Down for Mine

By Vivian Blue

It’s not easy being in a large family, but when you have sisters that are down for each other, it makes it all worthwhile. The Jackson sisters—Shirley, Thelma, Candy, and Amber—are a tight-knit group, but their different personalities tend to clash like most siblings. They are in varying situations in their lives, but all seem to be in the same boat when it comes to reaching their full potential, professionally and in love

Shirley and Thelma are both married, but their marriages are far from perfect. Shirley has a loving husband and four beautiful kids, but she’s starting to have reason to believe that her husband is having an affair. Where her sister Thelma was actually having an affair and got caught by her husband. Now she’s dealing with the fall in a messy divorce, and there’s no way Thelma’s letting her rich husband off easy.

Candy and Amber are the youngest of the crew, and neither of them are where they should be in life. Candy is being faithful to her no-good boyfriend that’s incarcerated, while her little sister Amber keeps allowing her baby daddy to have a revolving door in her life. Will any of them be able to find true happiness in their lives, or will the arguing and bickering amongst them drive a huge wedge between them that will tear their family apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Royalty Publishing House
• Release date: Aug 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781648403040

Book preview

1

Happy Hour

In a small neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri, once a month on Fridays, the Jackson sisters met up at their mother’s lounge Sylvester’s to catch up on the varying highs and lows of life, love, family, and any other ridiculous idiosyncratic things that may have taken place over the course of a month. This was the time when they gave each other advice, a hug, lend a few dollars, or have the occasional fight about God knows what because someone got too drunk and is now in their feelings. These were the things the Jackson siblings had gone through all of their lives, and it’s not going to change since they’re signs of a strong, healthy family.

Do you know this nigga asked me to return all of the jewelry he’d given me throughout our marriage! He said that his great, great grandmother’s jewelry is like an heirloom to his future children, Thelma explained. I told his ass he can go down to East and Loan Pawn Shop and buy the shit back from them because I’m not giving him a muthafuckin’ thing!

You didn’t go pawn that jewelry, did you, girl? Amber asked, laughing. That sounds like some shit that Candy would do, but I don’t get that from you.

Why do you think that I can’t do some petty shit like that? Thelma asked arrogantly before taking a sip of wine.

Because that’s just not your personality, sis. I’m sorry! You’re one of the ones who tend to talk us out of the stupid shit we threaten to do. You’re the rational one, and I’m surprised that you even came at Rufus like a gangsta! Thelma looked at Amber and cut her eyes. She was still shocked that Rufus served her with divorce papers, but he had caught her cheating numerous times with several random men. Thelma loved her husband, and he was an excellent provider. They lived in a million-dollar home out in Manchester, Missouri, and she drove a Porsche Cayenne truck with a Benz in the garage. Rufus kept six figures in her bank account at all times because he was one of the top selling real estate investors in St. Louis, not that she didn’t have a job of her own.

Thelma was a pharmacy tech in the neighborhood clinic where she grew up, and she made good money. Rufus always tried to push her to go back to school to be a pharmacist, but Thelma thought it was a waste of time if Rufus was already pulling in boat loads of cash. Besides, he wasn’t hurting for money anyway, because his parents were millionaires themselves.

Harold and Cindy Bishop owned the Bishop Construction Company that did over half of the big contracted projects around the city, State of Missouri, and Illinois. Rufus was bi-racial, but he looked more like a White boy. Apparently, his mother’s genes were a lot stronger than his father’s. However, Rufus looked just like his Black father, Harold, but he took on his mother Cindy’s skin tone and dusty blonde hair.

Cindy’s father helped Harold start their company after he’d come home from serving in the Navy. Rufus’s grandfather wanted to make sure that his little girl was well taken care of because she’d grown up living a certain lifestyle, and he wanted to keep it that way. Rufus followed in the footsteps of his grandmother, Cindy, and got into real estate while in high school. Once he graduated, Nana convinced Rufus to go to school to get his license, and she would help him establish a business of his own. By the time Rufus was twenty-one, he’d already made his first million, and by the time he’d married Thelma, he was a multi-millionaire.

