Sinister turned back to finished the job; Cola cocked her head sideways and said, “Oh you think I’m playing with chu!” POW!

  The gun went off and the bullet pass through his shoulder, “Awwww, muther fuck! You shot me!” He dropped Money and grabbed his shoulder.

  Cola hollered,” Nigga I didn’t stutter!” Sinister leaned up against the door and Cola ran to her mother with the gun still pointed at the stranger. “Mommie are you alright? Do you need me to shoot him again?” Cola glared at Sinister to let him know she would surely shoot his ass again.

  Money found the strength to grab the gun from Cola and point it at Sinister. Hearing sirens coming from a distance, without any words Sinister snatched the door open, ran quickly to his car, and pulled off. Money lifted herself up and got a cotton nightgown to cover herself as she ordered Cola back to bed. Seconds later the police showed up to Money’s door, she told them that someone jumped out of the bushes when she got home and forced their way into her home. She didn’t mention the rape because they would make her go to the hospital; she told them that she couldn’t identify the assailant because she didn’t get a good look at him. After 30 minutes of questioning and refusing to go to the hospital for her bruises, the police gave Money their contact information in case she remembers anything and left. Money flopped down on the couch and cried in her hands. She was so shocked that Sinister carried her that way. She couldn’t tell on him with all his illegal activities he was involved in, he would surely send someone after her if she snitched, so she had to chalk this up to the game.

  She cleaned up the best she could and checked on her baby who was now fast asleep. She decided to leave her alone tonight but tomorrow they would surely have a conversation. While closing the bedroom door back she beamed at her daughter thinking, “My baby is a gangster just like her daddy!” Money ran herself another tub of water and looked at herself in the mirror. It wasn’t as much damage as she thought. Her face was red from the slaps and her eyes were swollen from crying. She had a cut on her arm from when she smashed into the table but other than that, she was fine. She lowered herself in the tub and let the water envelop her, still shaking from Sinister’s assault.

  ~~~~

  Money never considered quitting the club even after what happened with Sinister; she built too much popularity at The Lion’s Den to switch clubs. This was how Money made her money and took care of her family. She was a little hesitant about going to work because of her daughter. She addressed the night before with her but she didn’t remember what happened, which Money thought was odd, she was sure her baby would be totally traumatized but besides complaining about her head hurting she was normal. Money took a mental note of her headaches realizing they were coming more regularly as she got older. She gave her some Tylenol and rocked her to sleep. Money headed out for work when the babysitter got there mentioning that her daughter was having one of her headaches and to call her if she wakes up still complaining about it.

  ~~~~~

  Sinister was remorseful for what he had done to Money so he made it up by throwing hundred dollar bills on stage when she danced and called out the ballers to match what he gave. Not to be treated like they were broke, the real hustler made it rain just to show money wasn’t no thang to them either. Having a little taste of her only made him want her more; she was exactly what he needed to complete his life. Throughout all his riches he longed for a main lady by his side, he knew that woman was Money and her gangster ass daughter. However, he knew she would never forgive him for his indiscretions. Watching all the men go crazy as she worked the pole, she would drop down to her knees and back her ass up on the big spender around the stage. After she collected her money and left the stage she would walk around the club and pay certain customer extra attention. Sinister would raise his glass around his sanctuary as jealousy boiled in his stomach. Money avoided Sinister at all cost; she was bidding her time for when she could afford to leave the club for good. Sinister watched every move Money made. A couple of times he tried to cross paths with her, but she would just scurry off in another direction. Sinister felt animosity building inside of him, his jealousy reared his ugly head as he watched her flirt and give her attention to every man in the club but ignored him. He hoped, because she didn’t quit the club that she had forgiven him and was willing to give them a chance, but it was evident that she would never want him which caused a familiar pain of rejection in his heart. “I will show that whore, she got me fucked up!” he mumbled.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Where is Ro?

