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No charges.
But that didn’t mean that Charlie was out of hot water yet. She was still on the stove. Mona and Ahbou needed to do some persuasion and coercing of the victim. They went to pay Wanda a visit at the hospital.
“Charlie Brown has been released,” Mona told her.
Wanda became perplexed by the news—angry too. “Do you see my fuckin’ face?! That bitch is a fuckin’ maniac!”
Calmly, but assertively, they explained that they had two witnesses who gave statements saying Wanda had brought the acid to Charlie’s apartment once she found out that Charlie had sex with her boyfriend. The statement continued to say she had somehow tripped and the acid fell over on her.
Wanda was stunned by the bullshit statement. “What? Are y’all fuckin’ serious? Look at me, do it looked like I did this to myself by accident?”
Mona coolly asked her, “Did Charlie and your boyfriend have sex?”
“Yes, but—”
“Did y’all have an argument over it?”
Wanda hesitated and reluctantly replied, “Yes . . .”
She observed them taking down notes. She was unaware that the detectives were connected to Charlie—that they were business partners in the drug trade. However, it was obvious that they were taking Charlie’s side for some reason and were turning things around on her, making it appear as if Charlie was the victim to a horrendous crime.
When it became clear to Wanda that Charlie wasn’t going to be prosecuted and pay for what she did to her, she flipped out. She started screaming and crying hysterically for the detectives to see. The nurses had to rush into her room to calm her down by sedating her.
Before leaving the room, Mona told Wanda that they had dusted the glass jar for fingerprints and found none belonging to Charlie. She also mentioned Wanda’s long rap sheet.
As Wanda was calming down from the sedative and was gradually drifting off to sleep, she couldn’t understand why any of this was happening to her. It was a bewildering situation that made Wanda want to commit suicide—because she looked hideous and Charlie was going to go on with her life without any consequences.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The lights in the auditorium were dimmed and the audience was quietly engrossed in what was happening on the stage. They were watching a Columbia University student performance of Aida. Once a popular Broadway musical, this rendition of the play was being shown in two acts. Among the audience in the packed house were Mecca and Chanel. They were immersed in the play, mesmerized by the phenomenal singing and acting.
Chanel was amazed by the campus and Mecca’s life. Mecca was accomplishing big things, but it made Chanel feel like life was passing her by. She continued to carry the guilt of what happened to Mateo, feeling that he was fucked up because of her. Mecca’s situation made Chanel want to press the fast-forward button on her life to her own wedding date. It felt like she was just existing—trying to survive day by day.
She sat next to Mecca watching the play with a smile on her face, but she couldn’t fully enjoy the experience. Chanel knew she was constantly thinking selfish thoughts and she didn’t like herself much for it. With Pyro and Mecca’s new love, Chanel felt insignificant again. It was now all about Mecca, as it had always been about Charlie or Claire. Mecca had the man. She would have the ring. And Mecca would have the wedding. Although Mateo was on the mend and they undoubtedly would have a future together, it was her present rut that kept infiltrating her thoughts.
After the play, the two girls decided to go get something to eat at a popular university hangout called Hang Time. They took a seat at a tetragon table and ordered two drinks.
“I’m glad you were able to come out and spend some time with me,” said Mecca.
“It’s my pleasure. I loved the play,” Chanel replied.
“Aida is one of my favorites, and the school did an amazing job reenacting it.”
“They did.”
They took a sip from their drinks and smiled at each other.
“So, how are you holding up, with Mateo still in the hospital?”
“I got my good days and bad days,” replied Chanel.
“Don’t we all?” Mecca said.
Chanel felt slighted. She thought, What bad days are you experiencing right now? She wanted to say something sarcastic, but she replied, “We just gotta have faith that things will get better, right?”
“Of course, and they will for you, Chanel. I know you’re strong.”
They ordered their meals and continued with their chitchat. When their food was brought out, Mecca said to Chanel, “Sooo, I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
