Around the Way Girls 9 (29 page)

“Now that you've calmed that little attitude of yours down, let's talk business.”

 

Not supposed to drink because I was carrying Vic's child, I sipped from Cori's cup needing the liquor to help numb the hurt I was going through. I knew he wasn't going to be thrilled about knocking me up, but I didn't expect him to go as crazy as he did. Let that be a lesson to all men claiming not to want babies: strap up with a Magnum or get ready to help strap shorty up. He was acting like having a child with me was a death sentence or at least twenty-one years to life. True, I was a thief twenty-four hours of the day with the temper of a bull; but he was my bad boy and I thought together we'd be the new power couple like Bey and Jay. I hadn't even gotten a chance to tell him I'd gotten some grams to flip from Wally. Here I was trying to get him back on in the streets but he was kicking me to the curb.

As I thought back on how the whole fiasco played out, I took a few more sips feeling it start to get me buzzed but nauseated at the same time. Images of the expression on Vic's face as he yoked me up over the pool table wouldn't go away. I thought Mike was gonna let him kill me. That nigga so tight with his money, he probably could rationalize a good reason and understand Vic set-tripping for me knocking his money from his hands. The only thing I could think of when I was trying to rip his chubby fingers from around my throat was how good it felt when we were together. Nothing in my life was going down the way it was supposed to.
I've never been dealt the best hand of cards to play with so I guess karma ain't done kicking my ass.

“Tell ya girl Tasha she can still run up.” I rubbed my big belly mean mugging the two chicks who were known to run with her who were staring off to the side. “Pregnant or not, her fake ass will still get the business.” Vic and his dick had caused nothing but problems for me.

 

 

“So how much did he give you?”

“Twenty-one hundred-dollar bills.” Cori waved the counterfeit money in the air. “That's ten each.”

“What does he want on the come back?”

“I've got his list, don't worry. He would've charged you two hundred dollars cash but wanted to contribute to helping you out of a tough situation.” Cori didn't hold me up by blatantly pointing to my midsection.

“What the fuck? So instead of getting sexually pleasured, y'all were back there running down me getting the vacuum hooked up to my coochie?” Mike and Cori had me twisted.

“Girl, chill out. Please believe we weren't back there sweating you getting knocked up by Slick Dick Vic. Your name came up as a sidebar when he ran down how to spend the cash at hand. Please don't overplay your position.”

“Oh shit, that's my bad. I just had to check two of Tasha's friends for staring at me before you came from the backroom with Mike,” I apologized to Cori. I thought my hormones might've been getting the best of me, too.

“I ain't trying to get cursed out for caring, Ta'Nique, but please just think long and hard about what's best for you. If you keep that baby though, I'm gonna have to find me a place to stay. Between your hormones and Vic practicing for Wrestle Mania, I ain't got time.”

“Girl, whatever. You owe me big for keeping chink boy Sam from snatching your ass up this morning. He was on you like white on rice, and you know they love them some rice.” Sharing laughs with my girl felt good. Me and Cori had been so caught up in drama, trying to survive, and the daily bullshit that surrounded us in the hood, that we'd forgotten how to just chill being two twenty-one-year-olds doing careless things.

It was totally time out for young-minded foolishness as we pulled into the parking lot of Walmart. It was time to do what made us most comfortable: being sneaky. Mike had given us $2,000 in counterfeit bills that we were getting ready to pass off as legitimate. If all went well, he'd promised to produce more. Almost three in the morning, the stores were close to empty as expected. Besides a few vamping strangers getting late-night snacks or odds and ends, it was just me, Cori, and the underpaid workers. It could've been high noon with a store full of shoppers and we still would've done it big. I didn't know about Cori but I felt real boss-like with a pocketful of money, knock-off Ben Franks or not. Both grabbing separate buggies, we each intended on filling them with miscellaneous items while scoping the scene. Even though the main goal was to get gift cards, we always shopped for other items to blend in and not seem too suspicious.

I strolled down the aisles with a watcher's eye trying to see what everyone was doing. As always, Cori was already in motion not caring who or what could've been two steps ahead.
The more I try to steal smart, the more reckless she becomes.
Moving a little faster so I didn't have to see what she was doing, something far more distracting caught my eye. Overwhelmed by the tiny clothes, bottles, and decorations in the baby section of Walmart, I couldn't help myself from becoming emotional. If I were to have this baby, I'd be in sections like these day in and out. I went into a fantasy land as I ran my hands over the clothes gently trying to connect to the idea of possibly having a son or daughter. The idea didn't seem too bad. It would finally give me the opportunity to be a better mother to my child than my mother had been to me. I decided to purchase the cutest unisex outfit that I could find. Tears were welling in each eye. My decision wasn't made yet but, just in case, my preparation had begun.

