Eve Read Free Page A

him.
    Eve had been getting propositions from men since she was a young girl and just didn’t want to hear it. Most of the time they were crass with their come-ons, and others were just perverse. But this was the price she paid for being beautiful. When she had first arrived at the facility there were a few incidents where some of the less attractive girls tested her. They soon found out that her pretty face came with a devastating right hook.
    â€œWhat up, girl?” Pete asked, scratching his razor-bumped face.
    â€œAin’t nothing,” Eve said flatly, busying herself with her bag.
    â€œSo they’re letting you outta here?” Pete asked, prying further.
    â€œSeems that way, Pete.”
    â€œSo,” Pete said propping his broom against the door frame. “What you gonna do when you get back into the world?”
    â€œCan’t call it.” She shrugged. “Try to live my life. That’s all.”
    â€œSure ya right, kid. So you gonna hook up with Felon and them when you get out? Maybe get into some of the rackets?”
    â€œWho’s Felon?” Eve asked, faking ignorance.
    â€œCome on, Eve,” Pete said, leaning in closer. “I ain’t the police. You ain’t gotta lie to me.”
    â€œI’m serious, Pete. I don’t know nobody named Felon and I don’t know what rackets you’re talking about. When I hit the streets, I’m gonna try and get a job or something.”
    Pete must’ve thought that because Eve was young, she was born yesterday. Eve was hip to how Pete was getting down. She had gotten it through the grape vine that Pete was a “switch hitter.” He was one of those cats that would pump the unsuspecting inmate for information and then trade it to the brass for dope or favors. Nope, Eve wasn’t getting caught out there.
    â€œJob my ass,” Pete exclaimed. “You’re one of the top chicks in Twenty-Gang. I heard about you on the streets, kid. They say that Evelyn Panelli, aka Eve, is one bad lady. She’s always ready to get down, be it with fist or iron. The way I hear it, the streets respect ya gangsta. Not bad for a chick.”
    â€œListen,” she said, a little irritated. “That was a long time ago. I ain’t wit all that shit no more. As a matter of fact, I’m feeling a little uncomfortable with your line of questioning. Why don’t you ease the fuck back?” She looked him dead in the eye.
    Pete thought about pressing the issue, but changed his mind when he saw the murderous look that she was giving him. Mr. Thompson, who was the director of the facility, had promised Pete an eighth of dope if he could get some dirt on the young Evelyn. He had a hard-on for the girl. Pete decided that the drugs he was promised wasn’t worth getting his ass kicked or cut. Eve was quite the lethal beauty.
    â€œMy bad,” Pete said, retrieving his broom. “Didn’t know you were gonna get all sensitive about it.”
    â€œAin’t nothing,” Eve said easily. “I just don’t like people all up in my mix. That’s all.”
    â€œBreak this shit up,” the lady guard said. “Panelli, you’ve got thirty seconds to get your shit and roll out. Unless you wanna stay?”
    â€œNah,” she said throwing her duffel bag over her shoulder. “I’m outta here.” Eve took one last look at the place that had been her home for what seemed like forever and was gone.
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    Eve followed the guard down the walkway through the different sections of the facility. She nodded at certain inmates but didn’t bother to stop. As she passed through the section of the facility that served as solitary, she was suddenly halted by the sound of someone calling her name from behind one of the iron doors. Eve recognized the voice, but she knew she had to be mistaken.
    â€œScruggs?” she questioned, moving closer to the gate. Scruggs was a kid Eve used to