Page 20 of Standing In The Sun
“Daddy ain’t have nothing but enough to bury him with a couple dollars left over for me to pay rent for two months.”
“But you ain’t gon’ get a job?” Sheena challenged.
Ahvi balled her face up. “How can I when I have a son?”
“Where’s his no good daddy at?”
“Nah, mama,” Butta interrupted, cocking her head to the side, - saying so much without saying anything. Sheena was one to talk about a baby daddy when none of her kids daddies were there to help her. The one good one was Ahvi’s daddy and Ish was gone now.
Sheena’s chest bounced from her silent laugh. “You always taking up for your sister like she needs it.”
“No I don’t… I’m just unbiased and you be acting like your shit don’t stank.” Butta fake smiled.
Sheena waved her off. “I’m just saying…what’s the plan now cause I love you but ain’t no room for you to be holed up here for longer than thirty days.”
“Mama, I know,” Ahvi mumbled. “I’m got some stuff lined up. You think I can get a couple stamps to get some food so I can sell some more plates? Mari ‘bout to be outta milk and gon’ need a couple summer fits since he’s getting so big?”
Sheena head shook before she said, “No baby. I ain’t got no stamps or no money. You ask Dro?”
“That nigga ain’t answering but I really need to make something shake before Tuesday.”
“What happens Tuesday?”
“None of your business.” Ahvi smirked.
“Ain’t my business but you need to stay here and asking for stamps…girl get over yo’self.”
“Probably get that from you,” Butta whispered, falling back when Sheena swung at her.
“You get on my nerves, Porsha.” Sheena rolled her eyes laughing.
“Why you gave us all these ghetto ass names? Well not Ahvi.”
“Girl, you know Ish swore he was Muslim. Nigga changed his name from Thomas to Ishmel.” They all fell out because Ish swore he converted—had changed his name and made sure to give his daughter aMuslim-ishname too.
Ahvi loved her name though. Even if she knew it probably wasn’t as Muslim as Ish claimed.
“Don’t worry about nothing right now. Just chill out and relax with your family for a few days, Ahvi.” Sheena got serious.
Smiling, Ahvi stood to hug her mama. “I love you, girl.”
“I love you too, baby.”
five
Ahvi’s pulsedrummed in her ears, but her face stayed cool. She had done this shit plenty of times and this one was no different.
She shifted her son higher on her hip, pressing a kiss to his temple to keep him calm. Kamari was restless, seconds from letting out a cry that would draw unwanted attention so she had to move faster.
Her free hand slid a can of formula into the black tote, already heavy with everything else she needed to hold her over. A family pack of chicken, loaf of bread, a cheap bag of rice, a bag of frozen peas and carrots mixed, and two cans of green beans.
The plan was to make a big pot of chicken and rice to sell to the drunks in her mama’s neighborhood as well as feed her siblings.
Her eyes flicked across the store. Ahvi felt relief when she realized no one was watching her too closely. The cashier was busy ringing up an old man who was fumbling with his wallet, and the security guard at the front looked half-asleep, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed like they weren’t in the hood and shit couldn’t pop off any minute.
Ahvi pursed her lips at how easy it was to steal from the local food mart.
The ten thousand was coming. She knew that. But she wasn’t stupid enough to count on it. Anything could happen, and she wasn’t about to let her son go without because she banked on money that might not be in her hands at the end of the day.