---

My fault, y’all, said Candy, placing her phone on the table. Brooklyn’s spending the night over his friend Percy’s house, and I had to make sure he was squared away. Now what are we talking about, and where is Shirley?

I don’t know where Shirley is, but your sister is over here threatening to pawn Rufus’s great, great grandmother’s jewelry, Amber explained. I told her that’s your level of pettiness, and she’s above all of that bullshit.

I agree, Candy uttered. Pawn all of that shit, and lose the pawn ticket!

See! Thelma shouted, pointing her finger at Amber. Candy understands what I’m talking about! Fuck that nigga and his nana’s jewelry! Amber slapped Thelma’s hand out of her face and glared at her.

Not really… but he is divorcing you. Candy scoffed.

But this bitch cheated on him! Amber mentioned snidely. And it wasn’t with just one nigga either! Thelma turned her nose up at Amber with a frown on her face.

Are you judging me? Thelma asked with an attitude. ‘Cause the last time I checked, I’m not the one who’s a single parent with two kids!

So you’re judging me now ‘cause I’m a single mother with two kids? I’m not with their father, but he’s a good provider for them. Amber scoffed.

Is that why you asked Mama for three hundred dollars to help pay your bills? Thelma questioned. Amber looked at her sister in disbelief.

How did you know—

That bitch lives back at home with Mama and Daddy, so why wouldn’t she know? Candy asked, cutting her little sister off. And, Thelma, bitch, you were wrong for coming at Amber like that! You’s a hoe, and you can’t get mad when the facts being presented are true! You fucked about ten different men since you’ve been married to Rufus, and two of them were steady fucks that have been around for a very long time.

It’s not my fault that Rufus isn’t good in bed, Thelma replied defensively. I thought I could teach him a few things, but he just wasn’t open to any suggestions.

How do you think it makes a man feel when you tell him that his sex game is lousy? Amber asked curiously. That was a total blow to his manhood, but of course, you don’t give a fuck.

I sure don’t, Thelma replied, chuckling. Rufus has a big dick like his daddy, but I guess he gets his fucking ability from his mother’s side of the family.

Wait a minute, bitch! Candy interjected. How do you know that his father has a big dick?

Because Cindy told me. Thelma scoffed. She said that it was Harold’s big dick that made her fall in love with him. Plus, I just so happened to see him in a pair of gray jogging pants, and let’s just say that the muthafucka swings to the right and spans almost to his knee!

Damn! I’m looking for a suga daddy, and big dicks is one of my specialties! Amber announced, perking up.

So who’s the hoe? Thelma asked sarcastically, tilting her head to the side.

At least I claim my shit! Amber replied. You’re the only one at this table in denial.

I ain’t in denial about shit, Amber. I’m just a woman who’s going through divorce proceedings, and I can’t afford for anyone to hear me openly talking about my adulterous affairs. That’s all, Thelma explained. We had a pre-nuptial agreement, but I want spousal support as well. Rufus isn’t about to get with no Becky with the good hair and think that I’m not going to capitalize off of his continued success. His ass thinks I don’t know about the off-shore accounts, but I do!

Damn! Yo’ husband got money like that, and you were cheating on him? Candy asked, surprised. This nigga Tommy got some money, but his shit ain’t nothing compared to Rufus. I have hundreds of thousands of dollars coming through my hands, but Rufus has millions. He could sell one house and wouldn’t have to work for the rest of the year.

But he can’t fuck! Thelma countered. It’s easy to say that I should fake it ‘til he makes it, but I can’t! I need to be dicked down long, hard, and strong, and my husband just can’t do that. I’m not a bad person for putting my needs first, and I wish people could see my point.

---

See what point? asked Shirley, walking up to the table. I’m sorry I’m late, but Larry’s ass couldn’t pick the twins up from school today. I had to grab them then stop off at Lee’s to get some chicken for dinner tonight. I swear Larry tries my patience sometimes, but he’s a great provider for our family, so I let his ass slide.

You went and bought chicken and didn’t think to bring us any? Amber asked sadly.

