by Deja King
"Because your triflin' ass is nothing but a bad influence on Nichelle."
"Excuse me!" Tierra stood up with anger jumping out her eyes.
"You heard me. How the fuck you gon' have my girl asking me for money to give to you? You ain't her pimp."
"Carmelo, stop! I told you that money was for Tierra's sick mother."
"Yo, if I was one of those niggas that beat women, I would smack the shit out of you for straight lying to me for this silly ass broad. This chick's mama ain't sick, and if she is, don't they got shit called Medicaid? Get the fuck outta here wit' that bullshit! What the fuck ya think I am, a lollipop? Because yah definitely tryna play a nigga like a sucka."
Nichelle had never seen Carmelo so angry at her before, and she didn't know what to say, so she remained silent. But of course that didn't stop Tierra from running off at the mouth.
"My mother is sick, and just because she lives in the projects don't mean she on Medicaid. Nichelle was only tryna help a sister out, just like I have done for her on many occasions. Who do you think was holding it down for her before you came along? It was me!"
"Yeah, and you always tryna dangle that shit over Nichelle's head. You the worse type of friend, `cause real friends don't throw that shit up in your face every time they want something. They do it outta love, and keep it movin'. If yo' triflin' ass so hard up for cash, go get a motherfuckin' job. And one that requires more out of you than spreading your legs, `cause you ain't getting no fuckin' handouts from me."
"Carmelo, that's enough!" Nichelle hated to see two people that were so important in her life going at it. She was caught between her best friend and her man, and hated every second of it.
"Don't worry about it, Nichelle. I was just leaving!" Tierra said, grabbing her purse. She brushed past Carmelo, wanting to spit in his face, but figured that action alone would break his "no beat on women" rule.
"I'm sorry, Tierra. I'll call you later on."
Tierra strolled past Nichelle not saying a word, and left, slamming the door shut.
"Carmelo, I can't believe you said all that cruel shit to her."
"Please, I know tricks like her. She's a snake. One day you gon' see that shit for yourself, and remember I warned you."
"Yo, where's homegirl at? For the last few weeks, every time I see you in the streets, she was posted up right next to you," Renny inquired, as he jumped in the passenger side of Radric's Range.
"I had to cut that bitch off."
"Why, what happened?"
"The whore tried to rob me for some money and drugs."
"Word? Why did she try to rob you? Wasn't you hitting her off?"
"Yeah, I was giving her a little something here and there. Then she came to me with some sad story. You know how ho's do. Talking about she need two stacks. I was like, a'ight shortie, I got you right after you suck my dick," Radric said, laughing about the shit. "Then after she finished, I tossed her a couple bucks, and when she thought I was in the shower, I caught her going through my pockets, tryna steal from me. Can you believe that broad?"
"Hell yeah, I can believe her! You was fuckin' homegirl on the regular. You couldn't hit her off wit' two stacks?"
"That ain't the point. It's any money, and I decide how I'ma spend it. These ho's in the streets need to recognize that their pussy is replaceable."
"Nigga, you crazy!"
As Radric drove over the Brooklyn Bridge, entering Manhattan, Renny was disappointed that Radric had cut off Tierra... for his own selfish reasons. She was his only connection to Nichelle. With her out of the picture, he had no way of knowing what moves she was making.
"What's up with your cousin, Arnez? He still going to hook you up wit' that new product?" Radric asked, kicking the images of Nichelle out of Renny' s head.
"Supposed to be. He in Atlanta right now, but he'll be back in Philly in a few weeks, and I'ma meet him up there to test the shit out."
"Cool. I wanna roll wit' you when you do that."
"No problem. When I know for sure when I'm breaking out, I'll let you know."
"That works. So what, you've decided to stick around a little bit longer?"
`Damn, motherfucker! You tryna get me to bounce already?"
"Renny, man, you know I like having you here, but I'm just surprised you staying. Originally you said you were coming for a couple of weeks to check on some shit you had set up. Those couple of weeks is turning into a couple of months, that's all. Don't you got peoples in ATL?"
