“Reese, I didn’t have anything to do with that.”

“Teddy, you had everything to do with it. But you know what? I can’t blame anyone but myself,” she admitted. “I’m holding on to your fat ass like you about something instead of doing me.”

“Don’t even play like that, you know you’re my girl,” he said, trying to soothe her.

“What the fuck ever, Teddy. I’ve been blind this long, but now I can see the light. You ain’t shit, so you and that fat bitch can have each other.”

“Yo, you talking real greasy right now.”

“Yeah I am, but in a few minutes I won’t be able to talk at all. I got a real nigga over here about to put his dick in my mouth. And you know what? Since I am a bit thirsty, I think I’ll let him cum in my mouth,” she taunted him.

“Bitch—”

“I ain’t no bitch, you’re the bitch, Teddy. I hope you and your wife will be very happy together at fat camp. Go play in traffic, you bird-ass nigga!” Reese clicked off the phone. The conversation with Bone had had her uptight, but she felt much better after kicking Teddy’s ass to the curb.

Rhonda made her way up Lenox Avenue with all three of her children. Pooh skipped ahead, occasionally stopping to kick a can or a stray piece of trash. Rhonda called after him several times to slow down, but he paid her no mind. Alisha walked a few paces behind her mother, holding P.J.’s hand, who was struggling to keep up. Rhonda continued on her way, paying little attention to either of them.

When they rounded the corner of 142nd, they bumped into a neighborhood girl named Verna. A black scarf was wrapped around her head, covering her shoulder-length hair, which she kept pinned up. Verna’s large ass was even more visible under her pajama pants because she wasn’t wearing underwear. She had the body of a porno star, but that was about all she had going for her. Her face could’ve been considered cute if it weren’t for the scar running from her temple to her cheek, and the lingering bruises that never seemed to heal from her many fights over the years. Verna was notorious throughout the streets of Harlem for her brutal knuckle game. There weren’t many chicks on the block who were foolish enough to try her.

“What up, Rhonda,” Verna greeted her, sitting her grocery bag on the ground with a clank.

“Damn, what’s all that?” Rhonda asked, nodding toward the heavy bag.

“Shit, I had to go get some milk for Star. I missed my WIC recertification, so I gotta pay for this shit until they make me another appointment.”