Essence of A Bad Woman

By Violetta Joseph

Who we are and what we choose to become is shaped by everything and everyone we touch in our journey through this life, Take the ride with one young woman and find out how she became The Essence of a Bad Woman.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Creative Inspirations Publishing
• Release date: May 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386209317

Book preview

In memory and dedication of Gary’s Red Light District

The many people that showed me love and I showed them trust, love, and More.

HEAD      

Annette William

Charles White

Stamps

Billy Wright   

Elks Club    

White Eagle Hall           

Cadillac Mamie

Hotel Annette   

Theo’s Barbeque   

Salt and Pepper Revue

Moses Eubanks   

Flookie   

Fatts   

Crispy

Roe   

Slim

Cadillac Mamie

Rooks

Louise’s Kitchen

Lovell’s

In Crowd Lounge

Juniors

Early Inn

Coney Island

Mrs. Odessa Roby

Mrs. Crawford

Mrs. Magrames

Lemuel

Trilogy

Sam

Killing Sidney

Jimmy’s 20  Grand

F and J Club

Chapter One

Every woman has to make the Decision in her young life, before moving into to young adulthood. It is the question of whether the street gets her or working America is her option. Opting for the streets and making money fell right in place for me. Knowing the ways of the world better than most of the young people in the street, I managed to live through all the bad parts of life. It’s simple if you know the rules.

All the worst that could happen or that could be heaped on an adolescent was in my eye and ear shot. Sexual, verbal, emotional abuses were all part of growing up in a poor, undereducated, fatal anarchy group called family.  

The idea of growing older and taking charge was becoming natural to me. Establishing my life plan wasn’t easy. So it boiled down to this. Don’t take any shit from the world.

I’m Gia, born and bred on the Westside of Gary, Indiana aka Blood City.  Navigating in the Red District in the middle of misfits taught me too much too soon.    

The Red District had once housed the foreigners who immigrated to the city because of the U.S. Steel Mills.  They opened meat shops, clothing stores and they made sure all the necessities they needed were at hand. When the mill laid them off, they trudged off to other states seeking work and better conditions. They left behind the village of their lost heritage.

Hustling Black people with money and game took over the buildings. Some of them were straight and some pretty shady opened businesses and clubs in the Red District. Most of them did pretty well. The buildings had been well kept when the foreigners had them but now the apartment buildings took on a more run down appearance.

My access to these people and the buildings they owned could and would get me groomed for the streets. Surviving in the midst of murderers, robbers, whores, pimps, crooked deadly cops and payola mayors was a challenge.  All of these bottom feeders were instrumental in my street knock education. It was a comfortable fit for me. The game had many players.

Sassy was one of them. Sassy was an old prostitute who’d retired from the game. She always made me laugh. She was very short. Almost being the size of a midget by our standards. Sassy’s eyes looked black. She had a pouty mouth. Her skin was the color of milk chocolate. Almost pretty but missing it by a slight bit of ugliness. She owned a beauty supply store. There wasn’t a politician in office that hadn’t been introduced to her vagina at one time or another.

In her day Sassy was in demand as a high dollar escort. She’d clocked most of her retirement stash by playing two roles in the life, one as a twelve year old girl and a midget. Sassy’d put her money away when she was working the street. When she retired, money was the least of her worries. She’d achieved a certain amount of power and respect by dating all of the politicians in the city. Sassy could do just about anything she wanted.

Saturday morning I stopped in her wig store. Sassy was sitting on a stool wearing all black with silver thigh high boots. On her head was a huge blonde wig almost covering her face.  Hey girl! Where the hell you been lying down at these days? Sassy said laughing and looking out the window.

Getting up from the stool and stumbling in her tall boots, she steadied herself. Her blond wig flopped into her eyes. A well manicured hand brushed it away. Sassy walked over to me.  I’m still single Sassy. I said. Sassy replied, You have my condolences. Me lying, I'm cool just like I am.

Sassy always chided me about having a significant other. I brushed it off because I wasn’t looking for anyone. Sassy looked under eyed at me.  Ain’t any female good by herself. You have to have a man to fuck over. I smiled hard.  What about love? Sassy is shaking her imaginary hips. Love...How much is that in dollars? Quit looking for that shit! It ain't real. Some made up shit! Love ain't real."

I hope it ain’t made up, let me live in my fucked up fantasy. I spoke hoping she was wrong. Sassy leaned back on the stool, I got a fantasy. I wish money could fuck. That would be the ultimate fantasy for me. We could do without troublesome ass men. Throwing my hand in the air, You are crazy.

Sassy smiled showing her diamond studded teeth, Money doesn’t lie, cheat, or steal. If you got fifty thousand, you got fifty thousand. Money waits until you touch it. It damn sure can make you feel good.

Patting my pocket, I feel good with money in my pocket. Sassy was talking too loud.  The best feeling I know. I was looking around, How’s business? Sassy ran her fingers through in her blond wig. Hoes always need hair. Hoes sweat a wig out in a damn day. Tricks got acid sweat, more money for me.

They love fake hair.  I said chuckling out loud. Sassy interrupted. Don’t say that around any bald headed bitches. You’ve got beautiful hair. You’ll be fighting for your life. I better shut my damn mouth. I said. Bitches, I don’t want a dog in that fight. Hell to the yeah. Sassy remarked.  

