Rescue Me

By Yvette T. Sexton

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 31, 2009
• ISBN: 9781477178935

Yvette T. Sexton

Yvette T. Sexton was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 1972. She started writing when she was in the fi fth grade. She enjoyed writing three-page short stories and entering them into school writing contests. She pursued a degree in Journalism and finished her first novel. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children.

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Prologue

Brooklyn, New York, Friday morning, May 1990, Tegra ran to her bedroom window in time to catch her best friend Jenine walking toward her brownstone on the way to school. She lifted her window and leaned out onto the windowpane. She giggled at the sight of Jenine. A true ghetto chicken, she murmured. Jenine, a million miles from a conservative thought, pacefully made her way down the street on her way to school, switching dangerously in a tight, tennis-styled white-and-blue jumper.

Just look at this child, a natural freak, Tegra laughed out.

A day wasn’t a day if Jenine wasn’t turning heads of men, women, little boys, girls, dogs, and cats—anything that had eyes and loved to stare. Her shiny black ponytail weave and glossy cocoa lips made her the quintessential round-the-way girl.

What’s up, hoochie mama, Tegra shouted out the window. Jenine shuffled over to Tegra’s window.

What up, Sister Mary Clarence, so today is the day your folks leave for North Cackalacka? Girl, they picked a perfect weekend to go. It’s your birthday, it’s your birthday. This is your birthday weekend, girl, you betta do it up, ya hear, Jenine cheered.

It’s not until Monday, but this is definitely my weekend. I’m in here helping them pack, getting the what-not-to-do speech.

Did you hear about the block party tomorrow on Jefferson? Jenine promoted.

No, Tegra said, not really ecstatic.

You see, what better way to get your birthday celebration started than a block party? Collette’s mother is sponsoring it, and it’s going be the shit. She got Tyshawn and his crew to DJ. Girl, Jefferson is going to be jumpin’ with a lot of pumpin’ tomorrow, and Jenine Baker will be right up in there, ya hear?

Tegra stared at Jenine with pity in her eyes, shaking her head in dissent. Before she could explain why she was not going to the block party, Jenine pressed a stare of disgust upon Tegra.

Okay, let me guess, you can’t go. You have to finish some project you volunteered to do along with all the homework assignments not yet assigned to you. All this making your trifling ass unattendable. What a damn cop-out. Tee, bump your workaholic ass, Jenine cursed.

Tegra almost fell out the window from laughing so hard.

Damn, girl, we are graduating next month, you’re a member of the damn school’s Honor Society team acting like a got-damn borderline student, shit, Jenine said, sick and tired of Tegra’s stubborn ways.

Jenine, your ass is crazy. You should have your pencil and paper out taking down those how to rise above a C-average tips from me because if I stand correct, your grades are running for the border, Tegra badgered.

Jenine sucked her teeth, took her two-inch red-and-white painted middle finger, licked it slowly, and introduced it to the space between Tegra’s eyes. Before Tegra could reach out and grab her finger, her father called for her.

Jenine, I think they’re ready to leave, I have to go

Come on, Tegra, come to the block party, I need someone to trip out with, Jenine implored.

Tegra knew that to be a lie; she needed Tegra to keep an eye on her. With so many girls wanting to jump on her for flirting with their boyfriends, it was no saying when a fight might break out. On the contrary, Tegra was the envy of the school. Girls wanted to fight her because half the boys in school were attracted to her, and Tegra could care less. Word around school was she had the best-looking body in the whole high school and the snobbiest attitude to go with it. The guys yapped about a chance to just rub up on her sturdy, plump butt and full round breast. Her esoteric personality and antisocial ways kept many students out of her personal space, and she loved it.

I have to think about this. Stop by after school, Tegra said.

Okay, I’m taking this to mean you’re going, so see ya, Jenine said, laughing as she walked away.

No, it doesn’t mean that, fool, Tegra yelled out as Jenine crossed the street.

Tegra walked into her parents’ room and saw her mother zipping up the last suitcase. Tegra crawled surreptitiously behind her father who was bending over tying his sneakers. When he lifted his head, she wrapped her arms around his neck, putting him in a headlock.

