Hate the Player and the Game

chapter 17

Chapter 17

Diamond

          "Just pick something damn". I say to the shiesty, old man. I was showing him some Cashmere sweaters and some Polo Ralph Lauren shirts that I had picked up from the mall a few days back, but he couldn't seem to choose. I was outside of a hair salon. I had gotten my hair relaxed, and braided into an up-do with a coil and a long, silky ponytail dangling to the end of my neck. I popped and chewed on my gum waiting for the old man to make a decision. I had the Coach bag wide open for him and he just starred at the sweaters blankly.

"I'll take.......these two". He finally said holding up the plaid, wool Cashmere sweaters.

"That'll be sixty dollars". I say popping on my gum.

"Sixty dollars"! He repeats like he was so shocked.

"Uh, yeah. These shirts are real mister and you know that real shit ain't cheap".

"Fine". He said reaching into his wallet and pulling out a fifty dollar bill and a ten dollar bill. I copped the money, folded up the shirts real nice, and handed them to him.

"Have a nice day". I say adding the money to my stash in the Coach bag. I swung the bag on my shoulder and continued to walk down the busy street. I had on a tight, navy blue, long-sleeved, v-neck shirt, denim skinny pants with a silver belt and black boots that I hurried to slide my feet in this morning. It wasn't as cold so I decided to go without a jacket. I was deep into the city and I was strapped. I had the gun that Cruze had given me deep down in the Coach bag. I left the twins a note and took the bus to the city this morning when they were still asleep. I had decided to take my business to the next level because I had to make some money fast. I was tired of going broke. I saw a record store and headed for it. I had to catch up on the latest new tunes anyway. I walked into the store and walked down an aisle and started looking through the CD's on the shelves. People started to walk in, but I paid them no attention. I skimmed through a couple of P. Diddy, Suge Night, and Master P's produced albums. I grabbed a few of Biggie smalls and 2pac Shakur's mixtapes then headed for the cashier. I wasn't paying any attention to the boys that started to surround me until one said.

"Ayye, you the bitch that be hangin' with Calli's boy". My heart stopped. I stood there frozen unaware of what to do. I just looked at the cashier, but he didn't do anything. He had on big headphones and wasn't paying any attention to what was going on. I couldn't catch my breath. I stood there not breathing and it felt like I was dying. I could hear my heart beating in my chest. I was so scared and I didn't know what they wanted with me. One boy grabbed my arm, one yanked my hair, and one tried to pull at my Coach bag, but I wouldn't let that happen. I was not about to let that boy get a hold of my protection and surely not my money. They were playing tug of war with me trying to drag me out of the store. I dropped my CD's and bawled up my fists. I threw a punch at the boy that was grabbing my arm. "Hey lil momma, don't be feisty". He said. I looked at him and anger started to boil inside of me as I starred into the eyes of the dread headed boy who shot at me and Cruze at the mall two weeks ago. I kept punching him until he let go, then I kicked at the boy that was yanking my hair. I kicked the shit out of him. I kept letting the bottom of my shoe crash into his stomach and groin area. I screamed as I continued to kick. I watched the boy galumph back and grab his balls. He let out a weird noise and fell to his knees. The dread head boy  wrapped his arm around my neck and started to choke me, then the other boy that had my hair got back up and started to help him. He slapped me clear across my face. I knew that I couldn't take all these boys by myself, but that's when the cashier saw what was happening and jumped over the desk to help me. I closed my eyes and listened to all of the commotion. I could feel my head start to grow warm. I could feel my blood rushing all through my face and up to my brain. This dude was choking the shit out of me. I tried to scream, but nothing was coming out. I literally felt like I was about to pass out until the boy let go of my neck. I fell into a nearby wall to catch my breathe and I turned around to see the cashier fighting the boy. I was so tired that I couldn't move like I wanted to so I slowly headed for the door. I made a get away out of the store, but once I was outside, I saw a whole gang of niggas. I ran right past them and I guess one had recognized me.