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“You tried to drown my best friend, tried to kill her and belittle her when she was already feeling low enough.” My voice cracked a little just thinking about Praylah feeling helpless cause of this bitch ass nigga.

“Nigga you acting like she ain’t got nobody else besides her daughter and yo’ phony ass to love on her. We sat back long enough and now we here, nigga. So be about all of that shit in front of us right now.” Ju’well urged Jarei as he chuckled like something was hilarious to him.

“You know what Ju’well, you absolutely right.” I fake acted like I was walking away but swiftly turned back around and used all my strength to knee Jarei right in his funky jewels.

“Bitch! Ahhhhh!” Ju’well lifted her small ass foot and kicked him in his chin making him stumble back. I looked at Praylah and nodded my head as I turned back to Jarei and started reigning blows.

“That’s right Era! Work that nigga! Beat his ass!” I could hear my momma hyping me up which turned me into a beast. Jarei tried to swing but me and Ju’well were all over him, not giving him room to land a solid hit. I felt someone tugging my hair and grabbed at a rough hand.

“Don’t you touch her!” Praylah charged Jarei’s home boy, and I could only slightly see her because Jarei socked me hard on the jaw. He dazed me and I couldn’t see clear, but could hear my mom screaming and cursing. I even heard her gun go off and Jarei howling out in pain claiming to be shot in the foot.

“I’m fenna lay you niggas down!!!!” Jarei threw his hands up in the air and my vision became clear. Out of breath and feeling cramps all in my side, Ju’well was covering her breasts. She had grass stains all over her shirt like she had been rolling all around the front lawn. The gun went off again and this time it was Jarei’s friend holding his bloody kneecap.

Praylah looked like she was in a zone. She football tackled Jarei down to the grass just as he was taking the time to sit up. When she got on top of him, she didn’t stop swinging, I joined her along with Ju’well.

“That’s enough girls he bloody as hell and the cops will be on the way.” We slowly got off of Jarei as Ju’well landed one last kick making his front tooth fall out.

His eyes were swollen, and his was nose leaking blood. I didn't even realize all the damage we had done until it was all over. I looked at his light skin friend and he had scratches all over his neck. Praylah clawed him up badly. I couldn’t believe my ears hearing him sniffle and cry lowly as he held his knee. I was surprised my mom had actually shot Jarei and his friend.

“Now I don’t want to ever have to pull up again to have this conversation with you young men. Get in counseling do something to learn how to treat a woman.” My mom preached. “I’ll be praying for your mercy and your wounds.”

My mom went to her car and sped out of the driveway and the three of us hurried and got in my car to speed back to the restaurant.

For the first couple of minutes, we were all breathing hard and silent until Ju’well broke that silence.

“Momma Earlene was like Madea bouncing them tig ol’ bitties! Boy, Boy, BOYYYYYA! What you doing, Boy!” We fell out laughing at Ju’well, Praylah was turning red in the face from laughing so damn hard. Ju’well even let her breast bounce up and down while sitting in the front seat imitating my momma.

“I didn’t know ya momma was a thug like that, Era.” Ju’well chuckled. I knew my mom could fight because I saw her when I was younger beat a couple of chicks up for approaching her over my no good daddy. I thought she just kept that gun to scare people but today she used that baby deuce like she was used to shooting it.

“I just hope her baby thug ass don’t get in no trouble for actually shooting those two fools.” I hopped on the freeway looking at the time on my radio; it showed we was running a whole hour behind. I had no clue how the restaurant was doing. I trusted my co-workers because they all did their job well. I just hoped and prayed that Debo wouldn’t be there when we did arrive.

We all remained quiet until we pulled into the back parking lot. A sigh escaped all of our mouths as we noticed Debo leaning against his all-white Rolls Royce truck. He switched cars so much you never knew what to expect to see him in. His dreads were pulled low into a ponytail, he rocked all white. White Gucci shirt, white jeans with all white Gucci sneakers. The nigga looked fresh and crisp with a big Cuban gold chain shining with the words Slaughter Gang in diamonds on a medallion.

“Let’s face the music girls.” I sighed already knowing that our jobs were gone.

We all got out of the car looking a hot mess as Debo’s big gray eyes landed right on all three of us. He took us in scanning us from head to toe. Ju’well shirt was ripped so she still had to cover her breasts. The wind blew and I could feel the sting from open cuts that I hadn’t realized was there.

“All three of y’all fired. Don’t go into my place of business looking like that. I will have my assistant send over your final checks. Praylah…” he paused and lowered his voice a little like she was the most delicate out of all of us which she actually was.

“Get yo’ ass in the car and buckle up.” Was all he said as he waited for her to pick her feet up and make her way to the car.

“Thank y’all for being there for me today. It felt good to stand up for myself.” She started out, ignoring the fact that she had this beastly-looking nigga blowing steam from his nose and ears behind her.

“You ain’t even got to thank us. We gon’ always ride, no matter how big, buff, or scary a nigga look like.” I eyed Debo, hoping he got the message too. Sure, the nigga looked scary and crazy, I didn’t give a damn when it came to the ones I loved. I rode for mine until the wheels fell off.

“Aye Era, you blessed that I fuck with you and you like family now. Since I’m trying to work on something serious with Praylah. Don’t try to threaten a nigga like me.” He turned and walked away. Praylah grabbed me then pulled Ju’well as we all shared a tight hug.

“Make sure you call me when you get home and settled.” I gave Praylah a reassuring smile.

“Call us girl, I got razors and tasers for his big fine ass if he gets out of line too.” Ju’well lowly spoke making us all erupt in laughter as we all walked our separate ways. A thought crossed my mind as I yelled out at my girls.

“Oh yea! Saturday night, I got y’all tickets to come to see my first-ever performance at the B.E.T. awards!” Praylah let go of the door handle to Debo's car and ran fast towards me just as Era covered her breast as she ran next in my direction. They showered me with love and tight hugs as we all jumped up and down pumped up.

This is what a real sisterhood was supposed to look like.

Chapter Twenty-One

PRAYLAH