I got you now, Daddy, try getting out of this one, you old fart.

Tegra was like the boy her father always wanted. Her tomboyish ways made him easily forget. He taught her everything from boxing to Tae Kwon Do; they were extremely close. Her mom was there to conserve her feminity. The two struggled on the bed, huffing and puffing in obnoxious laughter. Tegra’s father struggled to get loose, but Tegra’s long legs wrapped around his waist like limber logs. Having a little freedom in his left hand, he unleashed what was Tegra’s greatest weakness; he grabbed her thighs, moving his fingers back and forth, tickling Tegra until she let go.

Okay, Dad, stop. I give up, Daaaaaaad, she yelled out.

Her father jumped off the bed, leaving her laughing in tears.

Okay, honey, we better get on that road, her mother gasped.

Tegra? her father sternly called to get her attention.

Tegra sat on the tip of the bed caressing each sore thigh with her hands.

Tegra, the time has come to show us just how responsible you can be, baby. Mom and I laid down the rules of the house. Remember, this is your home, don’t let no one disrespect you or your home. No one is allowed in here while we are away, you hear me, girl? he gravely disciplined.

I hear you, Daddy.

Be very careful, shuga, Daddy and I trust you will. Wow, first time leaving you here by yourself, you’ve done grown up, Tegra. Tegra’s mother’s eyes sparkled with tears as she stared at Tegra.

Mom, don’t get all teary eyed on me. When you get back and you’re cussin’ my tail out for falling asleep without cleaning the dishes, there will not be a tear in your eye, so cut it out, okay? Tegra reminded.

Tegra threw one arm around her mother’s neck and the other around her dad’s, curving her arms into a huddle, and kissed them both on the cheek. Her parents moved quickly to the front door. Tegra remembered the heart-shaped gold lockets, necklaces, and letter she was to surprise her parents with. She quickly ran to her room. Her dad had started the engine while her mother loaded the suitcases into the back of the jeep. Tegra grabbed the last suitcase and told her mom to get in the car. She unzipped the suitcase and placed the gifts on top of her mother’s clothes.

Okay, baby, call your auntie if you need anything, her mom said.

Don’t let any of these fast boys try and get nasty with you, Tee, you know how they role. I’ll kick their black asses if they so much as wink at you while I’m away, her father said, poking his head out the window.

Dad, you’re buggin’, how are you supposed to witness that?

Girl, I have eyes and ears floating all over Brooklyn, he hinted.

Anyway, I told you I have much too much respect for myself to let that foolishness happen. Okay, old people. You’re embarrassing me, now go already, use the cell if you want to reach out and touch me, bye, Tegra said, stepping away from the jeep.

Tegra waved as the red Cherokee jeep pulled off. Mrs. Mattie, who happened to be sitting on her stoop, watched as Tegra saw her parents off.

Hi, Mrs. Mattie, it’s going to be a hot one today, she forced herself to say.

Yes, I guess so, Mrs. Mattie replied in her typical slothful tone.

Mrs. Mattie had eyes, ears, and a mouth up to no good. She was her own best friend, being no one could stand one minute in her presence. It sure wasn’t hard spotting her in a crowd either. She walked like she bent down to pick something up and only made it three quarters of the way back up; her wide backside was every bit of an injustice to her body, and so was her tongue. Mrs. Mattie stared over her fine oval spectacles at Tegra.

So you’ll be all alone for a couple of days. What you plan on doing, throw a party, get wild now? She judged.

Okay, Mrs. Mattie, not all teenagers are wild and disrespectful like you make them out to be, but you wouldn’t understand that because your son Donnelle is everywhere he shouldn’t be. Is that right, Mrs. Mattie? Tegra vindictively replied.

Tegra knew insults were the only way to get Mrs. Mattie off her back. Tegra rolled her eyes and walked into her apartment.

That old lady is just too damn nosy for me, Tegra gasped.

