"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"- Unknown
Chapter 2-
Alicia searched frantically all over the place for her jewelry box that contained the little money she had. She'd lost her bus card and needed money to get around since she didn't have a car. Then she thought about it... Naomi.
"Naomi!" Alicia screamed as loud as she could.
Naomi was her sister. They were both 16 but Alicia was older than her by 11 months so she would be 17 soon.
Naomi stomped up the stairs and into the room she shared with Alicia and Richie Jr.
"What, Licia?" Naomi asked irritated. She was in the middle of doing dishes.
"Where my jewelry box? It was right there," Alicia pointed to the beige dresser. "Where is my shit at, Naomi?"
Naomi sighed. She was tired of being blamed for everything that people couldn't find in this house. She had stolen $5 from Veeta once and now everybody accused Naomi for everything that was missing.
"I did not take your cheap ass jewelry box. What would I want with that?"
"Don't lie, Nay! Just give it back." Alice said.
"I DON'T GOT IT!" Naomi shouted and left the room.
Alicia sighed and looked all around the room. She looked in Richie Jrs crib and it was under his blanket. She smiled as she grabbed the fifty dollars that was inside it.
She stuffed the money in her pocket and went to her mothers room. Her mother was rocking Richie Jr in her arms and he was falling asleep.
"Ma," she whispered catching her mothers attention. "I'm going to leave now. Take care of my baby for me."
She nodded. "Go'n head. I'm goin' to put em' down for his nap."
Alicia nodded and left the room. Before she left she examined herself in the mirror. She wondered what it was that made Richie unattracted to her. She was beautiful. Her dark caramel skin tone, her small yet curvaceous frame. She resembled Meagan Good. She wanted to know what wasn't right with her!
She grabbed her purse and left the house. She walked down the street seeing the usual hoes hoeing, drug dealers dealing, and old folks playing cards. She saw a few of her friends walking down the street. They of course stopped her to talk to her.
"Hey, Licia. Wassup?" Giva said walking across the street with Bo and Tray.
"Hey guys. I'm on my way to find a job. I can't support Richie Jr on my own."
Bo sighed. "That pathetic nigga. I talked to him last night. He said he ain't fucking wit' you cause he ain't ready fo' a baby."
Tray nodded. "Yeah, I talked to him too. Licia, we told yo' ass to stop fucking wit' him. You could been wit' me or Bo."
"She don't want y'all asses." Giva said rolling her neck at them. She then looked back at Alicia. "Do you want us to come along wit' you?"
Alicia sighed. "No. Y'all go have fun. Y'all ain't go no responsibilities."
"You sure, baby?" Tray asked.
"I'm good. Y'all go'n head." Alicia said and began walking to the bus stop. They all walked away except Tray. He's always had a crush on her but decided to keep it to himself except for the occasional flirting.
"I'm coming wit' you baby girl."
Alicia smiled. Tray is something like her best friend. They grew up together.
"Tray you don't gotta to come. I can handle this."
"It don't matter. I'm coming wit' you for protection."
Alicia giggled and they sat on the bench as they waited for the bus to come.
"Where you planning on going?"
"Just about anywhere. I just need to find a job so I could get Richie and I our own shit."
"Awe. That's good." He said and looked at his buzzing phone and denied the phone call. "Look, I'll step up to the plate. You my best friend and I hate to see Richie growing up wit' out a daddy. I want him to be able to call somebody daddy."
Alicia smiled as a few tears fell from her eyes. She was happy to hear what Tray said. "Tray, you don't have to. His daddy should take care of him but he doesn't and I'm not puttin' that responsibility on anyone else."
"I don't care. I'm be there for em' since his punk ass daddy won't."
That warmed Alicia's heart. "Aw, Tray! Thank you. You don't know how happy you've made me."
"I think I do. I love you Alicia. You know you my best friend, right?"
"Of course, Tray. You been my best friend since Kindergarten and I love you too. Now since you trying to step up to the plate, Richie need some diapers!" Alicia joked.
He laughed as the bus pulled up. "I gotchu, Licia."
They swiped their bus cards and headed to the back of the bus. They found two seats near the window.
"So, where we going first?"
"Anywhere... I got to find a job somewhere,"
~
"Wow, no places hiring again! Shit!" Alica exclaimed.
Tray sighed as they sat on the bus stop. "Well, there's one placing hiring on this block."
"WHERE?" Alicia asked frantic to know.
He pointed across the street at Purple Box. Alicia giggled.
"Purple Box? Hell naw."
"Well, why not? It's just until you get back on your feet."
"It's a fucking strip club. I just can't stoop that low.."
"How is that stooping low? You ain't fucking niggas you just dancing for money and you most definitely need it."
Alicia sighed. She knew it would come down to this. No other place was hiring and she had to move out.
"Alright, but you got to promise not to tell nobody SHIT if I get this job."
"I promise!"
They got up up and walked across the street. They entered the club and Bounce It by Juicy J was blasting. A thick stripper was dancing on the stage. Alicia examined her and took notes. She figured she would have to do this shit soon... Only for a little while.
"Damn.. I might just throw a couple thousand." Tray muttered.
"Shush, Tray." Alicia nudged him in his side and walked towards a security guard. "Hello,"
"Uh, Hello."
"I want a job here. Who do I need to talk to?" Alicia asked ashamed.
He chuckled. "The last room down the hall."
She sighed and began walking down the hall. She was nervous as hell! she knew her mother wouldn't be happy with her but she had to do it for her baby. That's was the only reason she was doing it.
She knocked on the door and heard a male voice scream, "come in."
Alicia went inside and saw a older looking man smoking a blunt.
"Hello. How can I help you out today?" he asked putting out his blunt in an ash tray.
"I need a job..." Alicia said barely audible.
"What?! I don't got time for games," he looked at her petite frame and smiled. "You want a job?"
She nodded.
"Ok great. We need a janitor."
"NO," she sighed and calmed down. "I mean, no. I want to strip... I need the cash."
"Take all your clothes off."
Alicia was so uncomfortable but she did it. She took off all her clothes, including her bra and panties.
"Turn around, touch your toes." He asked.
Alicia sighed but did what she was told.
He smiled. "Mhhm.. You're beautiful baby girl. When can you start?"
~
"So you got the job?" Tray asked as we sat on the bus.
"Yup. He asked if I could start tomorrow night. I said yeah. The sooner the money come in, the sooner Richie Jr and I get our own shit."
"Oh, that makes sense. You feel comfortable doing this?"
"No," Alicia looked at her fingernails. "But I need it!"
.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•
Authors Note:
What do y'all think of Alicia's decision?
Feedback? Suggestions?
Make sure u comment....
Love y'all pretty mfs ❤️❤️ lol
- Author
