Black Beauty

Saturday Night

The next night was Saturday and everyone was hanging out at Granny's apartment drinking beer and playing spades. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog was playing in the living room while Latreece, Benita, and Aliyah were in the Latreece's room looking through hair magazines.

Every few minutes, the sound of arguing and cursing over the card game would overshadow the music.

Latreece  took a puff of a joint, closed her eyes and let herself relax. She'd been crying uncontrollably on and off for the past two days, but as she smoked, the stress and hurt eased a bit.

"You know I don't mind if black dudes date white girls. But what pisses me off," Benita paused and took the joint from Latreece. "I can't stand the black dudes who only date white girls. I don't understand that shit." Benita puffed, held her breath for a few seconds and then released. 

"Why are you worried about Andre? He stupid. Let the white girls have him," Latreece said, thinking about Corey more than Andre.

"But he's cute though," Aaliyah said, accepting the joint from Benita. "And he is one of the only black dudes that's into something other than being a thug.

"The only thing he's into is basketball.  That does not make him a deep thinker," Latreece said.

"But he could make it out of the hood though," Aliyah said.

"This is not the hood and you is shallow," Benita said.

"So. I want a man with money. I'm tired of being poor," Aliyah took a long, exaggerated puff. Instead of looking more relaxed it always pepped Aliyah up and made her more talkative. When Aaliyah settled on Latreece, Latreece already knew where the conversation was headed. "So what's up? Granny told me you caught Corey and Shemeya again."

"Fuck Corey," Latreece exclaimed. "If that dreadlocked bitch wants him, she can have him."

"Man," Aaliyah said, "I still can't believe Shemeya did that.  She's always been so laid back and cool."

"She can have him if he's that easily persuaded," Latreece said. Time heals all wounds Granny had told her. She just had to do her time. Latreece exhaled and through the smoke she focused on Aaliyah. 

"Aaliyah, why does your skin look so different?"

Aliyah beamed. "It's about time you bitches noticed. I went to  Crazy Jade and she gave me an herb that cleared my skin."

"Corey told me that lady was a witch and I should stay away from her," Latreece said.

"Well, witch or not. She did a good job on my skin," Aaliyah said.

"I heard she turned Old Mr. John's gray hair black, and she gave Miss Dorothy a pill to help her lose weight," Benita added.

Latreece perked up. "Do you think she can make my butt bigger?"

Benita and Aaliyah exchanged glances before they burst out laughing. "I don't think there is anything you can do about that shit." Aaliyah said. "Besides if you want to be a model and make money the last thing you want is a big butt."