I'm going to get something to eat. You eating today? I'm out. I headed out the door. Sassy put her hand around her tiny waist and shook her head. Girl I’m four pounds overweight. I need to lay off the food train. Sassy taught me the trick to keep your pussy tight, alum and warm water. It sure works.

I watched Grayson a well known thief, pick pocket in the district, and pick a visitor’s pockets. Coney robbed them if they needed or needed directions. Ester an older whore would lead a white man into an abandoned building, make him strip naked and run off with his money. Albert Benning was the coldest character of them all.

I would watch him stop a car in the street, pointing that pistol at the female. He’d get in the car with the family. Drop the wife and kids off to his partner while he made the dad go to the bank for money to ensure his family’s safety. The people they robbed never reported them, Albert had all of their ID information and told them he would come to their house and kill them all if they snitched.

I went down to the district every day for coffee and a cheese Danish at Flo’s Spot. She was an ex hooker who bought up a block. Flo always fussed at me for hanging out in hell as she called it.

Flo would be flipping eggs or pancakes and preaching to me. You need to keep your cute little ass off these blocks. Some pimp gone put those pretty legs on the strip. I don’t think so. I don’t like men that much. I got some things against them.

Baby girl, that’s some fucked up shit to say. I can read that though. I‘ve been there and back. Just watch your ass down here. You get into something come and get me. She winked.  I finished my Danish.

Pimps were slapping and beating asses in almost every alley up or down in the district. Addicts were always on a twenty four hour run for the high. Dealers competed for the buyers. Twan, a young pimp, would be in my way by the shoe shine parlor. I had to pass it to get to the hotel every day.

Hey Gia, I need a girlfriend. What you think about that? Twan shifted his weight back and forth. I don’t think shit about it. You’ve already got three girlfriends. They are on the corner of these three blocks. That’s why you are out here watching your money. I giggled at him. Don’t be like that. See you ain’t got to walk the stroll, you just have to be with me. I ain’t interested. If money gone get made off my ass, I’m gonna spend it all on my ass. Have good damn day.

Twan did the same shit every other day.  I ignored his ass on those days. Across the street Peter the runner, would watch us exchange words. He always dipped into the conversation. She ain’t going to fall for your weak ass game. Gia is a smart girl. You a po’ pimp. Step your game up. Peter would fall out laughing at Twan.  This whole avenue in the Red District had its own set of characters. I knew most of them.

Pearl’s Hair Salon was always full. I stopped in every day or so. She was the reason I got a cosmetology license. Hey Pearl. You got a lot of heads today. Hey baby! You need to come in here and help me. You can get your license right here. She banged her hand against a client’s head for moving. If I burn your ass, you’ll be still." The lady in the chair rolled her eyes.

I’m thinking about it. I need some back-up besides these streets. I was serious. Girl, the streets is a place to die. Get out before it gets you. Pearl blew her nose. I hear you Pearl. I’m listening to all you saying. You can come here one hour a day; I can teach you what you need to know to pass the test. I’m gonna do that I promise. I meant that.

There were businesses all over the district. Twelve grocery stores were in the district and most were run by freaks. I know because not a woman or man, boy or girl was safe from some of them. I started going into the district at the age of ten. I got to know the most about all the shit that went on and who did it.

Malcolm owned a black grocery store. I had to bust him in the head with a can of corn one day. He was a notorious pedophile.  I went into his store to buy some jelly candy. This motherfucker came from around the corner on me with his pants undone. He tried to push me in the back of the store.

Alright you old motherfucker, you better get away from me. I stared at him. You know you want to let me get that thang. Girl if you give it to me you can get anything you want out of here. I’m telling you old bastard! I grabbed a big can of corn and busted his head a couple of times. He banned me out of his store for life.  

Albert Benning ate at Flo’s every morning that’s how I got to know him.  He did a lot of crooked shit but he was an alright man. He’d have these fucking father talks with me sometimes.

Gia, the world’s job is to fuck you, either with a big one or a little one. Who you want to do the fucking?  Don’t trust nobody and nothing. You want to have the biggest one and you gonna do the fucking, right?  Every now and then look at the sky to make sure it ain’t changed on you. I’d smile and tell him. You’re right and I know you know. He would burst out laughing. His laugh sounded so funny, I had to laugh too.  

The grocer on Ninth Street, Mr. Purdy had a fetish for feet and buttocks. He would forget to go home to his wife at night if the right female passed his store. One night a woman named Shaveda passed his store. She had a great big firm ass and tiny feet. Mr. Purdy lost his mind.

He followed her from the store back to her apartment. Purdy pulled up hundreds of dollars for her. Shaveda agree finally to let him suck her toes, lick her feet, and rub on her ass.

He didn’t want regular sex; just what he was getting. This strange man Mr. Purdy was at her house everyday with money. Mr. Purdy had found the feet and butt he had always searched for. Shaveda on the other hand wanted a real boyfriend or husband.

Shaveda was feeling down. I am going to start dating someone, Purdy. Mr. Purdy looked surprised. Why?  Don’t I give you enough money? Shaveda smiled. Yes you do. That’s not the problem. Mr. Purdy was confused. "What is it? You know I’ll help you do anything you want