* * *
Monica was scanning over Kayla’s Christmas list. She was in high school now and no longer wanted toys. Everything on the list consisted of clothes or electronics. Between Mr. and Mrs. Cooper and big sisters Monica and Kanina, Miss Kayla was a hot mess. You couldn’t tell her shit. Thanks to them she rocked every designer who crossed the runways. Her days as a high school student were nothing like Monica’s. Kayla was the best dressed the first day she entered the building. There was no Jenette around to fuck things up for them any longer. She deserved the very best that Monica could steal. Kayla had always knuckled down, hitting the books, staying on the honor roll, and now was her payoff.
* * *
Christmas Day was filled with lots of presents and promises. Monica and Kanina spent the night in their old rooms so they could be with Kayla early in the morning and see her face as she opened her gifts. Mrs. Cooper baked chocolate chip cookies and made hot chocolate. Monica chopped the celery and onions, while Kanina peeled potatoes. Of course, Miss Kayla watched. It was the perfect day. To top it off, Mr. Cooper had everyone around the dinner table take turns saying what was the best gift they had received. When it got to his turn, he held up an envelope.
“What is that, honey?” Mrs. Cooper blushed.
“Yeah, Dad, is it for me?” Kanina was getting excited.
“I bet it’s for me.” Kayla smiled, rocking back and forth in her seat.
Monica remained calm because she really didn’t care what the contents of the envelope were. She had everything she needed: a caring family and a good and patient man who adored her.
“All right, ladies, settle down,” Mr. Cooper commanded. “This is a present for the whole family.” He opened it up and snatched the documents out. “This paper in my hands says that as of December 23, 2017, Kayla Marie Howard shall now legally be known as Kayla Marie Cooper. The adoption is final.”
Everyone jumped from their chairs and embraced each other. Kayla was shedding tears of joy. In spite of all the high-priced gear Monica put on her back, she still hadn’t seen her little sister so happy in her whole life. Being loved, feeling safe, and having a true sense of belonging was what Kayla always wanted. Now her dreams had come to pass.
* * *
Quinton and Latrell were on their way over. Monica and Kanina had just made it home. It was ten-thirty Christmas night, but there was still enough time to exchange presents. Kanina made two healthy-size platters of food for the guys. Her mom always prepared more food than could feed an army, so bringing a couple of meals to their men was easy to do. Monica wanted the fellas to have a full stomach and feel happy. That way they might be a little more generous with the cash flow. With all the presents she had stolen the past month, her money reserves were close to depletion.
“Merry Christmas, Kanina baby,” Latrell yelled as he burst through the doorway with his arms full of gifts. There were boxes of all sizes wrapped in different paper with bows of different colors on each. “Look what daddy has for that ass!”
“Oh my God, Latrell! All of this is mine? Did you carjack Santa’s fat behind?”
“Naw, boo boo, but come sit on my lap and tell me if you been naughty or nice.”
Kanina helped him set the boxes down, and he hardly had time to take his coat off before she pounced in the pile. “I love you, Latrell.” She beamed as she started her assault on the presents.
Monica heard noises in the hallway outside the door and went to investigate. There she found Quinton. In his arms was a small puppy with a huge bow around his tiny neck. “Hi, sweetie. This is for you.”
“Quinton, who told you I wanted a dog?” She took him from Quinton and held him tightly. “He’s so soft and fluffy. Is it a he or she?” Monica asked while rubbing noses with her new little brown funny-face, fluffy friend.
“First of all, no one told me. It’s my job to know what you need or want and then provide it. Secondly, he is a he. I thought you needed a man around here twenty-four-seven to guard your fine self.” Quinton smiled as he swooped several bags stuffed with presents off the floor and went inside the apartment, with Monica and the puppy on his heels. They found a still-childlike Kanina on attack, and without asking twice, the boxes were losing. Neither she nor Latrell even glanced upward to acknowledge their friends’ presence.
