Apple had finally unlocked all 8 locks on her apartment door to let herself and Izzy in.
She picked up her mail off the floor and sifted through them hoping for something good.
"Bills, bills, and more bills." She sighed.
She busted her ass daily to stay afloat and for some reason it just didn't seem to be working.
Apple became a mom fresh out of high school after meeting a young man named Rashad. She thought he was so cool and so fly in the beginning. Eventually the wolf had showed his teeth once their daughter Isabella Wright had come along.
Izzy was a true spitting image of her mother. She had encapsulating chocolate brown eyes that lightened and darkened depending on her mood. They were almond shaped with large wisps of jet black lashes. Her lips were full and pouted like a heart when she twisted them up. The things that separated her from her mother were the things her mom was obsessed with. Apple always gushed about Izzy's cinnamon skin and the heart shaped beauty mark that she had at the end of her eye brow since birth.
Izzy was Apple's weakness. She was her entire world. She'd do anything for Izzy. She sent Izzy to a private school that was across town that she had to take 3 buses at 5 am just to get Izzy there on time for drop off so that she'd make it to work on time. Dedication was key. Petunia gave her a job as a makeup artist because she saw Apple's hunger and her potential. If Apple stayed out of Apple's way she could do no wrong.
Apple walked into her kitchen and took out Spaghettios since Izzy had convinced her to make some. She peeled back the tab and poured the canned food into a pot and cooked it on the stove adding seasoning and shaking her head. She didn't understand Izzy sometimes. It was confusing to have such an odd child. She herself wasn't raised to like canned treats or quick meals so Izzy being obsessed with them made her sad.
"It's just a phase." Apple mumbled as she put the Spaghettios in a bowl and grabbed an orange Gatorade out of the refrigerator to take to her daughter as she traced her letters as she normally did for Monday homework.
"Here you go Izzy." She smiled at her as she flipped the tv on playing teletubbies for her daughter as she say her food in front of her and went to shower.
As she showered she heard Izzy laughing and just thought that Izzy was watching cartoons as she closed her eyes and enjoyed her shower.
Royal looked at Izzy in awe she was a perfect spitting image of her mom. He had been sweating Apple for about a year or so and she never gave him the time of day. Eventually she had revealed that she had a kid and introduced her to him. They had a cool relationship and he thought Apple was a great parent.
Apple continued to shower as she heard footsteps that sent a click in her head that it was Royal.
"So this is where you hiding at," she heard his voice say as she listened to him enter immediately getting aroused but composing herself.
She wanted to have sex so bad. Something about his smooth chocolate skin and hazel eyes excited her. However, she was very abstinent and had no problem reminding her boo of that fact. He respected it and thought it was cool since he didn't know any chicks like that. He still went out and had his fun since he wasn't really receiving a whole lot of love in his relationship. He did however sneak peaks in her panties here and there and sniffed and licked and even did a finger test before. He was determined to break her abstinence because of of how attracted he was to her spirit and her exterior.
Apple slowly exited the shower as Royal's eyes stared over her body hungrily but careful not to touch her. Since the temptations were high he leaned up and tongue kissed her just for his phone to vibrate in his pocket.
He fished his phone out of his pocket and reluctantly looked down at the screen to see who was calling. His brother Rebel was calling which killed any chance of getting any pussy at all.
Apple's face twisted up since for that split second she had almost gave him some and just rolled her eyes wrapping her towel around herself.
"Hello." He shook his head just watching Apple.
"Yeah nigga we got a problem."
"And what's the problem?"
"That nigga Beans moving in on our territory."
Royal shook his head and sighed.
"My big homie is not gonna like this at all. Especially when I be in Crip territory on the regular."
Apple heard bits and pieces of the conversation as she took her shower cap off and opted for a Pretty Hustler bonnet she got from her friend Kandi. She used the matching edge wrap tying it on her edges then aggressively washed her face making sure to dig deep into her pores.
Royal watched her every move just taking her in and shook his head hugging as he stood up.
"Ima leave some money on the dresser, but I gotta go." He leaned over kissing her bare shoulder.
She simply nodded just waiting for him to leave like he always did. The best thing about Royal was his fierce loyalty. It was the same thing that scared her about him. She always said his heart would kill him and he always ignored her.
He left the bathroom sitting a large wad of money on the dresser without counting it. He went into the living room and smiled at Izzy shushing her as he handed her 3 $100 dollar bills for her piggy bank as he did when he always came.
"Get me back on mommy's good side and I'll bring you chocolate ice cream."
Izzy smiled big obviously excited. She was a great kid but had a big soft spot for food.
"Okay Royal I can do that." She gave him a big smile showing her crooked teeth that gave her a speech impediment from her constantly sucking her thumb.
This earned a smile from Royal who hastily walked out the door.
"I love you." He yelled behind him only to earn no response back.
Apple waited a few minutes before coming out locking all the locks and looking over at Izzy who was eating a bag of hot Cheetos and watching her favorite show.
She sighed in relief then went back into her room to get dressed and put the money with her money she had stashed in varies boxes underneath all the shoes in her closet.
"We gonna own that brownstone sooner than I thought." Apple mumbled as she smiled a little bit.