Feeling like a napkin caught up in the wind, Tegra ran to her room. She grabbed the remote to her music system and turned it on, jumped on her bed and bounced around until her legs just didn’t feel like flexing anymore then fell helplessly on her back and stared at the ceiling while the music played on.

Unaware she had fallen asleep, Tegra rolled over to the other side of her bed to check the time. It was a quarter to eleven.

Damn, that nap felt good, she said, stretching out like a cat on the bed. She moved to the kitchen; grabbed the peanut butter, jelly, and orange juice; and sat down at the table.

Okay, I’ve got to finish my history paper. I’ll save my extra credit work to finish later on tonight. Wow, this feels good—no naggy voices telling me do this and that. Shit. living on my own will be so sweet. Why in the world do some adults find it so hard to leave the nest? It’s a pitiful shame, Tegra thought to herself while she sipped some orange juice.

Unlike most teenage girls, deciding what to wear never caused Tegra a brain stroke. Tegra organized her clothes from her most popular down to the designated subs. She had a set for each day of the week and never doubted her first choice. Therefore, her Friday gear was already ironed and waiting to be worn. Tegra was a conservative dresser. She loved wearing skirts or dresses that slightly brushed her ankles. Jenine accused her of trying to cover up her goods; she paid her no attention knowing deep within that there was some truth to that. No matter how hard Tegra tried to cover her full breast and curvaceous hips, it didn’t stop her from being a walking temptress. She pulled out a beige with pale green leaves V-neck summer dress that lightly grabbed her curves and placed it on her bed. She turned on the TV while slowly undressing in front of the mirror then she stopped, and turned up the volume on the TV to hear the special news report:

Yesterday, a Caucasian woman, Georgia Kensington, early forties, was robbed, raped, stabbed, and thrown in a garbage bin on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Her body was uncovered by a sanitation worker on duty. The killer was a black man, early thirties. Apparently, the man had been watching her for a while before the attack. She died this morning in the hospital.

Tegra pulled her locks back in a tie and kneeled to pray for the victim’s soul.

Hello.

Hi, sugar, this is your aunt.

Hey, Auntie Gwen, what’s up? Tegra gasped, trying to catch her breath after dashing from the bathroom to the phone in her bedroom.

Nothin’, baby, just checkin’ up on you. So how does it feel?

Oh, man, the feeling is unexplainable, Auntie. I feel relieved… haa… but don’t tell Ma I said that. I was in there taking a shower. It felt good to be able to stay in the shower for more than five minutes without hearing Ma screaming, ‘You’re killing my water bill, get out now,’ Tegra laughed out.

So what are your plans for the weekend, Ms. Lady?

Well, I’m going to finish my history paper, try to get that out of the way. Then I’m going out later on tonight to grab a couple of videos—oh yeah, I forgot, Jenine wanted me to go to this block party on Jefferson tonight, but I don’t think I’m going, Tegra explained.

That’s my niece, priorities first, just like your folks. You see, that’s why you’re going places, Tee. I tell your mom that every time we talk. Don’t let those fast girls try and distort your ambition, sugar, her aunt encouraged.

Auntie, picture that, I’m my own woman with my own mind.

Well, I’ll be at home all weekend if you want to stop by to chill out. Okay, sugar, I’ll let you go, Aunt Gwen said.

Okay, Auntie, thanks for checking up on me, but don’t let it become a habit this weekend, haha, Tegra emphasized.

Girl, you’re too much, bye, sugar.

Tegra finished drying off and reached for the lotion. She was so excited about her weekend freedom, she pranced around her room butt naked to the hip-hop sounds of 98.7 Kiss.

Go, Tee, it’s your birthday, freak it up, girl.

The freedom had set her mind free indeed. Her parents were extremely overprotecting; this was her expression of liberation. After slipping into her summer dress, Tegra centered herself in the middle of the bed, lying on her stomach, and began working on her history paper.

Tegra, Tegra, yoo-hoo, Sister Mary Clarence, are you in there? Jenine called.

Jenine tapped on the bedroom window. Tegra ran to the window rubbing her eyes.

