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The eager and impatient woman sat in the uncomfortably padded chair in the housing office. She had been called to see a town home they had for rent. Dorothy had been on the subsidized housing waiting list for over a year and had almost forgotten about applying until Margaret called her to see if she was still interested. The leasing agent apologized saying that they were undergoing renovations so everything around the office was really backed up. Dorothy was delighted that the woman called her because she couldn't wait to get away from the apartment she lived in now.

Finally, she would have the chance to live someplace halfway decent and affordable. Dorothy knew her children would object to moving into the projects so she hadn't mentioned it to them yet. She wanted to make sure everything was official before she spread the news. If she got the place, Dorothy wasn't sure how she would break the news to her children.

As she waited in the crowded office filled with whining babies and slang-talking baby mamas, Dorothy wondered, why did the girl sitting to her left have to come to an appointment with bedroom shoes on. She was profiling a hand full of flea market jewelry, and had a colorful scarf wrapped around her big ghetto fabulous hairdo. She was the loudest one in the place too. She was talking with another girl about how somebody else's man was trying to talk to her at the American Legion two nights before. They were talking about how no good he was and about the banging new, candy apple red, Cadillac SUV he drove. She stated that him being a Baller was the only reason she'd holla' at him because he wasn't too cute, although she heard he had it going on in the bedroom. The girl was loud and ignorant, a true ghetto queen. She was so caught up in the conversation about someone else's man that she wasn't even paying attention to her three bay-bay's running around the place, conveying that they had no home training. After she got an ear full, Dorothy turned and tried to tune out the sack chaser and her accomplice.

If she liked the place and decided to move in, she would get a big discount on rent. With the money she would save, she could buy her children some of the name brand clothing they always talked about. Usually, she shopped at the ten-dollar store for her daughters and could find some pretty good deals on some nice things. Now that they were older, her girls were asking her to buy them Baby Phat, Apple Bottoms, Jay-Lo, and all those popular, name brand clothing.

Her son Dwayne never complained, but she couldn't buy cheap clothing for him; you just didn't dress little boys in cheap clothes. You could dress girls cute for little or nothing, but not boys; you had to keep them dressed fresh. To buy Dwayne name brand clothing without going broke, Dorothy shopped at TJ Maxx. His feet grew so fast it seemed like Dorothy was buying him shoes every other month. If she moved into the projects, the money she saved on rent could buy more Nikes.

Dorothy waited at least thirty-five minutes before a slender, flat-assed white woman finally approached her.

"Hi, my name is Margaret Kavinaw," said the woman, smiling. She extended her hand. It was the middle of May, and in Michigan, the snow had barely melted, yet her skin was so tan it looked like she'd just been out on Venice Beach. She had wide friendly blue eyes and mid-back length, wavy auburn hair. Her frame was frail, and she weighed about one hundred-twenty pounds. She walked as if it almost killed her to carry around those bony legs and carrot stick arms. Dorothy stared pleasantly at Margaret and rose from the chair. After their handshake, the woman said, "If you are interested in the place after seeing it, I'll be the person you will contact with any problems or concerns." Dorothy relaxed her lips, turning them into a comfortable smile. She politely exaggerated what a pleasure it was to finally meet Margaret as they walked toward the bright EXIT sign.

"Now, the place I'll be showing you," Margaret said, "is just a little ways up the street- about a five minute walk to be exact." Dorothy was excited but ashamed to reveal how happy she was, so she held back her joy and continued walking.

As they stepped out of the air-conditioned building, the warm breeze slapped them in the face. After waiting for a vehicle to pull out, the women walked through the parking lot and up the hill toward the townhouse. Dorothy wiped away the sweat running down her forehead, and Margaret noticed how nervous she was. She wasn't sure if her perspiration was from the heat, the extra fifteen pounds she was carrying, or her anxiety.

