by Deja King
"Well, call yo' moms."
"She at work. She don't get off until late tonight."
"You betta call Big Anthony and tell him to get his ass over here and watch his son... shi-i-i-t!"
Simone stared at Tierra with her mouth frowned up, trying to determine if she was serious with the suggestion before responding. When Tierra didn't hesitate with her proposal, Simone responded, "We'd be better off wrapping the baby up and carrying him in my purse, `cause ain't no way Ant gon' watch his son so I can go out hohopping wit' you."
Tierra sat down on the living room couch exasperated. "I can't believe this shit! I finally hook you up with a fine, rich nigga, and you `bout to fuck up the game plan `cause you can't get nobody to baby-sit. See, that's why I ain't got no damn kids, `cause they ain't nothing but money blockers."
"Tierra, don't you think I want to go on this date bad as hell? I'm so tired of being broke. Ant barely wanna buy Pampers, but he still be sniffing around the pussy like he got it on lock. Being pregnant and then trying my hardest to lose this baby weight has had me out of commission for a minute. Ain't but so far some food stamps and a welfare check can get you every month. I need a nigga to start bringing some money up in this crib... immediately!"
"Shit, you preaching to the choir," Tierra said, determined to make this group date happen. See, Tierra knew that if Simone clicked with Renny, that meant more group dates would follow. And the more she stayed up in Radric's face, the more chances she would have to get him to lace her pockets. In her mind, this set-up would be beneficial to all parties involved. The niggas would have easy access to pussy, and she and Simone would have easy access to their wallets.
"Hold up! I know exactly who to call. She always comes through for me," Tierra said, picking up her cell phone.
"What's up, girl," Nichelle said, quickly answering her best friend's call.
"What you doing?"
"About to go get something to eat with Carmelo. Why what's up?"
"I need for you to do me a huge favor."
"Sure, you know I got you."
"I need you to come over Simone's crib and watch Lil' Anthony."
"Okay, when?"
"Now."
"Now? But Carmelo just picked me up."
"Girl, you know I wouldn't be stressing you if it wasn't important."
Nichelle let out a deep sigh, knowing she could never say no to Tierra. "Okay, I'll have Carmelo drop me off."
"Thanks, lil' sis. I knew you wouldn't let me down. I'll see you shortly."
"What was that about?" Carmelo questioned, seeing the distress on Nichelle's face after she finished her call.
"I'm sorry, baby, but I need you to drop me off at Simone's so I can baby-sit."
"Why the fuck you gotta baby-sit for Simone?"
"Tierra asked me to, and you know I can't tell her no."
"I don't see why not. Ever since I met you, you bend over backwards for that chick. I know that's your girl, but damn!"
"She's more than my girl. . .she family."
"Okay, I get that, but she got you babysitting her girl's kid! Come on now! It seems like she taking advantage of y'all's friendship."
"Nah, I'm mad cool wit' Simone too. Regardless, Tierra has done so much for me I could never feel like she's taking advantage of our friendship."
"You say that now, but everybody got a limit, and believe me, one day Tierra will push you to yours."
Nichelle heard what Carmelo was saying, but it didn't ring true to her. She had no limit when it came to her friendship with Tierra. When Nichelle and her mother finally got out of the homeless shelter and got housing in one of the projects in Queens, Tierra was the first person to befriend her in the complex. With Tierra being four years older than Nichelle, she became like the big sister she never had.
When her mom would have to work long hours, it would be Tierra who stayed with her. When girls in the neighborhood would try and bully her, it was Tierra who would step to them with balled fists and let them know it wasn't going down. And as Nichelle began blossoming into a young lady, it was Tierra who taught her how to style her hair, put on makeup, and even bought her clothes that Nichelle could never afford. Tierra could do no wrong in Nichelle's eyes.
