Free Pretty Girls in the Vip (9781617730283) by Daaimah S. Poole Page B

Pro!” I shouted. “I needed a computer so bad.”
    â€œI know. That’s why I got it.”
    Out of all the gifts he’d just presented me with, the computer was the one that made me cry. I didn’t know how I was going to buy another one. “Thanks, Jabril. Really, thanks.”
    I reached out and hugged him again and then asked him where we were going. Through all the present opening I noticed the driver was crossing over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge into New Jersey.
    â€œI’m kidnapping you.”
    â€œKidnapping me to where?”
    â€œSomewhere you said you wanted to go when you finally turned twenty-one.”
    â€œSomewhere like where? Do you know how long ago that was? My memory is not that good . . . tell me!”
    â€œAtlantic City, because you said you wanted to walk the casino floor and when they asked you for ID you were going to flash it in their face.”
    â€œI did say that. You remember everything, Jabril.”
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    Jabril had a suite waiting for us at The Water Club by Borgata. We spent the day talking and getting reacquainted in the spacious room and massive bed.
    â€œI missed you,” Jabril said, kissing my forehead.
    â€œI missed you, too.” I felt all kinds of emotions overtake me.
    â€œSo, what are we doing now?”
    â€œWe are going to dinner, but first we have to get you a dress.” He called down to the concierge desk and this man came upstairs and asked my shoe and dress size and returned with five dresses for me to pick from and three pairs of shoes.
    I showered and changed into everything and I felt like a princess—or Cinderella. I had all these new sparkling jewels on, a new dress, new shoes, and my prince, Jabril.
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    We left our hotel room and walked to the restaurant on the same floor. The restaurant was set by a pool and it was intimate. There were only a few other tables, and they were empty. It was like we had our own private restaurant.
    â€œYou know, they only let their high rollers up here. I heard you have to gamble at least five hundred thousand to be invited to this floor. I asked around and everyone said this is the best place in Atlantic City.”
    â€œIt’s beautiful,” I said, looking around and admiring the scenery.
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    Dinner was a lavish spread of filet mignon, lobster tails, and sautéed spinach. Our servers attended to our every need. Once I took my glass away from my mouth, they were there to refill it or pick up my napkin when it fell off the table.
    â€œSo, how has your mom been?” I asked. Jabril’s mother, Claudette, and I had become quite close when he and I were together, but I cut her off when I cut him off.
    â€œShe is good, going back and forth from here and Oklahoma. Always asking about you.”
    â€œAw, really? Tell her I said hello. How about your uncle?”
    â€œOh, Wendell isn’t living with us anymore. He’s back out here. He has his own place. He still helps me out, but from a distance. I don’t really need him all up in my business anymore. You know, telling me what to do. I’m older now. What about your sister and little nephews?”
    â€œThey are good boys. My sister is doing well.”
    After our meal, the waiters brought out a huge birthday cake covered with gold flowers and silver stars. It had huge sparkling candles like fireworks sprouting out of it, and they all sang “Happy Birthday” to me again. The cake read: H APPY 21 ST B IRTHDAY , BABY. I LOVE YOU!
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    I couldn’t have ever dreamed of a birthday this great. I blew out my candles, and instead of wishing for anything, I simply thanked God for everything I had already received.
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    We took the elevator on to the casino floor. I was ready to show my identification, but I didn’t get carded and was able to gamble without any problems. I didn’t win any money, but it was fun. On the way back up to the hotel room, Miles called me.
    â€œAunt