“Please don’t let any of these niggas steal this nigga’s car,” Remedy muttered to herself as she pulled gingerly into a parking spot. “I don’t even know why he’d have me drive this. I could’ve really taken the bus.”
That was true but the bus didn’t have cooling and heating seats, or the smell of leather. The bus didn’t have lamb mats she could let her feet sink into if she were the passenger princess. The bus didn’t have a panoramic roof or blacked out windows. It didn’t have luxury. Luxury she hadn’t been this close to since she decided that enough was enough.
Throwing her fresh sneaker covered feet out of the car and tucking her blown out hair behind her ear, Remedy started toward the building. Sure to lock the SUV an excessive amount of times before it bordered on ridiculous. Remedy pushed up the sleeves to her unbranded sweatshirt and opened the door. The brightness of the sun was a stark contrast to the darkness of the space.
Back inside of Wild Flame, Remedy walked in finding the few dancers she actually talked to during her stint here doing pole work and Desi wiping off the tables. Her eyes scanned the floorfor Mack, finalizing that the space was free of him, she continued her trek to Desi.
“I just knew your ass was bullshitting when you said you were coming down here with the money,” Desi quipped, stopping what she was doing to look at Remedy. “Bitch, you look good.”
Remedy waved her off. “It’s nothing but a blow out and some new contacts. I told you I was coming with the deposit. When have I ever said anything I didn’t mean? And why are you here if you got discovered?”
Desi rolled her eyes. “Tone ass was in here talking shit like he always does. Said he could get me a manager but I haven’t seen the man to even know he’s real. Tone just wanted pussy.”
“And you gave it to him?” Remedy asked.
“I know you’re not judging me. You got that post fuck glow,” Desi said, snapping her fingers. “Good for you. I hope he knocked the bottom of that. Who you got? Some kingpin or something? You look like a kingpin’s pick.”
“First of all, I thought we talked about you staying up out of my business?” Remedy stated.
“One day you’ll accept the fact that we’re friends and you like being around me. Don’t be scared,” Desi teased, motioning her to a seat. “Mack ain’t here. Actually, we’re under new management. Some quiet partner or whatever and Lil’ Man is running everything.”
“Who is listening to Lil’ Man?” Remedy asked, taking a seat.
“Girl, no one,” Desi huffed, taking a seat too. “I’m for real, Rem, you look good. But you got that storm above your head again. What’s going on besides you getting put through the mattress?”
Remedy wasn’t getting rid of Desi. She’d been around since Remedy met her at their probation officer’s office. Desi had been in and out of jail because of fraud. All Remedy was willing to tellher was that she’d finally gotten fed up. Nothing else was offered and until Remedy got over it, no one would know.
“I shouldn’t have even let him get that close to me. Outside of that, Ernie is happy and that’s what matters right?” Remedy posed.
Desi laughed. “I will never get over you and that old man being tied at the hip. I just knew he was pimping your ass.”
“Girl, if I had to choose between these niggas out here and Ernie, I’ll take Ernie and his forgetful ass,” Remedy spoke with laughter. That was foreign. “He’ll fuck around and forget he was pimping me. A great choice.”
Desi took in the joy beginning to wrap itself around her. If anyone deserved to be happy and taken care of, it was Remedy. Desi had watched in silence as Remedy carried her troubles, fears, and past on her back and didn’t let it swallow her. She knew that her own past was heavy because she was reckless but Remedy’s weight was heavier because her past tried to take her out.
“It is. So this little birthday party, I’m invited? I know how secretive you are.”
Remedy rolled her eyes. “I’m not secretive. I just like keeping my shit, my shit. And yeah you’re coming, someone has to sing happy birthday to that man half-naked. It’s not going to be me.”
“Let find out your new nigga got restraints on you,” Desi stated.
“I’d turn his head around,” Remedy stated, making Desi’s eyes light up and a smile cross her face.
“So he is your nigga. Look at you.”
“Relax, you know what I meant and what I mean. I don’t have any restraints from anyone but myself. And furthermore, I’m not singing happy birthday to Ernie with my ass and titties out.”
“Why not? You were in here dancing,” Desi pointed out. “Let that old man see something. What’s the worst that could happen? His grumpy ass son put him in time out.”
Remedy bit the inside of her cheek. “I don’t know but that’s your job. Here’s the money, make sure they have their asses there on time. Please?”
Desi took the money as Remedy stacked it on the table. “Are you cooking?”
“That’s my next stop. I’m cooking everything he likes. He has his food, his weed, and his strippers. The man should go to sleep happily. But please tell them he has no money and if he asks for something other than a dance, it’s a no.”
“I got you. Text me the address. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Remedy stood, gave Desi a soft smile which was also new. “On time. Six o’clock, Ernie has a bedtime and I don’t wanna be up all night chasing him.”
