Page 25 of Wifey
“I’ll make this short and saccharine sweet. You’re going to carry on like nothing happened. Do not bring attention, do not talk about Cameron, or anything related to him. You’re already doing that so keep it up.” Tesh’s voice is like warm honey on a biscuit. “You’ll have a tail on you at both Fresh Espresso locations. Someone is always watching the shops. Even if you leave and make a drop-off at the bank, someone will tail you. You won’t know who it is or what they drive and that’s the point.”
This is my new reality whether I like it or not. “How would I be able to tell the tail from someone else? We were followed last night.”
“The tail wouldn’t make it obvious.” Tesh winks. “The opposition will.”
Last night wasn’t a distant memory and I would rather forget it ever happened. “That’s reassuring,” I deadpan.
“It’s necessary until we figure out what’s going on. Right now, everything is a big puzzle but some pieces are starting to come together. News got out about the shooting last night and how there’s a high schooler in the hospital. There’s been a lot of activity in the streets lately. Some of it has to do with Cameron and some of it has nothing to do with him at all.” Tesh replies.
Since the pandemic, desperation and tension has reached an all-time high. With the political stress, families suffering, and uncertainty at every corner, it is no wonder people go to the streets. Some do it out of boredom and some do it because they have a score to settle. “Cameron and I are the targets,” I reply, hoping the briskness in my heart doesn’t match the tone. “Why would the cops harass Cameron for?”
“To the cops, it doesn’t matter. The mayor is getting antsy and wants the violence and crime to stop. That means you’re going to see a lot more cops out today. You might even get a few pop by the shop.” Tesh rolls the candy in her mouth. “They won’t be on our payroll.”
As much as Cameron has control of the city, there are certain things he cannot help. Not everyone will be #TeamPage. “I’m going to be questioned,” I read between the lines.
“You might or they might not care. They won’t be going after Cameron, but Que because obvious reasons.” She rolls her eyes and I share her sentiment. “So, you need to be aware.”
“What do I do?” I ask and it’s a sincere question.
“Nothing. Continue as you normally would. If any cops question you, you let us know as soon as possible.” She instructs as we walk outside and down the stairs. Awaiting me is my BMW. “If people ask about the car, you can say you treated yourself something nice.”
“After work?” I ask as we arrive at my car. “I just come straight home?”
“Do the deposits at the bank and then come home. Dinner will be ready for you.” Tesh explains. “Any other questions?”
I have a ton but I’m already running late. “That’s it for now.”
Tesh holds my shoulders. “You won’t get everything now or even overnight. But once you see how things are done, you won’t even think about it. The less you know, the better.”
~~~~~
Once I arrived at Fresh Espresso, the day was nonstop. Foot traffic constantly flowed and we were almost sold out of our pastries by the afternoon. Customers were happy and cheerful. The conversations ranged from what someone posted on IG to a new song by some future forgettable mumble rapper to how everyone was excited for the elections.
Throughout the day, I thought about Cameron and wondered where he was and what he was doing. I also thought about my old house and if I should stop by and check on it. As much as I wanted to, I also knew that was a stupid idea.
Whoever came after me last night would simply be biding their time to finish the job. Going back to the house would just make it easy on them. I have to trust Cameron and be okay he knows what he’s doing, even though I’m still worried sick about everything.
“Oh, I just love this coffee!” A white-haired White lady stops by. She’s holding a biracial young girl on her hip and cooing at her. “This is one of my favorite shops! I rave about it all the time and I even tell my son in L.A. about it!”
“That’s great!” I smile at her. “And who’s this cutie with you?”
“This is my grandbaby, Olivia,” The woman smiles. “Her parents are in town visiting; the son in L.A. I was talking about and his wife, so we’re having some girl time today.” She looks back at the toddler girl. “Yes, we are! Yes, we are!”
My ovaries started breakdancing and I clear my throat to get some sense into me. “What can I get for you?”
“I would like the John Lewis in a medium,” The woman smiles, “and a chocolate milk, and two cupcakes.”
“Awesome,” I write on the cup, “and your name please?”
“I’m Deborah.” The woman pays for the food and beverage. She leaves a very substantial tip. “Thank you so much!”
I get Deborah’s food ready before I go back to the counter. I see a very familiar face and I welcome the surprise. “Hi Ethan!” I smile at him and give a fist bump. He’s a tall White man with dark hair and dashing blue eyes. Before Cameron, Ethan was my White boy crush, even though he’s a grown-ass man.
Sharp cheekbones, muscular build, and that undeniable Big Dick Energy is what embodies Ethan Underwood. He’s the type of man that’ll make a woman call him Daddy and possibly make him one on the same night.
“What can I get for you?” I say through my mask.
“I’ll have the Jay-Z and Kanye in medium cups,” Ethan mentions before he looks over and does a small victory dance upon seeing the biscuits and jam. “And the biscuits with the fig jam. Oh yeah.”