“I guess you like your shit, huh, Kanina?” Quinton yelled out to her as he leaned back in his favorite chair.
Monica came out the kitchen with a bowl of water for the puppy. “I love him, Quinton. What should we name him?”
“You’ll think of something, princess, by the time we get back. You can have your little sister keep an eye on him for us.”
“Back?” she questioned. “Back from where?”
Quinton reached into one of the bags, handing Monica a flat, long box with a tiny ribbon attached. “This is for you. I hope you’ll want it.”
Monica was nothing like Kanina and slowly opened the package. She was slightly puzzled as she stared at the small folders inside.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you like your gift?” Quinton reached for her hand and rubbed it gently.
“What is it for? I don’t understand.” Monica shyly stated and lowered her head from embarrassment.
“Baby, they’re plane tickets for us to Miami. Me and Latrell have to take care of some business next month, and I thought you could use a break from all this bone-chilling cold.”
Monica was overjoyed as she ran around the room. Kanina soon came across her and Latrell’s tickets, and she followed Monica’s lead. The fellas couldn’t help but feel proud making the women in their lives so happy. With the quickness, both girls started thinking about what they would wear on the trip. They were almost in a panic.
Before the joyful night came to an end, Monica was blessed with an eighteen-carat white gold watch encrusted with tiny diamonds, and a wine-colored baseball-style mink jacket. Quinton even had the store monogram her initials in the silk lining. No gift that the guys received from Monica or Kanina could compare to the ones that they provided, but all that mattered was that the girls were satisfied. After all the time the couples spent together, the right hand still had no idea what the left was doing. However, that would soon change.
* * *
Monica hit every boutique and upscale designer shop in the small suburban town she had driven to. She was amazed by the lack of security in most. There were no guards in uniforms to intimidate her. There were no signs of outrageously large sensors attached to even a small belt, and the salespeople were nonchalant, acting as if working there were a hobby, not a job. Monica eagerly made it her business to take complete and full advantage of the circumstances and put a major dent in their stock.
Store after store, she left her mark. Even stopping to have a brief discussion about the weather with one store manager, Monica then successfully strolled out the door without so much as a second glance. She jumped inside her car, confidently driving away. When she got home, she surveyed her new inventory of stolen goods. Damn! I never knew that borrowing would be so easy! There was no doubt that she and Kanina would be fresh, chillin’ in that hot Miami sunshine.
Chapter Thirteen
The day of the trip quickly arrived. Getting an early start, they checked in at the airport an hour ahead of time. The couples were definitely anxious to be on their way. Soon the airline started to board passengers. Of the four, Monica was the only one who had never flown. Deep down she was a nervous wreck, but she did her best to play it off. Her leg was shaking and trembling.
Quinton knew his girl and could tell she was scared. He held her hand most of the flight and reassured her of his love. Before she knew it, they had landed and were getting a rental. The palm trees and humid air were welcome changes from home. Monica was in awe as they pulled up to the high-priced, top-of-the-line resort they had reservations at.
Hotel Mystic was the tallest building on the Miami coastline. They checked in and had their luggage taken to their rooms. Monica and Quinton�
�s room was decorated in turquoise and various shades of blues, while Latrell and Kanina had a tan and rose theme going on. The beach was visible from each room, and the girls couldn’t wait to put on their new bathing suits. Kanina and Monica whispered softly to each other about the sleeping arrangements. This would be the first time that Quinton and Monica would share a bed.
“Listen, ladies. We have a meeting to get to in about forty-five minutes,” Latrell blurted out. “So why don’t we grab some lunch now?”
“Good thinking, honey. You must have been reading my mind. I’m starving.” Kanina kissed him on his cheek as they all darted to the elevator.
“Are you all right, Monica?” Quinton wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
“I’m tight. I just can’t believe my black ass was on an airplane. I swear to God I’m still dizzy.”