The ladies continued up the hill past a playground in the middle of the complex. Margaret mentioned that the playground was new and would be a nice play area for Dorothy's children. A large swimming pool next to the play area had a separate fence around it. Margaret said the complex only had one pool, so guests were not allowed. "It's only for the residents," Margaret stressed. As Dorothy surveyed her surroundings she nodded and continued walking, barely hearing what Margaret was saying. Dorothy was pleased with the appetizers, but the main course was yet to be approved.

Lost in a daydream, Dorothy continued up the hill. She was sick of renting from her slum lord, whom she despised, and eager to get her children out of the drug infested neighborhood. She didn't want them growing up in that environment, and they could certainly use the extra space. Upgrading from the overstuffed two bedroom, to a four bedroom she could afford would be a dream come true.

"Here we are," Margaret announced, startling Dorothy, as she jolted into reality. The chaperone stepped up the two stairs cautiously. Dorothy patiently waited for the woman to open the door. Margaret fiddled with her keys. She had at least three-dozen on the circular chain and each one had a different number welded into it. "I'm in charge of twenty-four separate units, so I stay pretty busy around here," Margaret said as she turned the silver key in the stainless steel lock and pushed open the front door. "After you," she smiled and moved to the side so Dorothy could be the first to enter the newly remodeled place. Dorothy gasped in disbelief as she walked into the huge living room. She marveled at the freshly painted white walls, the newly carpeted and tiled floors, and the large picture window that looked out into the parking lot. The window was in a perfect spot to be nosy. She would be able to see everything going on outside.

Margaret told Dorothy that the place was approximately 1600 square feet as they walked down the narrow hallway leading to the kitchen. There was plenty of counter space, two standard sized windows, lots of cabinets, and an adjoining dinning area. Dorothy's bright brown eyes glowed with approval. When she saw the matching refrigerator and stove, she almost jumped out of her skin. She felt like doing the "funky chicken" in the middle of the kitchen floor. She'd never had a matching refrigerator and stove. "I must say," Margaret volunteered. "I love this kitchen. It has plenty of space and the windows allow the morning sunlight to shine right in." Dorothy smiled as she continued the tour. "Over here to your right is your bathroom, which is full sized, but is a bit smaller than the upstairs one," Margaret continued.

The bathroom was pastel yellow with miniature yellow ducks scattered throughout the wallpaper that stood out like "the golden arch" on the McDonalds sign. It was the perfect size for her and Dwayne. There was a white tub with an attached stainless steel shower head and matching manila toilet.

"Nice," Dorothy mumbled as she glanced in the humongous mirror. Exiting the bathroom, the women entered a spacious eleven by six downstairs bedroom. The room across the hall was the same size. Both bedrooms had walk-in closets twice as big as her closet at home. Dorothy decided which bedroom would be hers and which would be her sons.

Dorothy followed Margaret to the basement, which was right off the kitchen. It was divided into two sections and the cement floors and walls caused the room to be a bit chilly. One side of the basement was a laundry area, perhaps Dorothy could fix up the other side as a den or recreation area for her kids. Dorothy had no idea the projects were so well kept and spacious. She would see the third floor of the townhouse before giving Margaret her final approval.

From the basement, they headed upstairs to the third level. By the time they reached the top floor they were huffing and puffing from the long climb up two flights of stairs. The bathroom was at the top of the staircase. To the right of the bathroom was a linen closet and down the hall were the bedrooms. They were larger than the two downstairs.

Dorothy looked heavenward, closed her eyes, and silently mumbled, "Thank you." She couldn't wait! She and her children would finally have their own bedrooms. They were so cramped now they were always in each other's way. More space would alleviate a bit of the sibling rivalry.

"The bedrooms up here are approximately thirteen by four, which is quite a bit larger than the ones downstairs," Margaret commented. Dorothy followed her down the hall to the two bedrooms.

"I love the place," Dorothy blurted, "Where are the papers you need me to fill out? As far as I'm concerned, you can consider this one rented."

