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“That was different. Besides, why ask and the lady wasn’t looking?” I stared at her for a while before busting out laughing. What the hell kind of logic was that? She didn’t even look embarrassed either.

“Come on, man.” We crossed over and went inside of Burberry. Bubbles was talking to the clerk, asking about items, but I was keeping my eyes on her. I watched everything she did. Even when she thought I wasn’t looking.

“Ooh, this is cute.” She picked up a shirt and placed it against her chest.

“You want me to buy it, or you about to do some shit that’s gone make me have to get involved?”

“Why you assuming I’m about to do something?”

“Because you put that purse down while you talked to the clerk, and it’s somehow back on your shoulder with a bottle of perfume in it.”

“Mind your business.” She laughed, but my face remained stoic.

“Bubbles, give it here.” She looked at me and then around the store in a panic.

“You know when you take something and get away with it, the idea is to keep it. Not give it back.” I gave her a look, letting her know I wasn’t playing. Easing her hand in her purse, she pulled out the bottle and passed it to me. She didn’t say another word. Bubbles walked over to the coats and picked one up. When she tried it on, I could see it in her eyes that she wanted it. Instead of asking me, she put it back. When I noticed a pattern, I paid attention to what kept repeating. After watching Bubbles steal from one store and attempting to do it in another, I was starting to recognize one in her. She would rather steal than to ask me.

“Sir?”

“She wants that coat, and this perfume.” Bubbles’s head snapped toward me.

“I don’t need that. I just thought it was cute.”

“Why is it so hard for you to accept somebody buying you something?” She stared at me long and hard. For a moment, I thought she was going to answer. Instead, she walked out of the store. I passed the coat and perfume to the clerk. Grabbing the shirt she picked up, a swimsuit, and a purse, I passed them all to the clerk. I grabbed what I wanted and walked to the counter. After I paid, I left out looking for Bubbles. She was sitting on the bench in deep thought. I sat down beside her, and for a minute, neither of us said anything. Bubbles finally looked at me, and she had tears in her eyes.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Then help me understand.”

“Everybody I know was struggling, Anton. We all just out here trying to make it. Nobody had extra money to just be giving away. Everybody had they own shit going on. If you wanted something, you had to figure out how to get it. That’s just how it was.” I sat there and thought about what she’d said. She wasn’t describing somebody who’d learned to stand on her own because she wanted to. Bubbles was describing somebody who never had much of a choice. She wasn’t independent. She was alone! That was a difference.

People didn’t realize you could have a million people around you, fuck with you, and even be a shoulder to lean on, but still be alone. Anytime you had to figure shit out, struggle, and tackle life by yourself, you were still alone no matter who was in your life. I’m sure single mothers and parents that had a child with a condition usually fell in that category. Yeah, you have people to vent to, drink with, and even cry on their shoulders. Not too many have someone to come get the kids or give them a few dollars to help out. That’s alone, but with people.

“Nobody ever gave you shit, so you don’t know how to accept it when somebody do.” I let her sit with that. She looked off for a while before responding.

“I know how to accept gifts, Anton. Nobody has ever tried to give me any.” Grabbing the bag that held her stuff, I held it out.

“Then here.” She took the bag and looked inside.

“You really bought it?”

“Naw, I stole it. We both going to jail.” We both fell out laughing.

“Fuck you!” Leaning over, she looked in the bag again. Bubbles was trying to contain her smile, but it kept creeping up her face.

“Okay, come on.” She stood up and waited for me to do the same.

“Where we going?”

“Louis Vuitton,” she said like I should have known.

“Oh, now your ass wanna shop?”

“You just said I need to learn how to accept gifts. I’m ready!” She pulled me toward the store, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread on my face. Ain’t no way she was choosing that nigga over me.

Simone “Bubbles” Stanton

Sitting in my car in front of Juanita’s house, I kept thinking about what Anton said. I almost wish I hadn’t said anything. I wouldn’t be attempting to have a conversation I’m sure was about to go left. Knowing Juanita, I was probably about to leave with less answers and a headache. The more I thought about what Anton said, the more I was starting to think he was right. I wouldn’t get the answers I was looking for sitting in the car, so I got out and headed inside. My mama was sitting on the couch watching television, eating a bag of chips.