They all enjoyed a laugh at Monica’s expense as they ate lunch. They had crab legs, jumbo grilled shrimp, and fresh lobster that Quinton had handpicked right out of the tank in the restaurant’s lobby. When lunch was just about over, Latrell’s cell phone started to ring. He shot a look over at Quinton, who was already pulling out some dough to pay the bill.
“Listen, Monica, we need to go handle some thangs. It shouldn’t take any more than a few hours, and then we can go have some fun.” Quinton was getting up from the table and talking at the same time. “Take this and go shopping until I get back. Y’all can take the car. We gonna catch a cab.” He slipped Monica a knot of cash and headed toward the door.
Latrell, not to be outdone, gave Kanina something to play with too. Before any objections could be made by either of the ladies, the fellas were ghost. The women were far from crazy. They knew their men were both off into some illegal type of shit, but they cared not to make a big deal about it. As long as they were reaping the benefits of the game, they were good with it.
The girls couldn’t wait to hit the streets and spend their newly gained revenue. Latrell had given up close to $1,400, and Quinton was out two grand even. Monica stopped along the way and bought a postcard to send to Sandra. She wanted to make sure to let her know where she was and why she wasn’t home to accept her weekly call. Sandra worried about Monica as if she were her own daughter.
The pair of girls rode around sightseeing and talking shit until they found a store that caught their attention. They swerved in front of traffic and parked in front. Your World was a store where everyone who was anyone shopped. It was featured in all the fashion magazines around the globe. Pictures of musicians, models, and movie stars all graced its doors. It had marble pillars on each side of the building and a red carpet on the walkway. Plush custom-designed couches and a solid gold champagne fountain in the middle of the store made it the talk of the town. It was off the hook. People who were considered well-to-do owned homes that weren’t as out cold as this spot.
Kanina and Monica had stepped into paradise. They made themselves right at home and filled crystal flutes, sipping the good stuff while they browsed. Some of the prices were reasonable, but others were just downright ridiculous, which caused Monica to go into full borrow mode. She and Kanina both had money to spend and loved nice things, but they weren’t really accustomed to paying the price.
* * *
Latrell and Quinton sat back in red crushed-velvet chairs. There they listened to Malik give several weak-sounding explanations of why he was late with the payment of $22,000 that he owed Quinton for a drug debt. He started with his sick mama, whined about his three-legged dog, and almost dug up his great-granddaddy from the grave. He was sweating bullets and terrified.
“Look, Malik. Do you think we came all the way down here just to hear you bitch about all ya problems?” Latrell was pissed, slamming his fist on the oak desk. “I want my man’s motherfucking dough, and I ain’t bullshitting with ya ass, either. You betta check my pedigree, you sissy bitch nigga. I ain’t no joke.”
Malik was shaking as he looked to Quinton for some sort of sympathy or pity, but there was none. The clock was ticking on his good health.
“Look here, dude. We gonna be in town until Sunday morning.” Malik listened intently as Quinton spoke, giving him a chance. “By that time it will be twenty-five thousand. You better try to make something happen by then, or that’s your ass. I can only hold Latrell up off you for so long.”
Malik was scared shitless and in the middle of still trying to buy himself a little more time when Tami, a girl who worked for him, came in the office and whispered something in his ear. He reached for the remote that was on the desk and turned on the security monitors that scanned his entire store. “This is a disgrace. I’m shocked and offended,” Malik shrieked while fanning his face like he was going to faint. “How dare they take from me?”
Latrell and Quinton watched Malik acting like a bitch, and they shook their heads. Why would a fag like him even try to sell dope? Quinton thought as he got closer to examine the screen. That’s when the real drama started. He was at a complete loss for words. Right there in living color he was watching his woman Monica stealing her ass off, while Kanina watched her back, acting as the lookout.
Latrell noticed his boy’s facial expression, and he leaned over to take a look at what was so fucking interesting that was holding everyone’s attention hostage. Once gaining access to the monitor, Latrell joined the dazed Quinton. They both sat stunned while Malik still ranted and raved.
