Pretty Girls in the Vip (9781617730283) by Daaimah S. Poole Page B

don’t want to drop out of college.”
    â€œUm, that’s a rough one. You two had something tragic happen, but I know he loves you. You can take the same courses there as you can here.”
    â€œI know I can, and I do see myself with him eventually. I just wanted to make sure I had my own career and money if we ever got back together again. And Jabril kept saying I didn’t need school or money because I was with him and I’m going to be his wife.”
    â€œI really have to go, but, Zakiya, I will tell you this, nothing you go to school for is going to ever pay more than being Jabril’s wife.”

C HAPTER 11
    Shanice
    I sat on the bed and watched television. I needed to figure out what my next move was going to be. I needed to get to some money, but I was done with meeting people through Courtney. I did not want to get shot at again, and fucking old men was over, too. What would be next, getting kidnapped and tortured? I don’t think so. My actions were about to change, they had to. This cramped apartment was making me miserable. Aunt Rhonda’s aching and whining was making my ears and body hurt. Feeling hungry, I walked into the kitchen. Aunt Rhonda was sitting at the table separating her pills and placing them in a plastic container that had compartments for every day of the week.
    â€œAunt Rhonda, you going to make dinner?”
    â€œNo, I’m not cooking for you. You and Courtney are both trifling. You’re almost twenty-five, and you’re standing around waiting for someone to cook for you.”
    â€œI’m not trifling, and I’m only twenty-three. Every time you ask me for some money, I give it to you, don’t I? Maybe you should use the money we give you and buy some real food instead of noodles and microwave stuff,” I yelled, walking out the door and slamming it behind me.
    I walked to the Puerto Rican corner store called Papi’s to get a cheesesteak and fries. I needed my life to change, and now. I called my old head Tone while I was on my way to buy my platter. Tone was someone I used to deal with. He always looked out. He always got some kind of hustle and a way to get money. He has a girlfriend, but when I call him he drops everything. He’s ugly and his dick is little, so that’s why I can’t really be bothered with him. Before he said hello, I said, “Tone, I need some money.”
    â€œWhat’s up? How are you today, Shanice?” he said with a smile in his voice, trying to be smart.
    â€œI’m fine, thanks for asking, but I need some money, Tone.” I waited for him to talk but there was a long silence. I said hello again and then he said, “It’s nice of you to call me, Shanice.”
    â€œTone, come on, stop playing. I’m serious, I need some money. If you can’t give me any, then tell me how I can get some.”
    â€œI can get you plenty if you let me put you on the track.”
    â€œWhat do I look like, going on the damn track? I’m not hoeing for you.”
    â€œI was only joking. What’s up, Shanice?”
    â€œI’m not joking. I need to get some money for real. I’m trying to move. I’m tired of living with my aunt and cousin.”
    â€œBe with me then, I’ll put you up somewhere nice.” I frowned when he said that. No way I’d be laying up with him on a regular basis.
    â€œAll right, never mind. You playing too much. I’ll talk to you later. Bye, Tone.”
    â€œAll right, seriously, you can bust a script for me and I’ll give you two hundred.”
    â€œOkay, I can do that.”

    I met Tone around the corner from the Rite Aid pharmacy. He handed me the prescription and someone named Edna Fenilli’s prescription card. I got in the car so he could explain everything he needed me to do.
    â€œAll you have to do is go in and say, ‘I’m dropping this off for my mom.’ They going to fill it and you going to