Excerpt
Chapter Three

Thinking of the past had shortened my trip home. As I climbed the stairs to my apartment, I pushed those long gone days out of my mind. Placing my key in the lock, I have to admit, making a child with substandard sperm equals one sickly little boy.
When I open the door, Tory is sleeping in mama’s arms. I stroke his head, realizing he’s the spitting image of Boogie Washington. A big-eyed little boy with an infectious smile, he’s brought me unspeakable joy. His sympathetic demeanor makes him special, almost angelic. Doctors said his lungs were severely deteriorated. He wouldn’t live long enough to see five. Thank God, Tory is still here.
Mama’s health is not good either. Drugs have eaten away at her statuesque frame and her teeth are almost gone. When using drugs, she tends to be selfish, but most times, she helps out with Tory—for a small fee, of course.
My major worry is paying bills, mama’s bond, and keeping Spider off her back. It’s hard to keep my job when Casey is trying desperately to get under my skirt.
After hearing gunfire, I pull back the curtains and survey the street beneath my window. The project is no place to raise a child, Tory deserves better.
Being my mother’s only child is rough. Because I was also a mistake; mama vowed she’d never pull her drawers down again. That statement is also a lie. I had no other siblings due to a venereal disease, mama is sterile.
After my encounter with Natasha, I’ve kept my distance from women and men. However, my mind flashes on thoughts of Lenisha. She’s not my best friend, but we do have a working relationship.
Good old Lenisha. One night at work, she overheard me crying in the restroom and burst through the door. “Girl, the customers can hear you squalling all the way out that door.” Her face was frayed with anger as she pointed toward the door sill swinging beneath her hearty blow. Flailing her arms in the air she yells, “What’s up wit you?”
I didn’t expect anyone to see me like that. Taking a tear soaked tissue I wiped my eyes then looked into Lenisha’s round face. “Keeping mama out of jail is hard Lenisha. Her bail is taking every penny I’ve got. Tory’s doctor says he getting worse. Now, mama owes Spider so much, that every day, I fear for her life. To top it all off, I’m being evicted from my apartment. I don’t know what to do, Lenisha.”
My sobs grew louder after my confession. “I’ve already borrowed money against my car. It just isn’t enough,” I admit, tearfully. “Mama needs rehab. If she keeps messing over Spider’s money, she won’t live another month.”
Walking toward the mirror, Lenisha fixes her collar. “Girl, I feel you. But, you’ve gotta let your mama go. You’ve gotta think about your son.”
Lenisha put her large brown arms around me and I sniffled against her broad shoulder.
“Randi, you need some quick money, girl.”
I raised my head, giving her my full interest.
“I know where you can make a few thousand in one night.”
Immediately, I shudder and shoved Lenisha away. She had been trying to push me in the wrong direction for months. With reddened eyes I stated my true beliefs. “I’m not selling myself at that auction you keep telling me about, Lenisha.”
The thought of prostitution made me want to wretch, and I lashed out at my chubby friend. “Sell your own stupid butt!”
I tore from Lenisha’s grip and walked into the busy dining area. Though my chest was proudly inflated, it seems the customers turned and gawked. Undaunted, I walked toward the kitchen with a smug expression. “I’m not for sell,” I mumble.