Aston Agard
A Tangled Web
Shamika's Strand.
Have you ever been in a position and wondered "How did I get into this mess?". Well, I
do. I do everyday. I'm different though. I know EXACTLY how this mess started. It started with
"A Tangled Web".
I was at work, as usual, gossiping with the girls, early one morning before the first
clients. We all worked at the Glam Spot, THE hottest salon in town. I was a goddess on the
styling. Stylist extraordinaire. That's me. Ask anyone. I was the best. Melanie worked the nails.
She worked at a station not too far from mine. Tina helps out from time to time, and Phoebe does
a mean massage. Things were cool. That day, we had the tv on and that book show was on.
That's when I saw him. "Here in the studio today is Ethan Hawk, author of A Tangled Web".The
girls recognized him too. "Dah ain't you brother, Shamika?" Phoebe asked. I heard the question,
but I didn't want to answer. "He did in here up to the other day, ya know?!". Tina beamed. "Man
look GOOD!". Cold sweat beaded on my top lip. His voice came to me from the t.v.'s speakers.
"This new book is dedicated to my Baby Sham" he said, with a smirk. My stomach churned. I
thought of him, how he looked the last time I saw him. He had come to the salon the week
before, bringing a copy of the book. He told me, "I just had to bring you a copy.” Seeing him
always makes me taste bile, but that day, he wore the same scent. Jean-Paul Gautier. It made my
knees wobble slightly. He smiled at the others, turned on his heel smoothly and walked out of the
store slowly. Memories pawed at me. I could see him leering at me. "You'll always be my Baby
Sham," he would say, rubbing my breasts and between my legs. His touch made my flesh walk.
He'd always pin me down when he played with me, sometimes smothering me till I could taste
his smell. Jean-Paul Gautier. The day he came to the salon, the memories were too much. Too ...
raw. I swallowed vomit running to the bathroom. Puking and crying, I sat in the stall. I was back
in that small bedroom, with him thrusting away. I bawled and puked again. I don't know how
long I stayed in that stall, but Melanie came knocking. "You good?". "I'm fine". "I hearing you,
ya know. You ain fine". "I-I gon be good" I said weakly, pushing past her and striding towards
my work station. She eyed me up and down, and shrugged. "If you say so".
The sound of my name snapped me back to the conversation at hand. "Shamika?! Why
you space out so?". The girls were all staring at me. "Daydreaming" I mumbled. "Wid a brother
like that I would daydream too" Tina teased. The others laughed that sinister laugh that spoke
volumes. If they only knew. I could feel him again, and I tried to force his touch away. Melanie
was eyeing me from across the room, the same look she gave me the week before. Did she
know? Did she figure it out? I broke her gaze with a question. "Enough about my STEP-brother"
I forced a laugh. "Wha bout you an Mr. Dark and Lovely, Mels? If I didn't know you, I woulda
done ask a question. You know I like the young ones" I said, teasingly. I thought I caught a hint
of a flush in her cheeks. I patted my Blackberry absently. I had wanted to tell her what I knew
about him, but the time was never right. "Dominic good. We suppose to be goin' out later". Tina
chimed in "Watch it, Mels. If you don't keep him, I would most definitely ease lil piece off of
him.” Phoebe high-fived her. "Amen mi sista," she drawled lewdly, falling into that fake
Jamaican accent that made everyone laugh. This time it was me watching her: Melanie WAS
blushing! "Wunna know wunna could g'long if wunna want to. All he is is a source of good
wood." Something told me this wasn't exactly true, but I said nothing. We were all talking and
laughing, till the chimes on the doors told us the work day had started.
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Melanie's Strand.
The wind chimes up on my windows did singing to me as Dominic strummed my body
like a mad guitar. He smell, he touch ... EVERYTING about the man made me weak. He suckled
on my neck, sending currents to muh fingers and down to the toes. He murmured as he nibbled
down to hard nipples, lightly raking teeth over them. Jesus H. Christ, I like he bad! He does do
everyting right. He hands roamed all over my skin. I could not even return the favor. He had tied
my hands above me with a scarf. Warm tongue travelling down my belly lef' a trail that glistened
till the cold wind dried it. I did dizzy with anticipation. Dominic Maynard. Mine for a time. I
wish he would be mine for more than that, but players play. No attachments allowed. No time for
them sorta thoughts now though. He teasing me. Running fingers over the soft flesh of my upper
thighs. I know he could feel me tremble. Evil bastard. Then, he put he tongue tip on the place
that burned most. That man feast pon me for near a hour before he did anyting else ... and the
anyting else lasted twice as long. When we did together like that, I did tempted to try an' talk
about what I really wanted. I did want him. Not just the wood. I did want HIM. But players like
he does play, so I knew he didn't stayin' long. I had decide long time that I'd be the one to dictate
how things went. If I din gonna have all of him, I was to keep those feelings at bay.
