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Simone “Bubbles” Stanton

Blowing the horn for the millionth time, I rolled my eyes as I continued to smack on my gum to calm my nerves. My boyfriend, Peanut, was taking forever to come out of the building, and he knew I was trying to hit this lick. Some niggas from out of town was in Shark’s Chicken yesterday loudly talking about how much money they had, so me and my homegirl was trying to call their bluff. I don’t know when out of towners was going to learn, they couldn’t come to Chicago flexing. All it was going to get them was embarrassed and sent back home broke. Everyone knows the hood is where you can find the best food, but they tend to leave out the part about how we can spot an outsider from a mile away. Niggas be a walking lick trying to get some chicken, mild sauce, and a pizza puff.

Peanut came staggering out of the house as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He had no regard for my time or the money I was trying to get. We’ve been together two years, and it’s sad to say ain’t shit changed. I can’t even lie and say he had aspirations and dreams at first because he didn’t. When I met him, he was working at Foot Locker on Madison and Karlov. I walked over to him to check his temperature, but not because I wanted him. Peanut was actually a lil cutie, just not really my type. He was about five ten, a lanky build, and there wasn’t a tattoo in sight on his light complexion. His low fade didn’t even stand out because he wore no jewelry, and his clothes kind of draped over his small frame. He smiled at me nervously as I licked my lips and leaned towards him.

A bitch wanted to use her five finger discount, but I had to make sure he wasn’t one of those niggas that loved his job and possibly beat a hoe. He was so nervous he stumbled over his words every time he tried to tell me about a shoe. I could tell he wasn’t from the streets, so I tried my luck. When he brought me the box, I put my beauty supply slides inside and walked out with the new Jordan 1’s on my feet. A month later, I walked my bold ass in the store, and he looked at me and shook his head. He asked me was I planning on buying any shoes or walking out with another pair. Realizing he wasn’t going to do anything about it, I had found my new come up for the moment.

The more I pretended to be interested, the longer he turned a blind eye to my lil scheme until he was fired. I felt bad, and he wouldn’t leave me alone, so I kept him around. Next thing you know, we’re in a whole relationship that I’m carrying on my back. Peanut was always down to play his part in my licks, but I wish that he would come up with some of his own sometimes. I guess it was true when they say it has to be in you, and not on you. Being raised by a scamming ass mama and a petty hustler, I had no choice but to be the way that I am. Hearing my door slam brought me out of my thoughts.

“Damn! What took you so long?”

“You acting like you going to a job or something. I’m here now, so drive.” Rolling my eyes hard, I pulled off while continuing to chew hard on my gum. I was trying my best not to curse his ass out. After about thirty seconds, I went in anyway. That was one of my flaws. I didn’t know how to let shit go.

“Let these niggas be gone when we get there. I’m going to beat you to sleep.” Peanut looked over at me to see if I was serious.

“You don’t even know if they got some bread for real.”

“That’s why we going over there to see. If I rob a store, will I know if there’s some money in the register before I open that bitch?” He was acting slow and I was already annoyed. Grabbing my phone, I called my partner in crime, Taffy.

“Bitch, where you at? You done took so long, them niggas probably done got suspicious and halfway back to Idaho now.”

“Girl, don’t no niggas live in Idaho.” I laughed, but she didn’t find it funny.

“I wouldn’t care if they lived in Oobie Dabie.” Since she was upset, I didn’t bother asking her what the fuck was an Oobie Dabie.

“Peanut ass was taking forever. I’m on the way though. Your ass better be ready since you doing all this talking.”

“I been sitting on the porch for thirty minutes. Bubbles, what we gone do if they ass ain’t got no money?”

“Leave they ass slobbing and go back home.” Peanut was staring at me with his face turned up.

“So, if they got some money you staying with them? You think I’m about to stand by while you laid up with some niggas?”

“You know damn well I’m not about to lay up. When they pour the drink, I’mma lace they ass with some shit I got from Juanita, and once they pass out, they gone be assed out. You just worry about not messing your part up. Watch the door and make sure nobody else come in. Can you do that?” He turned and looked out the window, and I was glad. I hoped he stayed that way the entire ride. He was messing with my thinking. I always moved with confidence, but the truth is, I never really had shit all figured out. I came up with a good enough idea to do something that would get us some money, Taffy was usually the one that got us close to the mark, and Peanut was there just in case things went left. I usually winged it but shit always worked out.

Yesterday, two niggas were sitting inside Shark’s eating, and we instantly knew they weren’t from here. Chicagoans don’t sit down in hood spots and eat because we know how dangerous shit can get. They saw us and immediately began talking loudly enough for us to hear them. How they were about to spend some racks on Mag Mile. They couldn’t believe they flew in just to spend money. Blah blah blah. I heard enough, so I signaled Taffy to get their number. If they were lying, no harm no foul. They would wake up and laugh the shit off.

“Hey, do your mama got some cards? I need her to pay my light bill for me.”

“You know Juanita keeps somebody card number. As long as you got her fee, she got you.”

“Aight. After we hit this lick, call her for me.”

“Be there in five.” Hanging up, I couldn’t do shit but laugh. People thought I was bad, but I didn’t have shit on my mama. At least all my licks were people I didn’t know. My mama would steal from her daddy’s will while he was still alive if she could. I ignored Peanut the rest of the drive, and I had finally pulled up to Taffy’s building. She ran down the stairs and climbed in the backseat.

“I told them we’re on the way. They are staying at the Residence by Midway.” Hearing that had me skeptical. Most people that had bread to the degree they were talking stayed downtown when they visited. Not wanting them to back out, I kept my worries to myself. Truth is, it was the first of the month, and I had bills to pay. I couldn’t depend on Peanut to make something shake on his own. Cicero was crowded because it was rush hour, so it took us about forty minutes to arrive. Once we pulled up, we all put on hats, then me and Taffy got out and walked ahead of Peanut just in case they were downstairs in the lobby. They weren’t, so we made our way to their floor making sure to keep our heads down, so we wouldn’t get caught on camera before knocking on the door. We knew Peanut would be outside since we had made it inside.

“Damn! We thought yall was faking us out. It took yall long enough,” the guy Meko spoke up.

“You coming off thirsty my boi. Good pussy don’t have a clock, it comes when it’s time.” Taffy bust out laughing knowing I had gotten that saying from Juanita.

“Ain’t nobody thirsty. We had other shit to do and don’t have time to be waiting around on some bitches.” I’m guessing Brandon was supposed to be the tough one.

“Oh, you got us fucked up. These bitches can leave and you can jack each other off.” Taffy finally stopped laughing.

“We not saying that. Excuse my nigga, he don’t know how to talk to some beautiful black queens. How about we have some fun, and we can go shopping after.” Meko pulled stacks of money from his bookbag while trying to look enticing. Smirking, I fought the urge to do a dance and show my excitement.

“We will stay, but we not about to get disrespected. Where the bottles at? I need to sip on something and relax,” I asked as I eased the drugs from my pocket, so that I could spike their drinks.