Finally meeting back up with C, we knew the routine when dealing with self-checkout. Any items that passed the register without being scanned would trigger the register to stop scanning, alerting both the cashier and customer the item needed to be scanned. And neither of us wanted that glitch in our plan. I picked up five gift cards and was planning on loading $200 on each to flip for half. I started scanning items and hurriedly stuffing the baby clothes into a bag. I didn't want to hear Cori's opinions and judgments.

“Baby clothes, Nique? Are you truly serious? Hell naw, did Vic cut the oxygen off from your brain when he was choking you?”

“This ain't the time or place.” I cut my eyes in her direction, refusing to look at her dead on. I knew what I was doing seemed half crazy and in no way could she relate but I wasn't the type of girl who backed down from dudes who threw her shade. As much as we were alike in setting it off with a scheme, we were like night and day when it came to wearing our hearts on our sleeves. I didn't think Corielle could understand even if she wanted to.

“Chick, whatever, but you're doing the most.”

“I know you're not judging me with a buggy full of men's products. You're all up Mike's ass.” I rolled my neck at Nique giving her just as much judgment as she'd just given me.

“Bitch, bye, this is business right here. You know everything I do is tied to getting down.” I watched Cori insert each fake bill into the machine and not one shot back out. As her total balance due decreased to zero, at the end her change and receipt shot out. “Hurry your slow ass up, baby momma. Toss me the keys; I'll have the car curbside.” She winked.

I watched Cori for a minute as she rolled her cart out of Walmart. She was already on her phone texting people we were on deck with gift cards.

 

The sun peeked through my blinds as I awoke to the same usual gunshots, screeching tires of a speeding car doing at least seventy-five miles per hour up the block, and the wails of some innocent bystander caught up in the middle witnessing the whole ordeal. It was a different day, same shit; good morning. What just went down was nothing in my ratchet neighborhood. Only the few neighbors who still cared about the property value of our neighborhood still bothered to call 911 but if a squad car bothered to show up, it would only be one and they'd barely take pictures or an accurate report.

I rolled over trying to get my droopy eyes to focus on the digital numbers on the DirecTV box. It was only 7:19 in the morning.
Shit, I'm dizzy tired. I need about couple more hours of sleep to get right.
Closing my eyes back, wishing I could really stay that way, I had to get up and get busy making all of the orders I'd gotten last night at the party. Four people paid me up front for insurance paperwork, so they had to be ready by nine o'clock at least. Running a ghetto business didn't mean you had to adopt trifling tactics. My word was bond because my reputation meant everything.

Looking over at Nique, she was cuddled up with her blanket on the opposite couch. Comatose sleep, she didn't even blink or budge to the gunshots. My girl was going through the motions in a bad way. We'd barely made it in the door last night after going through a whirlwind of drama at Mike's spot and Walmart afterward. But it felt good to crash with her like kids having girl talk about ol' girl Alyssa but most importantly the situation between her and Vic. It was hard to stay quiet about how I felt since this really wasn't my situation to have a say in, but I didn't know what the holdup was on Nique's end. Going to the abortion clinic should've been the second step after confirming the pregnancy. I would've stuck a hanger up my own twat if I were in her situation. Not a second thought about it. Not only did Vic not want the baby, but he was a jerk as well. Nique should've been running from his coward ass instead of trying to breed with him. But again, that's just my opinion.

Once I got to my room, I peeled my clothes off as my mind drifted off to the impromptu sex session with Mike. He hadn't texted or called back from me letting him know all went well and the cards were on deck. He was probably knee deep in Alyssa.
Oh well, when it's my turn, it'll be mine.
I put off taking a shower, left on my cum-stained panties and bra, and slid on one of the shirts he left over here a while ago. I wanted to smell like him longer. Powering up my computer and sitting down with the spiral notebook I kept my customer's information in, I diligently got to work. I was a mastermind when it came to creating illegitimate seven-day insurance policies. Mimicking an actual policy issued by these knock-off places like LA Insurance, who charged over $250 for seven worthless days of insurance, you could pay me a lowball fifty dollars for the same thing. My desk had all the necessary supplies to make each form look certifiable; and never once had my knock-offs not worked. I'd charged seventy-five dollars for each one last night: a twenty-five buck increase because I knew the big spenders in attendance had it. Instead of putting the $300 into my bill stash, I set it aside for the Ta'Nique abortion fund. After getting all four of them printed out and slid inside a stamped manila envelope to appear extra official, with no hesitation I hit up each one of their cells letting them know their forms were ready for pickup. I didn't play when it came to getting my customers in and out. The quicker they got their product, the quicker they'd be out of my hair and hopefully referring my services to others. I wasn't a friendly type chick but I was infatuated with making love to the money.