"Same time on Saturday?" he asked, dragging on a pair of white Jordan's. I push up my
shoulders. Part of me was screaming "All day, everyday," but I wasn't stupid. That would mek he
run. "Man yeah," I said. I turn and back him so he couldn't see the tears settling in my eyes. He
get up, check he pockets, mussi making sure he had cellphone, wallet and keys, smiled at me and
made for the door. I had to stop myself from running an' pulling him back. It did always hard
letting him go. I flounced back in the bed. Was still warm from the hours before. I could still
smell him in the sheets. Felt good and bad all rolled into one. I must have dropped to sleep cuz I
didn't hear Andre in the house till I heard keys hitting the kitchen counter. I scramble from the
room, out to the front house, an there he was, face set up like a dark cloud. "He was here this
evening!?" Jeez. Not this again. You would think that, with me at 24, he woulda drop the
'overprotective big brother' ting by now. "He ain my boyfrien'?" (Well he wasn't, but I din gon let
he know that). "Mels ... how many women is he out there dealing with beside you?" he say,
quietly. He fold his arms across the chest. "I ainno. I don't check behind he like a certain body
does check behind Shamika. I ain no stalker." I knew that would make he stop pester me. Any
mention of Shams does make Andre humble out like a mouse. "Hmph," he grunted. "She good
though?" I know him tall, nuh? "She good. Listen, stop worry 'bout me an worry bout youself." I
cross the floor, an open the fridge. "Instead of houndin' me, why you don't ask she out?" He
mumbled something to heself, then reason " I just worry about you, Mels. You KNOW how I
feel about you an' him. You're too good for him.” He kiss me on the forehead. "Going by Fox an'
come back, Melsie,” and he was gone. I did alone again, smelling like Dominic and sweat. "I
should really bathe," I thought ... but I snuggle up in the spot Dom had left warm in the bed till
sleep knock me out.
Dominic's Strand.
Weed smoke did thick up in the crank. Did me, Fatty, Bush, Trees an' the rest of the men
in the usual spot by the bus shed in front the church. The men did talking 'bout the scenes that
dem hear bout the housing scheme lately. Trees did high as ass, so he did talking nuff. Man does
stammer cruel though. "S-s-so wunna men h-h-hear bout Phillips an' he lil niece? Get c-c-catch
in she bedroom, pants d-d-down, jerking off wid the lil girl watching".” Men holler out
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"Chaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" and "Ya lie, man!" Next man start up: "I hear that Lil June sista givin' away
pure neck nowadays.” I didn't surprise. She did a lil scabical long time, always pushing up to the
men. Dirty looks all around. Men scheming. I had to laugh. Bush turn now: "Tha' ain't nuttin. I
hear that the man that was on the t.v. the other day used to chop he sister.” "Who dah you mean,
big man?" Fatty hopped down from the high end of the wall to get close to the talk. "Man, that
man Ethan Hawk," Bush reason. He bite into a golden apple, look at it funny, an say, "He did
'pon that 'Book Talk' crap. I only watch it cuz my mudda reason she hear the story from Aunt
Gloria, who had hear it from somebody close to the family.” He pump he shoulders and keep
talking. "Hear the sista look good as rassole too. Tall drink of water. Full of form like a
secondary school.” We brek down at that, laugh an laugh an laugh. "Bush, you like you would
chop you sista if you had one though," Trees say, poppin the cork from a snap Hennessey. "Man,
I ainno. If she did look good ... maybe.” I did thinking to myself that Mels had a fine ass frien'
name Shamika that had real form too. If she did ever inch up, she did well chop. Couldn't let
Mels know that though, she might shut me off, an she did a sweet lil ting so I never used to ask
bout she friend. Anyhow, that same day did Rossie big birthday bash in Club Revolution, so I
Blackberry message Mels an' tell she that we did goin' to that. She message me back an tell me
that she did gonna bring the same friend and queer-ass Andre. Feel I don't know he ain like me?
Man does look at me stink whenever I pass through by she. I ain mind he though cuz anytime he
risk something, he would get lick down. Real talk. So later on that night, I gone by Mels to pick
she up. When I get there, she did just going in the bath, so I kick off my shoes an' was watching
t.v. Some man did on. talking bout some foolish book, but when I hear the name Ethan Hawk, it
did sound very familiar. I study to myself where I did hear the name before an I remember Bush.
