The People vs. Cashmere by Karen Williams Page B

her ass feel bad.
    â€œYou know what? Fuck it!”
    â€œYeah, let’s . . .” I held off on what I wanted to say.
    Desiree crossed her arms around her chest and stared out the side window. I hoped her ass was freezing in that skimpy-ass summer dress she wore.
    â€œYou ain’t perfect, Cash,” Desiree said, her head rocking back and forth with every word. “That’s all I got to say.”
    I finally turned around and faced her. “You sure?”
    â€œSure about what?”
    â€œThat that’s all you have to say?”
    â€œOh, you trying to get smart and shit.” I tossed a hand at her.
    â€œForget it, Desiree, just forget it.”
    â€œI know what you thinking. You ain’t gotta say it. It’s all over your little face. You thinking I’m a ho because I slept with our uncle.”
    Caesar coughed, and his eyes widened, but he kept them on the road. I closed mine briefly, embarrassed out of my mind. “That’s what you thinking, ain’t it? Or some shit like that? But sometimes you gots ta do what you gotta do.”
    â€œYeah,” I mumbled, “but not with family. You have to draw the line somewhere, don’t you?”
    â€œShut the fuck up! You don’t know shit, with your young, dumb ass.”
    I know you ain’t shit , I thought to myself. Finally she silenced her mouth. Desiree had a way of pissing me the hell off ’cause she didn’t know how to stop.
    Caesar rubbed my thigh, and I smiled at him again. “Make a right here, boyfriend-in-law,” she spat out nastily, crossing her arms under her chest and twisting her head to one side.
    When he did, she told him, “Now pull into that motel.” I cringed inside when I got a look at the place.
    â€œDesiree, here? This place looks horrible!”
    I cried, my eyes wide.
    â€œWell, shit, Cashmere, I ain’t eighteen until next month, and I know the manager here. It’s the best that I can do for now, so shut up.”
    â€œHow?”
    She didn’t answer until she opened her door, stepped out, and poked her head in my face. “How what?”
    â€œHow you know him?”
    â€œWe just cool, Cash, that’s all. Stop asking me questions that are not your business.”
    I gritted my teeth as she sashayed away to the office. I leaned over and kissed Caesar. “I’ll see you tomorrow after school, okay.”
    He chased after me as I got out of his car and tugged both me and my sister’s bags. “Cashmere, are you sure you’re okay here?”
    I dropped Desiree’s bag and reached up to stroke his cheek. “You so sweet, worrying about me. I’m so lucky to have a boyfriend like you, Caesar. I hope you know that.”
    He kissed my hand and said, “I know it. But, baby, I’m worried about you.”
    â€œDon’t be. If me and my sister are anything, we are some survivors, and we’ll be okay. I’ll be at work tomorrow, so you don’t have to worry.” I tiptoed and gave him a peck.
    Desiree strolled up to us and yelled, “Hey, dude, get your ass off my fourteen-year-old sister.”
    Caesar dropped his hands immediately, but I waved her away and put them back around my waist.
    â€œNo, I need to get home before Mother starts to worry about me.”
    My sister mocked him. “ ‘Before Mother starts to worry about me’? Nigga, where you from?”
    He ignored her, waved at me, and got into his car and drove away.
    After his car vanished, I asked,” What room is it?”
    â€œGirl, they gave us the honeymoon suite!”
    Desiree bumped her booty into mine. Whenever she did that, I would laugh and say, “Girl, watch that bone ’cause we all know you ain’t got no rump and that bone hurts.” And she would laugh and say, “But I got titties.”
    â€œCome on, Cash, you ain’t gonna say it?”
    â€œSay what?”
    â€œYou know. Say it,