SCOUT
“Your new roommate is cute,”Catrine admired Luis as he carried another box into the house.
“Oh, are you dropping those cholo boys finally?” I smirked. Together, Catrine, Birdie, and I walked to her car. I wanted to give Luis space to move in, so I called my off-again-on-again friends and asked to spend the day with them.
“Ha! I wish. Get someone who can keep a job.” Catrine laughed. She pulled out of my driveway and started toward the mall.
“Or wash his own underwear.” Birdie snickered. “I’ve been having to scrub brown streaks for months now.”
“Why do you let these men get away with that shit?” I asked.
“How do you think we can afford to go shopping today?” Catrine laughed.
“My man might not know how to wipe his ass, but he spoils me.” Birdie pulled out a wad of bills and fanned them in my face.
“You both need a little more independence. I couldn’t imagine wanting a man to pay for stuff.”
“See, that’s why no one rolls wit’ you no more,” Catrine jabbed. “You’re always lecturing and making us feel stupid.”
“You’re not stupid,” I protested. “But what are you gonna do when Chino and Julio and Creeper and whoever learn to wash their own boxers?”
We all burst into laughter. Like that could ever happen. Birdie leaned forward again, pushing past us to turn the radio up and we sang along to the mix tape she made just for the trip.
“Did you get yours done for what’s his name?” Catrine asked when we pulled into the mall parking lot and climbed out of her car.
“That white boy?” Birdie cocked her head. “From Halloween?”
“His name is Desiderio.” I rolled my eyes. “And no, I’m still working on the tape. I’ve been pretty busy at work.”
They groaned loudly.
“Fine, I won’t talk about work.”
We hit a few stores, and both of my friends bought stuff from each one we walked into. They really did have money. I tried not to be envious and remain as supportive as I could as they tried on dresses, pants, and cute shirts, buying nearly as much as they tried on.
“You’re not getting anything?” Catrine frowned, as once again, I walked out of a store empty-handed.
“I don’t need anything right now.”
“I don’t need any of this.” Birdie giggled. “But I sure do look good when Creeper takes me out and shows me off.”
“I want to be more than just some trophy.”
“Then do it, fool.” Catrine slapped me gently on the shoulder. “Take off, go to art school, before you’re thirty.”
“I’ve still got a few years,” I defended.
“Until Desiderio gets you pregnant and you end up just like everyone else.”
“Except in a different neighborhood,” Birdie added coolly.
“Nah, I’m not doing any of that.”
“Your man doesn’t want kids?” Catrine and Birdie shared a look.
“We just started dating,” I reminded them. “It’s not like back in the day when you go with someone and you plan your whole life.”
“Why not? You should want to be with that person forever.” Birdie smiled and her eyes took on a far-off look. “And get married and have kids and—”
