Ray sat back and took a deep breath. He couldn't get
his mind off of his precious newborn.
A princess to go along with his young prince and
queen. He'd rather be home with her laying on his
chest, singing her lullabies like the fake ass Ne-Yo he
knew he was. He smiled inside.
“...C'mon Baby girl, just go up there and holla at Ray.
You wanna get high tonight, right??
Well, we ain't got no money, so you gotta do what you
gotta do.”
Shameeka sat in the passenger seat and stared at the
snowfall outside of the window. A beautiful winter
night turned ugly by what Marvin was asking her to
do.
She rubbed the bruise on her forearm... the result of
her refusing Marvin the last time he needed drugs.
She hated the way she felt after she sold her body.
“You promised me you would never ask me to do this
again, Marvin.” Marvin was getting frustrated.
“You getting high off it too 'Meeka! I been puttin' in
work all week, makin sure we got money to get high
with. It's time for you to make it happen!”
Shameeka knew Marvin was getting angry. She grew
scared when he got like this. He tried reasoning with
Shameeka.
“Look, Ray and Nate both up there with product.
Make sure you talk to Ray. His daughter was just born
and he startin' to get soft. And if they ain't offering up
no product, make sure you offer yo'self.”
She knew she'd listen to Marvin. He seemed to be the
only man in her life to give her any attention.
She hestitated and spoke quietly. “Okay Babe...”
She leaned in to kiss Marvin and he turned his head
away.
“I'll be waiting for you right here in the car.”
Shameeka took one last look at the snow falling and
the street lamp that seemed to showcase it all.
She wanted one last look at something beautiful.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Nate put his Glock .45 in his hand as he looked
through the peephole.
“Meeka... Why you still messin' wit dat creep,
Marvin???”
Shameeka looked down at her feet and shrugged her
shoulders. She spoke softly.
“He helps me out and takes care of me. He ain't that
bad.”
Ray shook his head in disbelief.
“Meeka, any dude that sends their woman on a mission to get drugs by sellin' her body ain't helpin' you
out and he ain't takin' care of you.”
Nate lit a Newport and began counting the money in
his pocket. He looked at Ray.
“No Dr. Phil tonight homie, please. She wanna sell
herself for drugs... let her.” He licked his lips and
looked at Shameeka.
Ray shot Nate a glance that let him know to fall
back.
Shameeka shuffled her feet and looked at the floor.
She brushed her hair behind her ear. She didn't feel
pretty enough to pull this off.. And she knew Marvin
would be mad if she didn't get anything. She lifted
her eyes to look at Ray.
“Please Ray, Marvin will be mad if I don't get something. I'll do anything. I can work it off somehow.”
Nate exhaled a cloud of sm oke and shook his head.
Deep down, Ray knew it was time for him to leave
the game. He'd made enough money and he
had 2 restaurants and a growing family to think
about. More importantly, since his little girl was
born, he'd been getting softer.
That could get him killed in this life.
Girls like Shameeka never bothered him before. But
tonight... for some reason.. he felt her situation deeply.
“It's 'Meeka..”
“I been livin' in this city my whole life. I know everybody. Who's your Pops???
Ray, tired of this life, eased his grip on his AR-15.
“Okay, let her in.”
Shameeka looked at Ray for a few seconds before she
answered.
Shameeka stepped in and took off her jacket, hoping
that they'd find her sexy.
“I never knew him. I was raised by my Mother.”
“Hi Ray... Nate”
Nate, already beginning to get frustrated, said,
“C'mon Ma, please tell me y'all got some money.
This stuff don't grow on trees 'round here.”
“Uncles?” Ray asked.
Shameeka focused her attention on Ray.
“Nope. I don't know them too well.” Shameeka replied.
“Ray, Marvin asked if he could get something now and
pay you back in a few days?”
Curious, Shameeka asked, “Why?”
(Cont’d on pg. 13)
Nate interrupted...
“Dat fool know we only sell ounces here. Go see da
corner boys!”
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