"Besides my cousin, I ain't got nobody keeping me there. But right now, not only is there a drought in ATL, it's hot as a motherfucker. Feds locking up people left and right."
"Ooooh, so that's why you focusing on setting up shop here."
"I always handled business this way, but yeah, that's why I'm doing more, and ain't in no rush to bounce. But when shit cools down, I'll go back. Shit, you can ball all sorts of outrageous in ATL. But right now, that shit ain't a good look."
"So what happened down there?"
"Man, this chick Coco... have you ever met Coco?" Renny asked, not recalling if Radric had ever been around when he was handling business with one of his main connects.
"Nah, who that?"
"Coco is this Hershey chocolate bad ass bitch. She got a sister named Chanel, and for a minute, they were running shit heavy."
"Yo, I've heard of them. They twins, right?"
"Yep, that's them." Both men grinned. "Well, the Feds picked up Coco a few months ago, and were supposed to have locked up some of her workers too."
"What about her sister?"
"Last I heard, Chanel was still out. But they all are laying low, including Arnez. He been in Philly a lot handling some shit, so I don't know if he tryna set up shop there because of the shit poppin' off in ATL, or what."
"I feel you. Just don't bring that heat over here to Queens. Shit, we got a drought this way too," Radric chuckled, turning off the bridge.
"Man, I know. That same `Operation Dry Spell' them motherfuckers had going on in Philly because of that large cocaine bust in the Caribbean on its way to the US, is expanding every fuckin' where. Quality cocaine is so scarce right now. Niggas stretching that shit out so fuckin' much, it's losing all the purity."
"Damn straight! That's why I'm tryna break bread wit' this new connect. I heard he got that gold."
"Who the fuck is that?"
"You know, that nigga, Marley's birthday party we hittin' up next Friday."
"Oh shit, I forgot all about that party. I thought he was just some nigga you was cool wit'. He got that prime coke?"
"Not him, but the nigga he get his drugs from. He supposed to introduce me to him at his birthday party."
"That's a party I think I might need to attend."
"Nigga, I told you to roll."
"Yeah, but I thought it was some regular merrymaking bullshit. Getting a connect to some prime product. . .that's a whole `notha party in itself. So it's next Friday?"
"Yep, I'm heading to this spot now to get my suit."
"Suit, what the fuck, it's some baller, dress up shit?"
"Yeah, nigga, so pull out the arsenal."
"I'ma pull out more than that. If Arnez come through wit' his shit and this new connect work out, hell, the drought might be over before it really fuckin' started. And that's the type of news that keeps my dick hard, besides some fresh new, untapped pussy." Renny smiled, laying back in his seat, and feeling like luck was leaning in his favor.
3 7JE
Many wonder if it's true that innocent children will have to suffer for the sins of their parents. If that was a proven fact, maybe more people would think twice about the path they take in life. I mean knowing that your little boy or girl, and even your unborn child, would have to carry the burden of your sins would motivate you to live your life differently... or maybe not.
"Damn Tierra, I can't believe you have to move out your apartment and back into yo' mama's crib. That's fucked up," Simone said, as she packed up the last box.
"You can't believe it? I'm still shaking my head over the bullshit. As broke as I am, I can't believe I lasted up in here this long."
"So what you gon' do with all your furniture?"
"My moms ain't got no room for it, and I can't even afford to put this shit in storage."
"Why don't you sell it?"
"`Cause I don't know who to sell it to, and I don't have time to try and find a willing buyer. I was supposed to been out of here two weeks ago, but I kept praying that I would luck up on some nigga to save the fuckin' day. As you can see, no such luck, and now I'm hauling ass tryna break out before I find my shit thrown out on the streets."
"Shit, I would love to have it."
"Are you tryna pay for it, or you asking me to give it to you?"
