Free Gangsta Divas by De'nesha Diamond Page A

coming out of a damn near comatose state to try and kill someone.”
    â€œYeah. Someone who probably has something to do with her even being here.”
    â€œOh, please.” Reggie tosses up his hands. “We don’t know that. It’s more likely it has something to do with that Raymond kid that took her to prom. You’ve seen the news. His brother is some big-time gangbanger and he’s likely one as well. That would explain what really happened at that shoot-out at the hospital last year. Face it. He’s every bit the gangster his brother is . . . and I let you talk me into letting him take Ta’Shara to the prom.” He’s on a roll and starts pacing.
    â€œSo now this is all my fault?”
    He doesn’t answer.
    â€œOhmigod,”Tracee exclaims, flabbergasted.
    â€œI didn’t say that it’s your fault,” Reggie relents.
    â€œYou’re definitely insinuating it.”
    â€œNo. No. I’m just saying that . . . we’re waaaay over our heads in this situation. Suddenly it’s like we’re surrounded by gangsters. First the hospital shoot-out, then Ta’Shara is raped, and then her best friend is blown up at a gas station and now this shit? We’re waaaay over our heads and I resent your standing there holier than thou and casting judgment on me. Have you given one thought to what we’re going to do when we take her home? That Raymond kid has been calling ever since he came out of his coma.You have any idea how we’re going to keep those two apart?”
    My heart stops. Profit is alive?

11
    Qiana
    â€œW hat the fuck did you tell him?” Lil Bit asks wide-eyed in the middle of my kitchen. “You didn’t tell him the truth, did you?”
    â€œDo I have stupid stamped on the center of my forehead?” I hand her the screaming baby. “Please do something about him.”
    Her face twists in horror. “Like what?”
    â€œLike shut him up. I can’t get him to stop hollering.” I rub at my temples because they feel like they are just seconds from exploding. What in the fuck did I get myself into?
    â€œMaybe he’s just hungry,” Lil Bit suggests. “Have you tried to feed him?”
    â€œOf course I’ve tried.” I gesture to the mess I’ve made on the counter with the baby formula we picked up last night. “He wouldn’t drink the shit.”
    â€œDid you heat it up?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œOhmigod, Qiana. Do you know nothing about taking care of a baby?” Lil Bit laughs.
    â€œYou mean do I know anything about taking care of a baby. Jeez.” I roll my eyes.
    â€œWhatever,” she barks back. “If you spent more time thinking through your harebrained schemes as much as you do correcting my English, you’ll be ahead of the curve.”
    â€œFuck you,” I snap, defensively. “And the answer to your question is no. Why in the hell would I know about babies? I ain’t out here tryna raise a bunch of seeds.”
    â€œBut you’re out there, cutting them out of bitches’ stomachs?” She laughs. “I’m glad you set me straight on that shit.” She turns her attention to the baby. “Here you go,” Lil Bit says, pulling out a tit and rubbing the nipple in the baby’s face. “Go ahead, l’il man. It’s all right,” she coos.
    I watch this shit with a fried brain. I always heard these little fuckers can be a pain in the ass, but goddamn! How do bitches do it? This loud muthafucka hasn’t stopped screaming since I opened my eyes two hours ago.
    At long last the baby quiets down and latches onto Lil Bit’s limp tit and starts sucking with everything he got.
    â€œThank God,” I moan.
    Lil Bit thrusts up her chin. “I told you he was hungry.”
    â€œWhat the fuck ever. Your ass is hired. You take care of him.”
    Lil Bit shakes her head. “Fuck that. I got three of my