I pressed the power button on the side of the phone, but only the battery icon appeared on the screen, indicating the phone was dead. Akira exhaled an exasperated sigh as she stuffed her phone back into her pocket.
“Well, Raheem is no help. All he said was keep it and I know that’s because his ass likes to call dibs on anything left behind in other people’s houses. I done told him about that shit - gives us a bad look, you know?”
I nodded. “Well, when I get back to the dorm, I’ll charge it. Maybe Mr. Adalyn has something in place to return his lost items. I mean, it’s a long shot, but it doesn’t hurt to try.”
Akira nodded. “You are so sweet and go above and beyond to help other people. I, personally, wouldn’t do all that, but you’re the nice one.”
We burst out into laughter. She wasn’t wrong. While I was the nicer one and didn’t mind giving people a chance, Akira had zero tolerance for people. Once she got a bad vibe or you did something fucked up, she cut you off. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
“Well, since this is the newest iPhone, if this bad boy isn’t claimed, oh best believe, I’m keeping it.”
“Aye! Welcome to the bad side, Addy!”
“Girl, I am not about to play with you.” I laughed out loud.
Akira and I finished cleaning up the house and headed back to school. Both of our final exams were due to start by noon and we had just enough time to shower and change. As promised, Akira sent me my half for helping her clean and I transferred it right to my checking account. I had the account set up for automatic payments and was sure damn near all of the money would be gone by the end of the day due to bills.
When Akira gave me half her money the first time, I tried to pay Mr. L so I could take back my guardianship of my grandmother and the house, but he refused. I thought about going the legal route, but thought against it. Not only could I not prove that I was financially stable to take care of my grandma, butthere was no guarantee that I could even still help K with her houses. Hell, she probably wouldn’t be cleaning after we graduated and her boss didn’t know I was coming along to help. So, the rights remained with Mr.L. I had signed a contract giving him these things and wanted to kick myself but then again, I didn’t have many other options.
After finishing up my last exam, I headed back to my dorm. Cindy and Sandy were not answering their phones and Akira was with her boyfriend. So, that left me by myself, but I didn’t mind. Unlike a lot of people I ran into, I actually enjoyed spending time with myself. Nothing like soft music, candles, a box of pizza, and my kindle, reading some hot, messy urban fiction.
I set my belongings down onto the bed and sighed in relief when I finally took off my bra. My phone began to ring causing me to snatch it out of my back pocket.
“Ma?” I asked, answering the phone.
“Well, yes! Who the hell else would it be, girl?”
I scoffed. “Well, excuse me. I’m just surprised you actually saved my number this time.”
My mother smacked her lips. “Anyways, did you get everything situated with your nana?”
I bit my bottom lip. Should I tell her what I did in order to not have the house foreclosed? A part of me wanted to, but then again, did she even really care? My mother didn’t ask about me or her mother unless she wanted something. She for damn sure never called me out of the blue to check in on me.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, sort of. I’m working and cleaning houses to keep up with the bills.”
“A damn maid? Girl, you’d make more money stripping. Better yet, that’s why I called you.”
“You want me to strip?” I asked, looking at the phone.
My mother laughed out loud. “Girl no! You are your father’s child and probably don’t have any rhythm like me.”
I rolled my eyes, but knew she was probably right. I could do a few dance moves from TikTok, but I was stiff as hell.
“I was going to say,” my mother continued. “You can make thousands doing something a bit more…physical.”
“Umm. Like what?”
“Damn, Addison do I have to fucking spell it out for you? Look, I know a few men who would pay a pretty penny to be with Ernest, the Reaper, granddaughter.”
My nose scrunched up. “What are you talking about? Who is Ernest and what are the Reapers?”
My mother groaned as she huffed out an air of frustration. “Ernest was my dad, stupid and that’s all you need to know. Anyway, since he died our family has been pushed to the bottom of the crew, but at least we’re still a part of the Reaper family. So, I was thinking, if you at least get pregnant by one of them, they’ll make sure to set you and me up for life.”
“The fuck, ma! Why don’t you do it since all you care about is how much money you could spend while being laid up?”
“Don’t back talk me! Besides, don’t you think I tried? My father made sure that I was off limits since I was kicked out. You, on the other hand, still has his blood. If only your senile ass grandma could stay focused for one minute to vouch for you.”
“Don’t talk about nana Henrietta like that!”
