Katy Books Productions presents an original podcast, man Hunt, written, produced and
narrated by Earl Sewell. Carmen was true to her word. She helped Luther
enroll at Malcolm X's College. Luther took twelve full credit hours and attended classes
four nights a week and all day on Saturdays. On Sundays, he and
Carmen spent their days at the Whitson Library on ninety fifth Street. Luther studied
while Carmen gridded papers and planned out her lessons. At the end of the
first semester, Luther had a three point six GPA, something he and Carmen
were both proud of. Carmen was proud of herself for convincing Luther he could
go back to school and pursue a degree. Their relationship had grown into something
she considered strong and healthy. Although Luther was still rather rough in the intimacy
department, he had improved some. Luther didn't like to eat pussy, and
Carmen felt as if that was cruel and unusual punishment. However, she did
take comfort in knowing that she didn't have to worry about Luther cheating. The
man was like clockwork and extremely predictable. He frequently called her to let her
know where he was and constantly told her that he loved her. Luther was
proud to be her man. She knew one day he hoped to be her
husband. Coaching Luther was easy for coming because he was willing and so determined
to reach his goal. He didn't allow distractions to interfere with what he had
set his mind to do. By the spring, Luther had finished his second
semester and was still holding that three point six GPA average. Since Luther had
been so focused and worked so hard, Carmen thought he'd want to take a
break for the summer. Are you kidding me? He said one morning when
they were having breakfast at the Pancake House in Hyde Park. I'm on a
high. I can't stop now. I'm going to register for summer session and
knock down another biology class, and English class and a psychology class. Luther,
Baby, are you sure you want to handle all of those classes?
That's going to be a very heavy load, Carmen, I keep telling you
you have opened my eyes to a whole new world. I'm going to continue
and I'm going to finish what I set out to do. I'm going to
make you proud of me. Luther poured some sugar in his coffee. Luther,
don't you realize I'm already proud of you, Carmen said as she cut
her sausage into white sized portions. I know, baby, but for the
first time in my life, things are working. It's not all fucked up
and twisted. I like being in control of my own future. I've never
had this type of confidence before, and I don't want to lose it.
Luther paused and thought for a moment. You know, I see people come
in and out of that hospital every day, people who are lost, confused,
abused, and have absolutely no place else to go. Every time I
see them, I think about I think about my mother. I think about
making a difference. When I was studying the other night, I decided to
put together a ten year plan. A ten year plan. Carmen was amazed.
Luther was thinking so far in advance. Yes, I'm not getting any
younger. By the time I'm forty. I want to have my bachelor's degree,
and I want to be working for the Department of Children and Family Services.
I want to be and in those board meetings with those people and those
legislators when they're working on budget, child safety issues and abuse issues. I
want to go in there and tell them like it is. Carmen's heart swelled
with pride. She could see the passion of determination in his eyes. And
don't forget children's education issues, Carmen reminded him. Of course, you can't
forget about that, but most importantly, by then, I want us to
be married. Do you really want to marry me? Luther? Carmen didn't
take his proclamation too seriously. Like I tell you all the time, baby,
success means nothing without somebody you love to share it with. Luther smile.
Okay, Billy d you better stop toying with my emotions. Carmen laughed,
but allowed herself to get caught up in the fantasy of being married to
Luther. We will have a grand house, Karmen spoke aloud, maybe four
bedrooms, one for us, one will be your office, and the remaining
bedrooms will be for our two children. Whoa no, no, no,
no, no, no, no no no, the whole hell did the
no. Luther quickly bought Carmen's fantasy to a hope. I don't want no
children. I don't want any kids. Of my own. It will just
be you and me. Wait, why, how can you be all for
helping children and not want any of your own. Carmen was puzzled by Luther's
logic. What's wrong with not wanting children, Luther said, suddenly defensive.
That's what people do when they get married, Luther, they raise a family.
The word family hit Luther hard. It reminded him of the family he
destroyed. It reminded him of the horrible secret he had been hiding from Carmen.
Well, not for us, he added, unyieldingly. I don't want
children. I don't want a family, Luther. That sounds crazy and it
doesn't make any sense. Carmen glared at him as if he transformed into a
complete stranger. Well that's the way it is with me, Luther gave his
unwavering position on the matter. He hadn't thought about the hit and run accident
for a long time. It had taken him a while to get the images
of Lena's bloody and mangled body out of his head. He would feel guilty
if he started a family of his own, knowing that he had taken another
man's family away from him. Carmen let the conversation rest for now. There
wasn't enough time to work through the issue with Luther. She would have to
get to the bottom of his reasoning if they got married. She fully planned
on having some children, whether he liked it or not. Carmen was having
a difficult debt work. Earlier in her day, she had to break up
a fight in the hallway, as well as deal with an angry parent over
their child's feeling grade. To top it off, the principal had informed her
she was getting three more students who had transferred into the district. Carmen wanted
to scream because her classroom was already overfilled. She couldn't wait to get home
to submerge her entire body into a hot tub of water. She was feeling
cranky and crazy, as well as bloated, and she was about to begin
her cycle. When she finally arrived home, she went directly into the bathroom
to run a bath, but got grossed out when she saw a black ring
of dirt around the tub. God damn you do third stout loud? How
many times do I have to tell you to wash out my damn tub after
you get out? You nasty motherfuck? She growled, Luther, I'm so
sick of your ass coming over here and leaving missus like this. She began
trying to scrub the scum out of her bathtub. The job was taking more
effort and energy than she wanted to put into it. A Carmen gribed,
then became more irritable and mad. That doesn't Luther, I'm calling your ass
to come over here and clean up this damn mess. Carmen marched out of
the bathroom and into the kitchen. As soon as she picked up the receiver,
there was someone on the other end trying to reach her. Hello.
