by India
“Put your hands together for the one and only, Gucci Doll.” DJ Black had announced as I got up on stage. I wiped the shiny gold pole down to clean it free of the juices that were left behind from the person before me. Looking seductive, I started to move my hips. Next, I bent over and made my ass clap. When I was sure that I had everyone’s attention, I started bouncing my ass up and down to the Soulja Boy song, SHE GOT A DONK. I jumped up on the pole, flipped upside down and hung there for a minute, while a customer slipped a twenty in between my thong. Then I did a quick spin and slid down giving the men in the audience a money shot and the crowd went wild. Even a few female customers threw a couple of dollars my way. I blew them kisses and they threw more money. I wasn’t a dyke, but some nights the lesbians were my best tippers. I was never going to stop my cash flow so I gave them what they’d come to see.
After a few more tricks and three songs later, I stepped down from the stage and went over to the VIP area where I had spotted Mario and Sam. The club was packed, standing room only, and I expected nothing less in Detroit on a Saturday. The Doll House was one of the most elite clubs in or around the city. Most of the customers were ball players, hustlers, or business men just looking for a good time. The first two drinks were on the house because the admission to get inside was one hundred dollars per person. Some people were outraged and refused to pay that kind of money to see some ass and tits but that’s how the owner weeded out the broke niggas from the ballers. “Aye what’s up Gucci let me get a dance.” A customer asked slapping me on my ass.
“That’s gone cost you.” I said pointing and smiling at the regular who was a sweetheart.
“Don’t be like that baby.” He said pretending to be offended. I smiled and then entered the intimate but comfortable space that was elevated off of the main floor. There were three other VIP areas that rented for fifteen hundred. This one rented for more and was by far the largest and most luxurious. It was plush with red carpet, black walls, two large white sofas, its own speaker system, and five poles that came equipped with dancers. In addition to your choice of two top shelf bottles of alcohol, each VIP section had a private bar with a bartender. As well as two private rooms in case you required a little personal time with a dancer. This muthafucka rents for five thousand dollars and Mario has been renting it for years. They already had gotten the party started with the drinks and the weed so I made myself at home. I rolled my eyes at the extra dancers. Instead of the five that came with the room, I counted about six more of those stank bitches in there.
“What up doe?” I addressed Mario, Sam, and the rest of the crew that were scattered throughout the room doing their own thing.
“What up Gucci.” Sam replied and Mario nodded his head. I took a seat right next to Mario damn near bumping this Asian chick on the floor. I didn’t like her ugly ass anyway.
“What up bestie?” I asked then poured myself a drink of Ciroc and lemonade.
“Just chillin’ my nigga.” He played with his smart phone. “Aye, did you handle that business for me?” He asked in his relaxed tone. Mario was a quiet guy and he believed that men shouldn’t constantly run their mouths because to him, that was a woman’s job. I looked at him and gave him the once over. He was laid-back like a boss in his Armani Exchange attire, platinum pinky ring, bezzeled out wedding band, and some earrings that looked like diamond encrusted ice chips. I smiled as I remembered the night he told me he was going to be rich one day and run the world. We were some little young-ass teens then with no destination on our GPS of life; we just handled things as they happened. He was a go-getter and I was his soldier. We’ve ended up in a few tight spots and things may not have always worked out the way we planned them, but Mario always kept his word. He sure did become rich and although he may not run the world, he sure did have Detroit on lock! “Girl, did you hear me?” He nudged me, snapping me back into the conversation.
“You know I did Mario, I got everybody straight even that damn Tonya.” I said to answer his question about handling business.
“For sho girl, thanks for having a nigga’s back.” He put his arm around me and gave me a tight hug.
“Til’ death do me.” I said using our childhood term to let each other know that we would be down til’ death did us part. We bumped knuckles and went back to socializing with the others.
We partied into the night and they stayed until the club closed. Sam had even got loose with a few chicks, so things at home with Chloe must not be peaches and cream. I had only met her a few times but I knew she came on too strong. She wanted Sam to be Mario so bad it was breaking them apart. I wanted to put her young butt on game and tell her to chill, but I don’t know her like that and it wasn’t none of my business.
