“Where’s the EBT card?” Emanuel asked, startling Irish.
Irish hadn’t heard him come in and prayed that her mother wouldn’t give a sign that they were discussing him. Ever since that night at the underground casino, Irish had been avoiding him. She stayed out the house for most of the day, hanging with Jovanis and his uncles. When it was time to come inside, Irish ran to her room and placed a chair under the knob.
“Irish just told me that you took her to some place where there were grown men. She also said you touched her.”
Emanuel glanced at Irish then back at Daisy. “You remember I said I stopped at the casino before we went out to eat?”
She knew?
“Oh, that’s what she’s referring to,” Daisy replied with the casualness of someone who hadn’t been informed that their daughter felt uncomfortable around her stepfather.
“What’s the problem, Irish?” he asked, grinning. “Why you making it a big deal about going to the casino with me?”
She wished she could’ve cowered in the corner and disappeared. This was all too much for her fourteen-year-old mind. They both looked at her, hoping she elaborated but Irish couldn’t muster up the words.
“He’s trying to win us money to move out. Don't you want a big house?” Daisy asked.
“But why can’t you go? Why do I have to go?”
“Because I’m old, girl. Niggas don't wanna look at me. They want something young and pretty to look at.”
Irish gawked, unable to fathom how those words had come out of her mother’s mouth.
“Look, Baby Girl. You are so beautiful, and the way you had those niggas distracted won me a lot of money,” Emanuel explained. “With your unique look, I’ll have a bankroll in no time. All we need is a little more to move out and you’ll be done with it.”
Irish shook her head. She didn’t want to move. Moving away meant that she’d never see Jovanis again. He was her best friend. The person who understood her completely. Trying to collect moving expenses shouldn’t have been a burden she had to carry.
“But I don't want to. It feels creepy, and Emanuel touches me on my hip. I hate it,” she professed.
“Well, Emanuel, you don't have to touch her hip,” Daisy chastised him.
“I have to make it look like she belongs to me. You know how those niggas would look at me if they knew this was my stepdaughter?” he fussed.
“Well, I don't want her to be uncomfortable. You said it would be innocent so keep it that way.”
Irish’s heart broke every time Daisy spoke. She’d assumed her mother wasn’t aware of Emanuel’s plans but knowing she okayed it left her devastated.
“Okay, I’ll lay off the touching,” he agreed.
“See, Irish, Emanuel won’t make you uncomfortable anymore.” She turned to him. “Will you be heading there tonight?”
“Yeah.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ll be heading out in like thirty to forty minutes.”
Daisy turned to her. “Irish go get dressed so you can go.”
“Mama, please,” she begged, pressing her hands together. “Don't make me go.”
“Irish it’s only for a couple hours. Just smile and look like a doll while Emanuel get this money.”
This wasn’t right. There was no way a fourteen-year-old should’ve been prepped to be around men twice her age. Cosplaying as her stepfather’s girlfriend so he could win money should’ve been grounds for him to be arrested.
“Listen, don't I take care of you?” Emanuel asked. “I stepped in and made a vow to treat you like my own. Don't you think you should repay me for that?”
Irish was silent again since she didn’t know how to answer his question.
“How about this?” Daisy stood. “I’ll help you get really pretty and we can talk more. Just us girls.”
When Daisy smiled, Irish was repulsed. Her mother hadn’t been perfect, but she never anticipated her selling her out. Irish was so disappointed that tears sat on the brim of her eyes.
