2. Temple Temptress Newman
“Huuuh! I wish motherfuckas would let me rest!” I yelled, hearing my phone go off for the fifth time. I'd shut my eyes an hour ago, and now it was seven o’clock in the morning, and people were blowing up my line. Like, who the hell got up this damn early?
People with a job, Temp. That’s who.
Hearing my subconscious speak made me pop my head up and snatch my phone from the nightstand. I looked at the caller ID and saw my boss Deacon’s name on the screen.
I hurried and answered. “Mr. Deacon. I’m so sorry. I overslept.”
“It’s the third time this week, Temple. I can’t keep covering your ass when you forget you have a shift to work.”
“I know, and I promise this is the last time.”
“You said that last time. Just get here.” He hung up as I shook my head and tried to wake myself. I looked over and noticed Nathan, my midnight slide, lying next to me, sleeping peacefully.
I rolled my eyes and mushed his ass hard as hell. He lifted quickly, looking around, seemingly coming out of the sleep-induced haze.
“Wh-what’s wrong, Temp?”
“Nigga, you’re not supposed to still be here,” I scolded.
“Shit, I mean, you put a nigga out with that good-ass pussy. I forgot where the fuck I was.”
I made a stank face at him as I got up from the bed. “This is why I don’t let motherfuckas stay over. You can’t even be my ears for the alarm clock. What the fuck are you good for?”
He smirked. “This dick and this tongue.”
I laughed aloud. “Nigga, please. Ya shit barely made me cum. Get out of my house, and you bet not touch shit in here that doesn’t belong to you!” I told him, rushing to my bathroom to shower and dress.
By day, I worked as a clinical nurse at Northwest Care Center, but by nightfall, I was the headliner at Lucid Gentlemen’s Club.
Working two jobs had been draining me since I turned eighteen.
I didn’t know my parents, because I was a foster child.
It wasn’t until my grandma, Lula Mae, my mom’s mother, came and found me when I was thirteen and fought for custody of me.
She told me she and my mama had an estranged relationship.
It wasn’t until three months after Dior had me that my grandmother found out that she died giving birth to me.
When she tried to get information of my whereabouts, no one would give her any information.
My foster mom wasn’t mean to me, but we didn’t have a bond or connection, which made it easy for me to leave with Ma Lula when she finally did find me.
When I went with her, I found out I had two cousins, Antonia and Sapphire, and an aunt named Natasha.
Meeting them was the best thing to ever happen to me because my foster sisters and I never got along.
They were jealous and did and said anything to make me uncomfortable for the twelve years I lived with them.
When I met Toni and Sapphire, there was instant bond, and we became thick as thieves.
Now, at thirty-three, we identified ourselves more as sisters than cousins.
Toni worked as a bartender at Club Lucid, and Sapphire worked at a bakery.
Because Ma Lula’s healthcare was shitty, the three of us as a collective made sure we took turns handling her medical bills.
Since she was a diabetic, she had to have surgery to get her leg removed, and the surgery alone was twenty thousand dollars.
Lula Mae acted just like Big Mama from Soul Food.
She fussed at us the entire time, telling us she wasn’t about to be no one-legged freak.
As stubborn as she was, we had to remind her that she was our lifeline, and we needed her here for as long as the Good Man allowed.
I made haste with washing myself then left the bathroom. I was happy Nate’s ass was gone, and I looked around to make sure his ass hadn’t taken anything. He was known to be a kleptomaniac, and it was always little shit that he’d take—preferably my damn panties.
Weird shit.
I got dressed, grabbed my belongings, and hurried out the door to work.
I was tired as shit because not only did I dance at the club until three, but Toni and I ended up at an after-party where I did a private party.
My take for the night was four thousand.
All we needed was sixteen thousand dollars more for Ma Lula’s surgery.
I arrived at work a little after eighty thirty. As soon as I walked in, Deacon’s wife, Kelly, stood with her hands on her hips and a mean mug.
“I know, I know, Ms. Kelly. Time got away from me.”
