“Damn, that shit really worked,” Monica laughed as she climbed into her car. “I can’t believe it. Sandra was right.”
Monica turned the radio on in the struggle buggy. She bounced her head as she drove to the one place that she knew, without a doubt, she could get both coats off at. She turned into her old neighborhood and pulled up, parking three doors down from her destination: the dope house. The windows were boarded up in the front, and the grass was never cut. To an unsuspecting person driving by, the home looked abandoned, but to those who knew differently, they went around the back and entered through the rear door. There were a few people ahead of Monica waiting to get served. Although the coats in her arms were heavy, she waited with patience for her turn to talk to the guy who was working the door.
“Well, I’ll be damned. Is that you, Monica?” Black Billy was licking his lips as he looked her up and down. “Your ass done grew the fuck up.” He smiled while holding the gate open in hopes that she would rub her body across his. “Shitttt, in all the right places, too.” Locking the gate again and grabbing the bag out of Monica’s hands, his dick got hard at the thought of hittin’ that.
“How you doing, Black Billy? I ain’t seen you in a couple of years now. What’s been up?” Monica felt slightly uncomfortable with the way he was looking at her, but since she had known him from way back in the day, she brushed the feeling off.
“It ain’t nothing, Monica. Just chillin’, trying to make a little loot. You know how it is.”
“Yeah, me too.” Monica took the bag from his hand and pulled the coats out. “What you know about this here?”
“Awww shit! This motherfucker right here is hot.” Black Billy snatched the black jacket out of Monica’s grip. “I got to have this bitch. Black is my fucking color.” He put it on and zipped it up. “What you think? Is it me or what?”
From his reaction, Monica knew that coming to the dope house would pay off. The dudes here always had cash on hand. “Stop playing with me. You know your ass is killing that shit.” Monica grinned. “Get you some of them new black Mauri Alligator hiking boots and you good to go.” She was straight in hustle mode.
Black Billy couldn’t resist copping the jacket. He went in his pocket and pulled out a huge stack of cash. “What’s the ticket?” he asked, trying to act like he was Big Willie as if Monica couldn’t see that they were all singles.
“The tag says $875, so give me $435.”
“Damn, girl, I thought we was fam.” Black Billy threw his hands up and twisted his lips. “Look out for ya mans. What’s up, Monica?”
Monica stepped back and laughed at him. “Look, guy. You know I just really got back home. I’m trying to be on the come up and shit, so just drop down. You got it like that. You can have these two belts on me.” She threw them across the room on the table. “Now run my cash, playa!”
Black Billy started counting out the singles while Monica tried to convince him to buy the other coat, but unfortunately, he wasn’t going for it. He told her that cream wasn’t a good color for him. “My little workers are in the back taking care of a li’l somethin’-somethin’. Maybe one of them wants to get on. They both pretty boys. They’ll rock that cream. I’m too hard for sissy colors like that.” In the excitement of getting a new jacket for half off, it slipped Black Billy’s mind just who was in that back room and what exactly was going on.
“Good looking. Call they ass out here. I gotta get home and study for a test.”
“Monica, when you gonna let me take your fine ass out to dinner or the movies? I need a smart, hustlin’ girl like you on my team. You be ’bout ya shit. I always liked that about you.”
Monica blushed. “Maybe one day, Black Billy. Now can you call your boys out here?”
Black Billy shouted into the next room as Monica plopped down and leaned back on the couch. “Hey, y’all! Bring ya asses. My new woman got some gear for sale.” He winked at Monica, who had no choice but to smile.
After a minute or two, the door cracked open, and one of the young boys emerged from the room, pulling up his pants and drinking a forty ounce. “Damn, dude! Can a nigga get his dick sucked in peace or what? I was first in line with that old freak ho.”