  Money hadn’t heard from Ro in a while which wasn’t uncommon being that most times she was on the road. She had been heavily on her mind since she saw the glaze in her eyes at the club so she decided to stop by. Ro lived in the slumps of Detroit off of Mack and Bewick. Money never understood why she continued to live in that neighborhood; with all the money she made between stripping and muling, she knew she surely had enough money to live better. When she pulled up to her house she noticed that the grass looked as though it had not been cut all summer, a bedsheet was up to the windows, trash was everywhere and the screen door was hanging off the hinges. Even though Ro lived in the slumps her house was always the nicest house in the neighborhood, the upkeep was always on point. She went up to the door and knocked and the door cracked open, she slowly walks in and gasps at what she saw, the inside looked worst then the outside. What was left of the furniture was turned over, trash was everywhere, water was dripping on the floor, and it smelled of urine and mildew. “RO,” Money yelled. Ro had two children Nunu was 11 and Chunky was 14. She yelled for them all but there was no answer. She continued through the house but the foul smell made it impossible to breathe through her nose so she covered her nose and breathed through her mouth. The toilet was filthy, the sink dripped, the children’s room had a mattress on the floor, drawers were pulled open but no clothes were in them. The house looked as though it had been ransacked or she left in a hurry. After further inspection of the house, she concluded that Ro no longer lived there which confused her because she was sure that Ro would have told her. She pulled out her cell and called Ro but it went to voicemail. Perplexed about what the hell was going on she left a message, “Hey Ro, this is Money, I’m at your house, ummmm, what the hell happened over here? You need to get at me, Chick, I’m worried about you.”

  Money exited the house but as she was getting in her car something caught her eye on the side of the house. It was Ro’s son Chucky. She backed up to the driveway and yell, “Chucky, Chucky, Come here!” He didn’t move a muscle; he just stood there with his head down. Money jumped out of her car and walked to the side of the house and bent down to look at his face, he had tears in his eyes. Money lifted his head, "What’s wrong and where’s Ro and Nunu?” she asked. He put his head back down and said, “They came and took Nunu and my mother is at the crack house!”

  “THE CRACK HOUSE! FOR WHAT?” AND WHO TOOK NUNU!” Money yelled trying to stay calm.

  “Protective service”, he answered. She grabbed him by his arm, “Come on!” finding it hard to catch her breath. Once in the car she told him to explain what’s been going on. Chucky explained, “Mommie have not been home in a couple of months, the landlord came by for the rent and found us in the house alone and called the police. When the cops got there, I ran out the back door and hopped the fence, but they took Nunu. A week later, some men came to the house looking for Momma, they tore the house up like they were looking for something; I hide in the cubbyhole in the closet until they left. One of the men said, “The shit ain’t here” and signaled for the other men to leave.”

  “Do you know which house she at?” Money asked. Chucky shook his head yes and lead the way. Money pulled up in front of a run down two family flat with boarded up window and the last two steps missing. Coming down the street with wobbly legs, Ro staggered to the house. Money jumped out the car and ran up to her, “RO!” WHAT DA
FUCK!”

  Ro looked up at her with squinted eyes, “Ohhh hey Money, what chu doing here, I was gonna call you to hang out but I seemed to have lost my phone!”

  Money looked at Ro with disgust, she had on her stripper clothes, hair was matted, dry cracked lips, and old make up still on her face. She either been in a fight or had fallen because she had scars on her knees.

  Ro almost fell and Money grabbed her by her arm to hold her up. Ro said, “I’m alright, I’m ok!”

  Money scolded, “Like hell you are, what the hell is going on Ro, I went by your house and its torn the fuck up, Chucky said you ain't been home in two months, AND THEY TOOK NUNU RO! THEY TOOK NUNU!”

  “Yea, yea I know.” Ro said as she waved Money away.

  “What the fuck you mean you know, why haven’t you been to get her?” Money asked.

  Ro just started to cry, “I fucked up Money, they looking for me!”

  “Who looking for you,” Money asked, “This isn’t making any sense!”

