The phone ringing startled Shelly out of her deep sleep. At first, she thought it might be her husband Don, who was traveling on business, or maybe one of her daughters who were away at college. But instead it was her sister Judy.
“Sis, I’m in trouble. I need you.” Said Judy.
Shelly had had a lot of calls like this before. Her sister had a, as Shelly described politely, a substance abuse problem. She drank too much, used cocaine and other drugs, and basically lived an irresponsible lifestyle.
“What is it this time Judy?” Asked Shelly.
“Sis, I need some money. I owe some people some money and I need it now.” Replied Judy.
Shelly had helped Judy before. She was the last in her family that talked to her regularly. The rest had cut her off a long time ago. But the last time, she had told Judy, that was it.
“Judy, I told you I could not do this anymore.” Said Shelly.
Judy began to wail into the phone. Going on and on about how bad she needed. How she was going to be in such trouble if she didn’t get the money tonight. She was going almost into hysterics. Shelly had heard it all before. Judy played mind games with her before, making her feel sorry for her. She would not give in this time.
“Judy, I told you no!” Screamed Shelly.
Judy began to wail again, and Shelly was ready to hang up on her when a deep male voice came onto the phone.
“Listen up girl. Your sister owes be 500 bucks. I either get what I’m owed, or me and my boys are taking it out of her ass. You understand what I’m saying?” Said the deep mysterious voice.
“Who are you?” Asked Shelly.
“Names Dewan bitch. And your sister owes me 500. You going to cover her or what? I ain’t got all damn night.” Said Dewan.
Shelly heard her sister scream and the sound of someone then muffling her voice.
“Judy! Is she OK? Don’t hurt her!” Said Shelly.
“The bitch is fine right now. But you got 30 minutes to get here with 500 dollars, or her ass belongs to me and the boys. Understand?” Said Dewan.
Shelly looked at the clock. It was 3:00 AM. She realized there was nothing else she could do. She’d have to hurry.
“I’ll be there. Don’t hurt her.” Said Shelly.
Shelly dressed quickly and thought about what to do. She could get the money from the ATM. How would she explain it to her husband? Should she just call the police? No they’d arrest Judy too. She decided she’d figure out what to tell Don later.
She drove quickly to the bank and pulled then to Judy’s. She looked at the clock. It was 3:25AM. She had made it. She saw several strange cars parked in front of her sisters’ trailer. She held on tight to her purse as she walked up the steps.
The door was opened by a huge black man. As Shelly looked in she saw close to 20 people. Mostly black and Hispanic men and a few women. She looked around and saw her sister at a table with several black men. She was doing a line of coke.
“Judy, Stop!” Shelly yelled.
Judy looked up with her eyes half closed and smiled. Her older sister looked totally messed up. Her makeup smeared, hair unkempt. She looked older than her 45 years.
Judy leaned back down and did another line. Shelly tried to get close to her to stop her, but was grabbed by a huge black hand.
“You got my money bitch? Names Dewan.” Said the huge black man.
Shelly turned and looked up at the man holding her. She was only 5 foot tall, weighing around 100 pounds. He held her like she was a doll. This man must have been almost 7 foot tall. His entire body was huge, his arms and chest bulging out from the tight shirt he wore.
“Here, now let me go.” Said Shelly
Dewan took the money and counted it quickly.
“Thanks, but we got a problem. Your fucking sister just did another 200 bucks worth, and I want my money now.” Said Dewan.
“I can write you a check.” Said Shelly.
“No check, cash, now.” Said Dewan.
“I’d have to leave and get more, OK?” Said Shelly.
“I’ll go with you.” Said Dewan as he led Shelly to the door.
Shelly tried to turn back and tell Judy she was going, but she saw she was pretty much out of it, plus Dewan was pushing her out.
“Don’t let her do anymore please. I don’t have that much more money.” Said Shelly.
“You heard the bitch. Cut her off.” Said Dewan as he went out the door.
They got into Shelly’s’ car and drove quickly to the bank. She asked Dewan to not hurt her sister and to please leave when they returned.
“No problem.” Was his reply. Shame he was lying. At the very point that Shelly was asking for her sister’s safety, Judy was being drug back into one of the bedrooms.