Oh ho! So THIS is the sister-fucker! "Babes! I hear something today 'bout this fella on t.v.". I
hear, "Who's dah?". "One Ethan Hawk. Hear he used ta chop he lil sista. Big nasty bitch. The
sister had to be a slut too cuz she let it happen.” Real thing though, she had to like that cuz she
ain do he nuttin, nor went to the police. I hear something plastic hitting the bathroom floor tiles
so I ask Melanie if she did alright. She say she was fine, that she just drop her compact, an all the
stuff shackle out on the floor. No big thing I thought, so I continue on about what Bush told me.
She was quiet quiet though. I ask she wha' was wrong, but she say she did cool. Then she brother
come in the house, so all talk done till we did all ready. But, Melanie though. Gal did look nice.
A short bob, glasses, a cut-up white baby tee, a TIGHT short jeans that hug all the right places
over black fishnets and a pair of white sneakers. I thought she was the bomb ... until we get by
the friend. Good lord!! When Shamika step out, I had to look twice. First off, she pretty. Mel
pretty too, don't get me wrong, but Shamika like “she ain' from 'bout here” pretty. Tall, and dark,
with some strange-colour eyes. She had on this dress that did the colour of seawater. Skin tight
an’ short. Nice, long legs an’ some white high heels. I couldn't keep my eyes off them legs, even
when she catch me looking, smile, an' sat next to Mels's brother in the back seat.
Andre’s Strand.
That night was absolutely terrible. When I heard my sister say that Shamika was going to
the fete with her, I literally jumped at the chance to go along. I even did not care that that
manwhore Dominic was the one taking us, as long as I got a chance to talk to Sham. As usual,
she was exquisite. From the small beauty mark that sits under her left eye like a teardrop, and the
sexy pout of her bottom lip, to the way she plays with her hair sometimes when she laughs her
bell chime laugh, she captivated me from the first time we met. She's older than me and my
sister, but I can't tell by how much. Anyways, when she sat next to me in Dominic's Range
Rover, I nearly passed out from excitement. She had said goodnite, smiling towards the front
seats. Damn she's pretty, I thought. We talked about nothing on the way to the club, me
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stammering and rambling, she giggling politely, and asking Dominic how he was, how his day
went, if Ross was alright. I didn't mind that though, for my sister kept Dominic well in hand. I
noticed she had her hand on his thigh as he drove, and while this irritated me slightly, I hoped it
would have showed Shamika what was what. "He's with my sister, Sham, and you should be
with me," I thought.
We reached the club. I was watching Sham as she walked in front of me. She swayed her
hips slowly, bottom rolling, almost seeming to call to me. Standing in the line, she would smile
politely at me, but she would flirt playfully with Dominic and joke with Melanie. The question
'why did I even come?' was prowling in the back of my mind, beginning to claw its way to the
front, but I kept it down. At least she acknowledged my presence ... that was a start. Inside the
club, though, things got worse. After four rounds of drinks, the girls began to dance. We were in
the V.I.P. so the music wasn't too loud. Melanie gyrated on Dominic, who leaned against the bar,
sipping something green. Shamika was doing her thing too, facing the bar. I soooo wanted to
dance with her, but I just did not move. I could see her eyeing the others, a wicked look in her
eye. Dominic was watching her too. I could see what was happening, so I pulled Mels gently to
one side. "You better talk to Shamika, Melanie," I said. "I think she likes your man". She looked
at me, and I knew she knew it too. When we got back, it was painfully obvious. Shamika was
grinding on Dominic, who watched as her dress inched higher and higher. Mels stormed up to
them. I heard Shamika say, "C'mon Mels, it didn't anything like that. Besides, you should learn
to share.” I could see Mels's fists curl, and she said:
"You would know all about sharing, since you did sharing with Ethan, ya ol' whore."
Sham's face fell. Deathly serious. "Oh ... I see." she mumbled. "Excuse me then.” She strode past
me, making her way to the bathrooms. Mels and Dominic were arguing, and I drank, trying to
figure out who this Ethan was. Then, Dominic marched briskly out of the club. "Wha' going on?"
"He say I does get on like I own he or someting, an' that he goin' outside to cool he head.” She
was almost in tears. I hated him even more now. The ice in our glasses slowly turned to water as
we sat by the bar in silence. Sham came back when the ice was completely melted. She walked
right up to Mels and told her ,"Since you seem to think that I like to share, ask your 'man' (she
hung fingers in the air) if wha I now give him ain better than yours.” Same time, Dominic came
back to the bar, head low. "Dominic, wha' really going on here?"
"Baby, I can explain-"
"Don't explain. Tell the young heifer that I put it on ya an' mek ya scream out in the
parking lot-"
"Hush you. Baby, it didn't nuttin like-"
"Tha's true? You fuck with Shamika?
