Philadelphia by Treasure Hernandez Page A

Whatever.” She handed him the money.
    â€œThat’s a start. Now how about a little somethin’ else?” He gave her his best seductive look.
    Billie couldn’t believe all these boys on the streets trying to act like men. She could just tell that this kid had no idea how to seduce a woman and everything he was trying he learned from television. She almost felt bad for him. Then she remembered he was a drug dealer ruining her city.
    She needed him, though, so she played along. With a seductive look of her own she said, “We’ll see what we can work out, young’un.”
    That was enough of a yes for the boy. He jumped into the passenger seat, leaving the rest of his posse on the corner.
    Billie quickly pulled away from the curb, making sure she kept the boy in the confined space. The anticipation she started to feel about getting her information had adrenaline coursing through her veins.
    â€œYou in a hurry,” the boy commented.
    Billie didn’t realize, but the adrenaline was causing her to really step on the gas and speed down the street. As soon as the boy pointed it out, she eased off on the gas pedal.
    â€œOh, yeah. Sorry. I guess I’m just excited about getting this guy off my back,” she said.
    â€œWho is this nigga?”
    â€œJust some guy I met at a bar. I wouldn’t be having this problem if I was in Phareed’s stable of women.”
    â€œWhy you ain’t with Phareed? That’s where you make the money.”
    â€œThat’s what everybody keeps tellin’ me, but no one will introduce me. I’m new to the city. Just moved here from Pittsburgh.”
    â€œShit. That’s what you want I’ll take you to Phareed. Me and that nigga is tight.”
    â€œReally?” Billie couldn’t believe her luck.
    â€œYeah. I’ll take you to him now.”
    â€œJust tell me where to go.”
    The young man directed Billie on to South Columbus Boulevard. They headed south, passing the USS United States and then taking a left onto South Columbus Avenue. They drove parallel to the river for a little while.
    â€œPull in here.” He pointed to a parking lot on the left.
    Billie followed his directions. They passed an empty trailer as they drove through the open chain-link gates. Billie looked at the young man with uncertainty on her face.
    The young man smiled at her. “Keep going.” He pointed straight ahead.
    Determined to finally meet Phareed, Billie obeyed and drove slowly across the expansive parking lot, heading toward the Delaware River. Close to the end of the parking lot there was a dirt road to the left that Billie was instructed to turn down.
    The sun had finally set, and Billie turned on her headlights. As soon as her lights illuminated the darkness and she pulled onto the dirt road, she saw a rusty old water tower rising in front of her. Getting a bad feeling, she stopped the car.
    â€œWhere are you taking me?” She looked at the young man.
    Before she knew what was happening, the young man punched her in the face, snapping her head in the opposite direction. Blood immediately started flowing from her split lip.
    â€œBitch. I ain’t gonna act like your pimp. I am your pimp. You my bitch now.” He threw a series of heavy blows to the back of Billie’s head, causing her to see stars. She fought to stop herself from passing out as she covered up to protect herself from his vicious punches. The moment there was a pause in the onslaught from the young man, Billie opened the car door and ran.
    â€œBitch!” The young man jumped out and chased after Billie.
    Billie ran for her life toward the water tower. She looked back and saw the man was in pursuit and gaining quickly. Billie tripped as she turned back around, and fell into the bushes in front of the water tower. In a matter of seconds the man was on top of her, sitting on her back, pinning her face into the dirt.
    â€œYou feisty, huh, bitch?