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“You good?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? Take me to my truck.” I had handled the immediate problem, and now I needed to go handle Bubbles.

Simone “Bubbles” Stanton

I sat behind the wheel staring across the street. I was watching to see how often people were coming and going. Even though it was too late to do recon, I didn’t have anything else to do since we were waiting on Peanut. I’d done plenty of licks before, but never one like this. It was less messy than robbing a street nigga, but so many other things could go wrong. Time could either be your friend or your enemy. You had to get out of there quickly because someone could walk in at any given moment. I looked over at Taffy and she didn’t seem nervous at all. Her ass looked as if she was waiting on somebody to bring her food instead of getting ready to do a lick.

“You ready?” I asked. She looked at me and shrugged.

“I mean, as ready as I could be. Don’t tell me you done got scared.” I looked back toward the gas station.

“It’s different and I’m trying to think of anything that can go wrong.”

“Shit can go wrong with every lick we do. Hell, were you expecting us to get shot at last time?” She had a point.

“Naw, I wasn’t.”

“None of this shit is guaranteed, friend. Just know, if we ever out here doing some shit and something happens with me, don’t blame yourself. We all grown and we know the risks. If it wasn’t for your guilt, you wouldn’t be sitting here ready to do some shit you’re not sure about. You would be in that mansion living the life of a kept woman.” I thought about what she said, and for some reason, it made me think about my conversation with Juanita. I believe that was the same thing she was trying to tell me as well. I didn’t owe Peanut shit.

“I just don’t want karma coming back to bite me in the ass because I fucked over somebody that meant me well,” I said honestly.

“Bubbles, on some real shit. You have been the better than all of us. Partner, friend, daughter. You did right by all of us. When Anton gave you that money, you gave me half and didn’t have to. It wouldn’t have crossed my mind to do that, and I know I love you down. It’s not that I’m a bad friend, my heart just don’t push me in the right way without being prompted all the time. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yeah. You’re saying your stingy ass wouldn’t have given me shit if it was the other way around.” We both laughed, but I knew what she meant.

“What I’m saying is, you don’t have to be told, reminded, or pushed to do the right thing. You’re always thinking about others. For once, it’s okay to think about yourself. No matter how this plays out, give Peanut his cut and move on with your life. You don’t owe him shit else.” Out of all the conversations we had, this one finally resonated.

“He told me he loved me,” I said, smiling.

“Girl, you crazy. I would have called that man and said I was getting put out and I’m on my way home. I would have given Peanut the rest of the money I had left and chucked him the deuces.” I looked at her like she had lost her mind.

“Bitch, why the fuck didn’t you suggest that before we agreed to rob this place?”

“Because you didn’t want to listen. You were determined to do the right thing. Only, it wasn’t.” I reached over and hugged her.

“Thank you, friend. Now, let’s get out of this shit, so I can go get my man.”

“I hope don’t shit go wrong.”

“I’m about to pray.” I closed my eyes. “Lord, it’s me again. I know you up there saying what the hell do this girl want now. It ain’t much this time, so don’t turn off the mainline. Now, Lord, I know stealing is a sin, but you said you will supply all my needs, and right now, I need some money. I ain’t telling you how to do your job, but since you ain’t sent nobody to pay my rent, I’m assuming you want me to get it myself.”

“Bitch, what the fuck?” Taffy was laughing, but I was serious.

“Shhh! Lord, please don’t let nobody try to be a hero today, and if the cashier got a gun, let his hands cramp up, so he’s hesitant to reach for it. If somebody decides to shoot, let they eye go a lil crooked and they miss me.”

“Hold on now. Don’t forget about me. I don’t want to get shot either.”

“Cover Taffy too. She don’t have life insurance, and we already established I don’t have no money. In Jesus’ name, we pray.”

“Amen!” We both said at the same time. Taffy looked at me and shook her head.

“I don’t know why I just touched and agreed. That prayer ain’t making it past the ceiling.” I fell out laughing.

“You tried it. God likes real. You see I always made it out of every situation.” She shook her head because she couldn’t deny it. I glanced at the clock and Peanut’s ass was running late. “Where is he?”

“Probably in traffic. You know it’s rush hour.” She was right, but I was already nervous. He wasn’t making it no better. We both went quiet and started back watching the comings and goings. After a while, I glanced at the clock again. My stomach started doing somersaults, and for some reason, I began feeling like somebody was watching me. I looked around, but nothing looked out of place. The longer I sat there, the worse it got.

“I think we should leave.” Taffy looked at me confused.