August's Empathy

Her Hustle

AUGUST'S EMPATHY

Monique sat on the curb while sighing heavily. She pulled her suitcase close to her, watching as the junkies eyed her. She knew she couldn't stay on their block all night. They were never afraid to steal from her just to get their next rock. The entire neighborhood was dangerous.

She looked at the screen of her phone, staring at the cracks. Suddenly, a thought came to her mind. She stood up then walked over to the telephone pole. Grabbing the phone, she stared at her things. Monique quickly punched a friend's number into the dial pad.

About a year ago, she was in the same situation with no place to go. He had put her out before due to her accusing him of cheating. It was the first time he ever touched her. She met a man by the name of Rakim, who had lots to offer. The only thing she had to do was leave her boyfriend and just sit pretty with him.

Still, she knew nothing in life came free. She made the call because it was her last choice. When push came to shove, she had to make dangerous decisions to protect herself in the streets. "Hello?"

"What's up, baby, this is Monique. The one you met at Caesar." she introduced herself, forcing her voice to be as sensual as she could.

He chuckled. "It's been how long? You must be in a situation."

"You never changed your number so you were waiting on this call, and maybe I am but what does that have to do with us?" She looked around, nervous. There was a long silence. Her heart almost dropped, thinking he had hung up on her.

When she was ready to end the call, he spoke, "And you never forgot it, I see. Baby, let's stop the small talk and get straight to business. Tell me what you want. I feel like this a booty call and it ain't even that time."

"It's a friend calling a friend. I was wondering if we could kick it at your place, and catch up, you know? Probably get into some things?"

It didn't take her long to have him in her hands. Once she told him her whereabouts, they told one another goodbye then she grabbed her suitcase. Monique rushed into the nearest business then went into the rundown bathroom. He couldn't see her in the poor condition or he'd ride right past her. She changed into the only appropriate dress she could find, then threw on some lip balm.

Looking around the bathroom, she sighed. In order for him to feel like she was serious about only chilling, she would have to give her suitcase up. He would think she was using him since she got put put. After she made her move, she could easily buy herself new clothes.

She took all of her jewelry and stuffed it into her bag, then left the suitcase in the place. Once she walked out, she saw him walking inside of the store. Her eyes roamed over his built frame. He was handsome, no doubt. The cashier watched as the two greeted one another with a brief hug then exited the store. She rolled her eyes.

"You look a whole lot different from last time, maybe better." he complemented.

"Thanks, Rakim," she replied, forcing a smile. She was fifty percent positive that was his name. She was correct because he flashed her a smile, confirming that she had slightly boosted his ego.

As they rode, she found out he was a boaster. He was flashing and bragging about everything he owned. He thought he was impressing her, but he was only building her hunger. She was going to rob him for every penny he had then fled the city.

Meanwhile....

August stared at Camry in disbelief. "It's the fact that you was with the ho I don't like you being associated with. If you're going to be out, at least be with some women that ain't known for fucking half of East Atlanta! I don't care about you enjoying yourself but I just don't like who you surround yourself with. You're judged by the company you keep, bae."

"I understand, but you know Jay's story. She's not a bad person at all and she keeps it one-hundred with me. But, but, I understand you so I will spend less time with her if that helps you sleep at night. Anyways, I'm going to shower then I got to head to work."

Debarge bumped fists with him as he entered the kitchen. "Heard you and your girl arguing, man. What's up?"

"She just got the wrong friends." August dismissed it, while sipping his mix of alcohol. He had to drink early when it came to Camry. Sometimes she stressed him, sometimes she was the relief to his stress.

Debarge replied, "I heard everything, man, look, you know they say your friends be reflections of you. If she hanging with those type of girls, maybe she got something in common with them. No disrespect."

August nodded. One thing he didn't need was Camry lying to him. She was a smart girl and she thought she had it all figured out. He just wanted her to know that if she ever screwed him over, she would regret it to the day she died. She didn't really know him. No one did. Except his brother. No one understood him better than his brother, who he still missed, loved, and never went one day without thinking about.

The silence coated the room. Both of them were thinking about different things.

Debarge spoke, "Three years, man, what do you think the city going to say?"

"I don't know, man, but I'm ready to find out, man. I'm ready to see my family." He looked down at his hands then at the tattoo of his mother's and niece's names.

Debarge smiled. "Are you really ready? I mean, really ready to go back and maybe see," He looked around, "Monique?"

August shrugged. "Whoever I run into, I just run into."

And while they spoke, night fell over the city of New Orleans. Rakim and Monique were in the center of his king bed, tonguing one another down. He proceeded to unzip his jeans while kissing her neck. Monique had her eye on the gun sitting on his dresser. It was loaded, he told her so, and it was ready to be used.

"Why don't you go get that liquor off of your breath, baby?" Monique gently bit his bottom lip, staring into his eyes. Rakim did anything to make her happy. As he brushed his teeth, she cocked the gun, then walked over to the doorway of the bathroom. Her hands were shaking.

Rakim stared at her through the mirror. "Ain't this a bitch," he mumbled.

"Run it," she demanded, staring at his pockets then back into his eyes, hers holding a greedy and painful look.