Money-Makin' Mamas by Smooth Silk

Honey. My sisters and Mama thought I was the shy one, but they were so wrong about me. I knew when to keep it cool. I also knew when it was time to show my ass. That time wasn’t when Mama had a knife near Karrine’s throat. I wasn’t sure if she was going to use it. She had never done anything to that magnitude before, but we all knew that Mama could be a motherfucker if you rubbed her the wrong way.
    I didn’t understand why Karrine kept pushing her, but I bet she wouldn’t do that shit again. I wanted to know the truth about Ray too, but after hearing what he had done to Chyna, I was mad as hell. Had I known what he’d done to her, I would have shot that nigga myself, cut his dick off, and shoved it into his mouth. I know Mama had told us not to talk about it, but as soon as we got back to Karrine’s room, we talked about it. Mama was in her bedroom, but we whispered to each other so she wouldn’t hear us discussing it and trip.
    â€œI didn’t know Ray did all that shit to you,” I said to Chyna as she sat on Karrine’s bed.
    â€œIt was a long time ago. I’m over it. I feel much better now that his ass is six feet under, sniffin’ dirt.”
    The only reason I laughed was because she did. Chyna was strong and she held all of us down. She had all of our backs, and I couldn’t help but to think about a time when she almost got killed because of me.
    It started with what was supposed to be a quick visit to the grocery store. Mama said she needed some butter and eggs to make a cake and I told her I would go to the store and get it. Chyna decided to ride along with me, and on the way there, we chatted in the car about feelings she was catching for this ugly dude at school. Body wise, he was hooked up. But his face wasn’t about nothing.
    â€œThat nigga look like he been beat in the face with several bats. I know you can do better than him. You just like him because he’s a star football player, that’s why.”
    â€œThat may have a little something to do with it, but he still cute. Look way better than that Nico dude you be following around, and if anybody ugly, it’s that trick he be with all the time. Are they a couple or what?”
    â€œI’m not sure, but I don’t be following anybody around. His ass be sniffing after me; you can trust and believe that.”
    We laughed, and as soon as we got to the grocery store, we just happened to see Chance, the ugly dude Chyna had a crush on.
    â€œSee?” I said to Chyna as we walked down the aisle laughing. “You talked up on him, didn’t you? Why don’t you go say something to him?”
    Her face twisted. “Say something like what? It ain’t that serious and you know I’m not about to confront no dude about my feelings.”
    â€œYou don’t have to confront him. All you have to do is go walk in front of him and let your big ass speak for you. Your face can speak for you, too, and I know you ain’t trying to be shy up in here.”
    â€œNow is not the time or the place. Why don’t you go get the butter and I’ll go get the eggs? That way we can hurry up and get the hell out of here.”
    I walked off to get the butter, but as soon as I grabbed a stick of butter, I saw Chance again. This time, he was standing next to two other dudes who were looking my way. I always like attention, so I took it upon myself to go find out what all the stares were about. I also wanted to put a few words in Chance’s ear about Chyna liking him.
    â€œSup,” I said, approaching Chance and his friends. “Why y’all staring so hard?”
    One of the niggas was real blunt. “Bitch, ain’t nobody staring at you. I was checking out that fine - ass white gal behind you.”
    I turned around, seeing no one in sight. “I don’t see anyone there, but obviously there was someone nearby because she must’ve been the bitch instead of