Deprive

Picking Off A Flower's Pedals

Brianna gasp, “I’ll wobble? Wait can I still even model pregnant?" “Of course you can, that just gave me an idea. By the time you’re working with Essence you’ll be about uhhmm let me see that’s 1-2, before the end of this month, You shouldn’t be that big, but oh when you do, they’ll wanna take belly shots ! Oh and Chresanto can take pictures with you. Oh everyone just loves them baby belly shots. I’ll be so beautiful.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt you ladies, but what's the screaming for ?" I giggled as Asia gave him a stank face. “None of your business, its girl talk-well personal”, she says. “Oh aha I was just making sure everything was alright. You never know, the scream could of been because of a spider orrr spilled coffee. Or even maybe because your thong is a bit up your ass too far”, he says laughing. Asia’s month drops as he walks away. “That son-”. I cut her off, “Hey, you are being a little rude today and mean to him every since you two met. Stop it”, I warn. “Oh be quiet and go change, I’ll get him back for sure. Two can play at this game”!

Brianna finally got dressed up and the setting was set up. Brian began taking the shots. Chresanto was soon to pick her up and Nicki was searching the web for ways to get pregnant without having the male partner to know. Her jobs consisted of many men. So this should be easy, at least its what she thought. It was about 12 by the time she made it to the club. Into the prep-room she went laying out her outfit for the night. She seen Lana staring at her through the mirror. Nicki smirked and bit her lip as Lana made her way toward her. “Hey uhh I got something for us tonight."

She continues, “It's a bit different than what we’ve been doing, but hey its still money going to our pockets”. Nicki turns facing Lana, sitting up on the counter leaning on the mirror. “What is it”? Lana pops her gum, “My brother Quan is having a party for his nigga DJ. He’s getting married and they need some strippers before his big day."

“So what they want us to just strip or have sex ?" “That’s up to them, and my brother and his boys are gonna be throwing $100s”, Lana exclaims! “How much they payin to fuck, Nicki ask. “Ion even know probably like $3000 somewhere in that range, so you down or what”? Nicki sighs and fold her arms, “Yeah I’m down. What time”? “Yesss, oh and 11 tonight”, Lana pecks her lips hearing her name being called. “Imma catch you later then”.

Nicki sat in the room and watched as girls came in and out. In deep thought, playing with the fabric of her outfit. She thought, tonight was the night she was getting pregnant. To her, it was the perfect timing. Nick sat back smiling thinking about how her and Brianna would go through everything together. The baby shower, crazy cravings of food, in the hospital at the same time, their babies growing up together as sisters! “Perfect”, she whispers.

Nicki remembered the note she got from Brianna earlier and she looked forward to going to this cookout. Not more than Brianna though. Bri loved going to Chresanto’s family gatherings. Since, she didn’t have a family of her own. Her father died and she never knew her mother. She was raised by her grandmother who showed her many pictures. Brianna was born in Puerto Rico, in a very poor part. Her grandmother was sick of the environment and fled to America, Detroit to be exact. Meaning that she was raised in America and not so sure of her roots. Her grandmother passed when she was 16 so she was left on her own.

At the age, she was attracted to art and dance. By herself, she went to New York to get a job at an art company, where she would teach and create art herself. Every once in a while she’d be in music videos. Like Rihanna’s “Pon De Replay”, Kanye West “Gold Digger”, Pretty Ricky’s “Your Body”, and even the of lead of Mario’s “Let Me Love You”. Unfortunately, two years later her art company moved to California. She wasn’t letting the job go, because it paid big money and she loved working with the kids. So she packed her bags once again and moved to Cali. There, she worked and went to college where she met Chresanto.

“Oooooo I haven’t seen you in so loong baby look at you”, my aunt grabbed my face giving me a kiss on my cheek, I watched as Bri and Nicki giggled. “Ooooo girl, you are always looking beautiful”, she compliments Brianna and hugs her as Brianna thanks her. “Oh aunt Susu, this is Nicki, Brianna’s childhood friend”, I say. “Nice to meet you Ms. August”, they hug. My aunt exclaims, “Ohh just call me Susu, everyone does."

She continues, “Chresanto put this stuff in the refrigerator, will yah oooohh this ma jaaam”, she starts nodding her head. “I got everything aunt Su, enjoy yourself”. Diana, his sister runs in and jumps on Brianna. “Briii omg I miss you so much, come dance come dance." “I’ll be outside baby”, she gives me a warm kiss. They all leave, leaving me in the kitchen with the food that goes in the refrigerator. I sing along, “This is how we do it, South Central does it like nobody does”!

“Chres”, I hear a familiar voice that startles me. I turn to the direction, “Tasha." My mood quickly changes, aggrevated to see her. I sigh, “What are you doing here”, I continue to place the food in. “Damn that was harsh. It was nice seeing you too and your older sister invited me. We are still good friends remember." I scuff, “That was harsh. You now what was harsh? You aborting our child”! She drops her shoulders sighing, “Are we seriously about to argue over that, it was years ago get over it. I said it plenty of times we were too yo-”, I snatch her up shoving her to the corner.

“I don’t get over death easily Tasha! It seems like everyone is dying from left to right. My mother, my brother, Haad, an un fucking born child Tasha...really?" “Chresanto you weren’t even the one who would of had to carry the damn baby! I would have! So don’t just make it seem like you would of been there”.

I release my grip, “Shut the fuck up Tasha!" She starts tearing up and a few tears slip from her eyes,“No, you know what? Its a good thing these people are dying maybe it should smack some sense into you.... to love and appreciate the people who’s here. I bet you beat on her- your wife. Right? Just like how you use to beat on me. I’m telling you Chresanto you better get your shit together." I yell, “What the hell does it matter to you”! “Cause Chres- Chres I still lov-”

“POW-POW-POW-POW-POW-POW-POW”, the sound of gunshots rang through my ears followed by screams. “Chres get down”, Tasha ducks to the ground holding my arm. I snatch it away roughly. “My wife is out there with my child growing inside of her. Fuck my family is out there!" I’m enraged at this point, I know my cousins have to be strapped.