The voice said, Hello, who is this, Carmen asked, Annoyd,
This is the operator. I have a collect call for you from Nick.
Will you accept the charge? As the operator? Frustrated, Carmen huffed yes.
There was a quick series of clicking sounds, and then Nikki was on
the line. Hey, big sister, Nikki was attempting to feel carment out.
Carmen hadn't heard from her in weeks and was now wondering why she was
calling her collect. Hey, Nikki, it's been a while since I've heard
from you, ever since you hooked up with that packer dude R ass has
been like fucking magician David Krperfield. I see you one minute and then you
disappear the next. You must need something, Carmen said, sarcastically. Why
do you have to talk to me like that? Nikki's temper quickly flare it
up. Talk to you like what. Everything I said is the god honest
truth. Carmen wasn't about to apologize for her comments. You know what,
I don't have to listen to you. I'll keep my ass right here in
jail and die because my up and the ass sister wasn't there for me when
I really needed her. Nikki snapped, jail, what are you doing in
jail? Nicki had finally gotten Karmen's attention. What do you care? It's
not like you ever cared about me anyway, not the way Daddy did.
Nikki was trying to make Carmen feel guilty. Nikki, that's not true.
I did everything that I could. Nikki interrupted her mid sentence. Yeah right,
if Daddy were here, he'd be right here right now, raising holy
hell about me being behind bars. Nikki's voice inflections were full of self righteous
attitude. Nikki, what are you in jail? Four Carmen felt a microinforming
in her tail. See that's another thing. Daddy wouldn't be asking questions.
He'd be here right now seeing about posting bail and getting me out of here.
Nikki had done it again. She made Carmen feel guilty about the incident
with their father that had happened soon many years ago. Where are you at
the police station on fifty first and Wentworth. How long will it be before
you get here? Give me about thirty minutes, Carmen's side. Bring five
hundred dollars cash with you. That will get me out on bail, Nikki
said, and hung up a phone. By seventh, Carmin was at the
police station hosting Nicki's bail. What was she arrested for, Carmen asked the
death sergeant driving on an expired license. He replied, that's it, five
hundred dollars for that. Carmen had raised her voice at the man, who
was not shaken by her sudden loud talking. We would have issued her a
ticket and let her go, but she got belligerent with the officer. The
officer became suspicious of her behavior and thought that she was driving under the influence.
When he got around of the vehicle. He searched the car and found
illegal drugs. Oh God, Carmen placed her face in her hands. Have
a seat, miss the death. Sergeant pointed to a row of benches.
They'll bring her out when she's been processed. An hour later, Nikki was
released from the lock up and strutted through the lobby like she owned the place.
She was loud, defiant, and disrespectful. That's right, she shouted.
You can't keep a sister like me locked down. Nikki had transformed herself
into something Carmen couldn't believe. She had on a short, black miniskirt that
barely came down over her ass. She had on red fishnet pantyhose, a
low cut blouse showing cleavage, and a wild assortment of hoop bracelet earrings.
She giggled as she approached Carmen and high heeled shoes that she had difficulty walking
in. Ing says that Nikki opened her arms and hugged Carmen. Nikki smelled
like a mixture of cheap perfume, sweat, and cigarette smoke. Carmen studied
Nikki a bit more. Her eyeliner was smudged, her skin was pale and
she was noticeably thinner. I know I look sexy like a motherfucker, don't
I, Nikki said, as she directed Carmen to follow her out the door.
Come on, I need you to take me back to my car before
the police tow truck gets to it. You look different, Carmen said,
not exactly sure of what to make of her sister, as they walked across
the parking lot to Carmen's car. Girl, you're still pushing around town and
that old thing, Nikki criticized. It gets me from point A to point
B. That's all I need. Yeah, yeah, yeah, come on,
hurry up. You gotta get me back to my ride. Wait a
minute, we got some things we need to talk about. Carmen was not
willing to allow Nikki to run her all over town without an explanation. Look,
if it's about your money, when we get to my car, i'll
give it to you. But we've got to get over to fifty fifth in
Ashland right now. Come on, girl, start this motherfucker up and let's
roll. Nikki was clearly impatient and dancy. What's the big damn rush,
Nikki, Carmen was taking her sweet time. My goddamn car is sitting over
there, and I've got some valuable stuff in it. Now, would you
please start this raggedy motherfucker up and take me to where I need to go.