“It always seems to get away from you. The midnight people be ready to go home, and you’re always late getting here. This is your final warning, Temple. If you can’t handle getting here on time, then we will find someone else who can.”
“Yeah, . . . I hear you.”
“This Friday is the fundraiser for the Autism Foundation. I expect you to be here, and on time to help us set up.”
“You got it,” I replied.
She gave me a stern look, then walked away. I rolled my eyes behind her back and wanted to stick my middle finger up at her tacky ass, but there were cameras everywhere. If I didn’t love what I did, I would have cussed her ass out by now.
Mrs. Kelly stayed trying to exude some power when her ass barely was at this place.
I felt her negative energy the moment I was hired into their establishment.
I knew why she always threw shade my way.
It was because her husband couldn’t take his eyes off my ass and titties and always gave me a pass for being late.
It wasn’t my fault that she was shaped like Patrick from SpongeBob.
I wasn’t one to body shame or talk bad about anyone, because my sister Sapphire was a heavyset woman, and to me, her body was tea.
But, because Ms. Kelly had a personal beef with me, I had to point out the reason why she may have felt inferior toward me.
Her husband hired all women with a fat ass and slim waist. We were eye-candy to him, and Mrs. Kelly hated it. I didn’t peep her throwing shade or giving the other girls attitude except for Paola. I assumed it was because we were the prettiest, and her husband favored us the most.
Working these two jobs took a toll on me, but I was determined to get Ma Lula this surgery should she need it so we could have her for a while longer.
My sisters gave what they could since they didn’t make as much as me, but I didn’t mind being the one to shake my ass for cash if it guaranteed my grandma would live.
Going to my locker in the break room, I locked my things away, grabbed my badge and cart, then proceeded to go check on the patients.
I was already praying this damn day went by fast so I could go home and get some much-needed sleep.
Lucid Gentlemen’s Club
It was Wednesday, and LGC had started a theme called Wild Out Wednesday slash Wing Wednesday.
Since the owner, Arie, started it, niggas came through in packs just to get the club specials.
Any other day, it was a hundred-dollar cover charge, and every drink and food order was expensive.
I understood because Club Lucid was elite with top-tier designs, top-shelf liquor, and the baddest bitches in Detroit.
The owners, Arie and Paige, were some bad bitches and not to be fucked with.
I’d heard stories about how they used to be hit women, but I didn’t get that vibe from Paige.
Arie, on the other hand, definitely gave the vibe that she would slice a bitch’s throat, then go to the funeral and cry as if nothing happened.
I hated Wednesdays though.
It was the day of the week where the broke niggas came, but every dollar counted because I had bills to pay.
Stepping out of the dressing room, wearing an all-black open bra with black pasties, black thongs with my six-inch open-toed boots, I headed toward the bar to see Toni before my set.
I walked behind the bar and headed over to her.
“Hey, bookie.” I greeted her while she cashed out a customer.
“Hey, Sis. You just getting here?”
“Yeah, and I’m already ready to go.”
She chuckled. “I bet. I don’t even know why you're back in here after last night and having to work this morning.”
“You know why. We need the money.”
“I get that, but not at the expense of draining yourself. You promised to only do the weekends.”
“Again, you know why.”
She shook her head and handled another customer before turning to me. “What you drinking?”
“Give me three shots of Azul.”
She nodded and went to make some drinks.
My eyes scanned the club to see whose lap I was about to bounce on that had money.
I smirked, seeing Mike and Mo in the VIP section with no dancers.
They were brothers of the owner’s husband and usually came on the weekends with the wealthy.
Just knowing they were in the building, and the other dancers hadn’t gotten to them yet, gave me hope that I’d at least walk out with a bag tonight.
Toni returned with my drinks, and I took them all to the head.
I kissed her cheek and told her I’d see her after my set, then headed toward the VIP area.
I barely made it because so many niggas were grabbing at me, wanting to get a dance.
They were like sharks in a fucking fish tank, and I hated when they touched me without permission.
After turning down the fifth guy, I finally made it over to the money men.