Yo’ broke ass always begging. Thelma scoffed. Here’s twenty dollars. Call down to the rice house, and order us the usual. Thelma held up the money, and Amber snatched it out of her hand. Don’t be snatching shit out of my hand, lil’ girl!

Stop being a bitch, and maybe I’ll consider, Amber replied sarcastically. Candy, can you walk down to the rice house with me? I need to smoke a cigarette, and the walk would do you some good. Amber widened her eyes at Candy, and she picked up on her intent. Amber must have wanted to talk to her about something.

Sure, Candy replied, standing up. I got some fire ass weed from Tommy’s homeboy Jimi, and we can smoke a blunt while we wait for the food.

That sounds like a plan to me! Amber yelled happily. We’ll be back!

Don’t forget to get extra sweet and sour sauce, and I want a chicken St. Paul. Don’t yo’ ass forget! Amber and Candy started walking toward the front door when Amber turned around and licked her tongue out at Thelma.

I hope you bite that muthafucka! Thelma called out. Amber gave her the middle finger and laughed before walking out of the door.

---

Sounds like it was a rough day for you too. Shirley sighed, sitting down.

What can I get for you, Shirley? asked Trisha, one of the barmaids.

I’ll take a shot of tequila and a margarita, Shirley replied.

It has been a rough day, huh? Thelma replied, rubbing her big sister’s shoulder.

Man! I have to deal with a bunch of dumb ass people who act like children at work and still have to come home to tend to my own children and husband, and he acts like a child himself.

See… that’s the reason why I didn’t rush into having a bunch of kids. I wanted to enjoy being married before complicating it with children.

You complicated your marriage on your own, little sister, and maybe a child would have made things a bit better between the two of you, Shirley replied frankly.

Not if he can’t fuck adequately enough to satisfy me in order to make a child, Thelma shot back. Am I the only person who thinks that sex is important in a marriage?

Oh! I agree with that 100 percent, but it shouldn’t be the defining factor in a marriage. I’ve been married to Larry for almost ten years, and our sex life has just now started getting a bit dull. We have sex two nights a week, Tuesday and Friday nights. Those are the days I come down to the lounge, and whenever I’ve been drinking, I want to have sex when I get home.

Those are the only two days y’all fuck? Thelma asked, surprised. I demanded sex every day from husband, but for some reason, I felt like it was a total waste of time. Maybe if we did it less, then I wouldn’t have noticed how much I didn’t like it.

I’m gon’ pray for you, Thelma, because I swear the devil is on you, Shirley declared. Trisha put Shirley’s drinks in front of her. Thank you, girl!

Shirley handed Trisha some money and looked at her with a serious expression. This is all the money that I have to spend on drinks tonight, and once this runs out, I’m done.

Okay, Shirley, Trish replied, laughing. I’ll put it in your cup.

Thank you, Shirley replied. You want another drink, Thelma? Thelma’s phone was ringing, and she was looking down at the screen.

I think I do because this is my booty call right here, and if he’s talking right… I’m getting fucked tonight! Thelma sang. If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I have a phone call to answer.

Thelma got up from the table and walked off while Shirley watched, knocking down her shot. She had reason to believe that her husband, Larry, was cheating on her, but she wasn’t ready to say anything about it to her sisters. She thought that maybe she was making too much out of the phone call she overheard, but one could never be too careful when it came to the affairs of one’s heart.

2

Amber and Candy walked down the street to the Chinese restaurant to grab their normal Friday night fare. Candy had a lot on her mind because Tommy was pressing her about messing around with some nigga he had beef with. Word got back to him that Candy was hanging out at the lounge with him one night when, in actuality, he was talking with Amber. He had graduated with Candy, but Amber knew him through her baby daddy, Jesse. Tommy was always accusing Candy of being unfaithful, but she didn’t let it bother her since she was faithful to him, even though he didn’t deserve her loyalty. Tommy was a real slut bucket, and he had his fair share of women around the city. But the one thing he tried his best to do was keep them away from Candy. She was always beating up women who felt brave enough to test her gangsta, and it seemed like Tommy got off on watching his woman go from zero to a hundred on hoes. He knew that Candy wasn’t going anywhere no matter what he did to her, and if she got out of line, he would put his hands on her to remind her who was in charge. Candy wasn’t all that scared of Tommy, but she knew he’d give her a black eye if she tripped.