Monica looked into the boy’s face, and she busted out laughing. He couldn’t have been any older than fourteen. Black Billy tossed him the coat, informing him that the ticket was half off the price tag. While he was busy trying it on, Monica glanced into the other room and got sick to her stomach. At first sight, she thought she was seeing things. She knew that it couldn’t be, but it most certainly was. It was Jenette, her mother, down on her knees giving the other young boy some head. Her own mother was the “old freak ho” the boy was just talking about. Monica was speechless, and her heart dropped to the ground. She was frozen and couldn’t move.
The boy in the room felt Monica’s eyes on him and blew her a kiss as his body started shaking. “What’s up, baby? You want some of this dick? You looking mighty hard.” He smirked as he pulled his hook up out of Jenette’s now cum-filled mouth.
Jenette turned to see exactly who the young boy was talking to, and she made eye contact with Monica, her firstborn. Slowly getting off the floor and walking toward the door, Jenette remained emotionless as she wiped her face. She was almost twenty pounds lighter, and her skin was a shade darker, but one thing ceased to change: Jenette’s eyes. They looked the same as they always did, dark, cold, and harsh. Monica watched the awful nightmare get closer to the door, and her entire body felt numb. After turning her back on Kayla, not showing up at Dennis’s funeral, and of course, robbing Monica of her childhood to raise her kids, Jenette should have been running to her daughter to apologize. Monica was ashamed, but the skinny, dirty, and repulsive creature was still her mother, and deep down inside she still loved her. Jenette put her hand on the door and showed no signs of remorse as she looked Monica dead in her face, slamming the door shut without saying a single word.
Ain’t this about a bitch, ran though Monica’s mind repeatedly. She was crushed. Monica jumped to her feet and moved to the other side of the living room. As soon as the boy paid her for the second coat, she got out of there as fast as she could and rushed back to her car. “That bitch is foul,” Monica screamed out loud as she drove away, never shedding a tear. “Fuck that bitch. Her ass really don’t exist anymore, flat the fuck out. She’s dead to me!”
Monica had no intention of mentioning to Kayla or Kanina what she had just witnessed. Some shit was better off being left in the dark and never spoken of, and flat the fuck out, this was one of them.
Black Billy saw what had just taken place. He felt sorry for Monica, but not so sorry that he didn’t take his turn getting some of Jenette’s toothless head.
* * *
Monica got back to Kanina’s house in record time. She took a quick bath and got her books out to study for her exam. Rightly so, she couldn’t stay focused and kept reliving the sight of seeing her mother degrade herself with boys young enough to be her own kids. Jenette was a disgrace to herself and everyone she knew. Monica had no appetite and chose not to go down for dinner or even help Kayla with her homework. Flashbacks of that foul bullshit were consuming her every thought. She kept picturing Jenette slamming the door.
After swallowing three extra-strength aspirin, Monica tried her best to fall asleep. The only things that gave her some peace of mind were that $925 tucked in her purse and the thought of her and Kanina getting that apartment.
Chapter Eleven
The weeks that followed were filled with two things in Monica’s life: school and getting paid. She studied at night, attended class in the day, and stole all evening. Never once letting a week go by without writing a letter to her friend and mentor, Sandra, all was well. Every letter had at least a twenty-five-dollar money order enclosed. Monica made sure that Sandra wanted for nothing. After all, it was her schemes that kept her on top of her game and paid.
It was finally moving day for Monica and Kanina. They leased a three-bedroom a
partment on the lower east side of the city. It was right off the river, and the view was spectacular, to say the least. Each girl had her own private bathroom, and Monica would use the third bedroom to house the surplus of items that she was stealing daily. She was bringing way too many bags into the Coopers’ house, and they were both starting to suspect that Monica was up to her old tricks.
Kayla was sad to see her big sister and Kanina move out, but she felt more than enough love where she was living. Mrs. Cooper had filed papers trying to legally adopt Kayla. Jenette was still MIA and had not been seen or heard from in several months, which was good, considering the hatred Monica and Kayla both felt toward her. No court in the land would give Kayla back to Jenette, who nine out of ten times wouldn’t be sober enough to show up to fight anyhow.
The last box was stacked in the living room. Both of the girls’ brand-new bedroom sets had arrived and were set up. They each picked one that showed their individual taste and flair. They felt like they were on top of the world.