  Ro stood up and looked Money in the eyes and said, “Sinister and his goons, the delivery was short. I only took a little bit! I didn’t think they would notice, hell I deserve a little taste I’m the one putting my freedom on the line!”

  Money became frightened, she knew what that meant; Sinister would not stop until she was dead. Money grabbed Ro, “Com’on you’re going with me!” Ro snatched her arm away. “I ain’t going nowhere!” A couple of rocks fell, and Money picked them up. Ro attacked her to get them back but Money pushed her and she fell, but jumped up with the quickness. She pulled out a knife and swiped at her. Money jumped back just in time with shock in her eyes, tears rolled down her cheeks and she knew Ro was too far gone. She threw the rocks on the grass and walked away. Money got back in her car to pull away but the look on Chucky face broke her heart, she grabbed him, hugged him, and told him everything is going to be ok. Money took Chucky home with her.

  Driving home, Money was in a daze, she couldn’t believe what she saw. Money reflected back to the last night she saw Ro at the club and remembers how glassy her eyes were. “I knew she was high off something besides alcohol or weed.” she said as she shook her head. Money took Chucky home, feed him, and took him shopping. Chrissy was very happy to see him; he has always been the brother she never had.

  ~~~~

  Chucky went to stay with his grandmother. He had lost interest in school so eventually he just stopped going. He came around every day to check on us and to see if Money had anything she needed done around the house, like cut the grass, shovel snow, or rake leaves. He made sure Money got home safe from the club on nights that he wasn’t already at the house with me.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Love and Money

  My senior year, Money finally met a man that was worth her breaking her rules for. Kelso was his name. He was tall with a butter caramel complexion, low cut curly fade with dimples. He was conservative but had a nice swag and stayed fresh at all time. He owned a lucrative cleaning company that provided cleaning services to over half of the businesses in the Metro area. He pursued my mother from the day he met her till finally she gave in to all his pleading begging and promising. Every time he came over he would have gifts for us. Designer gym shoes, and outfits. He would take us out. We would eat at some of the finest restaurant and go to the movies. He was exactly what my mother was looking for. He was good to us, he had bank and was mesmerized by the beauty of my mother. He felt like the luckiest man in the world being able to pull such a gorgeous woman.

  ~~~~

  How they met

  Kelso wasn’t the type of man that frequented strip clubs but his friend of 20 years was getting married and that’s where he wanted to have his bachelor party so Kelso rented the whole V.I.P. section, brought the best liquor they had in the club and picked out the most attractive dancers, one of which was Money.

  Sinister had history with Kelso, they both lived in the boarder home that was ran by Jody. Greeting him with much love he allowed Kelso to pick out the strippers of his choice. Kelso would just point and say, “You, you and you, V.I.P. and the ladies scurry without question. At the time, Money was on stage doing her thang. Kelso watched as she shook her ass and did a nice slow grind with her hips. She held onto the pole as she slowly stepped around it and lifted herself just enough to swing the rest of the way around, real slow and sexy. Money turned her back to the pole, held on to it with her hands over her head as though she was tied to it. She swayed her hips slowly down to the floor and back up into a standing position. Money had every man’s attention in the club. It was like they were all in their own little world, imaging what it would be like to make love to her. Kelso felt his mouth get dry and his heart skipped a beat. Money spotted Kelso and sized him up really quick, enough to know he had deep pockets, on that note she turned her attention to him. Starring him in his eyes, she licked her lips, gyrated her body ever so effortless to the music. She reached to the back of her top and pulled the bottom string, letting her top fall exposing her beautiful breast. Kelso walked to the edge of the stage by the steps, reached in his pocket and laid $100 bill on each step. Money smirked, drop to her knees and cat crawled over to Kelso. Crawling down the stairs to retrieve her money, when she got to the last step she placed her hands on the floor and lifted her body up and pointed her toes up to the ceiling, spread her legs open and lowered her body down into a sitting position like a gymnast. Now seated on the steps she opened her legs, gave Kelso a pussy shot and a wink. She flipped back over on her knees and cat crawled back up the stairs leaving Kelso with his tongue hanging out. He watched the sexy switch of her ass put distance between them. Kelso waited for her to get off the stage, he definitely wanted her in V.I.P. Money walked off stage and headed to the dressing room to freshen up and change in to another outfit. She felt a tap on her shoulder. When she turned around Kelso assertively said, “You, V.I.P.!”

