Page 20 of His Four Leaf Clover

“Girl, you’re doing damn good to have one degree and almost done with your second one. I was a young hoe and didn’t even graduate high school until I was damn near twenty. My kids are a blessing, but my husband is my biggest one. I never saw myself going to college. My stupid ass was good with niggas taking care of me. He saw and embraced the real me, flaws and all. Now, another nigga can’t even compare. But I admire you and Dash. Y’all figured shit out at a young age.”

“Yeah, if only we could figure out how to stay together without breaking up every year.”

“Give yourself some grace, Clover. Being young is not an excuse but it’s a learning process. I was a hot ass mess in my teens and I pray that we’re raising CJ to be the exact opposite.”

“I love that you named her after yourself. I hate my name so I would never.”

“My husband got his junior, and I wanted mine. I love the word play on Kardi’s name though with her daddy’s name being in the middle. That’s so cute.”

“What is this heifer smiling for?” Clover asked when she looked out of her rearview mirror and saw her cousin walking back to the car.

“Girl, she gave me some extras when I told her that I wasn’t from here,” Kimber said excitedly when she got into the car.

“She couldn’t tell with that thick ass accent,” Clover laughed.

“I guess not. I just met somebody while I was waiting. Look, he gave me his number. He’s a DJ.” Kim held up the piece of paper to show her cousin.

Clover rolled down the back window where her cousin was sitting and looked back at her. “Throw it out.”

Kimber didn’t even question or reply to her cousin’s command. She crumpled the paper up in her hand and threw it out of the window.

“Oh well, I can’t miss what I never had.” Kimber shrugged. “What about my nose ring? Can we still do that?”

“You think the girl at your husband’s shop can do it today?” Clover asked as she looked over at Cash.

“Girl, yes. Tru don’t have no days off and she don’t turn down no business. She’s a hustler.”

“Did she do your belly ring, Cashmere? It’s so cute,” Kimber complimented.

“No, my husband did mine years ago. That was actually the first time we met.”

“That’s so sweet.” Kimber was a hopeless romantic who loved a happy ending.

“Not really. The nigga was married and didn’t even bother telling me.”

“You were the mistress turned wife? I hope he doesn’t do the same thing to you.”

“Bitch…” Cash liked Clover’s cousin, but she was about to snap her neck.

Clover doubled over with laughter. “Give her a pass, friend. She don’t know the full story.”

“They must not have no filter in Mayberry, but you better tone that shit down in the boot.”

“Well, I guess I gotta get used to being fake and superficial if this place is gonna be my new home.” Kimber shrugged like she’d said nothing wrong.

“Girl, hurry up before me and this horse-riding heifer be tusslin’.”

Clover laughed, but her cousin wasn’t wrong. They didn’t do all that competing and hating shit where she was from and everybody helped each other. Most bitches in New Orleans didn’t like to see another woman doing better than them and they hated on each other like it was a sport. It was even worse if a nigga was at the center of the beef.

Cash wasn’t offended because her past wasn’t the best. Kimber was authentic, and that was rare. Nothing that she said had malicious intent, so it was all good. Cash made small talk with her until Clover pulled up into the parking lot of her husband’s tattoo shop.

“Wow, this place is huge.” Kimber looked around in amazement.

Clover had been there a few times and she agreed with her cousin. The outside didn’t do it justice, and she knew that Kimber would be wowed once again when they got inside.

Clover was the first to get out of the car. She looked around the semi-crowded parking lot and did a double take when she saw a familiar looking car. It must have just been a lookalike because she doubted if he was anywhere in the area.

“Come on, Elly Mae. I hope you ain’t scared of needles.” Cash locked arms with Kim and led her into the building.