She admired how Tierra seemed to have all the men chasing after her and would hustle them for their paper, something Nichelle never had the confidence to do. By the lustful stares dudes would constantly give her, Nichelle knew she wasn't a busted chick, but no matter how attractive she appeared on the outside, there was always that underlying feeling of insecurity she harbored inside. And that was what she admired most about Tierra-her confidence and generosity.
It was Tierra who used some of her trickin' money to get Nichelle the braces she desperately needed, but her mother couldn't afford. Kids would tease her so badly about her stacked teeth, that she would sometimes come home in tears. Tierra wasn't having none of that. At the time, she was messing around with some balling, out of control cat in Brooklyn, and she made him pay for everything. That was just the type of person Tierra was, and because of that, Nichelle would forever be loyal.
"You sure Nichelle is coming?" Simone asked, Tierra as they stood at the top of the stairs in front of her apartment building.
"Girl, yeah. You know Nichelle always got my back."
"Well, what's taking her so long?"
"It ain't been that long, and who knows where they were coming from. They could be stuck in traffic or anything. But trust me, if Nichelle said she will be here, then it's as good as done."
"Oh shit, here come Radric and Renny now!" Simone said, first noticing the Range coming down the street."
Tierra walked down the stairs as Radric pulled his Range Rover to the curb. "Hey, fellas, we'll be ready to roll in a minute," she said, leaning her head inside the passenger side window.
"What we waiting on?" Radric questioned, in his typical inpatient voice.
"Nichelle."
"What, Nichelle coming too? We having some sort of orgy or something?" Radric joked.
"Nigga, shut up. She's coming over to watch the baby for Simone." Just then Tierra noticed the familiar Benz turning the corner. "Oh good, here she come now," she said, walking off.
Carmelo pulled up right behind Radric and parked his car.
"Hey, girl, I don't know what I would do without you," Tierra greeted Nichelle before she even stepped out of the car.
"You don't ever have to worry about that. I'm always here for you," Nichelle said, stepping out of the car and giving Tierra a hug.
"Hey, Carmelo," Tierra waved."
"Hi, Tierra," Carmelo responded dryly.
Tierra knew he wasn't a big fan of hers, but she honestly didn't care. She was happy that Nichelle found someone that genuinely seemed to care about her and had her back. But as far as Tierra was concerned, in her game book, men came and went, but real friendships withstood all the bullshit, and that's what she shared with Nichelle.
Nichelle and Tierra started walking towards the apartment, and Simone practically tossed the baby to Nichelle before they even made it to the stairs. "Girl, thank you! He's almost sleep, and I left some bottles in the refrigerator, and his Pampers and everything else you need is right on the table," Simone explained, as Nichelle patted the babies back while he lay on her shoulder.
Radric and Renny sat in the car watching the three ladies interacting, but Renny had his eyes on one lady in particular. "Yo, who's that chick?"
"Oh, that's jail bait."
"She don't look like jail bait to me," Renny commented, sizing up Nichelle's ample ass that he was visualizing seeing out of her jeans. Then when he caught a full glimpse of her face as she turned towards Tierra while cradling Simone's baby, he became even more drawn to her. She seemed so at ease and affectionate holding a child that wasn't even hers. It was as if she had a natural motherly instinct and innocence that Renny found utterly sexy.
"She ain't that young, but nobody you should waste your time with."
; "Why is that?" Renny wanted to know.
"For one, she got a man, and from what I understand, they both in it strong."
"What that got to dowit' me?" he asked, glancing over at Carmelo, who was leaning against his Benz.
"You still the same selfish motherfucker you always been," Radric chuckled. "But seriously, there's a ton of pussy out here, and a rich, pretty boy like you can have any piece you want. Let them two lovebirds have each other."
"I got you, man. I'll leave that alone." That's what Renny said with his mouth, but his mind had another agenda. He had seen a lot, and done a lot handling his business in these streets. And besides pushing dope and making money, too many things didn't catch his attention. But when something did, he became completely fixated on owning it, whether that was cars, clothes, jewelry, homes or a woman, and his new fixation was Nichelle. Renny didn't know when or how, but he was determined to add her to his collection.