"I mean, shit, you ain't doing nothin' else wit' it! I mean, what. . .you gon' leave it here? You might as well give it to me." Simone was practically salivating at the idea of having the top-of-the-line Italian furniture replace the hand-me-down furniture her grandma gave her. If Tierra didn't give it to her voluntarily, she was contemplating having her baby daddy rob the joint after they left, but then it dawned on her that when Tierra came over to visit, she would see all her goods and know what was up.
"That ain't the point. This furniture cost a lot of fuckin' money. If you want it, you need to cough up some coins. If not, this shit can sit right here," Tierra snapped, rolling her eyes.
That's mhyyo' assgettingput the fuck out now... don't neva )canna share shit... selfish ass! Simone thought to herself. "How `bout I make payments?"
"What, you mean like layaway? This ain't Wal-Mart."
"Tierra, do you wanna make some money off this shit or not?"
"Fine. How much can you give up now?"
"I can get my hands on about three."
"Three thousand?"
"Hell no!"
"Oh, `cause I was about to say! Shit, if you can get a hold of that, then you can help me wit' some of these bills so I can stay up in my crib."
"No, three hundred."
"Three hundred! You need to come wit' more than that. This furniture cost thousands of dollars. That nigga, Lucci laced my crib right before he got locked up for that long ass bid." Tierra sat down on her couch and sulked. "That was when shit was sweet. If only I could rewind the time to back then."
"Well, you can't, so get over it. I might be able to come up with five hundred, if Ant gives me two."
"Shit, well you need to forget it, `cause Ant ain't coming up wit' nothing."
"When he see this furniture, yes the hell he will."
"After you give me the five, how often are you going to make the payments, and for how much?"
"How much are you selling the shit to me for?"
"I can do thirty-five hundred."
"Girl, I'll be paying that shit off forever."
"Lucci paid over ten g's for it."
"And you paid nothing."
"Fine, I can do twenty-five."
"Make that an even two thousand, and I'll pay you two hundred dollars every week until it's paid off."
"Fine, but I want my five-hundred before you lift even a chair out this motherfucker." Tierra glanced around her spacious one bedroom loft, still trying to figure out how sugar went to shit overnight.
Nichelle sat in her English class, reminiscing on how fucked up the last week had been between her and Carmelo. Ever since the argument over Tierra happened, he had been giving Nichelle the silent treatment. Even when he would pick her up from school, no more than a few words were exchanged between them. The stress was taking a toll on her, because not only was Carmelo her man, but she considered him her best friend, right next to Tierra.
Then there was Tierra. She was salty at her too. It was as if Tierra blamed Nichelle for how Carmelo went at her, even though Nichelle felt she had put shit on the line for her friend. So the two people she felt the closest to were both throwing major shade her way, and Nichelle didn't know what to do to make it right. On top of all that, it was Nichelle's eighteenth birthday, and nobody seemed to remember or care.
"There's the bell. Class is now over. I'll see you guys on Monday. Have a good weekend," Mr. Chambers said, dismissing the students. "Nichelle, I need to speak with you for a minute."
Nichelle sucked her teeth, not in the mood for the drama. "Mr. Chambers, I know what you're gonna say. The paper I turned in late was some garbage, and I'm still gonna flunk your class." She sighed, as she looked down at the floor.
"Yes, your paper was late-scrape thatmake that very late, but it was worth it."
"Excuse me?" Nichelle directed her eyes from the floor to meet Mr. Chambers' face. She needed to look directly in his eyes to make sure she heard every word he spoke.
"Your paper was worth the wait. To say I was moved by your story would be an understatement. The complex emotions of the young female character were incredibly profound. Nichelle, you're a very talented writer, and with proper guidance, there is no telling how far you can go."
"Oh, I see. I guess you're the one who is going to give me the proper guidance. What, you want some ass, is that it? I don't fuck for grades, Mr. Chambers, so if that's what you're looking for, you can go `head and flunk me now."
She didn't fully grasp what she had just said to her teacher until she saw the horrendous expression on his face. But it was too late, she couldn't take it back. The silence in the room was eating Nichelle up. She didn't know if she should say nothing more and make her exit, and right when she decided that would be her best move, Mr. Chambers finally spoke.
