Antonia had told them she had run off married a rich man and Antonia became an orphan staying with her cousin and his girlfriend. It had been a nice manipulation of the story, but not even sunshine and a miracle could smooth over the truth enough to hide the ugliness beneath the lie.
Antonia had been so embarrassed and furious thinking about the comment AJ's girlfriend had made that morning at the café. As mean as it had been, the "snobby bitch" had hit the nail on the head.
Antonia looked down at her shoes just then, her legs resting on the stool one over the other.
She leaned back on the chair directing her attention to the small window that led to the outside world; something was going on out there that she hadn't been involved in, but it seemed the days after had been the same, pulled away from the world and alone, even when she was with the crew working on jobs or arguing with Ghost, she never really felt like she was there, but somewhere else in her mind, lost in her own thoughts. However her solitude was worth it. There she could sit and be alone with nothing but the music.
Standing up, she walked over to grab the towel from the piano top and began rubbing it over the sax before putting it away and ending her thirty minute session for the day. She had been grateful that she was able to borrow it, and even more filled with gratitude that she was still able to play down in the basement. She did however wish for her own one day. It would be like having a friend that never let her down, and one that constantly brought her joy and a happiness she hadn't really gotten from people.
It was around 12am when Antonia found herself immersed in the daily life of Queens. She had no particular destination, she was just letting her feet guide her as the sweet sounds of Marvin Gaye's "yesterday" filled her ears as she went on. She wasn't yet ready to face Bruno and tiffany so she avoided staying at the club to long or leaving too late.
Her hair was in a large French braid, and she wore a light grey hoodie accompanied with blue jeans that went over her black and white converse considerably. It was now coming into October, the early stages of fall had soon passed on and the leafs with all their colors of reds, browns, and oranges, had began falling to the ground. By the time she had reached the subway entrance the song had gone from track five to fifteen which was now playing bob Marley "I can see clearly".
Antonia clicked her shoes together as she sat there on the bench waiting for the train to arrive. Surprisingly the tunnels hadn't been that busy with their usual hustle and bustle.
Suddenly her sight caught attention of a familiar face that seemed to be waiting for the train as well.
Rolling her eyes slightly with a chuckle she placed her hands in her pockets.
"Why is it that we always seem to run into each other?" She asked looking over at AJ.
He turned and gave a half smile before taking a seat next to her.
"I was going to ask you the same thing"
Raising a brow, Antonia frowned as she took out her ear phones.
"Are you stalking me, there's laws against that you know?"
AJ laughed a little.
"Actually I was just coming back from buying food"
Antonia watched him open a brown bag and take out a deliciously looking pastry treat. She couldn't ask him to find another bench since it was a public place, so she decided that she wouldn't look at him and ignore him being there all together.
Something was bothering her about him, and from the corner of her eye she tried her best to examine what it could have been. After five minutes past she finally realized what it had was, the exact same thing the night of the concert.
"Your coats ugly…"
AJ looked over at her, his face blank.
"I'm sorry" Antonia said shaking her head a little at the sudden outburst.
"I just couldn't hold it in anymore…" she continued to say, feeling almost relieved to have gotten her thoughts out.
AJ still a little taken back looked down at his dusty grey pea coat before bringing about a grin.
"Well thank you, Christmas present from my aunt Emma, actually keeps me pretty warm in the fall"
Antonia gave him a look, just before turning her attention to the half eaten treat in his hand. The smell was contagious and the little bit of steam that was still present gave the impression that the contents inside were still hot enough to warm the stomach.
"Would you like one" He asked grabbing the bag.
"I think I have an extra in here"
Antonia shook her head declining.
"I'm fine, no thanks"
A noise emerged and Antonia twisted a little.
"Was that your stomach?" AJ asked curiously as he took another bite of food.
Quickly Antonia shook her head while keeping her gaze just ahead.
"You sure you don't want one?" He offered again.
"I already said no thank you" she said getting irritated.
"Here…"
Antonia looked down to find a pastry treat lying on a napkin that was now resting on her leg. She looked over at AJ as he continued to enjoy his own.
"Are you deaf? I said I wasn't hungry…"
He finally looked over at her meeting the glare she was giving him.
He chuckled.
"Damn, why are you so evil?"
Antonia smacked her teeth.
"I'm not evil" She said sharply.
"Yeah you are…" He looked down at the pastry that was still sitting on her leg.
"Come on its only food" AJ grinned. "You're acting like I have the plague or something; I'm really not that bad"
Antonia's eyes trailed back over to him, taking in his messy hair, blue eyes and that hideous coat. Her composure seemed to soften and she picked the pastry up and took a bite. The warmness having not left the bread soon exposed the cream cinnamon filling that had been hiding inside.
"These are from…"
"Dunkin's Pastry's" AJ said smiling.
"Right…"Antonia said knowing exactly the spot in which they were sold.
"You know about that place?" she asked slightly confused.
"Of course, he serves the best pork pie and strudel in Harlem….Oh I forgot"
AJ snapped his fingers.
"I'm a while boy, not supposed to know much about soul food, or anything thing soul right?"
Antonia looked down.
"Look I didn't mean to-"
He cut her off.
"Yeah you did, but it's cool, you can admit it, I get it a lot so, I'm used to it"
There was a moment of silence between them.
"So how do you know Miss Shirley" Antonia asked taking another bite of her food, as AJ finished his up.
"When I was younger my dad used to take all these business trips, sometimes I'd get to go with him"
Antonia leaned forward a bit as AJ continued.
"My dad's driver was a real good friend of Miss Shirley, so when my dad would go to his meetings, I used to ride around with him, he took me to the café and I'd chill with Miss Shirley's son"
AJ crumbled the top of the paper bag closing it up.
