EVERYBODY PLAYZ THA FOOL -

Episode I

 Stacy pulls up to the mall entrance and spots Sheila standing there waiting, loaded down with lots of packages and shopping bags after a marathon Christmas shopping trip.  Stopping in front of her, Stacy's 6' 3" frame, looking handsome in a blue pinstripe tailored suit with matching silver shirt and tie, short curly cropped hair freshly cut and lined, seems to effortlessly emerge from the smallish, emerald green Lexus to first open the door and help Sheila sit inside the car, then stack the packages in the trunk before sliding back behind the driver's seat.

 "Looks like you bought out the mall, Girl!  What you got in all those packages back there?" asked Stacy.

 "That was my entire Christmas shopping trip – what I didn't get today just ain't gettin' got!' said an exhausted Sheila.  "Sorry if I forgot anybody, but I will NOT set foot in another store until AFTER Christmas – unless I get hungry!"

 "Well you're better than me.  I sent my parents, my brother and sisters gift cards because I just can't deal with the shopping thing.  Let everybody get what they want and no stress on me.  As a matter of fact, I got YOU a gift card too, but I'd rather TAKE you shopping and get you what you want – I don't mind doing that for you," said Stacy.

 "Oh, that's so sweet, but you know you didn't have to give me anything.  Your friendship is good enough for me!"  said Sheila.

 "But I WANT to get you something and see the look on your face.  I LIKE seeing you happy,"  said Stacy while looking over Sheila's petite 5'3" frame, clad in jeans and a tight fitting, black knit shirt.  She was no more than a size 3.  It was 72 degrees on a comfortable Jacksonville evening, three days before Christmas, so Stacy got an eyeful of her cute, curvy figure. Little does she know that Stacy has wanted to be MORE than just her friend for quite some time.

 'Man would I LOVE to get some of that, but she's been my best friend forever and that is more precious to me than anything.  But girlfriend is hot as SHIT!' These thoughts run through Stacy's mind constantly, but the fact remains that after ten years of being best friends, maintaining that friendship is the most precious thing of all – but it's very hard when you want someone so bad… 

 "I just hope Jonas likes what I got him.  He's so particular," said Sheila.

 Just the mention of Jonas' name sparks anger and thoughts of bewilderment and within Stacy.  'Her cheatin', lyin' ass boyfriend… what the hell does she see in him?  I just don't understand it – she deserves better.  If there was any way I could get rid of his ass, I know I could make her happy…'

 "Does he really make you happy?" asked Stacy.

 "Yes, he does.  Don't worry about me, OK?  I'm fine," said Sheila.

 "I worry about you because you're my friend. I can't help it," answered Stacy as they rolled up in Sheila's driveway. Stacy got out the car, helped Sheila out, gathered the packages from the trunk and carried them into the house.  When they opened the door, Jonas was in the living room on the couch watching TV.  Neither one of them expected him to be home, since his car wasn't in the driveway.

 Stacy and Jonas locked eyes and stared each other down.  There was definitely no love lost between the two.

 "What are you doing home?  Where's your car?" asked Sheila.

 "I live here, and my sister has my car and went shopping," said Jonas dryly.  "Where were you and what were YOU doing?"

 "Isn't it obvious?  I just finished Christmas shopping," answered Sheila, and then she pointed to the table in the corner near the Christmas tree and said to Stacy,  "Would put those bags over here for me, please?"

 "Sure," answered Stacy, and placed the bags on the table and the floor beneath.  "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

 "You can get the fuck out of my house!" Jonas shot back.

 "I didn't ask you, motherfucker!  I was talking to Sheila.  This is HER house too," Stacy shot right back at him.

 Jonas got up from the couch, walked over and stood directly in front of Stacy.  He was a good three inches shorter, but a little more muscular, and it seemed Stacy's height didn't intimidate Jonas in the least.

 "You better get your bitch ass out my face before you make me hurt you, nigga," said Stacy menacingly to Jonas.

 "Look who's calling who a BITCH!" said Jonas right back.  "Nigga, you in MY house, and I will fuck you up right here and NOW, punk ass motherfucker!"

 "HOLD IT!  Please stop, y'all!  Stacy, it's time for you to go now, OK?  I'm fine," said Sheila pleadingly.

 The anger that welled up inside of Stacy was nearly uncontrollable, but out of love and respect for Sheila, it was kept at bay.  "OK, I'll go now, because you asked me.  But I am here for you if you need ever me, you hear me Baby Girl?" Stacy said while staring directly into Jonas' eyes.

 "She don't need yo' ass.  She's got me," Jonas said angrily as he stared back.

 Stacy chuckled a bit, looked Jonas up and down, and then said while staring directly into Jonas' eyes, "Yeah, Right," then stepped away and headed for the door that Sheila was holding open.  Stacy gave her a kiss on the cheek while walking out the door, and Sheila closed it behind her.

 Jonas stepped up to Sheila and started yelling in her face.  "Why didn't you ask ME to take you Christmas shopping?  You needed that fuckin' freak to go with you?!"

 "Stacy didn't go with me…" Sheila began to say.

 "BULLSHIT!" yelled Jonas, and then Stacy heard a loud crash and could clearly hear Sheila crying on the other side of the door.  Stacy stuck around listening to them argue for a long time, trying to make sure Sheila wasn't hurt before walking away, getting in the car and driving home.

Anger and revenge was on Stacy's mind all the way to her apartment.  'If I can just get rid of that punk ass, then her life would be good – I can make sure she's happy', she thought.  She took off her tailor-made suit, went to the bathroom and splashed some water on her face, and walked back to her bed in a men's white wife-beater and boxers.  She opened the drawer next to her bed and took out the shiny steel pearl-handled pistol she bought the other day – just for Jonas' ass.  She placed it back in the drawer and tried to get the argument she heard between Sheila and Jonas out of her mind.

 'Ain't nobody gonna hurt somebody I love and get away with it!  Over my God-damned dead body'… Stacy thought as she closed her eyes and finally drifted off to sleep. 

COPYRIGHT .2006, RM Green