ANOTHER KIND OF DIAMOND (10 page)

Without further delay, she dialed Tasha’s number but that too was unbelievably out, so she went frenzy dialing up everyone she remembered that was at the party last night, yet even her best efforts produced no result. Is like everyone at the party got shot last night, or they are all scared or something, she thought. At this point she decided to reach outside the guests at last night’s event and the first name she remembered was Teri.

Picking up her phone this time she kind of tossed it around her hands awhile, and then looked at it for seconds like appealing for a favor and finally dialed. But this turned out the worst of all of her nightmarish experiences because in place of the familiar voice of Teri she expected, was a strange one ringing like bell to her ears, informing her that the number she is calling is out of service.

You are lying to me! Carissa screamed. I called Teri yesterday morning, mother fucking bastard, and I talked to him. Oh yes! I talked to him again just before the party started yesterday night and he didn’t sound like someone who was ready to disappear! I didn’t stop him from coming to the party, Isabel did! Is not like we are fighting or something so what’s going on? She was soliloquizing in tears while continuously trying Teri’s number but the strange voice stood put.

Sitting on the bed for a while she tried so hard to calm down completely, meditated for a moment before she sprang on her feet, walked briskly out of the house and moving so fast hit a doorbell in a short time. Old Miss. Brighton had to look out of the window first, but the moment she sighted Carissa, she quickly unlocked.

She too has been really terrified by what happened in the building and was desperately searching for any piece information that could help calm her old nerves. Now, she seized the chance.

Babe I’ve been worried sick about you girls! What’s going on? Miss. Brighton asked.

I don’t know! Carissa responded.

I heard the party last night was for your roommate or wasn’t it? Brighton asked in probing eyes. And then the shooting and all that! What really went on out there?

I don’t know! I’m really serious! I didn’t see a thing! I’m trying to understand what is going on just like everyone else. And something about the way Carissa said those words convinced Miss Brighton she was telling the truth.

It’s ok! The important thing is that you’re safe, Miss Brighton continued.

Thank you!

Where your roommate at?

I don’t even know! Carissa said. Actually the reason I’m here is to find out if by any chance you heard anything or saw her leave or something.

The police was here. That’s all I can tell you. They wanted to see what they could get out of me but I told them I know nothing. I don’t even understand why they came sniffing around my house. Old Miss Brighton, does that sound like someone who would party all night? I don’t get it!

They are doing what you call investigation! That’s what they told me. Carissa added.

Oh! They talked to you already? Brighton asked.

Yeah!

And what did you tell them?

Lady, I told them nothing! Am I supposed to say what I didn’t see or say what I don’t know? One thing bugging me right now is the whereabouts of Isabel ‘cause I haven’t seen or heard from her since this thing happened. I don’t even understand what this whole shit is all about. May be she knows something but you see, I need to find her first. That’s why I came to you.

Don’t worry! I’m sure she is ok wherever she is ‘cause whosoever it was that took those bullets last night was not a she, the police said he was a guy. That leaves Isabel and every other babe at the party out of it, Brighton continued.

The police told you he was a guy? Carissa asked in some sort of excitement. Oh thank God! Thank you God Almighty! Now I can say for sure that Isabel is ok and Tasha too! Did they say his name or anything about him being dead or something?

They didn’t tell me his name or whether he is died or survived ‘cause they don’t wanna mess up the investigation thing I guess.

Thank you Miss Brighton! You’ve been so kind! If anybody told me Saturday morning this would happen, I wouldn’t believe him.

I understand! That’s the way life goes! Brighten added.

And how have you been doing? Carissa asked.

I manage the much I can! What can I do to beat nature? I’m doing just as fine as I can.

When you need me help out with anything, give me a call, okay? Carissa said.

That’s so kind of you! I always have this feeling there is a great girl veiled inside of you Carissa and you need to work on that! You know what I’m talking about, right? You’ve got a good heart babe so hold on to it and don’t let it falter, okay? Let me know when you get any information.

I’ll do that! Meanwhile I’ve to run ‘cause I’ve got a lot in my mind right now but I’ll come visit some other time, okay? Continue to take very good care of yourself! Carissa said and began leaving.

Be safe now and don’t you go running around so much until we know exactly what’s going on! Brighton added.

Back in the room, Carissa decided to make a few more calls starting with Tasha and got lucky this time as Tasha’s phone began ringing and she picked up.

What’s up with you Tasha? I’ve been trying to talk to you for ages. I left you a message, right?

I slept most of the day girl! That yesterday’s stuff wore me out real bad. The party and all that shit that came up were just too much for me. I was kinda worried about you though, but when you left me the message I kinda figured you’re ok so I thought I should call when my body is done with resting. Tell me, what’s happening at your end?

A lot! Carissa said. A whole lot girlfriend! Worse for me, I don’t even have a single clue what this whole damn thing is all about but I’m thinking you might know something ‘cause I know how smart you can be in situations like this. So tell me, did you see anything at all Tasha!

No! Nothing! Everyone ran the moment the shots went out, remember? I didn’t even look back! That’s how things turned out for us last night, girl. Oh yes! But I had talked to this girl I met at the party and she said a guy took those bullets last night. Is like his name is Wallis or something like that! Tasha said.

Wallis? That’s Isabel’s guy they are talking about!

I don’t know! Tasha continued. Please don’t quote me ‘cause I’m never sure of anything I didn’t see, understand? You know, I don’t believe in gossips so we must wait until we get the exact information from the right source. I mean the Police will let everybody know what is happening on the TV pretty soon, so don’t take what you hear from other sources seriously, okay? You know I understand how these things work pretty well’ don’t you? Could be some mouthy folks spreading some nasty rumor so don’t worry about it. Whatever is going on will come out to the open sooner or later.

