Read Online The People vs. Cashmere by Karen Williams - Free Book Online

assistance to us. So I checked my attitude and gave him a tight smile. It was the best I could do.
    â€œHave a seat, ladies, and tell me what the problem is.” He sat behind his desk.
    Me and Desiree both sat down in the chairs across from his.
    Desiree took a deep breath. “My husband’s benefits have been stopped, and that bit—lady is saying we have to wait three months before reapplying. We need that money now. We can’t wait that long. I ain’t never heard about no rule like that.”
    Truth was, we didn’t know shit about any of this, but still I thought Desiree was doing real good, so I continued to play along, nodding my head.
    â€œI apologize for not following up with the paperwork. I must have forgotten to turn in the claim form last month, but that didn’t give her the right to talk to us the way she did, like we got shit on us.”
    He leaned back in the chair, his hands clasped together. He looked from Desiree, who was biting her lip, to me. When he wouldn’t stop looking at me, I looked down at the carpet.
    â€œIf you don’t mind me asking, where is your husband now?”
    â€œHe is at Pine Meadows, and his payment is past due. They gave us two weeks to pay. That’s all we came for, sir, was to get the money transferred over to the home so he can stay there, sir. That’s all.”
    His phone rang before he could offer a reply. “Excuse me.” He scooted over to it, and answered, “Ron speaking. Yes . . . Yes . . . Fine.” He hung up and stood quickly. “Ladies, I have a meeting to attend that can’t wait, but I’m sure if you come back to the office, say about six, I should be done, and I can assist you with your dilemma. I may even be able to cut you ladies a check today for your troubles. I just need you ladies to do three things for me.”
    We both leaned forward and listened intently.
    â€œThe first thing I need you to do, ma’am, is to keep up-to-date with the paperwork. The second thing I need you ladies to do is meet me back here at?”
    â€œSix,” we both answered. He chuckled. “Good. And the last thing I need you two do is smile. Ron is going to take care of you, promise.” And we did.
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    As we walked back up to the social security office, Desiree said, “Cash, I don’t know about this fool. What if he just said that shit to calm us down so we wouldn’t whip weave-alicious ass, and when we get there his ass won’t be there?”
    â€œIt’s possible he could be lying, but we at least gotta see. And he was hella cool.”
    â€œYeah, he was cool, not like that bitch. Man, I wanted to whip that ass.”
    I laughed as we turned the corner. The office was now only half a block away.
    Desiree said, “Hell, we might catch her on the street one day.”
    I was silent. I knew we needed to put our focus into getting that money for Daddy.
    We climbed the steps and entered the office. “Is it closed?” I asked as we went inside.
    â€œIf it was, would the door be open, Cash?”
    I bit the inside of my mouth. Hell, the door was open, but wasn’t a muthafucka up in there. The lights was off and shit.
    â€œLadies, I’m in my office. Come on in,” a voice yelled.
    Desiree gave me a shove. “Go.”
    I quickened my steps and walked through the door, past the cubicles, ignoring the urge to fuck up Monique’s desk. It looked so neat and tidy. But I shook the thought out.
    We both stepped inside to find him at his desk sipping some shit from a glass. He looked relaxed too. His jacket was off, and his tie was loosened around his neck.
    The paperwork made a crumpling sound in Desiree’s hands as we both paused at the door.
    â€œCome in, ladies, and have a seat.”
    Why, oh, why was the muthafucka playing music?
    Some type of jazz, the kind Daddy used to play on his days off from work. Wasn’t shit relaxing about