The People vs. Cashmere by Karen Williams

Mama.”
    The light changed to green, and we crossed.
    â€œI know you did. I was being selfish. But I’m just saying that now we can’t do it twenty-four hours a day. And when we not at home, are you comfortable with Ruby’s evil ass caring for him? She probably wouldn’t feed him or bathe him or do the therapy with him in the way he’s supposed to be taken care of.”
    She was right. I nodded.
    We turned a corner and walked slowly.
    â€œDesiree, I’m so stressed. I wish—”
    She stopped me in mid-sentence. “I do too, but wishing ain’t gonna change the state of things. Let’s just check this place out to make sure he straight, and if he is, we’ll go to this social security office to get things straight.”
    I smiled and nodded, happy I could lean on Desiree for once.
    â€œLook up, little sister. Here it is.”
    Still I hesitated at the door. Why? Because I felt like I was legitimizing Daddy being abandoned if I were to leave this place without leaving with him.
    â€œCome on, little sister, go on inside,” Desiree coaxed. “It don’t look too bad out here, so it can’t be too bad inside.”
    â€œYeah, it does look nice.”
    And it was. Daddy was in a nice place in a nice-ass room equipped with everything that he needed. They had nurses around the clock who looked and acted real professional. Every time they tended to Daddy, they washed their hands and put on a fresh set of gloves. They did therapy with him too. Just being there gave me my hope back, hope that Daddy would get better.
    â€œThis place is perfect, Desiree,” I told her.
    â€œI know, girl.”
    â€œAnd everybody so nice.”
    I nodded my head over and over again. They even had a swimming pool. That would make Daddy happy , I thought. But then I remembered that he couldn’t feel anything. But maybe they knew what to do and would figure out a way.
    â€œCome on, it’s getting late. And the visiting hours are up in a few minutes.”
    As we walked to the exit, the lady at the front desk stopped us. “Are you young ladies related to Desmond Pierce?” she asked.
    â€œNo.”
    I pinched Desiree’s arm. “Yes, we are.”
    â€œOkay. Well, according to his ledger, we still have not received the deposit. We offered a Ruby Malone an extension because of the circumstances, but we really do need the deposit to continue his stay here. If we don’t get it in another two weeks, we are going to have to release him.”
    I bit my bottom lip, stress building back up into me just as I was feeling good. And even though we didn’t have a quarter of that money, I asked, “How much is the deposit?”
    â€œNine hundred and seventy-five dollars.”
    I gritted my teeth. Shit !
    â€œThanks. We’ll have it to you real soon,” Desiree assured her, and the perky blonde-haired lady smiled.
    I nodded as well. “Please take care of our Daddy,” I pleaded, and she smiled at me in a soothing way.
    After we walked out, I asked,” Why did you say no, dumb ass?”
    â€œâ€™Cause, shit, never ever volunteer info to anybody. Mama—”
    â€œFuck Mama.”
    â€œLooks like she fucked us and Daddy,” she said dryly.
    â€œDesiree, you know what this means—We gotta go to that office and you gotta act like Mama to a T. Shit, we need that money transferred over.”
    We didn’t really do much. Desiree just changed her getup, fixed her hair like Mama fixed her hair, and put on makeup as well.
    â€œHow does it look, Cash?”
    â€œCool, Desiree.”
    Shit! How the fuck can they remember Mama to a T?
    And, plus, I remembered she mailed that paperwork into them. I don’t think her lazy ass ever stepped foot in that office. Long lines just weren’t her style. And since Daddy catered to her, she never had to wait in any of them. If it was time to do the taxes, get the clothes from