Ishmael said, “I saw her too! Looking like a ripe banana. Hell, I got a few lap dances too.”
Merch said, “How much she bank from you, fam? I spent a few hundred.”
Skunk said, “I paid her too! Anyways, let my auntie know we’re walking across that stage next week. Moms should have sent an invitation.”
Mac said, “Skunk, you drunk as fuck! Take that cup from him.”
Skunk said, “I’m good! I’m…good! I called Tara to pick me up.”
Tee said, “We already got the invitation. Congratulations, too, two of my favorite cousins.”
Ishmael said, “Thanks, fam! I need a break from all that studying. Now, I can focus on my game.”
Mac said, “What about the bitches?”
Merch said, “Whoa…They’re not bitches…They’re women, son! What’s so funny?”
Mac said, “My fault, Isaiah! When you start dunking, they’re going to come from everywhere. Watch!”
Isaiah said, “I can’t wait to dunk on their ass! I’m ready to kick it!”
Everybody just looked at Isaiah. “He must have got some pussy,” Skunk said. Isaiah has never been the going-out type just book smart, so when he stood up, they sat there.
Isaiah said, “Y’all tripping! I’m just trying to step out and see the scenery.”
Mac said, “I’ve never seen you do anything but study, fam. I always looked up to you.”
Skunk said, “What’s your plan for your graduation party, bro? You know our moms doing the formal shit for us on the beachfront.”
Ishmael said, “Haven’t thought about it. We should do something in the new spot. Bro, take this shit! I’m high as hell.”
Merch said, “I saw your girl Jill at the club the other day.”
Ishmael said, “She said she started working more, but not at a damn strip club. Good looking, bro. Acting like she too good for that life. Always putting the other females down.”
Merch said, “Well, her ass and boobs were all out just like the other chicks.”
Ishmael said, “You don’t have to lie to kick it.”
Merch said, “These females lie and be sneakier than us.”
Ishmael said, “I guess she thought I’d look at her differently if she danced. Being sneaky doesn’t get any respect from me.”
Tee said, “Watch who you give respect. Everybody doesn’t deserve it, or your time.”
Merch said, “You sound like my pops. He always told me, ‘Listening and observing can tell you a lot about people. Most of all, keep eye contact,’ so, moving around comes easy for me.”
Ishmael said, “Pops said, ‘If you have to second-guess, you don’t need them around you.’ That’s why I don’t bend my rules.”
Tee said, “My uncle, the truth! Don’t stress the brain. Use it for productivity.”
Isaiah said, “Productivity has been good to our family.”
Ishmael said, “All my friends get treated the same. Regardless if you’re going to school, working a nine-to-five, or a stripper. A liar, I can’t do.”
Merch said, “Bitch doesn’t have to front to be treated.”
Tee said, “Face value ass!”
Mac said, “All that laughing shit got y’all wasting the flame. Fam…do you miss playing ball?”
Ishmael said, “Hell yeah! Six weeks left of physical therapy, then I can practice again.”
Skunk said, “His ass was trying to dunk, for them face value—ass cheerleaders, and broke his damn ankle at practice.”
Ishmael said, “My shit was sprung, bro. Quit adding shit! Bro ass, a comedian.”
Skunk said, “The way you fell on the floor and rolled around, I thought the whole leg was gone.”
Ishmael said, “I’ll get up with y’all tomorrow. Jill is coming through!”
Isaiah said, “Be careful with her lying ass.”
Merch said, “Well, I’m trying to go be productive in some guts…Call y’all tomorrow!”
*****
“See, I told you, bitch,” Queen whispered as she ducked down in the back seat. “Why are you ducking? They can’t see you,” Toonie yelled. “Follow him,” Queen shouted.
Samaya said, “They can’t see or hear us, silly. How do you know where they live?”
Queen said, “Long nights and days. With plenty of flame, snacks, and tissue.”
Toonie said, “Didn’t know I was coming out to play hide-and-seek without getting tagged. Quit calling me for this shit, Queen!”
Queen said, “You need to get out of the house and live a little bit. I was going to introduce you to Tee, but Merch didn’t hit me back.”
Samaya said, “You play all day, Queen. Why Tee?”
Queen said, “She likes chubby boys! Plus, he’s making money.”
Toonie said, “I don’t like fat boys! Drop me off, Samaya!”
Queen said, “He ain’t fat, fat! His stomach healthy, though.”
Samaya said, “Aw, hell naw! Bitch, you’re silly…Toonie, he is okay looking.”
Toonie said, “Girl! I don’t give a fuck, fuck! I don’t want a man… Besides, I met someone anyway.”
*****
After everybody left, Ishmael called for Jill to come over so she could play on the pole for him.
They sat around, watching videos and looking over some of the papers found in the file cabinet.
Jill said, “Where did you get this from, Zaddy?”
Ishmael said, “In the building we purchased. I kept this one to look over, the rest are—”
Before he could finish his sentence and tell her the bank bought most of them, she cut him off too quick.
Jill said, “There’s more of these? Wow! How many?”
Ishmael said, “Yeah. Someone is looking them over for me. What’s up with all the more and many questions?”
Jill said, “Just curious! This file