(i( 66eIfPK
When you play the game that many refer to as `street life', you're always given choices. For a lucky few, those choices lead to the `hood riches they crave, and for the rest, either a jail cell with their name written on it, or even worse, an early death sentence. Although the risks are clearly laid out, the seduction of the game always lures them in.
"Simone, you ready for tonight?" Tierra asked, as they sat in the pizza joint, waiting for their order.
"Where ya going?" Nichelle inquired, sipping on her Coke.
"Nowhere exciting, just hooking up with Radric and Renny... again," Simone huffed, not sounding the least bit enthused.
"Why you say it like that? I thought you were feeling Renny," Tierra smacked.
'Was=when I thought he was feeling me too."
"What makes you think he's not?" Tierra pried, not letting up.
"Come on now, Tierra. We have all been out a few times together, and that nigga hasn't so much as whispered shit in my direction."
"Maybe he's the private type and don't like to show no affection in front of people."
"Then why the fuck he ain't ask me to go on a date alone, without you and Radric?"
"Maybe he waiting for you to ask first."
"Bitch, please!" Simone rolled her eyes, knowing Tierra was reaching. "That nigga ain't feeling me. It's time for me to move on and try to scam another rich motherfucker."
"Don't give up yet, Simone. You a bad bitch. That nigga will come around. Just give it a little more time."
"Nah, it's time for me to hang it up. Have Nichelle go wit' you," Simone said, flinging her hand up in the air.
Nichelle had been so quiet as the ladies went back and forth, Tierra had almost forgotten she was there.
"Don't even go there, Tierra," Nichelle quickly said, seeing her friend eyeing her direction.
"Why not? It'll be fun. We haven't done our thing together in a minute. It will be like old times."
"Tierra, have you forgotten that I have a man? A man who will flip the fuck out if he finds out I'm going on a date with another dude?"
"You don't have to tell him shit. It ain't like you his wife."
"Maybe not yet, but we're getting very close to it."
Both ladies practically broke their necks making sure they heard Nichelle correctly.
"Umm, sweetie, I don't see no ring on your finger," Simone popped.
"Not yet, but I'm sure it's coming."
"You sounding awfully confident over there. What makes you think that?" Tierra wanted to know.
"Because last night, Carmelo said he wanted us to move in together."
"A-a-a-a-nd? a lot of niggas un told me the same shit, but as you can see, I'm still living alone. And some of them sorry motherfuckers be trying to move up in any shit, and don't wanna pay no bills. Please!" Tierra said, shaking her head.
"Well, he gave me a set of keys," Nichelle said, pulling them out of her purse, "To our new condo in Hunter View. He's showing it to me today so we can start picking out furniture to decorate." Both of the girls' mouths dropped.
"You talking about the same Hunter View in Long Island City?" Simone asked, completely stunned.
Yep.
"Them shits is off the chain! They're those brand new glass and steel buildings. I knew Carmelo was making paper, but not like that!" Tierra said, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"I guess all those trips out of town have really paid off," Nichelle smiled.
"I guess so," Tierra mumbled.
As the waitress put their extra large cheese pizza on the table, Tierra continued to be perplexed. She didn't understand how Nichelle had managed to make such a come-up without even trying, and she was barely holding on to her shit while she was putting in work every damn day.
Tierra had a lot of love for Nichelle, but she didn't think she was ready to be wifed by any baller out in the streets. To her, Nichelle was a very pretty girl, but in a young, naive looking way. She didn't have that "in your face" sex appeal that Tierra proudly flaunted. It was annoying her that she was supposed to be the "Head Bitch In Charge", but somehow, Nichelle had managed to one-up her.
"I'm happy for you, Nichelle," Tierra managed to say, trying to play off her discontent.
Simone frowned up her lip and rolled her eyes at Tierra's blatant lie.
