“I didn’t get laid off, Ron. I got fired for insubordination,” Jackie said quietly.

“You? Got fired for insubordination? What’d you do, tell the president of the company that you had sex with his wife at the last Christmas party?” Ronnie laughed.

“No, Ronnie, I’m not stupid enough to tell him nothing like that. My supervisor, a bitch made busta named Jake Rollins, fired me ’cause I refused to work on some project he had goin’ on.”

“Shit, Jackie. You were supposed to get fired for that. That is insubordination.”

“Yeah, I know, but he wanted me to work on my own time. Then he lied about it.”

“That’s fucked up.”

“For sure.”

As the months dragged on, the New York economy went from bad to worse, and then September 11 changed the world. But through it all, they stayed true to one another and tried to help each other get through these hard times. They still met at Cynt’s every Friday, but one particular week they agreed that this would be their last Friday as it was something they could no longer fit in any of their budgets.

Since this was to be their last night, they decided to go out in high style. Their glasses were never empty, and there were never less than two women dancing at their table-that is, until Travis sent them away.

“Hey!” Jackie said. “What you send her away for?” she said of the dancer who was making her cheeks clap while standing on her hands. “I was just about to make a move on her.”

“Shit, save them two bills, Jackie. You know you got better things to do with that money,” Travis said. “It ain’t like she was gonna fuck you for free.”

“Now, Travis, you know I got half these bitches in here linin’ up to suck this pussy. I don’t have to pay any of them.” Jackie laughed. She was a very attractive woman and had no problem getting anyone she wanted.