Ghetto Girls Too. Anthony Whyte

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СКАЧАТЬ later, the anticipated knock on the door was louder than expected. The deafening sound was a surprise to all even though they had been waiting for it.

      “Don’t worry. I got this, honey,” Eric said confident as he walked to the door.

      Before he could make it, there was another loud bang followed by, “Police! Open up.” Suddenly, Eric was staring at police officers with weapons drawn. He stood frozen as the door was broken and cops flooded the apartment. Eric had forgotten he still had a weapon in his hand.

      “Don’t shoot,” yelled Sophia”

      “Drop your weapon!”

      Eric Ascot threw the weapon to the floor immediately. He closed his eyes expecting a barrage of gunfire but nothing happened.

      “Officer, the man laying over there in the corner,” Sophia said and pointed to Lil’ Long’s body. The police diverted their stare. “He came here to rob my friends and fiancé. Eric, ah, my fiancé was able to shoot the man but not before he shot our friend, Kamilla,” Sophia said with the urgency of an appealing attorney.

      A detective quickly picked up all the weapons and walked cautiously to Kamilla and then to Lil’ Long. He addressed a nervous Sophia.

      “Slow down, sweetheart. Is everyone safe? Is there anyone else with weapons in here?”

      “Yes, we’re safe. There is no one else with guns, detective.”

      “Okay,” he said and holstered his weapon. He walked to where Sophia stood then looked at the body of Lil’ Long. “How long ago did this happen?” the detective asked and walked back to where the street fighter lay bleeding.

      “About fifteen minutes ago. My fiancé had to shoot the man you see over there. He tried to rob us,” Sophia repeated as she pointed.

      “How was your fiancé able to get his guns, Miss...? What is your name? I’m Detective Kowalski.” Sophia reached out and shook the detective’s hand.

      “Pardon my manners, detective. I’m Sophia Sullivan. This is Coco, Deedee, and Eric Ascot.”

      Detective Kowalski shook Eric’s hand and waved at the girls then he yelled into his walkie talkie, “Send the boys from the lab. We also need some paramedics over here right now. Mister…?”

      “Ascot,” Sophia said.

      “Yes, glad to see that you’re alive. Can I speak to you alone?” Detective Kowalski asked and walked to the kitchen with Eric. The uniformed officers descended on the girls like ballers to Cristal. Sophia warded off any questions she deemed inappropriate for the girls to answer. She hoped that Eric would stick to the story. After all, it was his story. She dialed on her cell phone. The remaining detective noticed.

      “May I ask who are you calling?”

      “I have a friend in the DA′s office. I was about to call and let him know what happened,” Sophia replied without hesitation.

      “Oh really? What’s the name of your friend?”

      “Michael, Michael Thompson.”

      “Really? The man himself, huh?”

      “Do you know him?”

      “Know him like a book. He’s my kid brother. I’m Detective Hall, by the way,” the dapper detective stated. Their eyes locked as he continued, “He never mentioned you. Mike always talked about the beautiful ones.” He saw the question in Sophia’s eyes. “Looking for the family resemblance?”

      “Yes and no. It was funny that I thought of him when I saw you and now that you’ve mentioned it, there is a family resemblance.”

      “What could it be?” the detective asked.

      “It’s that same nonchalant attitude,” Sophia replied without thinking.

      “Hmm...then you must be a friend of Mike.”

      “Yes. He’s a very good friend. We went to law school together.”

      “Are you a lawyer?” Detective Hall asked.

      “Corporate,” Sophia volunteered and then turned to speak on the telephone for a minute or two. She turned back to the detective. “I have someone here who wants to speak with you,” Sophia said handing the instrument to the detective and walking to where Coco and Deedee stood. “Everything will be fine. You guys are holding up well?”

      “We… I mean, this ain’t nothing new. I’ve seen people shot before. Drug dealers on my block get shot by the police or innocent people are in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s all part of my world, my reality, Sophia,” Coco said as she watched the police at work.

      “God bless your soul, girl. And may you be a better person for it but I hope I never ever witness another death or shooting. I’m saying it would be too soon if it ever happened again.”

      “It’s so unfortunate to be always seeing death and experiencing violence like that, Coco,” Deedee said. Coco’s ears perked as Deedee continued, “You know living in that environment under those conditions has to be difficult. Well, at least that’s the way I see it,” Deedee opined. “This is the first time I’ve seen anyone actually get shot much less killed.” Deedee was interrupted by the appearance of Detective Hall.

      “Here’s your phone. So, you’ve got friends in high places, huh?” he asked as he handed Sophia the cellular. “And you are a very good friend according to my brother,” he said with a suggestive smile and wink.

      Sophia thought of responding in a cold manner to the detective’s flirtatious ways but she bit her tongue and smiled, using this exchange fully to her advantage. There was still the matter of guns being discharged, she thought as she responded. “Mike and I went to the same law school together. Both of us being black, there were only so many of us, you know. So, quite naturally, we wound up at many similar activities. Whether on dates or not, we’d be there squabbling with each other.”

      “He’s a good man and he spoke very highly of you. Sez he knew you very well and I think his office is already handling this case.”

      “Really, I didn′t know that he was investigating little ol’ me,” Sophia said coyly.

      “We’ll go through with some of the formalities. You should be just fine. Everything seems to be in order here but I’ll make sure all is okay. Wonder what’s taking my partner so long? Ah, excuse me, Miss Sophia, let me go check on him.” Detective Hall walked away leaving Sophia with her conflicted thoughts. He had predicted the outcome but deep down she knew it would happen but not his way.

      Michael Thompson always said that if she ever needed him just call. He had been a good friend and she felt that one day their paths would cross again. Sophia had imagined it would be in an election campaign for senator or some other political event. Michael was into politics in a big way. He worked hard to succeed. It was one of the things she had liked about him. Michael Thompson had been the most together brother on campus and since graduation, they had maintained friendly monthly telephone conversations, the type that always ended with unfulfilled promises to see each other. They were busy young attorneys driven to success.

      Sophia had СКАЧАТЬ