Dirty Work: Part 1

Eshon had the place to herself. Her mother was at work, her father wasn’t around, and she didn’t have any brothers or sisters. The only sisters she had in her life were Jessica and Brandy. She’d grown up with Brandy, knowing her since the fifth grade, and Jessica came around when she was fourteen years old, bringing that L.A. swag and gang attitude to Harlem.

At first the girls were skeptical of Jessica with her West Coast demeanor and pretty features. Brandy, in particular, was extremely envious of the girl. Jessica proved to everyone that she wasn’t just a pretty face and a stuck-up bitch. Jessica was a pit bull in a skirt and a fighter, and she planned on making her bones in Harlem just like she had in L.A. It took a while for Jessica to fit in and adapt to Harlem, but once she did, she became one of the girls.

With breakfast made, Eshon turned on the television to NY1, a twenty-four-hour news channel that aired only in the five boroughs. She stopped short in what she was doing when she saw Jason Miller’s mug displayed on the television. She searched for the remote and increased the volume. Right away, she heard the news of Jason Miller being shot twice last night, but he was in stable condition. The news anchor went on to inform the public that two other NBA players were robbed last night but weren’t harmed.

Eshon’s eyes were glued to the TV. She had no idea that Kip had shot him. He didn’t say a word about it. She was shocked. Did he do it for her? Was he protecting her honor? Eshon was floored. She was happy that he had done it. She hated that muthafucka and felt he had it coming. He was arrogant and disrespectful to women—especially black women.

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She smiled. She wanted to have Kip’s baby. She knew he cared and it would only be a matter of time before they got back together.

***

Eshon met up with Jessica and Brandy on West 133rd Street. She wanted to enjoy the sunny spring day and hit 125th Street with them to do some shopping.

“Hey, girl,” Brandy greeted with a smile and a hug.

“You looking special today,” Jessica said.

“Thanks.”

Eshon felt special. Her smile was white and she was glowing. She was hoping to run into Kip today. She was always thinking about him and trying to look pretty for him.

The girls climbed into Brandy’s old gray Chevrolet Malibu and headed toward the shopping area. Though Brandy schemed and robbed with her crew from time to time, she still held down a job, making ten dollars an hour at a cafeteria in the city to occupy some of her time and give her some pocket change on the side.

“Y’all heard about Jason Miller?” Eshon started with the talk.

“Yeah, he got shot last night,” Brandy said.

“He was a bitch-ass nigga fo’ real,” Jessica added. “Homes deserved that S.O.S.”

Brandy and Eshon looked at each other and asked, “S.O.S.?”

“Shoot on sight,” Jessica informed them.

The girls laughed.

“Eight years in Harlem and still that L.A. shit comes outta you.”

“I’m never gon’ forget where I come from.”

“We all won’t,” Eshon said.

“Kip did that for you?” Brandy asked her.

“Maybe,” Eshon said.

“That’s love right there, Eshon,” Jessica said.

Eshon sat in the front seat feeling like she was voted prom queen. She broke out into a Fantasia song right there. Lyrics from “Truth Is” spilled out.

Brandy rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth. Eshon was always singing and showing off, no matter where they were. She had to let everyone know that she could sing.

“Okay, Whitney Houston, this isn’t a concert hall, and we ain’t an audience of seventy thousand.”

“Don’t hate, Brandy,” Eshon replied.

Brandy continued driving while Eshon continued to sing different songs.