“Yeah, it came this morning. Thank you so much, Von, really.”

“It’s a small thing to a giant, baby,” he said confidently, knowing that he’d be sick when the bill came for the high-priced entertainment system.

“You’re the biggest nigga I know.” She repressed a snicker. “When you get back up top, I’m gonna show you how much I appreciate it.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Yo, a nigga in the city, so let’s do something. I’ll be by there to pick you up in like an hour.”

“Sorry, can’t do it today. I got some things to take care of, so I’m trapped in the house,” she lied fluidly.

“Okay, well, maybe I can come by there?” he pressed.

“Nah, my aunt is staying with me for a few days and I really don’t want her in my mix like that. How about we get together tomorrow or something?”

“A’ight, ma,” he said, in a defeated voice. “I really wanted to see you, but I ain’t gonna come between you and your family B.I.”

“Okay, daddy,” she said, relieved.

“Yo, you better not have another nigga up there in my pussy, neither,” he said seriously.

“Daddy, you know I’d never play myself like that. This pussy only curves to your dick.”

“Muthafucking right! Holla at ya, boy…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Rhonda had hung up. Picking up a Dutch and a bag of weed from the table, Rhonda began twisting a blunt. No sooner had she put fire to the end of the blunt when there was a knock at the door. Adjusting the belt of her robe, she went to the peephole and looked out. A broad smiled crossed her face as she began the process of unbolting the door.

True stepped into the apartment with a real Harlem nigga swagger. The gold star hanging around his neck resembled something you’d see on a Christmas tree. The way his jeans were hanging off his ass, Rhonda knew that his wallet had nothing to do with it. Though True was on his way to big things, he was still a street nigga at heart, and operated according to the laws that governed them.

Rhonda rebolted the door and hugged True tightly. “Nigga, what’s good!”

“Same old, same old. Trying to get that,” he replied.

“I know that’s right. Y’all niggaz is ringing bells all over the place. Every time I turn around some new bitch is on y’all dick.”

“The life of a superstar,” he said arrogantly as he plopped on the sofa. “Looks like you’ve been doing okay for yourself.” He looked around, admiring her entertainment system.