ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE

Amber and I drove for two and a half hours to a small town in the state of Alabama. Cricket called my phone as soon as we entered into town and she gave me an address. I put the location in my GPS and ended up at the smallest Starbucks store I’ve ever seen. There were literally 4 tables in the whole place. And we were the only customers in the establishment. There was an associate at the counter who walked over to us as we found a table and started unwrapping ourselves from our winter outer wear. The associate advised me that Ms. Hooper would be right with us and then he asked us for our order. Amber ordered the turkey sandwich, deluxe fruit blend, and tazo iced green tea lemonade. I ordered a chocolate caramel muffin, a Turkey Rustico Panini, and a tazo passion tea lemonade.

I wore a light pink hi low tank with a pair of leather leggings, a short motorcycle leather jacket, with a pair of Cloe black leather boots, and a light pink and black sequin infinity scarf with skulls over it. .

Amber wore a pair of black skinny jeans that were tight and ripped at the knees, with a black scoop neck fitted tee, with a long camel draped coat over top, and a pair of matching tuxedo flats. Amber and I started gathering our devices for the interview when we heard the front door open. We both turned to see a voluptuous goddess with long luxurious locks blowing in the wind. She wore a pair of mirrored image aviator shades, an under the knee length fitted sweater dress, a pair of ankle stretchy high heel boots, and a grey wool coat. She waived over at the Starbucks associate and he nodded back at her.

Cricket walked over to us and Amber and I both stared at her dumfounded. She smiled at the both of us and then sat down and crossed her legs. She sat across from me at our four seater. She looked over at Amber and gave her a hand.

Cricket- You must be Amber the PA

Amber couldn’t do anything but nod back at her. Cricket was magical and Amber and I both were star struck. Cricket then looked over across from me and held out her hand, in her quick movement a burst of her amazing fragrance hit me. She smelt of fresh laundry and expensive soap. I gripped her hand and we shook.

Cricket- Ms. Rayne.

Me- It’s Phoenix, just Phoenix. And Ms. Hooper it’s an honor to meet you.

Cricket- It’s Cricket and dido.

The associate came with our order then and he had a cup of something hot and a small stack of red and white cookies for Cricket. She thanked him and he went back behind the counter.

Cricket- I know Valentines is over, but I love these cookies.

She spoke aloud to us. That reminded me then. I reached down into my purse and pulled a small silver wrapped box.

Me- Cricket Happy Belated Birthday.

And then I handed her the box.

She grinned wide at me and then she opened it. She took the top off the small rectangular box and her smile grew even wider. She stood to her feet then bent over and wrapped her arms around me. I got a full good whiff of her then and it was even better than the breeze from before.

Cricket- Thank You Phoenix

Me-No thanks need it.

Amber sat up straight and strained to look and see what was in the box. Cricket turned the box around and Amber saw it was a gift card for Mac makeup. Cricket closed the box back up and stuffed it in her inner coat pocket. I noticed then that Cricket never removed her coat. The store was comfortable but didn’t seem to care.

Me- Shall we get started?

I asked her in between bites.

Me- Paula Milan would like to know- Why do you keep running from Jyme?

Cricket broke one of cookies in half and pulled off a little chunk and popped into her mouth. She chewed it and then she took a sip of whatever was in her cup.

Cricket- I don’t run from him on purpose. With my past and current lifestyle is safer for them if I’m not there with them.

Me- With that being said the next question is how could you disown your children?

Cricket eyes became glossy then and I felt bad for asking her this question so soon into the interview.

Cricket- I’ve never disowned my children. I provide for them every single month and I work like a dog to make sure they have everything that they need.

Cricket moved in closer to me.

Cricket- I am a wanted felon. They will throw me under the jail for what I’ve done. He told me, he didn’t want me to go to jail, he told me that he couldn’t stand to see me there. I would go turn myself in a heartbeat if I knew it would make a difference for them, but I know it won’t make a bit of difference.

I nodded back at her and Amber cleared her throat and everyone settled back down. Cricket sat back into her chair looking outside the window. I knew she was fighting back tears, so I moved on to the next question.

Me- Tiffany would like to know, what your best moves in the bedroom that drives Jyme wild?

She laughed a loud at this one and it made me smile.

Cricket- I think everything, he’s never complained about anything I did.

She smiled off into the distance then and I knew she must be thinking about something good, because he cheeks were flushed.

Cricket- I guess oral, I’m pretty good at that.

Amber gave a little giggle and then I moved on to the next question

Me- Shekie would like to know if you really enjoy his sex?

Cricket- Every fucking inch of it.

Me- What made you fall in love with him?

Cricket pulled off another piece of the cookie and chewed it.

