Killafornia

XIX.

Killafornia

Vanity

CJ didn't come last night, which left me worried sick. It was hard to sleep without him right there on his side of the bed where I knew he wasn't out. All night I tossed and turned, called, sent texts and looked out the window to see him walk up the driveway but there was nothing. Finally I couldn't call him anymore because his phone died- he never turned it off. I tried to call his business phone- after prying it out of Chastity since she knew he didn't like personal people having that number but since she used to be a buyer she had it- and the business phone was left on his desk. I then tried calling Rack City but there still no answer, even Chastity tried but nothing.

The home phone was constantly ringing but none of us answered. We'd just let it ring and then hear the messages being recorded, it was the police station asking to return their call but I was in no position to. Their Nana had gone down to her room in tears about what was going on. I could hear her sobs and her blowing her nose since the house remained so quiet. It broke my heart that her grand kids, that she raised turned out this way. Hearing her say she was disappointed that CJ went to dealing drugs and Imani turned to prostituting... it's terrible to hear that and I wanted to go in and comfort her but her door was locked.

"Have you heard from either of them?" I asked Chastity when she came into the room, closing the door behind her. She was outside on the step for most of the early morning smoking cigarettes to pass time and try to get a hold of either of them. "Urban at least reply to you?"

"Urban knows nothing. Rack City hasn't replied to shit. CJ's an ass and not replying to me like usual." She said. "What's up his ass now anyways? I swear that nigga just suck up everything." The nicotine still heavy on her breath but she sat on the bed with her back to the wall and she leaned up against the other wall with the window. Her hair blowing when a strong breeze blew in, she continued to look out.

"His sister is doing things she really shouldn't be doing and now they're caught up with the law again." I said short and sweet and she gave a nod. "I just want to know where he is and that he's okay. I knew he wouldn't come home last night." I should have gone with him. "What if he went out and did something to get himself in trouble?"

"He's not stupid, V. Last thing he wants is anyone else after him, including feds. I bet he kicked it at a friends house. Maybe he went out with Rack City and the two got out of town for him to get away from Imani or some shit, I don't know." She shrugged. "You wanna go to Rack City's and see if he's there?"

"Can we?"

"Let's go. I just need to get gas for his car and then we can head over. Get dressed, I'm gonna look up where the nearest gas station is." She said pulling out her phone and I got off the bed, quick to go to the dresser. I pulled out some basic solid black sweats and a red tank top, not really caring on my attire. Stepping into some slide in slippers and going to the bathroom to brush my teeth, I saw Imani's door still closed so she's probably asleep. I'll leave her a note right on the counter letting her know I stepped out for a little bit. I shouldn't be gone too long, it's just stopping by Rack City's house to see if CJ is there or if he knows where he is.

***

The rest of Rack City's cars were parked in his driveway as well as Chastity's car and that gave me high hopes. There was a light on upstairs and I waited for Chastity to park the damn car so I could finally get out.

"Open up, Rack City!" Chastity yelled as she knocked on his door and then kept ringing his doorbell. I laughed because she was jumping to try to see into the window that was above the front door. "Stupid window like twenty feet high-"