Money Never Sleeps by Tu-Shonda Whitaker

Author:Tu-Shonda Whitaker [Whitaker, Tu-Shonda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-345-52513-0
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2011-12-05T16:00:00+00:00

Jaise

“That was some down low, low-down, and country”—Jaise took a toke off her cigarette and flicked the ashes into the midnight breeze—“trailer. Park. Bullshit.” She released a cloud of smoke and looked toward Carl, who was riding in Jaise’s car, conducting an interview about what had happened earlier with Chaunci. “This was supposed to be the Millionaire Wives Club, not The Classless Hoes.”

“So were you surprised by Chaunci’s actions?” Carl questioned.

“Yes, I was quite surprised. We’re supposed to be ladies at all times. At least that’s how I was raised.” Jaise mashed her cigarette into the ashtray. “But I believe Chaunci’s from Murfree-ghetto-boro or something, so I guess that’s how they do it down there. Real Clampett style.” She nodded her head for emphasis. “A buncha damn Beverly Hoodbillies. Jesus. Chaunci ought to be ashamed of herself.”

“So whose side were you on?”

“I was Team Shannon all the way. Anybody originally from low-income housing is not to be played with. I wouldn’t even be seen on those sides of town, let alone mess with the people—with the exception of Vera, of course. Not that I have anything against the less fortunate.” Jaise paused. “Carl, can you edit out that last comment. I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m not sensitive to the broke, I mean the poor.”

“I’ll have to talk to Bridget about that.”

“Please.” She smiled and hoped that he was done. She’d had enough to deal with and didn’t want to waste another moment on Chaunci.

The autumn breeze blew into Jaise’s face as she slid another cigarette into her mouth and lit it.

The driver filled the Rolls-Royce’s sound system with Nina Simone’s “Do I Move You?”

“Turn that up,” Jaise said as her thoughts turned to her and Bilal’s first date, when she’d sang her heart out to him. She was in a club full of people, yet she felt like the only one there. She pursed her lips and after she freed seductive S’s of smoke, she sang with the same fever and intense fire that she’d had that special night she sang for her man. The very night she knew she’d captured him.

“Do I soothe you? Tell the truth now/ The answer better be hell yeah …”

She sang from the bottom of her heart until the words led to tears and the tears led to flashbacks of the arguments they’d been having.

She stopped singing.

Wiped her tears.

Entertained memories and visions of the dismay, distance, and disconnect she’d seen in Bilal’s eyes—a look that said he didn’t know who or what they’d become.

And the truth of the matter was, she didn’t know either. All she knew was that she wanted to find peace, because somehow it had been lost. And she needed to regain it because there was no way she could live like this.

Chain-smoking.

Overeating.

Crying.

Complaining.

Phony.

Not able to appreciate shit.

Not knowing her left from her goddamn right.

An attention whore, pimped by high drama, glitz, and riches, who would surely die a lonely-ass reality-TV vixen if she didn’t get her shit together.

Jaise put out her cigarette as her car rounded the corner of her block.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.