“We should go out and celebrate.” Kanina was excited, and it showed.
“Yeah, you right. We are almost grown as a motherfucker,” Monica clowned. “Let’s go down to Tina’s Tavern and see if we can get in. I heard they don’t be carding.”
“Yeah, I heard that shit too. Let’s get dressed.”
“All right, but damn wearing jeans! Let’s get real on them old hoes and show ’em what’s really good!”
The girls disappeared into their bathrooms to transform themselves into queens.
* * *
Monica and Kanina got up to the front door of the club and put their game faces on. They were on a mission to get in without any embarrassing stuff happening. Stepping inside, Monica pulled out a knot, handing the guy at the door a crisp hundred-dollar bill. She made sure he got a good look so he knew that her and her girl came to spend money and not sit at the bar, hoping some nigga would buy them a drink. They came prepared to get their party on. Just as she figured, they were let in. No ID and no checking their purses. It was true what they say: “Money talks and bullshit walks.”
As they walked through the sea of people who were partying, all eyes were suddenly on them. Every woman wished they were able to afford clothes like Monica and Kanina were wearing, and the men all lusted for them. They were like ghetto superstars. Both of the young women found an empty booth near the dance floor. Sliding around the table and crossing their legs, both Monica and Kanina tried to give the impression that they belonged. They couldn’t have been sitting alone and enjoying the music playing for more than five minutes when the waitress came prancing over to the table. She had a tray with two drinks on them.
“Excuse me, ladies.” She smiled as she chewed her gum. “The two young men at the bar sent these over to you.” The waitress put napkins in front of them and set the tall red drinks down.
“What exactly is this?” Kanina inquired before taking a sip. “We were planning on ordering a bottle of champagne.”
Monica chuckled at her friend acting all uppity, and she decided to join in on the fun. “Yeah, we were, but I guess we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, so let’s drink them.”
Monica then asked the waitress to bring them two bottles of Moët anyway and a bowl of strawberries. They were gonna get fucked up and party ’til the club closed down. As the waitress left the table, the girls raised their glasses at the guys to acknowledge their slight but thoughtful contribution to their celebration.
“Dang, Monica, both of those dudes are fine as hell. I wouldn’t mind getting with that.”
“Yeah, they are some cute brothers, especially the one with the big emerald cuff links on that sweet button-up.” Monica was undressing him with her eyes. “He is hot.”
The guys, with drinks in hand, made their way over to the table before any of the other men gathered the courage. Most of the guys there would most likely have to work an entire two months to be able to afford dressing just one of the girls. Yet these guys were the exception to the rule. Their gear was also top-notch. It was easy to see they weren’t the average nine-to-five brothers. The clothes, the jewelry, and the way they carried themselves were dead giveaways that they were straight-up ballers.
After the introductions were made, the guys took a seat. Quinton sat next to Monica, and Latrell made himself at home just about on Kanina’s lap, which was fine with her. Conversation about each other’s gear was getting under way when the waitress returned.
Now we gonna see if these dudes really got some cash or if they are frontin’, Monica thought as she reached for her purse. Thankfully she was abruptly stopped by Quinton’s strong, muscular arms.
“Come on now, sweetheart. Do you think you ladies are paying for anything tonight?”
“You don’t have to do that. I got it,” Monica played it off. She loved that he was picking up the tab.
Quinton gave the waitress the bill, plus he threw in a big, fat tip. He had her bring two more glasses so that they could toast their new friendship. Kanina and Latrell were totally engulfed by one another and paid no attention to anything else going on in the club. That left plenty of time for Monica and Quinton to get better acquainted. They discussed everything that came to mind.
Two hours, three bottles of Moët, and two rounds of shots of Hennessy later, all four of them were faded and made the decision to call it a night. Besides, the fellas claimed they had some business to take care of and were running a little late.
Quinton and Monica were hand in hand as they exited through the doors and stood at the valet, while Kanina and Latrell were exchanging numbers as well as good night kisses.