Cricket- I don’t know why I fell in love with him but I do know when. It was the night we went to hear the strings play in the park. He kissed me so softly and he was so warm. And he held me so gently, I never wanted to leave that moment. Even though there were hundreds of people out there if only felt like we were the only one’s listening to them play their wonderful instruments.

Me- Do you think he would have done the same for you if the shoes were reversed?

Cricket- I think He would have everyone who got in our path and then some.

Me- How did you fell about who you really were?

Cricket- What does that mean?

Me- I’m not sure.

We both sat there and then she shrugged.

Cricket- Well I’ve had a unique upbringing I will say that. I tried living life like a normal person but that didn’t work for me. So when we couldn’t make ends meet, I didn’t what I had to do. I’m not ashamed of that or who I am, if that’s what their asking.

Me- Why do you always run away from every man you’ve ever been involved with?

Cricket- The others meant nothing to me. But him, I would have stayed with him forever. But due to unfortunate circumstances over and over again it was impossible to stay with him and them and still be safe.

Me- Do you love your sister the same, after you found out who her baby daddy was?

Cricket- Of course I do, Michaels father meant nothing to me. I love Chyna and Michael not the sperm donor.

Me- Are you and Misty still friends?

Cricket- I haven’t seen her since the casino days.

Me- Tiffany would like to know, where Chelle is at these days?

Cricket- I haven’t spoken or seen her in years.

Me- Shanta would like to know if you love Jyme so much why do you run from him? Also she added if you’re scared then why not run to those who love you, and are you addicted to the beast since you took it like a pro or is her addicted to you?

Cricket- I love him and those kids more than I love myself, that’s why I’m not there with them. They already get funny looks and stares without me being there. If I was there locked up in prison it would be even worse. I would never see the light of day or even worse they could execute me for what I did. It literally took me almost six months to be able to handle all of him and yes I think the addiction goes both ways he was the first man to ever enter into my vaginal walls and I was the first he was able to fit inside of.

Me- Shawnda would like to know, will you ever love Jyme the way that he loves you.

Cricket- I’m trying my fucking hardest.

Cricket answered the question and then she looked back out the window. Amber excused herself to go and use the restroom. While Amber was gone I turned the recorder off and I reached over and placed a hand on top of Cricket’s. She turned to look at me and her eyes were glossy again.

Me- My friend Stephanie has a theory about the situation. She thinks that maybe everything that happened was too much and too fast for you. She thinks you love them dearly but that deep down you don’t want to be there.

Cricket closed her eyes and pulled her hand away from mine. She got up and walked to the door and went outside. She walked back and forth in front of the front entrance. When Amber returned back to the table Cricket came back in. She sat back down in front of me and sipped on her drink. I turned Amber’s phone back on to the recording setting and continued.

Me- How do you feel about you and Winter’s relationship?

Cricket- It kills me inside each and every day.

Me- Do you miss the Anaconda when you run away?

Cricket- I miss everything about him.

Me- Carol would like to know if there will be a happily ever after for you and Jyme?

Cricket- I hope so.

Me- What are you waiting on to go get that fine specimen of a man.

Cricket- I have to keep the safe. I don’t know what would happen to them if I were there. Someone could be looking for me or waiting on me to show up.

Me- Melinda would like to know since the whole situation was handled then why are you still running? Why not take your family and start a new beginning with them?

Cricket- I’m still wanted for a double murder and attempted murder charges. No one is going to believe what really happened from a broke down whore like me. And for the second portion of the question, I could never do them like that. They would be on the run with me, they would never see their friends or family ever again. I can’t take their lives away from them like that.

I nodded at her and then I started gathering my things.

Me- Well I believe that’s all I have.

Cricket- No I think she has a question for me.

I looked over at Amber and she was looking at Cricket confused.

Me- Amber did you want to add something?

Amber- So why didn’t run away with Jyme after the casino situation?

Amber asked Cricket without even acknowledging me. Cricket stared at Amber and then she sat back in her chair again.

Cricket- Because I did not want my family on the run with me, they were just babies.

Amber- Do you regret killing Trey and taking the blame for Troy?

Cricket- No

Amber- Why not?

Cricket- Because my sister deserved a good life.

Amber- Do you think one day in the future you will be able to return home to your family, and assume the roll you gave up so many years ago?

Cricket- I hope so.

Cricket phone rang, she looked down at it and then she stood.

Cricket- I’m sorry I have to go now.

Me- Thank you for meeting with me.

I tried to shuffle up to my feet but when I stood Cricket was walking out the door and stepped into a black sedan. The car drove off as soon as she got in.

I turned around and looked over at Amber and she was all packed and ready to go.

Me- Excuse me

I called out to the associate.

Me- How much do we owe you?

The Associate- Nothing it’s already paid for.

He told me through his texting. Amber and I shrugged and then we loaded back up into the car and headed back home.