Before I knew it, the clock hit three thirty and it was time for us to bounce. “Aye Gucci when you gone leave the Doll House girl? I mean damn, yo’ ass make more than enough money working for me to buy this bitch and still have a big stash left over.” Mario pointed out as we walked to our cars in the parking lot. I smiled and looked back at him as I opened my car door to get in, “I guess old habits die hard!” I said and scurded out of the parking lot.
Chapter Eleven
Chloe
It was around four o’clock by the time Sam finally came though the door. I pretended to be asleep while I watched him go from the closet to the bathroom, then finally laying down next to me, but facing the other way! I didn’t know what his problem was lately but I was sick of it. Normally, he came in and we made crazy love after he left the strip club because he was turned on. I sat up in bed, cut on the light and asked him what was the matter. He tried to brush me off at first but I was persistent. “If it’s somebody else please tell me.” I said letting my concern spill out.
“Chloe it ain’t nobody baby.” He said with a reassuring tone.
“Then why have you been playing me to the left?” I wanted to know.
“Baby sometimes you do too much, or say too much, and after a hard day I don’t want to hear that shit. I just want to come home to my girl and chill.” He said while rubbing his temples.
“What you mean, I say or do too much? I bet Mario don’t talk to Nikki like that.” I cut in.
“That’s another thing, I want you to be happy with Sam and Chloe. Stop being so concerned with making us Mario and Nikki. He’s been hustlin’ for years and I just really got started baby, so be patient…please.” Turning to look up at me with those puppy dog eyes, I had no choice but to give in, so I decided to back down until the opportunity presented itself again. I was going to make Sam, Tony Montana, if it killed me.
“Baby can I ask you a question?” Sam asked pulling at a burgundy curl on the end of my wet and wavy styled hair.
“What’s up?”
“How come every time we argue, you always think I’m cheating?” I looked down at Sam’s handsome face and told the truth.
“Because you’re fine and I’m a little jealous. Baby I see how other women look at you when we’re out together and sometimes it makes me feel a little insecure.” I was being one hundred percent truthful. I was very insecure and a tad bit jealous.
“Damn.” He said giving my words some thought. “All this time I thought the women were checking you out when we’re out together.” He laughed and winked at me. I laughed too because he always knew exactly what to say to make me feel special. I wasn’t ugly by far but I wasn’t a beauty queen either and I knew it. Sometimes, I felt my dark skin made me less attractive, and the fact that my birthmark was right on my forehead didn’t make it any better. Growing up I was teased, so almost my whole life I’ve a had a complex about it. However, Sam always reminded me that to him I looked like Kelly Rowland, who just happened to be his favorite celebrity crush. He also told me that he loved my birthmark because it gave me character, and he did remind me that I could always cover it up with make-up.
We made love for about thirty minutes which was unusual because Sam could definitely put in work. This time he didn’t even look down at me or k
iss my lips like he usually did. Instead he leaned down and buried his face in the pillow. I could definitely tell that something or someone else was on his mind.
Chapter Twelve
Nikki
I woke up from my power nap just in time to see my husband walk into our room carrying a huge bouquet of pink carnations, which are my favorite flowers and he knows it. He also had a small box in his hands that piqued my interest as well. “Eww for me?” I squealed like a school girl.
“Of course it’s for you baby. I just wanted to thank you for not only riding wit’ me for all these years but being by my side no matter what! I not only respect you as my wife but I respect you as a woman who’s bout it bout it. You my gangsta’ boo girl!” He said and nudged me. I smiled on the inside as well as on the outside. Not only had he made me the happiest woman in the world when he proposed, but he continually outdid himself almost every other day. He would bring me flowers, jewelry, cars, and money, but nothing was better than the handwritten love notes because I only got those on rare occasions. Some may beg to differ but honestly I’m not a material girl, at the end-of-the day, all I want is to be loved and respected. Some women in this game throw themselves at anybody they think may have money just for a taste of the good life. Over the years, I’ve seen it all. Groupies sleeping with the whole crew just to please the head guy and of course he doesn’t even want them after that. I’ve watched women lose their souls in this game trying to prove how much they love these “ballers.” Shit, if Mario didn’t respect me then I would bounce flat out. I didn’t marry the money, I married the man, and I’d rather be broke and happy vs. rich and miserable any day!
