Dirty Laundry

by Cherie Briggins

  “Why the fuck you keep staring at me?” Supreme asked as he kept his eyes on the road.

  “Ain’t nobody staring at you.”

  Supreme looked over at her and smiled. “Nigga is fine as fuck though,” he said as he licked his full lips.

  Choice chuckled. “Whatever.”

  “So which one you live in?” Supreme asked as they pulled up to Liberty Projects.

  “That’s me right there,” Choice pointed up to the apartment.

  Supreme parked on the side of the street.

  “So what’s-” Supreme was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone and the knocking on his window.

  “Girl, if you don’t get yo hot ass out this grown man’s car, I’m going to beat yo ass,” Karen yelled as she pounded on the window.

  “Fuck is this?”

  “That’s my mom,” Choice said a little embarrassed as she hopped out the truck.

  “If you don’t stop beating on my window, we’re going to have a fucking problem,” Supreme said to Karen as he rolled down his window.

  “She is not eighteen yet, which means she is still a minor. I’ll throw your ass in jail so fast.”

  As Karen went on and on, Supreme remembered the fiend Karen, Petey had Dylan sell to the other night. He watched as Karen walked up the stairs still talking a bunch of shit. Supreme pulled off, shaking his head as he looked at his phone to see who had called him. It was Bear. He made a mental note to call him back soon as he got home.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “‘Sup my nigga? It’s about five thirty in the morning. What’s good?” Supreme asked Bear as he lay back on the bed in his boxers.

  “Yeah, I was calling to see if you wanted any company. I met these bad ass bitches at the lounge tonight.” Bear said through the phone.

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  “You sure? It ain’t no fun if the big homie can’t have none,” Bear laughed at his own wack ass joke.

  “Nah, I’m about to catch some ZZs, homie,” Supreme said, thinking about the girl he’d just dropped off and wondering if she was okay.

  “A’ight, well, I’m going to hit you up around noon,” Bear said through the phone. If Supreme didn’t want none; Bear would gladly break the two dime pieces’ backs.

  Supreme hung up. Just as he was getting ready to go to sleep, he got the call he got every morning.

  ****

  “Mom, I’m so sick of you,” Choice said as she tried to catch her breath. “I told you I don’t have any money. It’s too early for this shit. Damn!” Choice said as she ran her fingers through her hair.

  She and Karen had just got done wrestling around on the floor.

  “I’m not going to be wrestling with yo ass.” Choice said. She was too tired to fight. All she wanted to do was get some rest.

  “Bitch! You just got out the truck with a fuckin’ drug dealer. I know you got some money! If you don’t, your whorish ass better come up with some. Coming up in this bitch at five in the fucking morning! You got me fucked up, talking ‘bout you ain’t got no money. I can tell what a nigga with money look like, and that nigga has plenty of it.” Karen yelled.

  “Momma, leave Choice alone,” Kyree said as she sat on the bed with tears rolling down her face. “She said she don’t have no money. Choice, if you have money, give it to Momma so she can leave you alone.”

  Seeing her little sister beg her to give Karen money broke Choice’s heart, but she was adamant about not giving Karen anything that she would just smoke up.

  “I told you, I don’t have any money so we can wrestle all day if you want to.”

  “Okay, Choice, you going to regret not giving me some money,” Karen said as she walked out the room with red eyes and her hair all over her head.

  “It’s gone be okay Ky, stop cryin’,” Choice said as she sat down on the bed. “Everything’s gonna be okay.”

  Choice was telling Kyree that, but more so trying to convince herself. Choice changed into a wifebeater, then got in bed with Kyree to get some shuteye. She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

  Choice could feel her legs been pried opened, but she thought she was dreaming until she felt someone kissing and licking her thighs as he got closer to her treasure box. Choice woke up, but her eyes were still shut. Her heart was beating fast in her chest and her breathing uneven. Her eyes popped opened as soon as she felt his hot tongue enter her pussy.

  “Umm! Damn baby, you taste so good,” the stranger said as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling Choice towards his mouth, eating and slurping her up like he hadn’t eaten in days and was trying to clean his plate.

