be a survivor, and that was exactly what she was. She did not have many friends, because unless you came from it, you simply wouldnât understand what it was that she did for a living. And Jewels was not in the habit or business of lying to people, so her work enabled her to keep her distance from most. Only Sassy knew what the real deal was since she lived an identical lifestyle. The only difference was that where Jewels drew the line, Sassy crossed it. She had an insatiable appetite for dope boys, who were the opposite of Jewelsâs clients. Let Sassy tell it, and Jewelsâs life was dull and boring, but in fact, it was just the opposite. Jewels was just about to text her again when she glanced at the time and noticed ten more minutes had passed and still no Sassy.
Just as she scrolled through her phone and found her friendâs name, Sassy appeared, looking like the bona fide diva she was. Her hair was âblowing in the windâ fabulous as she walked through the revolving glass doors. She was draped in all black, like she had just attended a funeral. She sported a black leather sports jacket with matching skintight black leather pants. Her black Louboutin heels added to her short height, giving her an extra three inches, as she clicked clacked on the marble tile as she strutted through the small bistro. All Jewels could do was smile at her friend. She could not front. Sassy looked like a million dollars, but she could never give her conceited ass the satisfaction of acknowledging this.
âDid you miss me, bitch?â Sassy asked playfully, pulling one of the extra chairs at the table out for her Gucci bag.
Jewels chuckled. Two peas in a pod, she thought. The other extra chair was occupied by Jewelsâs bag. âTook your ass long enough to get here,â she replied dryly.
âI apologize, but you know my young stallion canât get enough of this,â she cooed with a wink. âHe worked my ass overtime. But he paid for it, though,â she added.
âUhâhuh. Whatever.â Jewels rolled her eyes.
âReal talk.â Sassy put an emphasis on her sincerity. âI have been trying to catch up with you but our schedules were not aligning,â she said in her own defense.
âYeah, you right,â Jewels agreed. âBut I am sure it could have been planned sooner if you werenât so caught up with your young thug.â
âUmmm, young stallion, bitch!â Sassy said, correcting her.
The two of them both broke out into laughter as they proceeded to study the menu.
When the waiter returned to the table, Jewels was the first to order. âIâll have the salmon Caesar salad, with a Grey Goose and tonic with two limes please.â
Sassy followed her. âAnd can I have the chicken teriyaki with brown rice and a refill of this bistro punch? Itâs so good.â
After jotting down their order, the waiter disappeared into the back, and Jewels and Sassy people watched in between looking at their phones. Sassy clearly was more occupied with everything else and for a moment, Jewels was a bit envious, but at the same time, she watched her friend in admiration, so it was okay. Besides, it wasnât like Jewels didnât have other options. Men had recklessly eyeballed her and tried to get her attention even before Sassy had arrived at the restaurant. Her first two drinks had actually been sent over to her by two different gentlemen at the bar.
Even though Sassy was her girl, looking at her was a reminder of the life Jewels courageously lived, and it was one that was indeed complicated. In her opinion, it took a strong type of person to understand why she lived the life she lived. It took an even stronger person to live with herself while living the life she did. And as far as Jewels was concerned, both she and Sassy were that type of strong bitch.
She had decided a long time ago that life was about choices, and you were going to either talk
C. J. Cherryh
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