When Mike looked up, he smiled wide and tapped Mo to get his attention.
“Ah shit. If it ain’t our favorite baddie. What’s up, mamas?” Mo asked.
I smiled. “Fancy to see you gentlemen in here on a Wednesday. What’s the occasion?”
“We come by every other Wednesday just to chill after a hard day’s work. We should be asking yo’ fine ass the same thing. We never see you here on a weekday either,” Mike said.
“You’re right, but bills gotta get paid. Y’all trying to pay one or two of them tonight?” I laughed while they joined me.
“You already know we want to see that ass bounce since you won’t let us take you to the VIP room,” Mo replied, licking his lips. I was used to these two trying to bed me. They knew I didn’t get down like that but would never stop throwing it out there that they wanted me.
“You be knowing. Now show that cash so I can shake this ass.”
They chuckled and went inside their pockets, pulling out wads of cash.
“Top Of Cars” by Lil M.U. queued, and I danced. Song after song, I performed, and they rained bills on me, and not little ones either. When I was done, I gathered my money.
“I swear, you a fucking tease,” Mike jested.
“Right. Get yo’ pretty, stingy ass away from us,” Mo countered.
I laughed. “Y’all know I got love for y’all.” I winked.
Mo smiled. “We got love for you too, mamas. See you this weekend.”
I kissed their cheeks, then walked to the dressing room to prepare for my set on stage. I showered quickly, dressed in an army costume, and put on my blonde wig.
“Hey, Temptress! I saw you over there with the money men. I know you racked up a bag on them niggas!” Tink, one of the dancers that actually fucked with me, said as she walked inside the dressing room.
I smiled lightly. “I did a little something.”
“Little something my ass. I know them niggas throw buckets on a bitch. I’m mad I was holed up in the VIP with that lame, Luther, or I would have been up in that section with you, poppin’ this pussy on them fine-ass niggas!
” She did a lil twerk as I slapped her ass, hyping her up.
I could see Brandy and Monica, also known as Pat and Diamond, the two live crew twins, looking at us through the mirror with envious looks on their faces.
Again, I was America’s Most Hated at both my jobs.
What was so sad about it was that I was the most humble, caring, and loving person anyone could meet.
I never came off as arrogant or bourgeois and usually got along with everybody.
But, no matter where I went or how friendly I was to people, they just didn’t like me.
Too bad for them because I would never be intimidated by anybody. I loved to see people win and made sure I clapped for anybody doing their big one. It was just sad some people didn’t have that same energy.
“What y’all bitches over there looking salty for?” Tink called out. I swear, for her to be five feet even and 120 soaking wet, her little ass had no problem checking a bitch and had the hands to back it up.
“Ain’t nobody looking salty. Stop trying to start shit, Tink,” Pat said, rolling her eyes.
“How I’m starting shit when y’all hoes over there with y’all eyes cocked like a pistol from rolling them bitches. Don’t hate on my girl because you thots was too slow to get that bag.”
“Whatever. Come on, D. I ain’t got time to be arguing with bitches who love giving they pussy away for pennies.”
“Can’t be talking about my pussy. If getting six bands to suck a little dick is pennies, then bitch, you must be just giving your shit out for free. Fuck outta here before my fist and your face be gathered together in holy matrimony.”
Diamond flipped her off while they left the dressing room, and I couldn’t help but laugh at Tink’s crazy ass.
“Why you always ready to turn up, Tink?”
“Because them busted bitches be hating on you tough, and you never check they ass.”
“I don’t care about they eye rolls and stank faces. They never say shit to me, so I don’t pay them hoes no mind.”
“Well, I’on like that shit, so I’m gon’ speak on it.”
I shook my head and stood. “I’ll talk to you later, toots. Don’t hurt nobody in here tonight.”
“I’ma try not to. Get them bands, sexy!” She called after me.
I laughed and prepared myself to get on this stage and shake my ass.
As much as I hated dancing, I couldn’t deny the money at the end of the night always gave me motivation and put me a few steps closer to getting my grandma the help she needed.