  Choice took her foot and kicked the stranger in the stomach. He fell off the bed, then got up and ran out the room so fast the only thing Choice got a good look at was his curly hair. Choice made sure that Kyree was still sleep, and then put her panties back on. She walked over to her door to see if she heard any commotion, but the only person she could hear was her mother laughing.

  I know my mom had that nigga come up here, Choice thought as she tried to shake away the tears that threatened to fall. Still, they fell as Choice took her dresser and pushed it in front of the door. There was no way she could go back to sleep.

  “Kyree, get up. Let’s take a quick shower,” Choice said changing her mind as she moved the dresser from in front the door so they could go to the bathroom to take a shower.

  “Huh?” Kyree sat up in bed rubbing her eyes. “Where we going?”

  Choice got her clothes ready, then Kyree’s.

  “I don’t know, but we’re not staying here. Get up so we can take a shower. And be quiet. I’m not trying to wake up Karen. I’m not sure if she’s sleep or not.”

  “Ooh, Choice, if Momma heard you call her by her name, she would be pissed.”

  Choice looked over at her sister sitting on the bed. “So! Fuck her. And watch your mouth, Ky. Don’t be cussin’.”

  “Why not? You do it.”

  “So what. You just make sure you don’t. Got it?” Choice said, pointing her finger at Kyree. “Now come on, let’s hurry up and get in the shower.”

  Thirty minutes later, they were dressed. 2 Chainz’s Birthday Song, came blaring through the phone letting her know that Ashley was calling.

  “What’s up, ho?” Choice answered.

  “Trying to see what’s up with you. You trying to go to the mall?”

  “Which one? Choice asked.

  “The Dolphine Mall. You know it’s Saturday. That muthafucka gon’ be packed later, so if we going to go, we better go now,” Ashley said.

  Choice looked over at Kyree playing with her paper dolls. “We going to catch the bus?”

  “Nope, Ma Dukes let me get the whip so when I blow you better bring yo ass downstairs.”

  “A’ight, I’m bringing Ky with me.”

  “That’s cool. Just be ready.”

  Choice’s mother and Ashley’s mom were like night and day. Ashley’s mom worked at a grocery store and drove a Honda Civic. She was a nice woman and a great mother. She loved her child. She couldn’t stand Karen because she didn’t like the way she treated Choice and Kyree. She didn’t even know half of the things Karen did, and probably never would. Choice was too embarrassed to tell anybody. Choice was taking the shit to the grave. Nobody would ever know.

  “Come on Ky, Ashley is coming to take us to the mall. Let’s go outside to wait for her.”

  Choice only had a hundred left from the money Mr. Charlie gave her so she was going to spend it wisely. A soon as Choice and Kyree walked outside, Ashley was pulling up. It didn’t take Ashley long since she also lived in Liberty Projects.

  “Girl, I’m glad you were ready. You take all day getting dressed.”

  “Anyway, what’s been going on with you?” Choice asked Ashley. “I haven’t talked to your ass in like two days.”

  “Girl, I’ve been doing a little something, something,” Ashley said. “I can’t tell you right now with little sister sitting back ther
e.” Ashley turned around and smiled at Kyree. “But you already know I’m going to tell your ass when we get in the mall.”

  “Girl, you and Petey did the damn thang?” Choice whispered.

  “Yes girl! I ain’t even been home. I’ve been at his crib for two fucking days. I decided to bring my ass home, you know, to show my face. So what’s been up with you?” Ashley asked.

  Choice told Ashley about her and Blue going over to see Wise.

  “Wise is cool people.”

  “Yeah he is. I just need somebody that’s gon’ hold my attention. That can fuck my mind, feel me? Wise don’t do that for me,” Choice said in a low tone.

  “I can most definitely feel that,” Ashley said.

  Ashley and Choice went from store to store until they were hungry and exhausted. They decided to go to China Star in the food court.

  “Girl I hope this dress fit,” Ashley said as she held up the dress she bought at T.J.Maxx.

  Choice took a bite of shrimp fried rice, and nodded her head. “It’s gon’ fit. What size you wear? A two?”

