Page 23 of On Everything
“And you can be.”
She pulled a bedazzled silver flask out of her purse.
“Nah, I’m good. I am on the clock for the next four hours.”
“Four hours? Ain’t working in this heat without a fireman suit against Osha rules or some shit? It’s hot as hell out here,” she complained like she wasn’t sitting out here in this same heat. At least I’m not doing it for free.
“It's easy money P. Plus, I have help.” I pointed to Mindy, who was currently getting cursed out by a girl walking into the tournament with four kids. I don’t know what she was saying, but her mannerisms read that she was telling Mindy to get her white ass up out of her face. I tried to tell her.
“I bet you $20 your coworker is going to get slapped by the end of your shift.” Pernelle took a swig from her flask.
“No bitch, I bet you $30 she will. I'm not losing my fuckin money.”
Her and I started to laugh before she smacked her lips seeing her little brother roll up on his silver bike.
“What’s up, Big X the Head? What’s up, Ciara?”
“Hey, Princeton.”
I reached out to shake his hand, pulling him in for a hug. Being friends with Pernelle for years, I’d watch Princeton grow up from a baby to almost a teenager. Princeton may be hard to handle now, but I remember when we used to change his diapers and watch him when their mama wanted to go out.
“Why do you ride that bike everywhere you go, little boy. Have you walked in years?”
“Shut up, big head. Have you had dick in years that wasn’t made in a factory?”
“Get away from me you little jack ass.”
Pernelle hit him upside his head playfully and he rode off on his bike laughing.
“What are you going to do with his ass?”
“The question is what is my mama going to do with him. She told me the other day that he stayed out until 2:00 in the morning. He’s been coming up with money out of nowhere, keeping new shoes on his feet, and tricking out that bike and shit. I think he rides around selling drugs on that fucking bike. I've been telling my mama that shit, but she still gives him freedom. Just dumb.”
“Yeah, I’m sure the money isn’t coming out of nowhere. He’s definitely doing something illegal for it.”
I tapped on Pernelle to stand up from my lap.
“But, let me get up and at least act like I’m working.”
Pernelle smacked her lips.
“Uhh, I hope your work time flies by so that we can kick it. How long do you have to be at this table again?”
“Until eight, then I’m all yours, friend.”
“Okay I guess, bye.”
Pernelle left the tent and got lost in the crowds of people forming around us.
I for sure can’t lose my job with Kairo being locked up, so I need to get up and take this shit seriously. Selling ugly shirt is better than being homeless.
“And in three minutes, we will have the last team heading into tomorrow’s finals. Who will it be, Team Q or Team Ice!”
A few hours had went by, and we’d only sold ten shirts and gotten about $150 worth of donations. Mindy was sitting in the chair next to me with her arms folded, still flabbergasted that people weren’t out here to help. She didn’t understand that people in the hood will look out for each other directly instead of through an organization. They don’t trust government-funded business, just like they barely trust the government.
There was a basketball game going on right now that had everybody’s attention. Two of New York’s best high school players were going head to head on different teams. I’m not really into sports, but it was exciting to watch. Every time someone did something fancy, the entire block was electric. New York and basketball go together real bad.
“Ciara, maybe we should start to packing up this stuff. By the time it’s in the van, it should be 8:00.”