“Baby did you hear me? I said you my gangsta boo.” Mario said snapping me away from my thoughts.
“Yeah, you know I’m your bottom chick.” I said and stood up from the bed, kissed his cheek and placed the flowers on the end table right under the window.
“What you got up for today?” He asked.
“Nothing much but what’s up.” I asked as I rearranged the flowers.
“I wanted to have you plan a lil’ get together with everybody for a few weeks from now. Just to show the team that I appreciate all of the work they been puttin’ in on them blocks. In the last few months, we been clockin’ hella’ dollars and I don’t need them niggas thinking we over here being selfish and shit. I love my niggas and I know that they know it, but sometimes it just needs to be reiterated.” Mario laid back in the bed and stretched out, almost looking too tall for the California king-sized mattress.
“That would be nice Rio’. What type of party should this be and where do you want to have it; you know we can’t have all of them up in here.” I said as I sat on the beige chase which was on the side of the bed.
“I was thinking that maybe we can do a bowling party or something different for them hood niggas. They need to get out of grind mode and just relax a lil’. I ain’t feelin’ no clubs ‘cause you know I don’t like places where I can’t be strapped up. Most of these clubs now don’t have regular security anymore. They have cops and I’m trying to avoid the law at all cost.” He laughed and made himself more comfortable on the bed. “Anyway baby, I don’t know but I’m sure you’ll think of something.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“Yeah, I got you. Hey, where is Jr.?” I asked because I left him with Rio so that I could take my power nap earlier.
“Gucci got him. She came over while you were asleep; said she wanted to take him shopping. They should be back soon.” He said reaching for the remote to the 60” plasma mounted on the wall.
He must’ve seen the look on my face ‘cause I know my expression turned from sweet to sour instantly. “Nikkita don’t start trippin’ that’s her godson and she got a right to spend time with him!”
Not wanting to argue, I just threw my hands up and walked away. “I bet she wished he was her son.” I mumbled under my breath and left the room.
Chapter Thirteen
Gucci
“This parenting shit is for the birds.” I said in frustration as Mario Jr. had just shitted for the third time in five hours. I wrapped the dirty diaper up, carefully trying not to let it touch my nails, and carried it over to the trash. I must have let the cold air hit his little wee-wee because just as I got ready to put the fresh diaper on, his little ass peed straight in the air. I ducked under the changing table for cover. Satin, a friend of mine that I danced with, ran over from the sink where she was applying more make-up and placed the diaper between his legs to stop the action. “Damn girl yo’ ass definitely don’t need no kids.” She blurted out.
“Bitch, yo’ ass got two damn kids so of course you know what to do.” I hissed as we walked out of the restroom back into the mall. I was not motherly at all, I had no motherly instincts and I prayed to never have children. I knew that I wasn’t cut out to be a mother because I myself never had one. Her name was Nia and she was murdered when I was a baby, so growing up I lived with my dad, Leo. He was an alcoholic with no money because he drank it all up on pay day from General Motors. I pretty much had to fend for myself; put food on the table and clothes on my back.
Starting at the age of ten, I hustled with the big boys on the corner and by the age of thirteen I was stealing cars and had even robbed a few people. At sixteen, I eventually ended up dancing at the Doll House which is where I’ve been ever since. For some reason, I found security there. It was almost like a family, the way we protected and looked out for one another. Not to mention the fact that the money was good and it sure beat watching my back in the streets everyday.
“Hello.” Satin waved an acrylic nail in my face. “Did you hear me Girl? I said being a mom ain’t all that bad.
“Well it may not be bad but it ain’t for me. Shit, I’m not even sure that I would know how to love a kid properly ‘cause my ass is screwed up and I know it. With no mama and basically no father, I would need to take a class first or something.” I laughed to hide the pain that had just hit me in the heart. I was over it, and had been for a while now but the hurt still showed up from time to time and caught me slippin’.
