𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋, d. swing

𝐈𝐕

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 27, 1995

"Daddy, I wanna be a princess!" Vanessa whines. Vanessa and I been stuck in this costume store for about an hour, looking for a princess dress for her. The store is in the straight ghetto. The store's racks look mostly cleared, with only ladybug costumes hanging on. And bad enough, this store got a strong smell of old piss. We need to get outta here.

Shit, it's kind of my fault we are shopping this late. Vanessa had been saying she wanted to be a princess, but David got Stephen and me ripping and running the streets. I never really did get time to shop for her Halloween costume, let alone spend time with her. 

I grab one of the costumes off the rack and hold it up to Vanessa. "I just told you they had no more dresses, baby. You can be a lovely ladybug," I smile reassuringly at her. Vanessa looks me up and down with the meanest mug.

"I said I want to be a princess," she snaps, rolling her eyes.

I look at her, dumbfounded by her attitude, just like her damn mama.

I open my mouth to say something, but the sound of a pager cuts me off. I whip it out and scan the unfamiliar digits on the screen. "Who the hell is this?" I ask, mumbling. My gaze returns to Vanessa, who is still mean-mugging me. "Vanessa, I'll find you a dress, okay?" I say as I crouch down to her level. Probably not a good idea; lord knows what's on this floor.

Vanessa finally smiles at me. She nods and wraps her arms around my neck as if she wants me to carry her. I picked her up, holding her tightly. I carry her out of the store and through the parking lot. Her kinky, soft hair brushes up against my face. I smell the sweet hair products in her hair. It makes me dizzy, but I continue to walk.

When we arrive at the car, I gently place her down. I unlock the door and open the back door, allowing her to climb into her car seat. She fastens her seatbelt and grabs her brown-skinned Barbie doll. Vanessa refuses to go anywhere without that doll I bought her last Christmas. I don't know if she needs any more at this point.

Suddenly, I feel vibrations of my pager in his pocket as I get in the car. Taking it out, I scan the numbers again. It's the same numbers as before. This must be somebody important. I just so happen to raise my head and notice a payphone in the parking lot; just my luck. I keep leaving my cell at the house, and with me working for David, that ain't good.

Patting my pockets for change, I begin to pull everything out of my pockets. I pull out a roll of cash held together by an old rubber band. I toss it casually on the passenger seat and continue to check my pockets. Finally, I found some quarters and nickels for the pay phone.

Opening the car door, I almost left, but then I almost forgot something. I turn around to face Vanessa, still playing with her doll. "I'm gonna make a quick call. Stay here," I say. Vanessa simply nods, making me smile slightly. I exit and walk over to the pay phone.