"That's right, bitch, to teach you a lesson-"
"I ain tell you hush up?! Baby, lemme explain-"
"Ain nuttin to explain."
"I ain had a choice."
Mels slid down from the barstool, turning to leave. "You did say that we could have him if we
wanted. Let's just say, I wanted ... and judging from how he get on, I bet he wanted too,” Shams
said wickedly. I could not understand what would warrant this from her. She was like a totally
different person. My heart burned. How could she do this? Mel stopped dead in her tracks, spun
around and ran up to Shamika with a bottle in hand. From there, things are a blur until Sham lays
on the ground, bleeding from the head. I’m holding Mel, dragging her away. Dominic is kneeling
beside Sham, mouth in an O of shock. People running out of the club, music cut.
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The Centre of the Web.
Last thing I remember that night was scuffling with Mels. Dom was between us, and I felt
a blow above my left eye. I was falling back, then everything went dark. I heard voices. She fell
and bumped her head one said. Gi’ she space said another. The voices drifted in and out. Why
was it so dark? I was lifted and it felt like I was being carried somewhere. Her neck's swollen.
Looks like C-Spine damage. What was going on? I tried to open my eyes, but they wouldn't
budge. I couldn't move either. Just this deep black hanging before my eyes. I couldn't be dead ...
could I? I could hear, so I couldn't be dead. Just trapped in my head. Soon, other voices came to
visit. Giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirl, you would not believe wha I now hear!! Tina? Yes girl, I now hear sumtin
stink! Was she talking to me? Nah, I in the hospital jus's checking 'pon Shams. So, who's she
speaking to? Phoebe, you gonna let me tell you the story or no? My cousin aunt now gimme a lil
scene ... Uh hmmm ... Guess who used to shack up wid Sham step-brother? Ethan had a woman?
One Miss Micey. Miss Can't-Mash-Ants, Melanie Watkins. The words lash me hard. What I jus'
hear at all tho? I hear he used to "supplement" she income ... Yes, girl. Mels like she did a
destitute lil' prostitute. Tina's voice trailed away. She probably left the room. I was left to mull
the words over. Another voice interrupted my thinking. Why couldn't you just like me, Shamika?
Why couldn't you see me like that? First, because you are Mels' brother, the same one that
cracked his ex-girlfriend's head for talking to Fox. I can't deal with that sort of man. I heard he
used to stalk her too. But back to Ethan though ... all this time and I never knew. My own
thoughts drowned Andre's voice but soon there was another. Why you do that, Shamika? You
know Mels did in there. Why you force it on me? Because I had to. Since Ethan , I couldn't see
men in the same way again. I had to be the one in control. When Melanie brought it up, it was
like I was right back in his room. I HAD to take control of something, someone ... anyone, and I
had to hurt her. She went too far. I knew you couldn't say no. You knew that I knew. I had the
pictures to prove it. Who would have thought that Dominic Maynard, “the girls' man”, liked men
too? In the carpark, I showed him the pics Phoebe's brother had sent me. Very ... compromising
… pictures. Something held me back from showing her that night, but I knew fucking Dom would
be killing two birds with one stone. He droned on for a while, some I hope you don't get up,
mixed with If you ever tell anybody, ya dead. Soon after, Melanie came. I so sorry. Why you
start me like that? I love he bad, Sham. I ain tell wunna so, but I love he. What you want me do?
Say sorry? I sorry for what I said. I know about you and my brother. I sorry I put you in here. I
wonder if he raped you too. If I coulda make this all go away I would. If I was never in here, I
would have never found out about you. I had actually felt bad about the whole thing, thinking
maybe you didn't deserve what I did, but whoring out yourself to the one person on this Earth I
would see dead if I had chance killed any remorse I had. She stayed there sobbing quietly. I
could hear her breathing. Soon, she was gone and a familiar scent made my flesh walk as it
always did. Baby Sham. Haven't I told you not to play in the muck with these degenerates? I
screamed for help, but no one came. I tried to move, but couldn't. He run his hand along my arm.
You are MINE, Sham. Ever since the days we used to play. When father married your mother, he
gave you to me. That was part of the deal, he said. That's right. Your mother was in on it too.
You should really stop running away, because I can have you any time I want. He was stroking
cold skin, but my mind burned. My mother knew? ALL THIS FUCKING TIME, SHE KNEW?? I
screamed and screamed and screamed but he kept his hands on me. He played with my breasts
and touched me all over. I tried to move but he kept at it until he was satisfied. I'll be back
tomorrow. Each and everyday, Baby Sham. I knew he would come back. I also knew that
whenever I got out of this bed, he was dead ... and me and mother would be having a nice, long
chat.
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