Page 36 of Desperate Measures
“I guess we are jumping right to business, huh?” She replied.
“Guess so.” I sighed impatiently.
“Well, Crim, we’ve been through a lot, and I just really wanted to apologize without an audience. I didn’t want this conversation to go left.”
Crossing my arms, I leaned back in my chair. “My mama always said wherever you cut up is where I’mma whoop your butt at. I remember it clear as day. I threw a tantrum at Family Dollar, and she tore me up. I mean, belt swinging, knocking over the shit that was on the shelves.”
“Crim?” She asked, probably wondering where I was going with my impromptu story.
“Basically, Venus, you embarrassed me in front of everybody. So, your apology should be just as loud as your disrespect.”
“I’m sorry, Crim. Really.”
“What exactly are you sorry for? You called yourself making amends once I got my shop, then showed up to my grand opening on more bullshit. Quite honestly, I really shouldn’tbe here now. When I say you can’t be trusted, I mean that wholeheartedly. So again, what are you sorry for?”
“Everything. I get it now. You just wanted loyalty. You were dealing with so much when Jahsir left. And I- I was selfish. Backing Rashad up when he decided to leave you off the call list. All of it. And I know I shouldn’t have brought up the baby daddy secret, although you did say I had secrets, too!”
“Secrets I never spilled because I knew what the outcome would have been. If Rashad ever found out you gave his mama drugs to deal with him being locked up, he’d surely kill you himself. I didn’t need to say anything; I shut that shit down myself. Actually, in hindsight, that should have been the first red flag that you wasn’t shit.”
“I know I messed up.”
I stayed quiet and let her sit in her regret. Most people only apologized to clear their conscience. I wasn’t going to nod, smile, and immediately accept her apology so she could feel better. Instead, I continued to sit in silence.
“You thought I was solid, I mean, I am, but-”
“You weren’t solid, but it’s cool, Venus. I promise, I’m not mad.” I emphasized. “I’ve got too much to be thankful for: my beautiful daughter and Jahsir, who's an amazing man. I’m not holding onto grudges. It’s time to move on, and you should do the same.”
“That’s actually why I wanted to meet. I came to say goodbye. I took a travel nursing contract. I’ll be leaving Mulholland Falls by the end of the week.”
“Mmh. Well. Good for you,” I stated dryly. Because, girl, I really don’t care. I’m just playing nice. “Nothing wrong with a fresh start.”
“Yeah, and I need one.”
The waiter finally dropped our drinks off. I sipped mine slowly, watching her stir hers like she couldn’t get comfortablein her own skin. Then, for whatever reason, she took off her sunglasses. That’s when I saw the bruise. A deep, swollen ring around her eye, most of it covered in makeup.
“Girl!” I gasped at the ugly gash. “Who did that to you?”
“...Rashad,” she blurted out
“Bye, Venus.” I scoffed, standing to my feet.
“Crim, wait, please don’t leave.” She urged, taking my hand. I sat back down and stared at her.
“If you gone keep lying, I’mma leave because my cousin would never lay hands on a woman.”
“But he did!” She lied more urgently. “He got mad when I brought up the bank,” she said quietly. “The Brinks truck hit. From years ago.”
“What does something that happened years ago have to do with now? And why are you speaking so freely about this?” I leaned in, whispering and squinting my eyes at her.
“Because, Crim, he said I was lying, but you know the truth, Rashad, Jahsir, and Dro did that shit. Rashad even told me who actually shot Dro, said Jah planned the whole thing.”
My stomach turned at her tone. She was speaking as if she was reading from a script, and then I noticed it. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. “Venus, no.” I choked out. The buttons on her shirt were uneven, giving me a glimpse of the wire underneath it. “Venus, a wi…wire.”
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Before I could fully process what was happening, I grabbed my smoothie and threw it dead in her face. Green splashed across her eyes, soaking her shirt. She stood pleading for my forgiveness, but I heard nothing. Instead, I stood up, flipping my chair back in the process. I yanked her across the table, firmly wrapping my hands in her hair, then started swinging on her. Venus grabbed my hair and was able to maneuver out of the hold I had on her and stated,
“I’m sorry, Crim.”
People were shouting. A waiter yelled. Someone pulled out a phone, but I didn’t care. I shoved her back into the table, causing the smoothie glasses to roll onto the floor. I landed a couple more punches to her face until I was yanked off of her. It took two waiters to pull me off her. My chest was heaving as I heard a manager threaten to call the police. I started to curse the manager out as well until I heard a buzzing noise. It got louder and louder, then I froze. It wasn’t my phone, but itwas. It was the phone Jahsir gave me, and I knew exactly what the buzzing meant.