It was just after 8:30. No one had responded to my text as of yet but I promised myself they weren't about to hold me up. Today was going to be a moneymaking day for sure. Macy's had a sale going on today so I had to get to my hands on the good stuff only the early bird risers were privy to. Making sure my scarf secured my weave, I hopped into the shower using the Dove body wash I stole from Target to wash and moisturize my skin. Rubbing the loofa over my breasts and stomach, thoughts of Mike flooded my mind, this time mixed with those of Alyssa. Whoever this chick was she was getting major time. He'd fed me some bullshit about it not being that serious, but if that was truly the case, why was she getting so much press? Breakfast photo ops, public affection, and getting to drive his truck; she was more than just the jump off he classified me as. I'd heard him tell Alyssa he'd be there after the party last night and since I played sleepover with Nique last night, I obviously wasn't the chosen one. He'd pacified me with a nut at his party. I'd gotten played. Letting the water soothe me, I washed up a few more times then stood there talking to God. I was in desperate need for Him to get my life right. He had to guide me to a path much better than this one. I was tired of the struggle.

As I rummaged through my closet for something relaxed to wear for the day, I decided to keep it simple with a pair of lightweight cotton Abercrombie and Fitch jogging pants, T-shirt, and no-brand boat shoes. Standing in front of the mirror, I was trying to decide on what type of accessories I should rock and if the nerd glasses would be doing too much. I wanted to blend in with the preppy girls who would be spending money since I'd be swiping everything that caught my eye. My closet was needing a makeover plus the people I usually boosted were calling to spend money. Who was I not to deliver on demand? As I applied my makeup, I was yawning out of control but I refused to turn down the opportunity to shop when someone else was treating.

“Good morning, sissy, I see you're up and at it.” Nique was standing in my doorway with sleep caked up in the corners of her eyes. The long wand curls that were flowing down her back last night were now pulled up into a ponytail, limp and dry. Fighting, crying, and getting tipsy while pregnant wasn't ending up being a good look for her.

“Hey, good morning, boo. How do you feel?”

“Like shit, but I'll be good after I blow through this blunt and take a long shower. What's up on your agenda for today?”

“I'm about to hit that Macy's sale, clean a few racks off.” I laughed, acting like I was popping my collar.

“Oh, why didn't you wake me up? I'm trying to ride out too. We can hit a few stores up and make a killing real quick.” Nique was already making a move for the bathroom. “Roll up since you're already looking like a doll. I won't be long.”

“If it weren't for me wanting to give my customers a little more time, you'd be ass out. Make sure you hurry up in there please,” I shouted behind Nique as she slammed the door before my words were finished.

“Cool it, Cori, I'll be right out. Do not rush me.” Nique's hormones were more than kicking in. They were flat out annoying me.
She'd better direct that feistiness to Vic's nut-busting behind.

Picking up my ringing cell, the first of the four people I was waiting on had just pulled up. I grabbed their paperwork and headed outdoors so I could hurry to finalize the transaction. After meeting them on the curb, they pulled off, quickly headed toward the Secretary of State a few miles away from here. It took no time for the other three to follow suit, which meant that was quick money made.
Tell ya friends about me.

The sun was shining bright, the assumed crime scene from earlier had cleared, and the hood was coming all the way alive. Bright and early, already dedicated fiends were out tapping on windows trying to get their rise and shine early morning blows on. Some of my neighbors were already outside sitting on the porch gossiping, some still up from last night high off the flow of cheap alcohol and their drug preference. That's one thing I liked and couldn't deny about the hood, especially mine: there was never a dull moment. On the dullest Michigan winter storm night, cats in the D could make even the simplest task like making grape-flavored Kool-Aid into a federal case. After witnessing crazed shit like seeing crackheads slug it out over whose eyes got bigger after a blast, or being snatched out of my slumber by fence-stealing thieves leaving the elementary school unprotected from carless drivers and random wanders, I'd seen it all and was probably actually part of even more.

