Play Your Cardz Right by Sydia Smith (reading like a writer TXT) 📖

Weeks have past and the plan was in motion. Looking at her clique and the new members, Destiny knew she wasn’t going to see some of them again. “Today will make or break you. In seven more hours we will be doing a dry run. If you fail you are out if you succeed you live to see another day. I can’t explain how important this is. Some of you will not be coming back in the real war and today we will see how you will react to things that will happen. I only have one question, are you really up for this?” Hearing nothing out of her clique she walked away. Putting her shades on she met her sister at the door. “Are you ready to lose.” She asked. “You wish.” Denise said opening the door.

Driving with her sisters and her best friend in the car the conversation went to crazy to insane. “This all I have to say, don’t get mad when you lose three stacks of your salary.” Denise said as they were betting on the race. “I don’t know why you guys are betting  none of you are going to win. Sammie you drive a Toyota, that doesn’t go fast, Desire do I really have to point out the fact that you failed the driving test three times already, Denise you actually go the speed limit and Tay, sweet Tay, how many cars have you totaled for speeding and not stopping.” Desi said. “What makes you the good driver.” Denise said. “Well let’s look at the facts shall we. I took the permit test and passed it with a 100 percent. I passed the driving test with flying colors and the four years I have been driving I never got a ticket or totaled a car.  Everyone in this car besides me failed either a permit or driving test, gotten a parking or speeding tickets, and for Tay totaled a car.” She pointed out. “We will see who will win.” Denise said smiling. Seeing her sister smile and enjoying herself was all she wanted.

Denise is the older twin. When growing up she was the care giver to both of her sisters. She was closer to her mother than her father, so when she did hear about the affair she was hurt. She always blamed herself. She would do anything for her family. She is like Destiny, family comes first but the way she handles problems are different from Destiny. She didn’t believe in violence as an option until she was shot. She would still choose violence as the last resort unlike Destiny violence is the first resort.         

The differences between Destiny and Denise in the physical sense is, Destiny is shorter and have her father’s eye color and hair color. Denise has her mother’s eye color and hair color. They both resemble both parents, but Denise have her father beauty mark on the neck. Denise is built like her mother, long and slinky. Destiny is medium height and curvy. Their style are totally different. Denise is more of a girly girl. She loves pastel colors, accessories, dresses, skirts, heels, makeup, jewelry, and lipstick. As for Destiny is more of a mixture of girly and tomboy. She wears make up, lip gloss, sneakers, jeans, tops, and basketball shorts. Destiny is more of a causal dresser as for Denise is more of formal.

Forty five minutes passed and Destiny was collecting her winnings. “You cheated.” Tay said giving her the money. “How did I cheat, I gave all of you a 10 second head start.” She said getting into her car. “You pick the fastest cart.” Sammie pointed out. “Really, I was supposed to know it was the fastest cart. You guys are just mad because you lost.” She said smiling. “Whatever.” Denise said. “You guys are sore losers.” Destiny said driving off.

“Can you guys give us a minute?” Denise asked. Parking the car Tay and Sammie got out of the car. Looking at her sister she wondered what she wanted to say. “I know over the past three years I haven’t been there. I know now that I have hurt many people, especially you. Desire I am so sorry that I didn’t tell you. I am so sorry that you had to go through hell, but you have to understand that I didn’t want anything to happen to you because of me. I love you, I will die for you. For you, I know how much it hurt you to lie about this. I see that mom blames you, and if I knew I would have told her. I’ve been thinking about what I wanted to do with my life and I decided to run a business, a family business with my sisters. So are you guys with me?” She asked. “I am with you. Being shot and thinking that you are going to die changes your views on things I think it is about time I retire from the clique.” Desire said. Looking at Destiny she was waiting on her answer. “I have to think about it.” Destiny said. Getting out of the car with an attitude was Denise. “Of course be mad at me.” Destiny said getting out of the car.