"Nichelle, you are a very attractive young lady, but I would never jeopardize my career as a teacher by trying to have an inappropriate relationship with one of my students, or any student for that matter. If I have ever done anything to give you that impression, then I apologize. I genuinely believe you have a gift for writing. It doesn't have to be me, but hopefully you'll find someone to help you hone your craft, so you can take that gift wherever you want it to go in life."
"Are you trying to say you think I'm smart, Mr. Chambers?"
"Yes, you are smart."
"Nobody has ever told me that before. I guess it's easier for me to believe that you're like the typical man, running around with sex on the brain, than to think you see talent in me."
"Nichelle, talent is a gift that God gives to everyone. It is what that individual does with his or her gift that makes them stand out from everyone else. You can be like so many other people and let your talent perish, or you can be one of the chosen few who let it shine. It's up to you. I've done my part."
"And what is that?"
"Recognizing your talent and sharing that gift with you. You've been informed. If you decide to take advantage of your talent, I'll be here whenever you're ready."
"Thank you, but I better be going. My boyfriend is waiting for me."
"I understand. Have a good weekend."
"You too."
"By the way... Happy Birthday."
Nichelle turned her head towards Mr. Chambers and simply smiled before leaving his classroom.
With Carmelo still not saying more than a few words to Nichelle the entire ride home, she replayed her conversation with Mr. Chambers. For the first time in so long, her self-esteem got a boost. And this time it wasn't from some man making her feel cute or sexy, it was because somebody saw something that she never saw in herself-intelligence.
When Nichelle finally decided to write her paper, she sat for hours, unable to put down one word. It wasn't that her mind wasn't full of thoughts; it was that she was afraid to free those thoughts. But once she did, her words flowed and filled the papers. It was easy for Nichelle to relate to the young girl's emotions, because they were all hers too. To have somebody else, like her teacher, acknowledge how deep those feelings went, made the pain Nichelle struggled through to put them into words worthwhile.
"I knew yo' ass would be back up in here sooner or later. Hmph! You always complained this place wasn't good enou
gh for you, but here you are."
"Ma, I don't need to hear this from you right now," Tierra gasped, as she placed some of her boxes against the wall in the hallway and tossed her bags into her old bedroom.
"Well, you gon' hear it. You and these fast ass girls always trying to find the easy way out. Messing around with these no good men who pushing drugs, killing off our own race. . .for what? So you can ride around in expensive cars that ain't yours, and wear some overpriced clothes that ain't even worth the fabric it was made from. You hardheaded women gotta learn the hard way."
"Can you save that preaching for somebody that cares, `cause I don't."
"And that's why you back in this tiny ass apartment with me now, because you don't care about nobody but yourself."
"That's not true. I always tried to hit you off and help you out when I used to have money rolling in, but you didn't want none of it. That wasn't my fault."
"Why in the hell would I want some money you earned from laying on your back? I didn't raise you to be that way-greedy and materialistic. Even with you getting evicted from your apartment, car repossessed, not a dime to your name, you still can't see that money made the easy way don't never last."
"Trust me, wasn't nothing easy about how I got that money. I earned every cent, having to deal with the knuckleheads I came across. But yeah, right now I'm going through a tough time, but trust me, I'll be back on top of my game and out of your house."
Tierra's mother shook her head in disgust. "Child, this trife life that you living will catch up with you sooner or later. That I can guarantee you," she warned, pointing her finger at her daughter.
Tierra stared at her mother, undeterred by her words. She knew the woman who raised her meant well, but having money in her pocket meant more.
"Ma, I don't want to argue with you. I appreciate you letting me stay here until I get back on my feet. Can we please end it there? I have a lot of unpacking to do."
"I'm done. If you need some help, let me know. And Tierra..."
"Yes?" Tierra sighed, feeling like her mother was about to go in for round 2.
