"I'll blow your damn head off," Karma yelled while pointing her gun at Crystal, who had startled her by standing over her while she was in a deep sleep.
"What the hell, Karma? It's me. I've been looking everywhere for you. Please put the gun down," Crystal cried out, her face filled with concern.
Karma then snapped out of it quickly, suddenly aware of her surroundings. She saw the fear on Crystal's face and dropped her gun on the floor, along with all her cash that slipped from under her hoodie.
"Bae, I'm sorry. Come here," Karma said, putting her hands out to hug her.
Crystal remained still. "Oh my goodness. Why do you have a gun? And did you really go out to the block alone?" she asked, with tears falling down her face.
"I need to make money, and this is for protection. Look, I can't do this. Not right now. Time is running out," Karma replied, ignoring all of Crystal's questions.
Karma picked up all the cash off the floor as she finished counting, totaling $7,000.00. She let out a sigh and looked at Crystal, weary but determined.
"Did you bring me some pills?" Karma asked, looking restless. "I need to get back out there."
"Another night, really? But you have work tomorrow," Crystal said, hoping to talk some sense into her.
Karma shook her head. "I quit. This is my work now."
Without another word, Crystal sighed and handed Karma a bag of pills and a joint. The two sat in silence, the smoke curling around them. Crystal stared at Karma with a strange look, saying to herself it's like a change is coming over her and I'm not sure if I will like it or not, but I know she's going through a lot. Maybe once this is over she will snap back.
Karma grabbed the two bags of dope left and began to cut them down. "I'm getting ready to leave. Crystal, are you coming?"
Still in silence, Crystal stood up, and they headed to the block.
As soon as Karma got to the block, her eyes scanned the familiar faces. One figure caught her attention, a guy who had become a regular customer. He had a unique presence, always wearing bright colored tight pants and crop tops, with light makeup accentuating his features. His hair was cut short with distinct blonde highlights. His name was Antonio. Despite their brief interactions, there was an unspoken connection between them.
Antonio approached with his usual confident stride. "Hey, Cookie," he greeted her, using her street name with a friendly grin.
"Hey, what's up? How much do you need?" Karma asked, ready to make a quick sale.
Antonio surprised her by shaking his head. "I don't need any, but I do need your help."
Karma's defenses went up immediately. "Nope, I don't give freebies or loans," she replied, turning to walk away.
Antonio's voice stopped her in her tracks. "I don't need any dope. I want you to be my pimp."
Crystal, who had been watching the exchange, burst into laughter. "Oh, she's not a pimp. Find someone else."
Karma interjected, upset that Crystal laughed, not understanding that she had less than eight hours to get the rest of the money. "Out of curiosity, what's in it for me?" she asked, her mind racing.
Antonio looked Karma in the eyes, desperation filling his own. "All the cash I make daily. I just need protection, a place to stay, and as much dope as I can smoke all day," he pleaded.
Karma gave him a weird look. "So I'll be like your babysitter? And how much cash?"
She wondered if this was some kind of prank to get free drugs. After a moment, she envisioned the eviction notice and nodded.
"I need you to prove it to me. Here's a ten dollar rock. Show me what you can do in two hours, and if I'm pleased then we can discuss furthermore. Pass him the rock," she said to Crystal.
"I know you're not seriously thinking about being somebody's pimp. Come on," Crystal said, trying to gauge Karma's intentions.
"I can be whatever I need to be in this moment. Now pass him the damn rock and shut the hell up," Karma snapped back.
"Oh yes baby, that's what I'm looking for, dominant and confidence. Yes," Crystal pass me my damn rock, trick, laughed Antonio.
Crystal smacked her lips and threw the rock on the ground at his feet. "Oh, don't be a rude hoe," said Antonio while dropping to the ground with speed to pick the rock up. "Remember, two hours. You bring me back my money," Karma said.
Antonio's face lit up with relief. "Oh boo, you won't regret it. I'll be back sooner than that," he said, while strutting up the street.
"Karma, you don't even know how to be somebody's pimp. You starting to drift too far. He's playing you for free dope," Crystal said.
"Look, I need the damn money ASAP. Don't speak about it no more," Karma snapped.
Crystal said nothing while rolling a blunt.
An hour slipped by, and Karma found herself sold out once again. As they were leaving to return to Marco to re up, a voice yelled, "Mommy, wait. I know you not leaving me."
Karma forgot and turned around to catch Antonio running up with a wad of money in his hand.
"I promise I can bring more, madam. It was a slow night," Antonio said, placing it in Karma's hand. "It's a total of four thousand dollars."
Karma looked at him. "Four thousand in an hour?"
"I know it's slow tonight, but I really need a place to stay. It's cold out here. All I'm going to do is smoke it up when I can, just be around the source."
Crystal looked at Karma. "Sorry, we don't have a place for you tonight. It's best you just take your money and get a room or something."
"But I still need protection, sweetie," Antonio said.
Karma ignored Crystal. "Get your belongings and follow me," she said to Antonio.
Once they got to Marco's abandoned house, Karma counted all her cash. She had enough for the first eviction payment and to re up and even buy groceries for her and Crystal's family. She even gave Marco a couple hundred dollars to let Antonio stay for two days.
She handed the dope to Crystal and pocketed the cash. "Go home, Crystal. I'll meet you at your place when I can. I'm going to see my family."
Karma walked out, leaving everyone there. Crystal had forgotten to tell Karma that she had found her mother, Landa, earlier and left her paranoid and worried.
Arriving home, Karma knocked on the door. It swung open, and Landa rushed out, tears streaming down her face.
"Where were you? I was worried sick," she cried, pulling Karma into a tight embrace.
"I was at Crystal's," Karma replied, trying to calm her.
"So now you're lying to me? Crystal came by here looking for you. Tell me the truth," Landa snapped.
Karma hesitated. "I went to a gig."
Landa bombarded her with questions, her voice rising with anxiety.
Karma interrupted her, reaching into her pocket. "Here, Mom," she said, handing Landa ten thousand in cash.
Landa's eyes widened. "Oh my God. What are you doing? Where did you get this?" she demanded.
Karma brushed past her. "How's the boys?" she asked.
"They're asleep. What do you think?" Landa replied, still clutching the money.
Karma stepped into the room, looked at the sight of them sleeping, and smiled.
"Why are you giving me this much money? I don't need this."
"Mom, I know about the eviction. Please don't ask so many questions. Just take it."
Landa froze, wanting to yell, but she knew she needed the money to pay everything.
"I'm sorry I have you guys here and I can't help you get on your feet. And now you have to help me," said Landa.
Karma replied, "What are you talking about? You are my mother. You birthed me and took care of me my whole life. Even now, I'm here living at your house, you're watching my boys while I run the damn streets. I love you."
Without another word, Landa grabbed her, and they cried in each other's arms.