I decided to post up on the porch looking cute until Nique got ready so to kill the time I pulled out my phone to check the CrimeInTheD post. Not seeing any leads to suspects or information, I was right about today being good 'cause ol' girl hadn't snitched after all. I tried to keep myself from checking Mike's page but I couldn't fight the temptation. I wanted to do a search down on this Alyssa chick who was so worthy of his time. Seeing her name linked to one of the pictures because she'd commented on with only a kissy face emoticon, I clicked on her page but as suspected it was private. With no other choice, I logged on to the fake page all of us girls kept to stalk and lurk our niggas and was quick to request her. Once she accepted, I'd be checking for her from the inside. Everything I did was well plotted out.

“What up, C-Money baby?” I heard Uncle Spooky greeting me by my nickname but I didn't know where the voice was coming from.

“Spooky-Spook, my fam Where you at, Spook? Come out already.” Surveying each abandoned house to see which one he was chillin' near, it was nothing for dudes to post up on porches of vacant cribs that once housed working families. See, no lie, Spook was so dark that you couldn't see him but in the daytime. No shade, 'cause black is definitely beautiful, but real talk he'd be a perfect Instagram joke for a “dark-skinned niggas be like” joke. Before I knew it, Spook crept up on me quick, fast, and in a hurry. With a stained white T-shirt on, reeking of gin and cigarettes, masked with bloodshot eyes, you could easily tell he'd been getting his early morning wake and bake on for sure.

“What up, niece?” Every girl was his niece and every boy was his nephew. Old heads in the hood felt they were related to everyone.

“Nothing much, Spook. You cooling?”

“Slow motion, you know how I do it.” He laughed, trying to pimp swag but tripped on his own two feet.

Damn, this joker right here is high as a kite.
“Be easy, Spook.” I laughed watching him stumble back up the stairs to finish getting high. He sat on the same milk crate day in and out smoking from the same burnt-up pipe. Uncle Spook was cool though 'cause he kept his ear to the streets and whenever me and Nique had scams we needed the word spread on he was the mouth to do so. Spook knew everyone in, out, and around the neighborhood. He was the man in his day and could've been the boss running the whole city if his addiction wasn't more powerful. Hearing him coughing and choking, I knew that crack monster was on his back in the worst way.

“I hope you've rolled up 'cause I'm ready to roll out.” Coming out the house with her purse in hand, you couldn't tell Nique had fallen off her square last night. Dressed in a long, flowing green sundress, a jean jacket vest, and wife beater sunglasses to mask her puffy cried-out eyes, she looked like she was truly dressed to shop.

“Yup, I sure am. I was born ready.”

 

 

Me and Cori rode to rap while we burned through the pre-rolled blunt on our way to the mall. As pitiful as it was for me to say this, my mind was still wrapped around Vic even though my body was moving toward making money. My emotions were in shambles. Last night was mad crazy. Not only had I embarrassed myself in front of the whole hood, everyone out here knew my business to talk about and judge. If nothing else, I had to get my reputation back on point. In the hood that's all we had to thrive for. Pulling into the closest parking spot I could find, we both jumped out of my beat-up ride ready to steal 'til our hearts were content.

“Have you talked to Vic?” Cori questioned with her mug ripped. She'd never been a Vic fan.

“His trifling ass sent me a few threatening text messages in the wee hours of the morning talking about getting some of Tasha's friends to kick this baby from my stomach, but I ain't worried.” I secretly wished one of Tasha's friends, or her for that matter, would come to bust bows with me. I'd box anybody out over Vic if they wanted to try me.

“So tell me again what you plan on doing? I don't see how you're putting up with him,” Cori finally said what she'd being thinking all along. “Am I going to be an auntie or designated driver after the twilight procedure?”

“Girl, I'm not trying to be Vic's baby momma. You saw how that nigga went ham on me last night. I ain't trying to live my life with no nutty-ass baby daddy.” I was masking my emotions and glad I had sunglasses on to shade the tears that were starting to draw up in the corners of my eyes. I hated admitting the truth; more than likely, I'd have to kill the only child I'd ever conceived.
I hate you, Victor Jamison. I hate you to the depth of me!

“I'm glad you're talking some sense, Nique, 'cause that buster definitely is not the one you need to breed with.”

Cori didn't have a lot of room to talk. Chasing my cousin down like he was going to wife her tricking ass was the dumbest thing I'd ever witnessed her do. But who was I to judge? She was grown and could see just like the rest of Mike's jump offs that he was messy, down for himself, and loved women hanging from his nut sac too much to settle down. I listened to her degrade and talk down about Vic for the first five minutes of our shopping trip. I never said a word but let her think she was giving me great sisterly advice. The only thing on my mind though was getting to the bathroom to pee. Being pregnant had me pissing waterfalls!