"I knew you would be. So now you understand why I can't go with you on that date. Carmelo is the real deal. I can't ruin that."
"I feel you. I guess that leaves you, Simone."
"I told you I'm done wasting time wit' dude."
"Just do it this one last night. I really need some money, and every time we all go on a date together, Radric hits me off wit' some paper."
"You getting hit off wit' some paper, and I can't even get no dick. That's some lopsided shit right there."
"Simone, you know begging ain't my thing, but I will. A bitch is broke, and I need your assistance. I promise I'll make it up to you."
"You better! But I don't understand why you can't go on the date by yourself."
"Because, right now Radric is like a little kid who is so happy to be at the playground with his best friend. He wants to include Renny in every fuckin' thing he do. Hopefully, his excitement will die down soon, and we can do our own thing without Renny tagging along."
"Yeah, you better hope it happens real soon, because just like you need to make some money, so do I."
"Hey Ma," Nichelle called, opening the door to her mother's bedroom.
"Hi, baby. I wasn't expecting you to be home so early. I just knew you would be out with Carmelo."
"Yeah, he had some business to take care of. Plus, I wanted to talk to you about something anyway." Nichelle sat down next to her mother on the bed.
"Is everything okay?"
"Oh yeah, you can get that worried look off of your face."
"Good. Now, tell me what's going on. You know I have to get ready to go to my night job in a little while."
"Then I better not beat around the bush. Carmelo wants us to move in together."
Sheila continued getting her cleaning service uniform out of the closet, not giving any reaction to what Nichelle just said.
"Ma, did you hear me?"
"I heard you, but I don't know what you want me to say. You can't possibly expect me to give my approval. You're only seventeen, Nichelle."
"I know, but I'll be eighteen before you know it. I'm always with Carmelo anyway, and you're hardly ever home."
"Still, that ain't no reason for you to be shacking up with no man."
"But I thought you liked Carmelo."
"Liking Carmelo ain't got nothing to do with this."
"Then what is it?"
"I was your age when I left my mother's house and moved in with a man. It was the worst mistake of my life. The only good thing that came out of that was you, and..." Sheila's voice trailed off.
"Me, and what?"
"Nothing," Sheila said, not wanting to relive such a painful time in her life.
"Are you talking about my dad?"
"It doesn't matter, Nichelle. The point is, when you're young, you think with your heart and not your head. My mother never stopped me from doing what I wanted to do, and I'm not going to stop you."
"Are you saying I can move in with Carmelo?"
"What I'm saying is, you gon' do what you wanna do anyway. Because when you start laying down with a man, you become one with that man. So at this point, it don't even matter what I want, because you're going to do what he wants. I work three jobs, and I'm too tired to be chasing you around trying to tell you what to do."
"Ma, you know I care about what you want."
"That's probably true, but I guarantee you care about what he wants more. I know this, because I've been where you're at right now. Just remember, you better think twice about the decision you're making. Because when you start acting grown, you get yourself caught up in grown people shit."
Nichelle sat there for a minute, digesting what her mother had said. She knew there could be some consequences moving in with Carmelo, but she was willing to take her chances. Carmelo represented the stability she desperately wanted since losing the man she considered to be her father at such a young age. She yearned to feel wanted and loved. That is what Carmelo gave her, and she wouldn't let anything or anyone keep them apart.
(*~ I "
For many who get a taste of being on top, they develop a compulsion that only money and material gain can soothe. When it seems to be slipping through their fingers, only then can you see how low they will go to hold on to it.
"Baby, I can't believe we're living together. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me." Nichelle turned over and kissed Carmelo as they lay in bed.
"I feel the same way about you."
"Really?"
"No doubt."
"Why do you love me?"
"Huh?" Carmelo asked, taken off guard by the question.
"Why do you love me? I mean, you can have any girl in Queens, or any other borough, so why me?"
"Why not you? Who wouldn't want to wake up to you every day, and go to sleep with you every night. Especially since you got those braces taken off," he teased.
