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Melanie was trying to be cordial to her guests, but she felt that she needed to repeat that come sunlight they were gone. Charlie listened as she laid down some more rules. She didn’t allow anyone to sleep on her couch and remarked that it cost her five thousand dollars at Ethan Allen. Charlie was tired of the bitch bringing up how much her shit cost.

The night was growing late and it was time for everyone to retire to bed. As Melanie was in her linen closet pulling out sheets and blankets for her guests to sleep on the hardwood floors, Charlie decided to walk with her full appletini, and she “accidently” tripped on something and spilled the green liquid on the expensive white couch.

It was a typical hater move. “Oh shit! I’m so sorry!” Charlie yelped with a fraudulent apology.

Melanie spun around and burst onto the scene, only to see a nightmare before her eyes. Her eyes widened with shock and disbelief. The sight of her pricey couch now stained with green liquid made her burst into tears—almost hysterical. All three girls jumped into action and started blotting the fabric to stop the mess. Fortunately, some of it came out, but the cushion was ruined.

“Melanie, I’m so sorry . . . believe me, it was an accident,” Charlie apologized.

Melanie didn’t know what to believe. It could have been an accident, but she doubted it.

Inwardly, Charlie was laughing her ass off. She hated the bitch.

Although Charlie repeatedly proclaimed that it was an accident, Claire and Melanie knew it was done on purpose. Melanie also knew that you can’t be nice to scum bitches like her. She wanted them gone early tomorrow morning.

***

Charlie couldn’t sleep. She didn’t want to sleep. She stayed awake thinking and plotting. Melanie wanted them gone in the morning and that was only a few short hours away. Charlie saw opportunity there, and she didn’t want it to go to waste.

At a little after two in the morning Charlie heard Melanie creeping from her bedroom to go to the door. She assumed that the sisters were sleeping and the light from the outside hallway came flooding in and then quickly went dark.

From her position on the floor, Charlie pulled the covers over her head and pretended to be asleep. She peeked out and observed a man carrying a small brown duffel bag. Melanie and the stranger hurriedly disappeared into the bedroom, and the door closed. Charlie could hear them whispering about something.

Claire was still asleep and she didn’t stir. Charlie’s little sister wasn’t astute like her. She got too comfortable when they shouldn’t be comfortable at all because they were homeless and broke.

Charlie didn’t know the stranger who went into the bedroom with Melanie, but she knew he was a hustler. She could easily sniff one out. He and Melanie spent about twenty minutes in the bedroom doing whatever. Charlie assumed they were fucking, but the door opened back up and Melanie walked the guy out without the duffel bag.

Charlie smiled.

***

Charlie was up bright and early a few hours later. She got into the shower first. As the water cascaded down on her, she couldn’t stop thinking about that duffel bag she saw come into the apartment. She knew something precious was in it, and she planned on not leaving Melanie’s place without it.

While Charlie was taking a shower, Melanie heard the water running. She glanced at the time and saw it was a quarter to seven. Thank God, she thought. She wanted the sisters gone. She had important things to take care of today. She remained lying in bed staring at the ceiling, counting the minutes on the clock until she drifted back off to sleep.

About an hour later, Melanie woke up to a strong smell coming from the bathroom. It was the smell of disinfectant. She wondered why she was smelling it. Are the ghetto girls cleaning up?

The cleaning didn’t stop in the bathroom. Melanie could hear the dishes being washed. Curious, she opened the door and peeked into the living room and saw that Charlie was up, dressed, and cleaning all surfaces. Her pile of sheets and blankets were picked up and the space was spotless, except for Claire. She was still sleeping.

Melanie was impressed. Maybe she had Charlie figured out all wrong. She smiled warmly at her and uttered the words, “Good morning.”

Charlie smiled broadly and said to Melanie, “We’ll be gone soon. I just wanted to say thank you by cleaning up for you.”

Melanie nodded her approval.

Charlie then asked, “I hate to ask, but do you mind if I use your cell phone? My battery went dead, and I need to make an important phone call before we leave here.”

Melanie didn’t see any harm in it. She handed Charlie her cell phone but wondered why Charlie didn’t just use her sister’s cell phone or ask to use a charger. She didn’t want to appear like she was some petty bitch, though, so she kept her questions to herself.

“What’s your security code?” Charlie asked.

Melanie had forgotten her phone was locked. She felt strange giving out the code. She had personal things on her phone, like most people.

Charlie noticed that Melanie seemed apprehensive about it. Thinking hastily, she reiterated, “I just want to make a few important phone calls and confirm where me and my sister are going to sleep tonight. I know you don’t want us here.”

It was understandable. Melanie gave her the pass code and said, “Take your time. I want y’all to be okay tonight.”

Charlie smiled. “We will.”

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