  “Bitch, shut up! I wear a seven,” Ashley said, smiling as she looked the dress over.

  “Oh, a size seven,” Choice laughed.

  Kyree sat there eating her food like she hadn’t eaten in days.

  “Kyree! Slow down! The food is not going to get up and run.”

  “Leave my little sister alone.”

  “Yeah, leave me alone, Choice,” Kyree said, stuffing more rice in her mouth.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Supreme was walking through Dolphine Mall with bags in each hand when he saw the girl he took home, her little sister, and the girl he met at Petey’s house the other night walk in Marshalls. For some strange reason, Supreme wanted to see if she was okay.

  Supreme was just about to walk in Marshalls when he felt the vibration of his cell phone in his pocket. He put the bag he was carrying in his right hand and answered the phone with his left.

  “What up?”

  “A whole bunch of shit,” Petey said.

  Supreme raised his thick eyebrows in anticipation. He could tell by Petey’s voice that he was pissed. That got Supreme’s attention. Supreme walked to the bench a couple of stores down from Marshalls and took a seat.

  “Okay, wassup.”

  “Man. Bear’s ass down in county on domestic abuse charges.”

  “How did you find out?”

  “That nigga called Dylan on one of his prepaid joints.”

  “So, whose ass did he kick?”

  “Some bitch he met at the club. This nigga fucking up. He was supposed to hit New York to see Rio,” Petey said.

  Supreme let out a frustrated breath. “Ain’t shit to worry about. I’ll go see Rio myself.”

  Supreme rubbed his low cut Caesar down with his fingers. “Man, you know that nigga called me this morning asking me if I wanted any company. He said he met two chicks at the lounge. I bet it was one of those hoes.”

  “He can’t even see the judge until Monday morning.”

  “He’ll be straight. He’s going to have to file a bond for his release. I’ll call Rick and make sure he on point for the judge,” Supreme said. “See if you can find this chick. Maybe we can pay her off. Shit, everybody got a price.”

  “A’ight, I’m on it.”

  “Hey, who was that chick at your crib when I stopped by your house the other night?”

  “Ashley. That’s wifey right there.”

  “Well, I see your shorty up here with some chick. Ol’ girl with long hair?”

  “That’s her best friend.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Choice.”

  “Choice,” Supreme said as it rolled of his tongue.

  “Hi,” a small voice said. Supreme looked up. It was the little girl he met at the store.

  “I’m Kyree. Remember me? I saw you when you were walking from that way,” Kyree said, smiling as she sat down on the bench next to Supreme.

  “Yo Petey, let me hit you back.” Supreme hung up.

  “What’s your name?” Kyree asked.

  “Supreme.”

  “Supreme? Did your mom give you that name?”

  Supreme chuckled. “No. Are you the police?”

  “No,” Kyree said checking out Supreme’s clothes. “You dress nice. Last time I saw you, you were dressed nice.”

  Supreme looked down at his clothes. He was wearing True Religion distressed shorts, a True Religion white t-shirt with white Sperry high tops on his feet. He also wore a rose gold Cartier Santos watch on his wrist.

  “Where yo sister at?”

  “She’s in the store with Ashley. They been shopping for a long time.”

  “Kyree!” Choice yelled as she walked out the store.

  When Choice saw who Kyree was sitting with, her heart thumped wildly in her chest.

  “Kyree, you can’t just run out of stores like that! You hear me? Thanks for sitting with my sister,” Choice said as she gave Supreme a faint smile.

  “But I just wanted to say hi to him,” Kyree said in a low voice as she looked down at the ground.

  “Ky, I would have let you say hi to Supreme if you would have asked me.”

  Supreme wondered how Choice knew his name, but his name was ringing bells in the hood, which was something he didn’t want. He didn’t like too much attention.

  Choice was definitely beautiful. Her cocoa complexion, big doe shaped eyes, and dimple in her chin were one of a kind. At first, Supreme didn’t pay too much attention to her, but now that she was so close, wearing tight ass leggings, it was like her body was on display. Choice was bad.

