Page 61 of Tainted

“She’s over in Harborview with her new family, so it’s just me and Nana. Always has been.”

“I’m sorry.”

Brandy waved off my empathy, but how she changed the subject told me she wasn’t as used to it as she claimed, “We should go out tonight.”

“I’m still halfway mad at you, so no.”

“I’m your only lifeline, so unless you want Utopia to be your only entertainment, curse me out so we can wrap this up.” I desperately wanted to, but Brandy was right. For better or worse, all we had was each other. When I didn’t object or accept her invitation to curse, Brandy outlined our day. “First, we will visit Nana, of course, and then tonight, we’ll go out. I’m about to text Jewel.”

“I’m not going.”

“Sitting in here sulking won’t make the money magically fall out of the sky. So yes, we’re going out.”

Pulling the blanket over my head, but Brandy called Jewel on speakerphone. They were far too loud to fall asleep, but I made it clear I wouldn’t go anywhere if I didn’t see Nana first.

Brandy agreed, and the two of us rode to Serenity Springs. When we walked in, Nana Banana said we looked like the Bobbsey Twins, whoever they were. Although she wasn’t in the best mood today, seeing us together lifted her spirits so much that she encouraged us to get out and have fun.

After three failed plans, the night turned into a dummy mission, and I was halfway pissed. I could’ve saved my cuteoutfit and stayed home in my bed. Instead, we walked inside the diner to eat after our failed quest for fun.

“I can taste Margie’s pancakes right now,” Brandy swooned.

“Girl, I’m so hungry!” Jewel complained.

“You should’ve got a plate from Quanita’s,” I suggested, referring to her play cousin. We had gone to a selling party at her apartment, but nigga’s started fighting, and the police ended our night early.

“Girl, you saw her apartment. I wasn’t eating shit out of there. Cousin or not,” Jewel complained.

“I don’t even know why you suggested we go. I haven’t stopped itching since we left,” Brandy grumbled.

“Uh uh, don’t blame my cousin for Otto’s shit,” Jewel joked, and Brandy playfully raised her fist as we headed for the counter.

“Damn baby, can I get your name?” A deep male voice called out, touching my arm.

“Nova.”

“I’m Makori,” he introduced, shaking my hand. Then he started strumming his beard. “Nova, you look familiar.”

“Aren’t you the new shorty from Utopia?” One of the guys behind him asked.

“Nice to meet you, but my girls are waiting for me.”

“Aw, come on, don’t be like that. I’ve seen you shaking ass, so I know you’re not shy.”

How he said it, so smug and sure of himself, made my stomach twist. It wasn’t just the words. He looked at me like I was easy because I took my clothes off for a living. Makori could never get my attention, so I turned to catch up with Brandy and Jewel.

“Woah, baby.” He caught my arm in stride, and I turned around, “If you let me, I can feed you. Shit, I can do more than that.”

“I‘d starve first.”

“What nigga’s gotta throw a ‘lil money to get your attention?”

“Leave her alone, damn!” Jewel fussed, and the way he flipped her the bird, it seemed they were at least acquainted.

“You could throw all the money in the world, and I still wouldn’t give you the time of day. Lame ass nigga.”

“Shit, that isn’t what I heard. Guess that’s how you afford the designer shit you’re sporting. Opening for the highest bidder,” Makori laughed, digging in his pocket.

I stared in disbelief as Makori started throwing bills at me. "Walking around like you’re the shit! You’re just like the rest of them bitches at Utopia!” he sneered, his voice slicing through the diner's murmur.

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