Free Everything is Everything Book 2 by Pepper Pace Page B

It’s like that movie where all humanity is turned into aliens because of one little spore that spread and infected the human race. That’s what I think is going to happen to us all because crack cocaine is that spore.”
     

     
    “I’m going too.”
    Scotty scowled at Vanessa. “I don’t know why you’d want to do that. I told you this is just business.”
    Scotty had just gotten out of the shower and the argument was still continuing as if it hadn’t stopped.
    His mistake was in using the word ‘party’. It made Vanessa think that he was going there for that purpose.
    He’d come home after his meeting with Phonso and had announced that he would need to stop by the party.
    Vanessa had been busy boxing their things up. They wanted to be moved in to Miss Gloria’s house by the weekend and while there wasn’t all that much to pack, it still had to be done.
    She had her hair up in a high ponytail and she was wearing shorts and a flowing peasant blouse. She had a smudge on her nose and dust bunnies clung to her in spots. She gave him a stern look at his announcement.
    “Scotty, tell me the truth. Are you going back into that life?” She brushed back a strand of sweaty hair that had fallen into her eyes. She was hot, annoyed that she was going to have to put her dreams of starting out in their own home on hold. But more importantly she was afraid that Scotty was going to be tempted by the easy money.
    He shook his head and walked into the kitchen. The response was not only a denial but also frustration at her lack of trust. Every time she asked the question she showed that she didn’t have faith in his abilities to take care of her—of them all.
    “Vanessa, I don’t intend to lie to you about anything. I’m going to that party because Phonso told me some disturbing things and I’m only going for that purpose.
    Vanessa got up and followed him into the kitchen where he went for a glass of ice water.
    “I’ll go with you. What time-“
    “No.”
    Vanessa wasn’t sure if she heard him right. Did he actually just tell her no as if she was a five year old asking for a cookie before dinner? She watched him as he silently gulped down his water and set the glass on the counter before he continued.
    “I don’t want you there. Its a party where they try to get people interested in this crack cocaine that I told you about.”
    “But-“
    “People are going to be getting high and rowdy, but worse is that they’re going to be smoking that shit.” He thought about Phonso’s reference to the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers. It hit home because he’d also had a similar feeling about the drug.
    “Scotty, I’ve been around drug use before.”
    He reached for her and pulled her into his grip. She came reluctantly.
    “I know you’ve seen it. But this crack cocaine is something different. It’s causing trouble and I’m worried about G.”
    Vanessa looked at him in concern. “G is hooked on it?”
    Scotty nodded. “Apparently from what Phonso told me. I don’t want him in over his head and be too busted up to know.”
    “I still want to go.”
    “Vanessa …” he released her and headed for the bedroom so that he could get ready.
    “Scotty I’m worried about G, too, and Phonso.”
    “Not much we can do about other people, but I’ll know how bad G is in by being there. As for us, we can hit other parties where we can actually enjoy ourselves. Babe, I got to get showered.”
    Scotty stripped out of his clothes and dumped them into the laundry basket and then headed for the bathroom to shower.
    Again Vanessa was struck dumb. Did Scotty just end the conversation like she was five and asked to stay up past her bedtime?
    Once he got out of the shower Vanessa continued the discussion .
    “The reason that I want to go is because I’m a grown ass woman that make my own decisions, Scotty.” Scotty could hear that Vanessa’s voice was still calm but she was pissed at him.
    He glanced at her as he pulled on