“Aww Gucci.” She tossed a sympathetic glance my way. “You don’t need a class to learn how to love a child, it just comes natural to most people. Mines mean the world to me and kids are special because they love you even after the world has wrote you off, so stop trippin’.” Satin said as we took our seats in a booth at the food court.
As I looked at my cute god baby who was now out like a light, I thought about giving motherhood a try. I smiled at how nice it would’ve been if he was me and Mario’s but quickly shook it off because I missed that boat a long time ago. I’d been pregnant twice by him which was my little secret. Nobody knew about the abortions, not even Mario, and nobody ever would. I had gotten pregnant back-to-back during our little rendezvous back in the day. I knew a baby would slow us down and stop our shine so I put it on the back burner. I figured he would eventually ask me to be his woman; we would settle down and have children later but Nikki slipped her ass in during our last year in high-school and I gracefully bowed out.
“Yeah, you’re right, being a mother might not be so bad.” I jumped back into the conversation. “Especially now that he’s sleeping, he does look like an angel. His little ass did all that shitting and now he’s laid out like a grown man.” We both laughed at my joke.
“What’s up with Nikki, is she cool with you watching her son?” Satin had completely changed the subject, catching me off guard. She stared at me intently while waiting on a reply.
“I guess, shit she has no choice to be cool with it because I’m his god mother and you know Mario ain’t gone have no shit about that.” I stated, matter of factly.
“I’m just saying she is one hell of a woman, because if it were me, lets just say you wouldn’t be my man’s bf!” She teased and I waved her off because I knew Nikki could probably care less about little ole me.
“She’s the one with the ring, the dick, the house, the whips, and the ba
by; so why would she trip over me?” I counted on my fingers for emphasis about the number of things that she had and I didn’t.
“Because…your ass has the mistress role on lock. You’re pretty, you got a nice shape, and you’re with her man a little too damn much if you ask me.” She looked all serious and I laughed again, then continued.
“Me and Mario work good together, we make money and that’s how it’s always been, straight up! He brings home the bacon, I fry that shit up and then serve it to her ass on a platinum platter. I bet her ass ain’t complaining when she spends the money I helped him make!” I slapped the table to stress my point.
“I’m just saying she better stay on her game ‘cause if she don’t, I bet yo’ ass won’t mind stepping up to the plate.” Satin mimicked my action and slapped the table too. She always kept it one hundred. I knew she wanted to get a rise out of me but I didn’t respond because she was right. I didn’t want anything to happen to Nikki and Mario but if it did, I would pick up the pieces and keep it moving. Bottom line!
Chapter Fourteen
Tonya
I was at the mall and about to grab some Chinese food to go when I spotted Gucci and some other chick sitting in the food court. I quickly turned on my heels and headed out the door. I didn’t want her to see me with the nine bags I was carrying and go back reporting it to Nikki. See when Roscoe first went to prison, he asked me to save most of the money that Mario was giving me. When he gets out, he wants to be able to go independent rather than partnering-up. By purchasing his own packages, he could receive all of the profit. To be honest, I thought it was some bullshit that I had to save money for his ass. For five long years, instead of living the good life that I deserved, I was living off of those small ass checks every month. Had he not been locked up, I would’ve been getting way more. I mean, damn a bitch can’t go from Red Bottoms to Rainbow! So, like a real boss bitch, I decided to do things my way. I’ve been blowing money since day one, telling myself that I’d have time to replace it before he got out of jail. Now his five year bid will be up in a month and I know I can’t replace that money. So last year, I started telling Roscoe that Nikki quit sending checks over and they don’t care about us or our children. I told him I had to borrow money from my family to feed our kids because whenever I did receive a check, I used it to pay the mortgage and back taxes on our house. I know that I might’ve exaggerated a bit, but I needed to get my point across and take the heat off me. So I pointed the finger right at their asses. Better them deal with the repercussions than me.
