Around the Way Girls 9

by Moore, Ms. Michel

  “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.”

  Nique

  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!

  Cori

  Vic might’ve had Ta’Nique on a rollercoaster of emotions, but you couldn’t tell by the way she was cleaning up at the mall. She was a self-healing go-getter for sure. Quick on her boost game, going in and out of Macy’s with bags of merchandise unnoticed more than once, Nique was easy on the eyes. A flawlessly laid weave, soft brown complexion, and a room-stopping smile made it easy for her to blend in with any crowd. Dressing like a dainty girl when hitting the shopping districts of suburbia made it easy for her to swipe petty items like Victoria’s Secret sprays, lingerie sets, kids’ clothes, and knick-knacks she’d ultimately keep for herself, too. The fact that she looked like some rich man’s wife I was sure had to help. She’d stolen bottles of perfume, Michael Kors swimsuits and dresses, 7 For All Mankind Jeans, Polo shirts, belts, and a few Sean outfits for both Mike and Vic. Macy’s never saw her coming. On any given day my girl was a star at stealing. She could boost almost anything the hood ordered: food, clothes, shoes, phones, and even self-care products.

  I, on the other hand, was coming out of a whole different box when it came to style. I guessed you could call it gangsta because I kept it wild at all times. From snatching Tom Ford shades off a chick’s face, to grabbing purses in those same shopping plazas to he
lp distract from Nique’s scheme, I didn’t care who got caught in my whirlwind of illegal activity. I had to get mines. Who did I have to fall back on? Faye? Shit, a bitch wasn’t about to end up like her. Whenever I saw a lucrative opportunity for financial advancement, even at an innocent person’s expense, I was all over it. Truth be told, that’s when I got down best. By the time we left the upscale department store, their security team was on high alert.

  After Macy’s, we hit Westland Mall, Target, and Toys“R”Us making sure we looked out for the things we needed around our house and some of the neglected crack babies we looked out for on the block. Store after store, counterfeit bill after bill, every transaction went through without any problem, working like a charm. The car was filled to capacity with clothes, shoes, household supplies, personal care products, baby dolls, and plush toys for the kids.

  “I’ve gotta drop two cards off before we go home. Do you have some stops to make?” Nique went down onto the free going opposite from our house.

  “Not really. Just swing me past Coney Island when you’re done. All this swiping we just got down with has worked up a major appetite.”

  “Came up that’s all me, stay true that’s all me.” My phone was ringing again but I didn’t want to answer to Wally. I didn’t want to answer my phone seeing it was Wally. We hadn’t talked since that day so I didn’t know how he was getting ready to come out the box.

  “What up, doe?” I answered the phone like nothing was up. Maybe he had meant to give me some work in exchange for a little loving.

  “Shit, you, Cori. What time this evening?”

  “Straight to the point I see. I thought we were straight since we got down.” I twirled my hair like a dumb girl but knowing better.

  “I ain’t for the games, baby. This ain’t the time.”

  “It’s cool, we cool. I’ll have the cash over there. Two hundred fifty dollars, right?” Straitening up in the seat, I could see this conversation wasn’t going in my favor.

  “Naw, that right there is top strain. $325 and that’s with me giving you a little off for a taste of that twat.”

  I guess I wasn’t going to get out of this deal without paying. “All right, I’ll call you once we’re done in the streets.”

  “Naw, that ain’t gonna work. I’ll be your way in an hour. Have my money or I’m beating your motherfucking ass, C. You should have known better not to leave without tossing my cash, high or not, you know the rules. Play me and get played.” Wally had flipped the script on me and hung up in my face. I expected him to have a certain demeanor about himself but this was a tad bit much.

  I stared at my phone watching the duration time of the call blinking, signaling the call was over. I was in total disbelief that he’d clowned so hard so quickly. I didn’t know who that “can’t eat pussy right” faggot thought he was dealing with. Free weed or no weed, I wasn’t into being beat on or told what the fuck to do. No nigga was going to run me or “beat my motherfucking ass.” I was way past regretting even calling him against my better judgment in the first place. I should’ve never mixed this type of business with him. It was proving to be a huge mistake. I just went from having a reliable trick in Wally to a having foe.

  Chapter Ten

  Corielle

  After stuffing my cheeseburger deluxe and cardboard fries down my throat, I joined Nique on the front porch for the yard sale we were hosting. We’d kept the best products on reserve for ourselves but in a pinch of course everything would go. Each time we were lucky enough to get down in a major way, we set up shop right on our front grass selling it off to our neighbors. The whole lot was set out for them to rummage through: from stolen hair care products, Macy’s highest tagged clothes, and toddler toys. And from previous experience, I knew it would sell. Of course we hung the best in our own closets, but if necessary we’d sell them too. Everything was priced ready to go. Girls were already spending money fast knowing our stock was 100 percent straight official.

  “I figured you wanted to do the honors,” Nique said and handed me the mail before walking into her house on the phone. My guess was that it was sorry-ass Vic on the other line. “Your ass owes me that twenty-five dollars he charges, too.”

  “Oh shit, with everything going on, I’d forgotten about even ordering these cards. And I got your cash even though he got down on you for an extra five. Everybody gotta have a hustle I guess.” Ripping the envelopes open of both a Visa and Master Card in Kelly Tandy’s name, I’d just come up on another card to pay bills with.