“I guess they really like each other, huh?” Monica nudged Quinton.
“Damn, you ain’t ever lied. They might as well get a room,” he joked, tapping his boy on the shoulder when the valet drove up in their car first. It was a brand-new triple-gold Corvette with spinning chrome rims, the kind of car that got girls’ panties instantly wet just by looking at it, let alone touching that motherfucker.
The valet handed Quinton the keys, to Monica’s relief. She was glad that he was the driver and not Latrell. Monica imagined herself cruising around town making all the females jealous of the whip she could be bouncing and Quinton’s fine ass.
The guys waited for them to bring Kanina’s car up front before they pulled off. The two friends were tipsy and fell into the car laughing. They had managed to go out, get fucked up, and meet some real money handlers. The night was a total success.
* * *
The weeks that followed involved Kanina and Latrell spending every free minute they had together. The two were practically inseparable, which like it or not, caused Monica and Quinton to be thrown together. Monica did like spending time with him. She even missed him when he wasn’t around, but she had to stay on top of her game. Making money wasn’t a choice for Monica. She’d been poor her whole life, and she refused to slip down to that level of living ever again. Kanina had her parents to fall back on, but Monica depended on herself and only herself. She had to go out and hustle, point blank.
Neither guy knew what Monica was doing for a living. They just knew the women in their life had their situation tight, just as both girls had no idea where Quinton and Latrell would go at times. They guys often received calls on their cell phones and disappeared. All parties involved were living secret lives, which over time would have to be revealed.
Night after night Kanina and Latrell slept together, sharing a bed, while Quinton and Monica camped out in the living room. He was aware that Monica, although street smart and book smart, was still a virgin. She explained that growing up in her mother’s household made her want to be extra careful about whom she chose to give her body to. Monica wanting to wait, true enough, was driving him crazy, but he respected her wishes.
Quinton was proud that he had a “good girl,” and he knew that when he finally would get his chance to hit them guts, he was gonna damn near rip the frame out of Monica’s little as
s. Quinton realized she was special and well worth the wait, so he made up his mind to let his good girl come to him. He just hoped that she would hurry the hell up!
Chapter Twelve
It was nearing Christmas. The snow was falling lightly, and Kanina and Monica were enjoying the vacation break from school. Monica took the free time to catch up on her letters to Sandra. For a Christmas present, she sent her a money order for one hundred dollars. She’d promised that she would look out for Sandra, and she was doing just that. Kanina made sure to spend a little time with her aging grandparents and show them some love.
The fellas had become a permanent fixture in their lives, and for once, Monica was completely happy and satisfied. Quinton and she had yet to have sex, but he was still hanging in there. He worshipped her like a queen. In his eyes, the fact that she was a virgin only made her stock shoot up. She was nothing like the hood rats who usually chased him. She was loyal and dedicated. He helped Monica with her bills and spent mad loot, showering her with jewelry and fresh flowers every week. Quinton knew she was the one. It was true love. Quinton was her everyday Santa, fuck waiting for Christmas!
They were all going to pick out a huge tree that would sit directly in the picture window of the girls’ apartment. Latrell had a candy apple red custom Navigator, and they planned on the tree being secured down on his roof. Although he wasn’t in favor of the method of transporting the tree, he went along with anything Kanina wanted. She was his lady, and whatever it took to make her content, he was with it. They say pussy is a bad motherfucker, well, Kanina must have had a beast, because Latrell never ever let a speck of dust get on his whip, and now he was hauling trees.
Monica and Kanina picked out the biggest, fullest tree they could find. Quinton and Latrell came up with just about every reason they could to persuade the girls to purchase a small tree. After all, they were the ones who had to lug it inside the crib. The game plan was for the women to decorate the tree and the men to cook. Unfortunately, seeing the two guys fumble around the kitchen, the decision was made, and they were quickly removed from their assignment. The night was perfect. After eating the meal the girls ended up preparing, the two couples sat hugged up for hours, watching the lights twinkle on the tree.
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