“What’s wrong with you?”
She shook her head, suddenly clamming up.
“Don't lie to me. You look fucked up.”
With teary eyes, she gazed at him. “I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“Emanuel.”
Jovanis’ eyes turned dark. In a quick motion, he threw the money into a duffle bag, placed it under the bed, and sat next to her.
“What that bitch-ass nigga do?”
“H-he took me to this gambling house. He touched me and I don't like it. He makes me smile at other men to distract them so he can win.”
“The fuck! Did you tell Daisy’s fat ass?”
“Yeah.” Her eyes faltered. “But she told me to just do it. She wants to move and said this will help them get money so wecan. Van, I feel so cheap. A man tried to kiss me, and he put his hands on my private area.”
Jovanis gawked as his lips parted in shock. “And what Emanuel do?”
“Nothing. It’s like he set me up. I ran out of there and he called my name. I’m scared to go home. They're going to be mad at me.”
“Man, fuck them. You can stay here with me.”
“But what about the next day and the next day? I just have this bad feeling that—”
“He gon’ try you,” Jovanis finished her statement. “Listen, if yo’ mama letting him pimp you out, it’s only a matter of time before he starts fucking you.”
Irish’s eyes widened at his declaration. She foolishly thought something lesser would transpire.
“What? You think that nigga gon’ stop there? You think he’s got a code when he’s grooming you? I’m trying to put you up on game, Irish. Niggas like Emanuel don't stop. They don't have boundaries. And with your mama giving him the go, he gone take that bitch. You ain't safe in that house.”
Irish never thought she would be unsafe in a place that she called home. Before Emanuel came about, it had been just her and Daisy. Irish missed those times. Her mother was more loving and attentive to her needs. When Emanuel entered their lives, he immediately became Daisy’s focus. Being so happy to have a man willing to stick around, she catered to him.
“So, what should I do?”
“Shit, just say the word and I’ll fix all this shit.”
Her eyebrows shot up, causing her forehead to display horizontal lines. “Really?”
“Yeah, just give me the go, and I’ll make sure that nigga never put you in another bad position.”
“You would do that for me?”
Jovanis’ cocked his head. “Come on, Irish. Why you acting like I wouldn’t do anything for you? You my best friend. Ain't no way I’m ‘bout to let a nigga play with you like that.”
“Wow,” she said more so to herself. “Thank you, Van. I just… I don't know. I didn’t think you would handle this situation for me.”
Scooting closer to her, he held her chin with his index finger and thumb. “You my girl, Irish. And I’m not talking on no girlfriend type shit. You’ve been a loyal friend to me, and I wanna make sure you straight. If your obese-ass mama won’t protect you, then I will.”
Irish attempted to hold her laugh in but failed terribly. “Why do you always have to point out her weight?”
“Because she’s a fat slob who let men groom her daughter.”
Her smile faded quickly at that realization. Daisy condoned Emanuel’s request for her to go to the gambling house with him. What else would she approve all in the name of love?