  Hearing the subwoofers of a car rattling, I looked up in just enough time to see Mike bending the corner in his cocaine white F-150 on chrome rims. Speaking of the devil, his ass must be coming for the money. As he illegally parked his truck in the vacant lot next to our house and got out, my eyes were fixated on him mixed with lust and hate. Shouldn’t he be with Alyssa since he dissed me for her last night? I was trying to be mad but Mike’s presence made me soft. Yeah, a trick like me wanted more than just the long pipe he’d lay off in me weekly.

  “What up my nigga, Mike?” Uncle Spook yelled, leaning over the porch banister. I swore Spook could sense a person with money a mile the fuck away.

  Mike, gold bracelet sparkling in the sunlight, stopped in his tracks waiting on Spook to get up the street before he spoke back doing a quick dap and hug. “Shit, Spook. Money is up with me, guy, you feel it,” Mike replied, looking the old G up and down.

  “Naw, dude, I don’t feel it.” Spook shook his head laughing as he went in his pocket to pull out a stale half-smoked Newport, asking for a light. “My money ain’t been up in a long time, playa.”

  Mike pulled out a red lighter handing it to Spook before informing him that he’d catch up with him later once he finished handling his business.

  “Yeah, holla at me, moneymaker. I’m out here bad so I need you to look out for me. I can’t front, boss,” Spook negotiated, ducking back down to continue getting high.

  Mike couldn’t catch a break. Between Spook, other old heads in the hood, and the young girls on our front grass, he was getting an overload of attention.

  “What up, beautiful? How are you?” Mike smiled walking up on the porch.

  Leaning back in the white plastic chair playing nonchalant, if it weren’t for me wanting some more counterfeit bills Mike would’ve been getting thrown moonlight shade. “Shit, I can’t call it. I see you answered to the money.”

  “Of course, you already know how I get down.”

  “I thought I did, until I saw that saddity bitch all up on your arm. You jerked me around at the party last night, Mike, but I ain’t with that shit this morning.” Not being able to let his Unforgivable cologne persuade me to keep quiet, Alyssa’s scent stood out more. I hated this girl I didn’t even now ’cause obviously she was taking the place I wanted, which was right next to him.

  “Alyssa ain’t did shit to you, girl. So quit acting all jealous.”

  “Don’t take what I said to the head, nigga. I’m not nearly jealous of that watermelon-head broad.”

  “I might be a street nigga, C, but a fool I am not. But let’s not talk about Alyssa right now. I’d rather get to feeling on that good-looking body of yours. Get up, girl.” I didn’t try to resist him.

  Letting him hug me tightly, I whispered softly into his ear that he felt too good as he hugged me tightly. I loved being this close to his body even though ol’ girl’s smell still lingered. Even though it didn’t work I closed my eyes in an effort to block the scent out. Instead I got lost in my mind wishing I were his girl. When he placed his face into my neck, I was sure he could smell the soft-smelling Flowerbomb body oil he was known to love. Running his hands from my back, finally landing on my soft booty, moans escaped my lips. Damn this nigga always throws me off my square. I couldn’t shake him if I wanted. “You like what you feel?” My intentions were to entice him.

  “Yeah, girl, don’t ask stupid questions. This dick is waking up for you. I’ve gotta finish that kitten off.” Sti
ll embracing me, both of us rocking side to side, we were both reacting off the other’s sexual energy. Not bothering to be discreet, I slid my hands down and grabbed at his manhood. He was long, strong, and ready to go to work on me. “You’ve got favors to return to daddy.”

  “I know,” I cooed back in such a low tone I could barely hear myself. I couldn’t wait to drop it low working for a permanent spot.

  “Why don’t you two just get a room?” Nique swung the steel security door open. “Not everybody wants to see all that lovey-dovey crap.” She was pulling at a blunt even though she wasn’t supposed to. Me and Nique were homegirls, aces, and BFFs in short terms, but I swore sometimes she just didn’t know when to shut up. She could’ve easily backed down until me and Mike got down having our kissy face session or at least kept quiet. As of lately, all I saw was a hater in Ta’Nique ’cause her situation was messy with Vic and that li’l bastard she was unsure of. She didn’t have to rain on my parade ’cause her life was in shambles though. We might’ve been ride or dies but I wasn’t riding for that. Mike broke the embrace we were sharing then went for the blunt Nique was passing. Unfortunately for me, he never made a comment on what she’d said about us getting a room. Once they started talking about family business, I’d definitely become old news and a third wheel. Not liking the feeling, I excused myself into the house to get his stuff from Walmart. My phone was blowing up with text messages for orders, so with the unexpected free time I grabbed my notebook to write them down. Since Mike was here and everything went good last night, I’d have the counterfeit bills to get everyone’s requests. Two people wanted a gift card to Best Buy for at least $500, a few people wanted to know if either me or Nique had a hookup for the PlayStation 4, one person had returned my message about the $200 Walmart cards, and three people needed a bill paid. I responded back to each text accordingly, letting them know I’d be in touch within a few hours. These were my regular customers, so they didn’t doubt my reliability.