Money Over Everything

Money Hungry

Moette

Roni smirked at me as I came flouncing into the kitchen Sunday morning. She poured some milk into the clean cereal bowl next to her and slid it over to me. I picked up the box of Lucky Charms and poured a little, making sure I had enough so that it wouldn't get soggy. Roni didn't say anything, simply chewing on her cereal and watching me with that smile of hers until I asked her what was up.

"Don't act like you don't know. One of my friends was a bottle girl for a rooftop party last night and she said she saw you all cozied up with this fione ass nigga named Swan," Roni said, taking a bite of cereal and chewing it slowly, waiting for me to answer. "C'mon, tell me. It's rare you're ever seen with a man that's actually on your level. You dealing with Lakeif had me thinking you were a little brain damaged or something."

"Swan is just a friend. We spent the night getting to know each other and that's all, so tell your little nosy friend to mind her business," I countered, pulling out my phone and checking to see if I had any messages from Swan, who promised to text me today.

"If you say so, but since when do you walk around on any nigga's arm with no shame like you ain't got business to handle come next week?"

"Business is over for now. Damaris hit up some guy who makes costume jewelry for music videos and the nigga outed me in front of everyone."

Roni's eyebrows disappeared into her floral head tie she was wearing. "Damn, she ain't tell me none of that. What are you gonna do for money? I mean I can always get some work over at that dance studio to make some extra cash."

"No, Roni. I want you focused on school. I've got some money saved and Juju has been doing some investing for me so we're good for the time being. Right now, I just have to figure out what my next hustle is gonna be."

"Or," Roni said holding her hands out, "or you could spend some time with that fine ass Swan. You know you wanna see how well he can...float."

I cracked up at the sultry tone Roni used, happy for moments like this where we could be normal women having a good time. The longer we laughed, the more I thought that it was time we get our own place together so this can become the norm. I waved away her connotations and got back to my food.

"Anyway, there is nothing going on me and Swan," I said, pouring some more cereal.

"What about that nigga Swan?"

Damaris appeared in the doorway, fully dressed and her hair immaculate. She grabbed a bowl and her personal box of Rasin Bran Crunch. Roni glanced at me as if wanting my blessing on whether or not she should tell. I inclined my head as if to say "If you must."

"Moe was on his arm all last night," Roni said with a smirk and chose that moment to dig into her now soggy cereal.

Damaris stared at me, waiting for confirmation. "What were you doing with that cornball ass nigga?"

"That cornball is the one that had my back last night when that nigga you robbed was ready to fight me in front of everyone. You know, after you robbed him for some crushed glass," I shot back, heated.

Roni squealed into her hand. "Crushed glass. Damn, Moe."

Damaris turned beet-red and said evenly, "I'm sorry about last night, Moe. I should've listened to you and not left they way I did. All I wanted was to take charge for once."

"Who said you couldn't take charge?" I couldn't believe Damaris was acting like this was a solo gig. At the end of the day we were all responsible for each other. "I'm not your mother and I can't tell you what to do, but at the same time my loyalty is to the team as a whole and if I see something with the potential to harm us, I'm checking it. The same way I found someone else you could've done the same thing."