This shit is some fire! Amber shouted, passing the blunt to Candy.

I know, right, Candy replied. Jimi keeps some fire shit, and he threw me a bag when he delivered Tommy’s half of the money.

How is Tommy? Didn’t you go see him?

Yeah, I went to see him, Candy replied, blowing out smoke. He’s always talking shit about loyalty and being down for him while he’s locked up, but he has at least two bitches that I know of that’s going up to Kansas City to see him.

Well, the nigga was cheating on you when he got locked up, so did you think it was going to stop? Amber asked, looking at her skeptically. I told you that Ms. Eva’s been talking big shit when she comes to the shop to get her hair done by Sasha.

I can’t believe that out of all the hair salons in St. Louis, the bitch had to happen into the one that you work at, Candy complained. I know that evil bitch Eva was the one who told her to get a job there. She passed the blunt to Amber and pulled out a cigarette. You know that’s how Sasha started fucking with Tommy.

Maaaaaan… fuck those bitches, sissy! You’re the one who’s getting that nigga’s paper, so those other two hoes are so irrelevant. Jesse told me that Sasha ain’t really making no noise and that it’s you that everyone refers to as his wife. I even heard that nigga Casper say that you’re the only reason why niggas even fuck with Tommy.

Who the fuck is Casper? Candy asked, frowning. I don’t think I know that nigga.

Girl, yes you do, Amber insisted, rolling her eyes at Candy. He’s the one that owns the shop where I work at, and every time you come to get your hair done, he’s all in your face like, ‘you so fine, just like your lil’ sista! I would love to have a Jackson sandwich.’ And you know I can’t stand when he says that. One day I’m going to punch his ass in the ear!

Ohhh… I know who you’re talking about, Candy said, snapping her finger. That’s the nigga that Tommy said I better stay away from, or else he’s going to shoot him a message. Candy laughed at the thought. I guess the bitch Sasha told him that Casper be all up in my face.

Don’t get me wrong. Casper got a little change, but he ain’t got that Tommy money, Amber informed her sister. He’s always trying to get on me, but I ain’t paying his ass no attention! He got four kids with four different baby mamas, and I heard that another one of his skoochies is currently pregnant.

That nigga must be fertile as a muthafucka! Candy scoffed, and both women laughed at the comment. But don’t think that Tommy’s ballin’ out of control, because he’s not! He only gets about 35 percent of the take, and that ain’t shit! His uncle Levi is looking out for him, but I don’t know how much longer that’s going to last if Eva’s ass don’t stop going over there beggin’ for money.

Candy, I don’t know why you don’t cut your losses and leave that nigga, Amber suggested. You can get a job and work like a normal bitch.

My lifestyle isn’t set up to work a job. Not unless I’m pulling a six-figure salary. Candy scoffed. I got some money put away, but I need just a little bit more before I hit it on his ass.

Amber! Get yo’ ass in here, and get yo’ food! shouted Lee. Lee’s parents owned the Golden Coin Chop Suey.

Damn, Lee, here I come! I was on my way in there! Amber shouted back. Candy laughed as Amber walked toward the restaurant. Their family had been buying food there long before the current owners bought it, but they had a good relationship with them as well because they were practically neighbors. The restaurant was only a half of a block down from the lounge, and at least one of the Jacksons ate there at least twice a week.

Don’t forget the extra sweet and sour sauce! Candy shouted, reminding Amber.

Okay! Amber shouted back. ‘Cause I don’t want to hear that bitch Thelma’s mouth about some damn sweet and sour sauce!

---

Amber and Candy went back to the lounge with the food. Thelma had already gotten some plates and plasticware from under the bar. Mable always kept them back there for the girls, and she let them have two drinks a piece before they started getting charged for them.

Did you remember to get me some sweet and sour sauce? Thelma asked, taking the bag from Amber.

Yes, I remembered, and Candy reminded me too, Amber replied. "Lee threw in