“Call the authorities. I want these scandalous bandits arrested and punished severely,” he pouted as he folded his arms and tapped his foot.
“Calm the fuck down, Miss Malik. Have your security escort the women up here to your office. I want to talk to them.” Quinton smirked.
“Yeah, bring they hot asses up here,” Latrell agreed. “I want a few words with Thelma and Louise.”
Malik was still performing as if he had been stabbed and raped, but he followed Quinton’s instructions anyway. Besides, it wasn’t a request. It was a demand.
* * *
Monica had just finished casually borrowing a silk scarf for Mrs. Cooper when a short, muscular, overly tanned man approached her. He was wearing tight, neatly pressed slacks and a T-shirt that was at least two sizes too small.
“Hello, Miss Thang.” He snapped his fingers and twisted his lips. “Can you follow me?”
Monica’s heart raced. “Follow you for what?” she asked while searching the store for Kanina’s whereabouts.
“Listen, you lil’ bitch, stealing what don’t belong to you. Stop all the drama and come with me,” he demanded. “Why don’t you play nice like your friend and don’t make a scene?”
Monica made eye contact with Kanina, who was being led up some stairs. She refused to let her girl be bullied alone. That wasn’t her style. Kanina would break down as soon as they asked her one question anyway, so Monica had no choice but to go along without causing any sort of disturbance. “Yeah, all right.”
“You’ve made a wise decision, little girl. Now come on and hurry up.” He rolled his eyes like a diva.
Monica headed to the stairs and caught up with Kanina.
Malik waited eagerly at the door for the girls to enter. Even though he wanted to scratch their eyes out, all Malik could do was give them a dirty look. Quinton already told him to remain silent while he handled the situation. Monica stepped inside the office first and froze dead in her tracks as she stared into Quinton’s face. Kanina, right behind her, got teary-eyed as soon as she saw Latrell. They were busted and humiliated that the fellas had found out their awful secret. Months had flown by, and they had managed to keep their fronts up. Now it was out in the open. They were caught up in their shit.
“Hi, baby. What a coincidence running into you here,” Quinton said sarcastically. “What have you been up to, Monica?”
“Listen, Quinton. Before you start tripping, Kanina ain’t have shit to do with anything now or ever.”
“Okay, Monica, that’s fine and all, but the question was, what has your sassy ass been up
to?”
Kanina was holding her face in her hands, crying, as Monica stood strong. Latrell couldn’t take seeing his wifey being distraught, and he walked over to hug her. She almost collapsed in his arms, while Monica never blinked an eyelash. Malik was confused about how the group of people in his office were connected, and he sat down behind his desk, puzzled.
“Let me see your purse, Monica. I need a tissue.”
She was not scared or impressed by Quinton trying to be slick. “See my purse for what? Is there something you want out of my purse? Do you wear silk scarfs, women’s perfume, or knitted tank tops?” Monica was bugging out and heated as she snatched the items out of her purse and threw them on the floor at Quinton’s feet, awaiting his response.
“Damn, baby, slow ya roll. I was only playing with you.” He smiled. “Your ass went straight gangsta on a brother. This is Malik. He owns this overpriced store.”
At that point, Monica couldn’t have cared less and didn’t even look twice at Malik, who now had his hand out to shake hers.
“Well, excuse me.” Malik switched away, sucking his teeth. “What nerve. She done stole my shit, and she’s got the audacity to cop an attitude. Bitches kill me.”
Latrell decided to ease the tension in the office and started cracking jokes. After a few minutes of coaxing from Quinton, Monica was back to her old self and promised to tell him everything about her past. He pledged the same.
Before they left to return to the hotel to get things out in the open, Quinton put his hand around Malik’s throat and reinforced the importance of him paying his debt by Sunday. “This is your last chance! Don’t fuck up!”
Malik had to think of something quick. His cash was all tied up his store, and the last thing he wanted was to feel Latrell’s wrath. The way he was known to act a fool when pressed to that point was legendary. Besides, what was understood didn’t need to get explained.
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