DIVERGENCE

P I C K • U P • T H E • P I E C E S

"Hey Ms. Linda !" She was her favorite out of all the women.

"Justine, sit back now." Her father scolded as he pulled out of his parking spot.

She was unsure of their destination but was enjoying the ride. Her mother, Lauretta had been struggling to handle her, a job, and a husband. So it was her day to relax at home and unwind. Justine would have rather been there to help but her mother I insisted she go out and get some fresh air instead. Slowing down just a tad, the young lady tuned back into her father talking to the women in the backseat.

"I don't care what they say, your prices are what I make them. You have a goal to achieve so y'all can't leave for the night till you meet it. You pickin up what i'm puttin down?"

"Yes Goldie, we understand." Minnie answered for the three of them.

"Y'all my best ladies, I need y'all to lead by example for the other women. I hold y'all to a different standard."

"Thank you Goldie, we won't let it happen again. We gonna keep the other girls in check." Linda smiled making him do the same.

"That's what I like to hear!" he grinned briefly checking  their surroundings. He noticed another man that went by the name Blue walking down the street with his head held high. Johnnie had heard he was trying to persuade some of his women to come work with him when he wasn't around and now seemed like the perfect time to address it.

Johnnie pointed to the well-dressed man walking down the street. Justine didn't know who he was but figured he was an associate of her father.

"Look at him, baby. He thinks he's got it all figured out, but watch closely." He slowed down the car, pulling over next to the man.

Stepping out of the car, he engaged in a brief conversation.

"You know my women tell me everythang, Minute man?" he said walking over to Blue.

"What you want Goldie?"

"I want you to know that every bitch you see me with belongs to me. I broke em in and they know where home is. You can't take what's mine, Blue. You can't do what I do and you never will. Cause you're a sucka that can't even fuck what he pays for." Goldie gave him a smile as Blue just looked at him.

Laughing at the silence, Johnnie got back into his car before looking at Blue again with a smirk. Justine couldn't hear the words shared, but she observed her father's charismatic charm at play. The man, initially confident, left looking unsettled.

The caramel colored man chuckled once more, the sound a mix of amusement and satisfaction.

"See, baby, it's all about control. Making them think they're in charge when really, you're the one pulling the strings. A pimp ain't just about flashy cars and fancy clothes. It's about understanding people, what they want, and giving it to em," he continued, a twinkle of pride in his eyes.

"How do you do that?"

"Gotta make em dance to your tune, baby."

As they drove through the city, Johnnie would occasionally stop to engage in conversations that seemed effortless, his laughter mingling with the music. Justine sat in the front seat, wide-eyed, taking in every nuance of his interactions.