Girl, what’s wrong with your eyes? Why are you looking like Whitney Houston before a concert?

You are so corny, Jenine, damn, what time is it? I passed out again. Girl, this heat is getting to me, Tegra said, massaging her neck.

Open the front door, let me in, and I’ll tell you, Whitney, Jenine said.

Oh, hold on, I’m coming.

Tegra opened the front door for Jenine. Jenine didn’t waste any time getting to the mirror in Tegra’s room.

Girl, you’re so conceited, vain ass, Tegra said, yawning.

Shit, I got to make sure my shit is tight, so whatever. Anyway, have you made a decision about tonight? I really don’t want to hear no, you hear me, Tee? Jenine said, combing her ponytail with her fingers.

I told you, Jenine, I have to finish my history paper along with some other homework assignments before Monday, Tegra said, shaking her head no.

Tegra, Jenine said, stomping her feet on the hardwood floor like a spoiled child trying to get attention.

What kind of friend are you? You always find a way of letting me down, Tee. Shit, you never hang out with me, and you’re supposed to be my best friend, Jenine grieved.

Jenine plopped down on the bed with her elbows to her knees, hands covering her face, hoping that Tegra would change her mind, seeing how pissed she was.

Jenine, come on, girl. We can chill right here, you and I. Movies, prank calls, gossip with a pedicure, come on, Tegra said, plopping down on the bed beside Jenine.

No, Tegra, we always do what you want to do. You’re such a selfish bitch. That’s right, I called you a bitch because right now you’re pimpin’ my heart, Jenine said, rolling her eyes.

Okay, Jenine, you can stop acting like a damn baby. I will go to this damn block party. You’re not fooling me, don’t try to play that friend card, your fast ass is only going so you can leech one of those punk behind little boys, Tegra said, hating to have to choose.

Jenine stood up in front of Tegra’s wall-mounted mirror checking out the firmness of her butt, posing like a ghetto diva.

You damn skippy. For the record, not all of them act like little boys. That attitude is why they don’t try getting with you. Your stuck-up ass is always judging them, Jenine testified, touching up her ponytail again.

Tegra knew it was true, but like all judgmental individuals, she had to make it known that she wasn’t judging but only stating the truth.

Jenine, that is not true. I’m honest unlike your freaky ass, but that makes me stuck up. Oh well, if that’s the way you and your boyz feel, then ya’ll can kiss my jazzy fat assy.

Jenine burst out laughing, she ran over to where Tegra was sitting, and jumped on her lap, pushing her on the bed, pretending to choke her. Ouch, get your big butt off of me, Jenine, Tegra giggled. The two were so close they should have been sisters.

The bass from the speakers rumbled off the brick buildings and could be heard from blocks away. Tegra and Jenine made their way down Wilson Avenue to Jefferson Avenue. Tegra shook her head; grossed at the sight of the sidewalks—cracked, painted with food, puddles of spilled beer looking like piss. A short trail of dog mess and broken beer bottle glass that sparkled under the moonlight followed her for blocks. Combined, each block looked like an old burned-down Wild West post. Dusty, gloomy, no life, no love—it was a shameful sight. Jenine stopped at the end of each block, danced a little, then moved on. The music was mesmerizing, the body couldn’t help but respond. There was a call, sort of like a catcall, soft and gentle, intended for a woman’s ear.

Damn, baby, it’s hypnotic, damn you’re so fine, so fine. Sweetheart, Ms. Lady, give me just two minutes of your time. I just want to talk my newbien sista, pleaded the dark figure across the street.

Jenine looked to see where the call was coming from. Across the street, leaning on a closed bodega grocery store were two thug-looking brothers with beer bottles wrapped in brown bags. Both guys were wearing white wifebeater tees and baggy blue jeans. The call was coming from the guy with a baldy. Paying them the least bit of attention, Tegra continued to move ahead, but Jenine walked herself over to where the two thugs were standing.

You talkin’ to me? Jenine said with racy attitude.

Nah, shorty, I’m talkin’ to your friend. He wet his lips with his untamed tongue while pointing at Tegra.