  Money looked side to side and behind her cause surely he wasn’t talking to her like that. Money smiled her beautiful smile, and said, “Oh I’m sorry sweetie, I don’t do parties.”

  Kelso was shocked, he didn’t know how to respond, so he reached in his pocket and pulled out his wad and asked for his own private lap dance. Finding the stranger attractive and considering the money he already spent, Money agreed. She said she would be there in ten minutes.

  Money walked over to V.I.P to give him a private dance but not work the party. Kelso grabbed her by the hand and lead her over to a seat where he was sitting. He slid down in a comfortable position with his legs open and said, “Work your magic, Ma.” Money was intrigued by the stranger and felt an attraction for him. His eyes melted into hers and she felt her temperature rise. She stepped in between his legs, turned around and swayed her hips until she sat on his lap. She adjusted herself so his already hard dick would slide between her butt cheeks. Once in position, she rode his dick like a champion. Feeling the size of his rod she became aroused and started working him over for her own pleasure. Kelso whispered in her ear to turn around. She lifted her leg and spin around to face him. When their eyes met she pierced his soul. Money started her grind again as he grabbed her small waist. They stared into each other’s eyes having a conversation without words. Money felt herself about to climax as she felt the vibration of Kelso’s dick. He tensed his legs allowing Money to take advantage of his full length. Not breaking eye contact Money bit her bottom lip and whimpered. Her head hung low and her hair fell in her face. Kelso and Money face was so close they could feel the heat from each other’s mouth. Feeling his nut at the tip of his dick Kelso moved Money’s hair to see her face, that only intensified their interaction. Kelso’s body started to jerk and Money started to tremble when they both came at the same time. Not remembering that there were others around them, Kelso still had Money by her hair, lowering her mouth to his and kissed her, they tongue danced until Money realized what she was doing. She jumped from his lap and ran out of V.I.P to the dressing room,
hurriedly put her clothes on and left the club. Sinister watched the exchange between Money and Kelso and he was heated. He was use to Money doing what she had to do to make her money but to get so engrossed into a lap dance had him tripping. He could tell that Kelso and Money would eventually revisit that moment when the opportunity arrived.

  ~~~~

  Kelso came into the club every night after that waiting to see Money. He could tell she was avoiding him. Not to be a pest, he just watched her do her thang on stage but made it a point to make it rain with plenty of money. He would toss up hundreds of dollars and that would be all the interaction they would have. Once off stage Money would change her clothes and leave the club.

  Sinister would make it a point to acknowledge Kelso in the club just to get close enough to spit venom on Money, “Hey man, why you so fixated on Money, all these beautiful women in the club who would surely give you your money worth. Money is just a money hungry hoe, she teased you, empty your pockets and move on to the next!” Kelso would ignore Sinister and gaze up at Money when she would walk off stage, then he would walk away. The last time that happened, Sinister made a mental note that Kelso would end up dead if he kept pursuing Money.

  The next night Kelso did his usual and headed to the club but he didn’t go in. He parked his car so he could see the door when Money came out the club. He sat there for hours to make sure he didn’t miss her. Money didn’t have a specific time she left work but he knew she never stayed til closing. Sitting in his car drinking and smoking a blunt, Kelso closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling the weed gave him, daydreaming about Money which almost caused him to miss her coming out the club.

  As Money walked to her car with security, Kelso started his car and pulled alongside of her, “Hey!” he said carefree but with a smile on his face.

 
Phillis Forrest's Novels