CHAPTER FOURTEEN
1999- Party People
Mundo came to pick me up for the loft party only 20 minutes late, which for him was the equivalent of being 10 minutes early.
The first hint that this outing might not turn out to be my civilian fantasy date was when I saw that Cabrón was at the wheel, and he was wearing an obviously new ensemble- tan pants and what looked to be a light blue cashmere sweater with a low v-neck, like a Caribbean Carlton Banks. His hair was freshly cut and those Dominican waves were popping.
Something was telling me that ‘Brón was on call for more than chauffeur duties that evening.
Mundo opened the door to the back of the car for me. “After you,” he said then slid in beside me.
“Hi, Brón,” I said, my cordial tone laced with a bitter edge. “You look nice tonight.”
“Yeah,” was his terse reply.
I smoothed my dress over my knees and crossed my legs.
Already, this was not the night I’d hoped for.
Cabrón was blasting a reggaetón mix cd at an obnoxiously loud volume. Mundo told him to switch up the music.
“Put on that Sade CD I have stashed in the changer.” Cabrón did as he was told and soon enough, “Paradise” was pouring out of the speakers. We spent the rest of the ride more or less in silence.
Traffic heading towards the Manhattan Bridge was insane, but we eventually made it to the Bridge Street loft building. Mundo told Cabrón to find a parking spot nearby and just sit tight until he was needed. As I got out of the car, I turned and gave ‘Brón a very brief look, hoping this would be the last time I’d see him until he was pulling back up to take us home.
Once inside the party I allowed myself to relax a smidge. Just a smidge. I was trying to hold out hope that tonight would be a successful outing, but I was having my doubts.
I took a look around- the crowd was a nice mix of famous rappers, street royalty, industry workers and the usual sprinkling of video girls, Mariah Carey backup dancers and other folks who looked vaguely familiar. The air was thick with possibility. I was so happy to be there.
Mundo guided me over towards the DJ booth- Spinna was on the mix.
Mundo squeezed my waist and told me he was going to get us a couple glasses of champagne, then headed off towards the bar. I stood right by a speaker, wondering why this was happening. Is this how civilians act?
When he finally made it back to me, only one glass of champagne in hand, Mundo said he ran into someone he knew from Newark. He smiled and handed the glass to me. It was hard to hear him above the music, but I got the gist.
I grabbed his hand and led him away from the gigantic speakers, so I could hear whatever ridiculous story I knew was about to emerge.
“Jersey, Mundo?” I asked, once we were in a quieter area. “Okey doke.” Back then I didn’t know his family’s connection to the Port.
“Did you forget who I am, Eula? I’m Mundo World, remember?” He teased and then continued on with just the bullshit I knew was coming.
“He’s got a little side business going that I think it would be good to jump on,” he explained. “And I know- this is supposed to be our night. Do me a favor and sit tight while I link him with Cabrón. I promise I’ll be right back.”
And then he was off. Heading back towards the exit. Leaving me standing by myself, as party people all around me laughed and chatted and danced and kissed and had fun. Together.
I glanced at my Tag Heuer- it had only taken less than 15 minutes for Mundo to turn our special date night out into a business opportunity.
“Fuck it,” I said to myself, and hit the bathroom to do a bump of coke.
As soon as I was back in the main room, DJ Spinna started playing “Get Involved” by Raphael Saadiq. I headed out into the crowd and started dancing with myself.
I really did try to enjoy the act of shaking my ass as the teensy bit of coke worked its way through my nervous system, but I was a little too busy trying to keep my eye out for Mundo.
About 15 minutes later I clocked that he was back, standing close to the loft’s entrance area with this mysterious Newark associate- a slightly older gentleman dressed in a midnight blue Wu Wear track suit. As soon as I saw Cabrón enter I made my way off the dance floor, walked toward them and stood slightly off to the side, kinda hovering, but then again kinda not. I watched as Mundo introduced Cabrón to the out of town connect. It was easy to see that a deal was in the works. How much money would this one put in Mundo’s pocket?
Once business was wrapped, Mundo walked me to the bar and ordered two more glasses of champagne. He asked the pretty bartender to put two maraschino cherries into my glass. He handed me the flute of bubbly and said with a tight smile, “Sorry to do this, love, but let’s toast each other and head out. It's not a good idea for us to be around when Petey and ‘Brón complete the transaction.”
Mundo called one of his known and trusted limo drivers, since Cabrón had taken off with the Volvo.
After we’d finished our drinks, we had just enough time to say one last good-bye to Mr. Newark. There was a nondescript Lincoln Towncar waiting for us by the time we hit the street.
Traffic was surprisingly light on Flatbush Ave. As we made a left onto Myrtle, Mundo leaned forward and told the driver, “Oyé, Papa, make a stop at Kum Kau. Gracias!” He gently leaned against me and said, “I feel like bringing some lobster fried rice back to the crib. I’ll get you a pint of veggie lo mein, extra spicy- just the way you like it. And if we spot an open liquor store on the way I'll get us a bottle or two of Veuve.” That further aggravated me, because I’d already spent so many times ordering Park Slope Chinese for us whenever we were having “alone time” at my place. Kum Kau was really good, but this was supposed to be our big civilian debut. Stopping off in Fort Greene for take-out Chinese was NOT an upgrade.
I sat in the back seat of this beat up sedan as Mundo ran in to Kum Kau. It was packed. This was gonna take a while. I tilted my chin up and rested my head against the back of the seat, staring at the roof of the car. Barry White was on the radio, growling how he can’t get enough of some girl’s love, babe. I sighed.
I was a dope addict and a hot mess. Mundo was obviously involved in some far-reaching illegal shit and his avoidant tendencies were starting to show.
It was time to admit to myself that I was never gonna live the fantasy.
Not in this lifetime, at least.