"We'd go to all kinds of places, Harlem, the Bronx including Duncan's for these…"
"What about you?"
"What about me….?" She asked.
"How do you know her?"
"When I was thirteen, I came to stay with my cousin Delante, at sixteen dropped out of high school and by eighteen met tiffany and later started working up at the café part time, not the best thing in the world, but it was to keep me out of trouble, busy I guess. Miss Shirley kind of stayed on me too"
AJ gave a quick nod.
"She feels like a mother almost, Miss Shirley…"
Antonia had expected AJ to ask questions about her own mother and that night, or at least bring her up, but he hadn't.
"Yeah, I guess in a way she does" She answered.
"So what are you gonna do about the contest?"
Antonia threw her head back with a sigh.
"Don't know, I never wanted to sign up in the first place, and I didn't, Miss Shirley took the liberty of doing it for me, putting all her money up, for something I probably won't even participate in, I don't know why she believes in me so much…"
"Maybe you should try it"
Antonia looked over at him.
"The first time I heard you play, I was kind of shocked…your really good"
"You keep saying that, but I already told you and everyone else, the answers no"
"Come on, I mean the money is already placed, If you don't do it, Miss Shirley looses it all, to all those snobs that have millions anyway, remember?"
She placed her head down.
"So why not play robin hood. Bruno and I have been talking, and maybe we could do something together, you know like a band, like the blue jays"
"A band?"
"Sure" He grinned.
"You play the saxophone, have maybe a solo, tiff will take the lead and sing, Bruno on drums, me on piano, perfect combo"
Antonia sighed as she looked to the people across the tracks.
"So what do you say, you wanna team up and give these kids a run for their money or what?"
Antonia shook her leg a little. Thinking how much she hated to see those rich kids take the money year after year, it made her blood boil. She had begun nodding her head; a small feeling of competition was now arising in her.
"What the hell…let's do it"
AJ grinned widely.
"Alright, we should get Bruno and Tiff and go sign up a.s.a.p"
Antonia gave a small grin before standing as the train seemed to arrive just on time.
"The bank, hey what about the C4 they used to pull the elevators?"
Jake threw the empty cup into the garbage out the driver side window before scanning the area again. His partner looking over a paper he held firmly in his hand.
"From the tagging companies the forensic traced it to a mining company, about two months ago" Eddie answered taking his eyes from the line he had been reading.
The two men looked up when they noticed a black car pull up to a silver one. A man in a suit got out of the first and opened his trunk as the other walked over to him.
"Still working it, he got brand new wheels to show for too." Eddie said as the two continued to watch the two men exchange illegal's.
The exchange went fast and the black car had soon pulled off. Jack pulled off parking his car directly in front of the silver
"Alright let's go" Motioned Jack.
They got out of the car and began walking over to the silver car and the man standing by it. Eddie with a walkie in hand spoke to the voice on the receiving end. "Wait for my go ahead"
"Morning Franco" Jack said with a smile. "Nice wheels"
"What do you guys want huh?" The guy with a deep Italian accent said looking over at the both of them.
Jack walked over to him before grabbing his jacket and pushing him over the trunk of the car.
"Hey- hey I'm clean man, hands off why don't you move your car" Franco argued as Jack released the grip on him after a quick pat down.
"What do you know about some C4 boosted out of Nevada?" Eddie asked, standing two feet away.
"Nevada, Nevada come on I don't know nothing about that" Franco pleaded.
Jack made a face that indicated he wasn't buying into the innocent confession.
"If its guns or explosives you've heard something about it" He protested.
"If you get busted again you're facing ten years minimum you know that right?" Eddie asked folding his arms.
Franco smiled.
"I know this is a public place, I anit done nothing, so why don't you move your car, do me a favor"
Jack walked over to the other side of the car before pulling out a pocket knife sticking it in the front tire as it popped and air escaped.
"Hey hatchet, look at this" He called out.
"What you got" Eddie asked walking over.
What's that?" Franco said following behind Eddie.
"Ah come on Franco" Jack said shaking his head.
"Looks like you caught a nail" Eddie said touching the tire.
"You got a flat"
Jack took the knife to the back tire.
"Twice"
"Come on" Franco said looking at them.
"You got a spare in the trunk, right, come on I'll help you" Jack started making his way to the truck as Franco followed behind.
"If you wanna check my truck why don't you guys go get yourself a warrant" He said sharply.
Eddie smiled as he took the walkie to his mouth calling in.
"Hey dispatch we got a disabled vehicle on 9th in the 110 how long would it take to get here?"
"Yeah were right around the corner" The voice on the other end sounded.
"Oh you got one in the area, that's great, my lucky day; I'll see you in a minute" Eddie said before taking the walkie away from his mouth and looking at Franco.
"You guys must think I'm stupid or something right?"
"Bring it in" Jack said as the large tow truck pulled up.
"Hey what the hell is this, come on; this has got to be illegal, entrapment or something!" Franco said throwing his hands up.
"Looks like a disabled vehicle to me" Eddie said simply.
"Don't worry, will do a full inventory including everything in the trunk" Jack said as he emphasized the last word.
"Yeah we wouldn't want you accusing the LAPD of stealing anything" Eddie said with a confirming nod.
"Give us something Franco" Jack said looking at him.
"Okay okay alright I got something for you guys alright"
The two detectives walked closer as Franco met them mid way.
"I got these guys there trying to go upscale, there planning something big, there definitely planning something big"
"Like what?" Jack asked folding his arms.
"I don't know like what, all I know is there gonna use a C4 on the job."
Eddie looked over to Jack, who looked back over to him.