Tell your friend to give me her number, I just want to talk to her, he said with that thug confidence.

Jenine paused, her lips slightly drawn from feeling insulted. She twisted her lips, shook her head, and rolled her eyes at the two thugs.

Oh, she ain’t interested in no hoodlums, Jenine insulted and crossed the street to where Tegra was waiting indignant.

That boy with the baldy wants your number, but I told him you weren’t interested in no hoodlums, she said, sucking her teeth.

You’re a trip, Jenine. When it’s not you they’re drooling over, then they’re hoodlums, Tegra said, sucking her teeth.

Yup, how did you ever guess? Now come on, I can’t wait to see all those fine menz. Move your ass, Tegra, move your ass, Jenine agreed, hustling Tegra along.

The closer Tegra got to the block party, the more she found herself asking Jenine to repeat what she said. The crowd in the street was jumpin’, the music was thumpin’, and the whole block was filled with half-naked girls looking like soul train dancers and boys on the prowl. Jenine didn’t waste any time. She moseyed herself closer to the DJ, where she lifted her hands in the air and started dancing like a woman in heat, hoping that the DJ would take notice and call her over. Tegra quickly scanned her surroundings for a place to sit down. She made her way through the crowd praying to God that no one tries to hit on her ’cause she wasn’t in the mood; it was bad enough she was dragged to the party. Tegra watched the crowd from one of the stoops on the block, anxiously nodding her head with slow back strokes. The music was so enticing, but she didn’t attempt to get up and dance. Meanwhile, Jenine had caught her prey. Tegra watched Jenine with criticizing eyes as the DJ pulled Jenine’s hips closer to his pelvis, and Jenine rubbed, jiggled, and bounced her butt to the music.

She is such a tease. One day, she’s gonna tease the wrong hood, she whispered to herself.

Tegra swiftly made her way over to where the food was and grabbed a piece of chicken. She almost made it back to the stoop alone until she was spotted by Terrell and Lionel, two social studies classmates whose minds were so perverted you could see the residue on their foreheads. Tegra sat down and started eating her chicken, pretending not to see them and pleading with God deeply within to keep them away from her, but slowly they stepped in her space.

Tee, Tee, Terrell shouted, holding his drink in one hand and grabbing his crotch with the other. He patted Lionel, whose eyes were glued to some girl’s butt.

Check it, Tegra, come on, let’s check her out, Terrell said, nodding his head with a sneaky grin.

Tegra could see Terrell’s long, slim body approaching, and she started shaking her head.

Damn, damn, she grunted.

Terrell was that light-skinned brother with sculpted sideburns and a goatee. He was that Casanova-acting type of brother that didn’t like to get his hands dirty, a true womanizer. Girls fought over him at the drop of a dime.

Hey, Tegra, whazzz up? Terrell shouted over the music.

You know you could have walked right past me, and I wouldn’t have cared. There are enough hoochies at this block party, pick one and get the steppin’, Tegra replied.

Why you have to be a badass, Tee? Terrell slurred while pulling on his pants between his legs.

Terrell, what the hell is wrong with you? Why are you grabbing down there around me? Lionel, take your boy away from me, please, so damn disrespectful, Tegra said, furious.

Lionel turned to Terrell then to Tegra. Lionel turned back to Terrell, grinned, and let out a lazy laugh with his tongue hanging down, covering his bottom lip.

Nah, nah, Tegra, he’s not trying to be disrespectful. Thats just what we do, you know, we boyz, Lione1 defended.

Immediately after he covered Terrell, he spotted a big-booty chick, grabbed between his legs, and walked over to her, leaving Terrell and Tegra alone. Neither Tegra nor Terrell said a word to each other for about fifteen minutes. Tegra couldn’t wait until he spotted himself someone else so he could get away from her. Terrell leaned on the stair handle just staring at Tegra, licked his lips, and grabbed between his legs again. Tegra continued to stare into the crowd completely ignoring his presence until he opened his mouth.

You’re wondering why I keep grabbing down there, Tee? Well, I’ll tell you just why, Ms. Buschwa.