I know! I’ll rather take your words for it than whatever it is any other person is saying. But I haven’t heard anything from my roommate since last night? Carissa said.

Don’t get yourself worked up over that ‘cause if there is one thing everyone agreed upon is the fact that whosoever got the bullets last night was a guy, understand? Tasha tried to reassure her friend. I’m sure she is ok. Poor Isabel! The whole thing must have scared the shit out of her! Don’t forget it was her party and this kind of thing happened. That could traumatize anybody you know. I don’t even know how I’m gonna take it if it happened to me ‘cause that was one hell of a big mess. So don’t worry! She’ll surely come back home at her own time, trust me! Did the Police talk to you by any chance?

Yeah!

I hope you played it right!

Tasha you can count on me to do the best I can!

Good! I’m waiting for my turn ‘cause nobody at the party last night will be left out. For now I wanna get myself something to eat before I get ready for the Stripe club. Babe I’m on tonight. I’ll talk to you again soon, okay? You take care of yourself, bye! Tasha concluded.

Carissa thought over what Tasha said and wondered if she was right about Wallis by some chance. Is Isabel with him in the hospital? Is he dead? A lot was going on in her mind all at the same time. In the face of it all, she took out a short time to shower and managed a small breakfast before calling up more girls from the party to see if she could get more feedback, anything to support the Wallis angle. Instead one of the girls, Desha was saying something about the birth day cake. While she ranted, Carissa noticed incoming call; hold on for me Desha! I’m gonna get back to you, okay? A look at her phone and her eyes almost popped out. Unbelievable! She uttered. Isabel! Is that really you?

Yeah! Isabel responded in a weak voice.

Know what; let me discharge this girl on my line so hold on, okay? And in a short while she returned with, Isabel are you okay?

I’m fine! What about yourself?

I’m ok too, other than I’ve been terribly worried! There was no way of me knowing what’s going on with you ‘cause you didn’t call.

Stop worrying Carissa! I’m fine! Tell me something, have the Police been there?

Yeah! They came sniffing around the building as usual. I was hiding in the laundry room when they went into the apartments but I understand they talked to a lot of people. They might have knocked on our door too, I don’t know, but they later got at me! How could they miss! Carissa continued.

Did they talk to you? Isabel asked.

Yeah! Where are you at?

I can’t say much now, Isabel said.

You’ve been okay? Carissa asked.

Yeah! I’m fine and I’ll see you soon.

Wallis was on the wheels taking Isabel back to the apartment while she was talking. In less than 30 minutes, his car came to a halt at 889 Wilkinson Street and both of them went into the apartment. The moment Isabel walked into the house, both girls hugged each other and held on like they didn’t want to let go. Call it off girls, Wallis said. Carissa’s eyes immediately went in his direction and that was the confirmation he is well and alive, a secret thing she kept to herself and continued chattering with Isabel.

Taking another look at Isabel, Carissa sensed immediately that something much more was going on with her roommate. She did not look like she had eaten, showered or even brushed her teeth the whole day and was acting so off bit. Are you sure you’ve been ok? She asked again.

Why do you keep saying that! Anyways I don’t even know whether I’m ok or not and I think you should quit bugging me with that right now. Isabel bellowed.

Why are you screaming at me when both of us have same situation on our hands?

I said quit questioning me, okay? That was my show last night, that’s why I’m acting like that! It was my party that got messed up and you know how much I prepared for that show and you understand what it meant to me! But then some punk decided to throw everything I labored so hard for up in the air. Come-on now Carissa! Think for a minute how that is gonna work for you if you’re in my shoes. Babe we got to be real here!

I understand! That’s why I’ve been so worried about you! You need to calm down though ‘cause we can’t change nothing now, Carissa tried to reassure her roommate.

I’m actually doing much better than I thought considering what I’ve been through these past hours. I don’t know who else can take all this and still standing! You said the Police been here, right? Isabel asked again.

Yeah!

While the girls continued talking, Wallis interrupted to take his leave yet Carissa never said a word to Isabel on the rumor about him being the guy that got shot last night. Like I said, she continued instead, they caught up with me at the Laundry room and tried getting me to say some, but I had nothing to sell so they left me alone.

What exactly did they say to you? Isabel asked.

You know, things like, where you at the party? And did you see anything? And what am I supposed to tell them Isabel? What? I didn’t see a thing and God knows I’m telling the truth. I know I lie a lot, understand? But that was the truth. I denied I was at the show though. I know it was a dumb thing to do but that was the best I could at the time.

You did a smart thing Carissa! You talked to some of your friends already, right?

Yeah!

And none of them saw or heard anything? Isabel continued probing.

The whole thing happened so fast, remember?

I know. Isabel responded. Do you think anyone in the building knows something?

No! I doubt. Only two guys from the building were at the party and I believe they are hiding somewhere ‘cause I haven’t heard a sound from them since last night. The only thing I’m sure about right now is this, whosoever it was that took those bullets last night for whatsoever reason was a guy, Carissa said.

How did you get that? Isabel asked anxiously.

The police talked to Miss Brighton, the lady at apartment 48 and told her a guy took those bullets last night. Babe, know what this whole thing smells like? Something taken out of the fucking horror pictures and I desperately seek to figure it all out. Right now, I’m so confused, understand? Carissa continued.

Me too! But don’t worry! I’m sure we will find out what is going on one way or another! I’ve been with the Police too! Isabel added in a casual manner.