Page 253 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

Maria reaches for the remote next, turns the volume down on the TV. “Mannaggia…” she mutters. “Did Andrew tell you about that call? It’s okay. More bad news, that’s all.”

The speaker hisses,

Celie’s voice slapping my eardrum:

“Oh nah.

“Oh hell nah. Bitch⁠—

“There’s panties under this bro’s pillow.

“I repeat: panties under the pillow.

“PILLOW PANTIES.

“I’m holdin’ them.

“I’M HOLDIN’ THEM.”

My blood stops flowing.

Just stops. Mid-circulation.

Celie gags. “They’re warm.

“Is this you? Tell me this is you.”

I break out in a cold sweat.

My eyes widen. “What brand?”

Paola tilts her head. “What brand?”

“Of bad news,” I say fast. “Bad news brand. What kind we talkin’? Like… ‘missed your appointment’ bad news or ‘you got a week left before the Reaper snatches your ass’ bad news?”

Paola and Maria exchange glances.

Then Paola starts, “Andrew thought he could charm someone into puttin’ Maria back active on the list…”

But Celie’s voice smothers sound⁠—

“HANRO,” she whisper-yells.

“HANRO—

“Havin’. All. Nice. Rich-bitch. Options?

“Yeah, Allie… Allie—that’s gotta be you.

“These your ninety-dollar bougie coochie covers, right? Under this man’s pillow? Girl, he sniffin’ your vulvaroma.”

Maria and Paola are talking.

Their lips are moving.

I’m smiling, nodding, agreeing.

But my skin’s burning up.