Before he could say anything, Tegra interrupted. Let me guess, Terrell. Could it be you need a bath? Tegra degraded.

With dreamy eyes and spit-glossed lips, Terrell chuckled. Hah, you think you so funny, Tee? You see, that’s just why I keep grabbing down there, you silly rabbit. Your aggressive ways are giving me a hard-on. All I can think of is sexually taming your fat ass into submission, Terrell admitted, biting down on his lips. Tegra stared at Terrell, her eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights, ready to attack—she was speechless.

Am I making your panties wet? Let me feel.

Tegra felt so insulted she could scratch the skin off his face. She didn’t know how to act, so she jumped up, pushing him with all her might and ran to where Jenine was dancing.

I’m going home now, right now, Tegra shouted.

While forcing Jenine to leave, she could see Terrell moving toward them.

Are you listening? I’m leaving. Terrell is getting on my damn nerves, come on. okay fine. Bye, I’m out of here. Tegra pushed.

What did he say to you? Jenine shouted annoyingly, hating that Tegra was ruining her fun.

"He’s disrespecting me and I don’t want to be here with him around. Terrell walked up to them laughing like the devil’s advocate. Tegra was about to walk away until Jenine grabbed her arm.

Terrell, what the hell did you say to Tegra? She wants to kill you, boy, Jenine questioned, pissed off.

Nah, I just told her how I was feeling, and she got all out of hand, he said with a wicked smirk and winked his eye at Tegra.

Disgusted, Tegra just turned around and headed toward the police gates at the end of the block. Jenine ran after her.

Wait up, Tee, damn, girl, why you acting like this, Tee? Why can’t you just have fun like the rest of us… try it for once, it won’t hurt. Shit, you know how Terrell is. Just ignore the bastard. Come on, don’t do this, Tee. I’m not through. We just got here, Jenine begged.

No, Jenine, I’m going home now. You don’t have to come with me. I know my way back home, Tegra argued.

Terrell had seriously struck a nerve in Tegra. Her face was red-hot, and she was breathing flames. There was no talking her out of doing what she wanted to do in this state. Jenine could see this, and although she loved to party, she valued their friendship more and wouldn’t let anything come between that relationship, so she took an extended look at the jumpin’ crowd, gathered a mental note to take with her on the walk back, sucked her teeth, and turned to walk away. When she turned around, Tegra was already halfway to the police gates.

Tegra eagerly searched for her keys in her bag while Jenine stared up into the night sky. Jenine feared saying anything to Tegra; she knew her words would not be nice, and they would be up all night arguing. Tegra walked to the kitchen to check the answering machine. Jenine walked straight to the back, turned the TV on, slouched on the side of the bed, and stared into the screen.

Jenine, you want something to drink or eat? Tegra casually said, feeling calm and comfortable now that she was back at home.

She grabbed two glasses from the cubbert, some ice from the freezer, poured two glasses of soda, grabbed the bag of Doritos, and headed into the room. Tegra had prepared her snack but couldn’t enjoy them with out preparing herself so she went into her drawer and pulled out her favorite pj’s, a long short-sleeved shirt that read Daddy’s Big Baby.

Now that’s more like it she agreed while pulling the shirt over her head.

Although Tegra could see the anger on Jenine’s face, she continued to talk to her as if nothing happened, and that pissed Jenine off more as Tegra figured it would. She flopped on the bed and lay next to Jenine.

Now, this is the way it supposed to be. Best friends chillin’, watchin’ TV, and getting our munch on. Hey, Jenine, can you tell me if my breath stinks? she teased.

Jenine paid no attention to Tegra. Then Tegra blew her breath slowly across the side of Jenine’s face, chucklin’ while she blew on. She knew Jenine felt it was an abomination to have breath smelling like heated garbage. Jenine turned around laggardly sucking her teeth, trying hard not to smile although inside she was cracking up.

Tegra, I ain’t playing with you. Don’t blow your stank breath in my face, stop playing, Jenine said, pointing her finger into Jenine’s face.

Tegra was persistent in