  “Don’t look so sad,” Supreme said, taking his eyes off Choice. He bent down so he could be eye level with Kyree. “I’m going to see you around, Ky.”

  “Okay,” Kyree said getting down off the bench and happily running in Marshalls

  “Thanks for sitting with my sister. I think she got a crush on you.”

  Supreme smiled. “It was no problem.”

  “I didn’t get to thank you for the ride home so thanks for that too.”

  “Ma, you don’t have to keep thanking me. Did your mom trip on you some more when I left?”

  “Did she trip? Hell yeah she tripped. But it’s okay, I’m used to it,” Choice said looking down at the booties on her feet.

  “Why you looking down there and I’m up here?” Supreme said taking his finger and lifting her chin up so Choice could look at him.

  Supreme’s phone already had vibrated twice. When it vibrated for the third time, he had to answer it.

  “Hold up, Ma. Yo, what’s good?” Supreme said answering his phone.

  Choice went in her clutch took a pen and a piece of paper out and wrote her number on it. She dropped it in his Neiman Marcus bag.

  “Call me,” whispered Choice as she put her thumb to her ear and her pinky finger up to her mouth like it was a phone. Supreme nodded his head up and down as he gathered up his bags and walked off.

  ****

  London and Paris were walking out of Express when they saw Supreme talking to some chick neither of them knew.

  “I’m so sick of bitches sweating my baby’s father,” London fussed as she walked towards Marshalls. “Nigga don’t ever come see his son, but got the nerve to be at the mall. I bet he didn’t get nothing for lil Quan.”

  London looked over at Paris who was pissed. “Damn Paris, what’s wrong with you? Have you heard anything I’ve been saying? I know you saw that bitch all up in Supreme’s face.”

  “Girl, I’m just mad for you, that’s all,” Paris said biting the inside of her lip.

  Paris was pissed, but for a different reason than London. Paris was jealous of the girl that looked like she had Supreme’s attention.

  Shit, I met the nigga first. I should have approached him when I first saw him in the Beans with Petey’s big dick ass, Paris thought.

  London went on and on about how she was going to beat up the chick that was just
talking to Supreme.

  “Did you hear me?”

  “Nah girl, what did you say?” Paris asked.

  “I said did you see ol’ girl standing there like she hot or something with that long ass weave she got. That shit gotta be at least twenty-two inches. Fake ass bitch.” London said, heated.

  Paris looked at London like she was crazy because little momma was bad. London wasn’t an ugly girl, but if she had to go up against the chick that was just talking to Supreme she would lose.

  “So you my bitch, right? You got my back?” London asked Paris.

  “Hell yeah, I got your back,” Paris said, but not really wanting to get into any altercations. Paris wasn’t a punk, but she wasn’t a fighter either.

  “Well, this is what we’re going to do,” London said as she and Paris looked through the clothes in Marshalls.

  ****

  “Yo Rick,” Supreme said as he pulled out of the mall’s parking lot. “Bear got himself in a jam,” Supreme was cut off.

  “I’m already on it. I’ve already been down there to speak with him. There’s nothing to worry about. He’ll be out in the morning after we see the judge. It would be a lot easier if we could get the girl to drop the charges.”

  “I got my people working on that.”

  “Good,” Rick said in his thick Italian accent.

  “Well, go and handle your business. I will holla at you when we find this chick.”

  “Okay, my man, I’m on it,” Rick said into the phone.

  Supreme pulled up to the gate of his house and punched in his code. He waited patiently as the gates opened. When Supreme got in the house, he went straight to the kitchen, pulled out a bottle of cranberry juice, and called up Rio.

  “Yo what’s good, nigga?” Rio answered.

  “Ain’t shit. But aye, look, change of plans. I’m going to be coming out that way. Bear got into some shit.”

  “Enough said. I’ll have one of my chicks pick you up at the airport. What time you touching down?” Rio asked Supreme.

  “I should be there in the morning.”

  “A’ight, I’ll have her out front waiting for you.”

  Supreme hung up. That’s all he needed to hear. Supreme took his bags upstairs so he could hang up his clothes. When Supreme was done, he took Choice’s number out and locked it in his phone.