Sitting in silence at the restaurant Sammie and Tay was confused. Trying to make conversation Tay triggered a response. “How long?” Denise asked. “What are you talking about?” Destiny asked looking at her. “You know damn well what I am talking about.” She said as the volume of her voice increased. “How about lowering your voice.” Destiny said getting agitated. Before she could say anything the waiter came to take their orders. Ordering their meals, Denise waited until the waiter was gone. “Why are you acting like this?” Denise asked annoyed. “What are your motives?” Destiny asked trying to find a reason why she making this decision. “My motives. Are you that self-centered? No wondered you and mom can’t get along you guys are just alike.” Denise said. Knowing how Destiny is going to react Tay pushed her out of the booth. “Walk with me.” She said not giving her a choice.

Walking outside of the restaurant Destiny tried to calm herself down. “Should I even ask?” Tay said looking her best friend in the eye. “Denise decided to run a business. She want me and Desire to run it with her.” Destiny said sitting on the ledge of the restaurant. Sitting next to her she knew this could go really bad. “Is it such a bad idea?” Tay asked hoping she didn’t just add fuel to the flame. Looking at her Destiny didn’t answer. Walking back in the restaurant she sat down. Playing with the paper from the straw Destiny tried to calm herself down. Joining the table was Tay looking worried. Sitting in silence the change in mood made it awkward for others.

Back at the safe house Destiny parked her car. “Can you guys give me and Denise some space?” Destiny said looking at her sister. Respecting her request they got out of the car. Looking at her sister she saw nothing but anger in her eyes. “Would I still be able to be a part of the clique?” Destiny asked knowing the answer already. Looking at the set up Denise answered her question. “If I am giving you a source of income why would you need to continue to be a part of the clique.” She said. “Why are you doing this?” Destiny asked holding in her anger. “Why am I doing this, are you serious, look around you, you are about to go into a war and there is a possibility you may not come out of it. Do you see the pain that you bring to your family? You cannot be that blind.” She said raising her voice. “You know what, I am getting sick and tired of this dance. This clique isn’t the reason this war is happening. Think about it. It’s me.” Desi said getting out of the car.

Not letting her go that easy Denise got out the car. “You didn’t have this mentality three years ago. You aren’t the same person you were five years ago. This clique has changed you and if you can’t see that then I can’t stick around and watch you spiral down.” Turning to face her she figured it out. “Are you serious, she got to you didn’t she. She told you her sob story, and you felt for it. Tell me did she tell you about the real reason she had the affair with my Geometry teacher, or how she told him about she only wanted you as her daughter, not me. She didn’t give a damn about me, but of course you didn’t know that. She only wanted you to know the shit that would make you her little puppet. She painted a picture of the perfect mother, but if you would pay attention you would see that it isn’t her. I have done everything I could to reconnect with her. I joined the clique looking for a family because everything I worked for was gone. The clique didn’t change me, my family did.” Destiny said wiping the tears from her eyes. Getting back into her car she drove away.

Driving to the last person she wanted to see, she knew that this visit was long overdue. Ignoring all the calls she received Destiny tried to calm herself down. Arriving at the house she got out. Using the key she had she walked in. Seeing her in the kitchen her rage resurfaced. “Are you happy?” Destiny asked. Looking at her she was surprised. “Does it look like I am happy.” She answered her daughter. “Do me a favor, leave my name out of your conversations. From now on I am done being your child. Consider me motherless, because you are officially dead to me.” She said headed to the exit.

“Do what you do best leave. I am so sick of you blaming me for everything. I didn’t lead you to this path you did yourself.” Her mother said walking in front of her so she wouldn’t leave. “Listen and listen well he was my geometry teacher, the one who graded my assignments. When you told him how you felt about me, he took it as a reason to make me suffer in his class. Not only did you fuck up but you fucked my life up all because you wanted to feel pleasure. Then you use Desire as a punching bag to hurt me and now you’re using Denise as a puppet. The only question is why? I didn’t get it until now. I am the only one who you can’t control. The bond I have with my sisters kills you, but you don’t even realize that you are driving a wedge between both of them. Sooner or later you won’t have anyone. Not once did I try to isolate you from your daughters but if you keep doing this I will make sure that both of them forget your name. I am the only one who knows all of the truth about the hit and run. How would Denise feel, if she found out about you trying to kill me but almost killed her instead. Have a nice day.” Destiny said pushing her