Nikki hollered that Carmen like a deranged woman. Carmen glad at her for
a long moment as she tried to figure out what Nikki had gotten herself into.
Drugs were clearly involved. Nikki's behavior was completely blowing her mind. Fine,
I'll take you, but we need to stay in touch a little bit
better. Girl. Please, now that you're getting some dick on a regular
basis, I don't even hear your ass, Nikki said, as she cranked
down Carmen's car window. Do you mind if I smoke? Yes? I
do mind. Carmen sped off down fifty fifth Street toward Ashland Avenue. Once
they arrived, Carmen began looking for Nikki's Nissan Sentry, but didn't see it.
I don't see your car, Karmen said, that's it, right there,
the white Lexus. Kerman's heart almost stopped with fear when she saw the
expensive car. She told herself that Nikki was pulling her leg, but then
Nikki pulled out some car keys and hit a button, causing the car's alarm
system to chirp. Nikki, whose car is that? Karmen asked, as
she parked directly behind the vehicle. It's mine for right now. My man
gave it to me. But I've got to get that motherfucker away from over
here before the tow truck comes. I had to suck some serious dick in
order to get the arrest officer to delay making the call for the tow truck.
Suck some dick, Niki, baby, slow down, help me out
here. What the hell is going on with you? Are you prostituting?
Does that Packer dude have you walking the streets? Girl? Please? You're
tripping. Calm your ass down. I sucked the motherfucker's dick so that I
would have enough time to come back and get my shit. Do you know
how much Packard paid for this car? He'd put his foot all up in
my ass if I allowed the police to take that car, Nikki, Carmen
interrupted. The police told me about the drugs they found on you. Are
you dating a drug dealer? Nikki? You're you're scaring me. Carmen took
a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. Luck, don't worry, girl,
I got everything under control, Nikki snapped her fingers. I'm the magic
lady. That's what Packard calls me. Nikki. I don't think Packard is
good for you. I've never met the man, but Packard doesn't run me.
I'm Nicki baby, I'm in control. I come and go as I
please and do whatever I want. Nicki boasted, I got all them bitches
down. That big daddy's mad because he treats me like a queen and treats
them bitches like skanks and holes. I can't help it if my shit is
sweeter, tighter, and better than their ship. Even Frieda's ass has been
tripping. The more Nicky talked, the angrier she fuck all them bitches.
Oh hell no, your ass needs help. That man has you strung out
on drugs. You're coming with me right now, Carmen said, as she
was about to pull off. Oh hold on, bitch, hold on,
bitch, hold on, bitch, I am not high, bitch. Nikki
opened the car door to stop Carmen. If you're not high, then you've
obviously had some type of mental breakdown. Either way, you need help,
Carmen barked back at her sister. I don't need Joe help. Nikki's eyes
were filled with fire. Yes you do. You had me bail you out
of jail. What are you talking about? Carmen was trying to talk some
sense into her sister. Nikki suddenly burst out laughing for no reason at all,
Nikki, please listen to me. You're unstable. You need to make
a change in your life. How long do you think you'll be able to
be a stripper, karmenist I am an axotic dancer, Thank you very much,
and I can shake my ass until the day I die if I want
to. I don't need you judging me. Nikki. Give Karmen a nasty
look. Nikki, I'm not judging you. I want you to think about
the life that you want. I want you to reconsider what going back to
school she for. When I can pull down as much as two thousand dollars
in a night, on the weekends, I can pull down a little bit
more, how long does it take you to make money like that? Nikki?
This lifestyle is not you, and I know it isn't. Why are
you doing this to yourself? Why won't you allow me to help you?
You've already helped me out, big sister. Thanks, but I've got to
go. Niki stepped out of the car. I'll catch you later. She
shut the car door, shuffled up to the Lexus and got in. She
started the car and took off. Carmen sat in her car and tried to
manage her massive migraine while praying for Niki at the same time. Hi.
This is Earl Sewell, writer, narrator and producer of this podcast. If
you enjoy my voice and storytelling style, you may like some of my other
work. Please check out my other audio drama podcast called Lenny Gray. That's
l E N N I E g r a Y. It's a family saga
set in the American South between nineteen eighteen and nineteen fifty one. You can
find it wherever you listen to podcasts. Also, if you love audiobooks,
please check out Confessions and b Flat by Donna Hill, which I'm the co
narrator on. This civil rights love story set in the nineteen sixties, is
not only an audio book, but is also being turned into a major motion
picture. Do you like science fiction, then check out these audiobooks, The
Chrono Car and Time Waits for No. One by Steve Bellinger, which I
narrated. This time travel story begins in the twenty first century and travels back
to the year nineteen eighteen. Finally, check out the audio book A Season
in Lights by South American author Gregory Phillips. This is a powerful love story
set between two pandemics, the AIDS pandemic of the nineteen eighties and the coronavirus
pandemic. Thank you for listening, and please share the show link with as
many people as you possibly can.