Margaret pulled a small black handbook from her folder and handed it to Dorothy. The book read in big gold letters, "Rules and Regulations." Margaret suggested that Dorothy take it home and read it carefully. She also held a form with red ink marking the paragraphs that Dorothy needed to read and sign. "This one you can get back to me later, just as long as it is filled out before you get ready to move in. It's just a list of rules that we have to make sure you understand, so that's why those in particular require a signature," Margaret said before asking Dorothy if she had any questions.

"No ma'am," Dorothy happily replied. Margaret explained that the security deposit was two hundred dollars in addition to the first month's rent. Dorothy could move in as soon as she signed the papers and paid. "I'll have all the money in your office before you close on Friday evening."

"Well," Margaret replied, "since everything is set, we can head back up to the office."

The leasing agent noticed Dorothy's gigantic smile as they went outside. Back at the office, the two women waved at each other as Margaret headed toward the building and Dorothy hopped into her vehicle. Dorothy was so excited and nervous her hands were shaking. She tensed as she wondered how she would break the news to her children.

The more she thought about it, the more determined she became. She liked the place, and as long as neither child was paying the bills she wouldn't worry about pleasing them. As long as they had shelter, they should consider themselves lucky; some children didn't have that. Dorothy knew she could afford the rent since it was based on income. Her take home salary wasn't much, so this place would definitely land her in the low-income bracket.

As her car approached a yellow light, Dorothy stopped to reflect. Her mind raced, deciding where everything would go in the new place. She decided that Keisha and Tonya would share the bedroom upstairs across the hall from Monet, who was the oldest of the three. She recently turned sixteen and was always complaining that she needed her privacy. Now she was going to get her wish and Dorothy was dying to see her expression when she told her the good news. She knew the younger girls would resent sharing a bedroom, but it was better than being crammed in one with Monet.

Keisha, who was almost fourteen, and the youngest daughter Tonya, who was twelve, were constantly bickering about who acted the oldest. By being upstairs, they could both close their bedroom door and Dorothy would no longer have to hear the drama. Dorothy knew they both would hit the roof when they found out Dwayne would also have his own bedroom.

Dorothy turned the corner onto the street where she lived. She looked at the dilapidated tenements as if this were her first drive down this road. Suddenly, the neighborhood appeared filthy and run down. She could not wait until the end of the week to pay her money, pack, and move.

Dorothy pulled up in front of her apartment, cut the engine off, and sat in the car reminiscing. She thought about the day she moved into her apartment six years ago. Ever since that day, she prayed that God would bless her and her children with some place better to live. Now, her prayers were answered, and it was a great feeling.

Dorothy climbed out of her vehicle and walked up the pathway to her front door. The closer she got to the door the louder the aggravating sound of Monet's stereo rung in her ear. Monet had the stereo up sky high again and Dorothy could not wait to get inside and push the power button off. Her daughter's bedroom was at the back of the apartment, but you could hear the music as loud and clear as if the speakers were on the front lawn. For Monet's birthday, her dad, Tony, who hadn't seen her since her fifteenth birthday, gave her two hundred dollars. Instead of buying the school clothes or shoes she always complained about needing, Monet bought a loud ass stereo that was real close to being thrown out on the front yard.

Disturbed, Dorothy proceeded into the apartment. The windows vibrated and her crystal figurines had fallen from the bookcase to the floor. Dorothy was so angry she couldn't get down the hall fast enough to see her hard-headed daughter. Dorothy was going to disconnect the entire component and silence the room instantly. Monet had been warned often about having the music up so loud. She must have figured she could do whatever she wanted, with her mother gone, typical teenage thinking.

Enraged, Dorothy headed to Monet's room. She burst through the door to see Derrick, the punk who hung out at the corner store hustling, and the same one Monet knew she couldn't stand, posted beside the bed pulling his pants up. Dorothy's eyes raced back and forth from the boy to her daughter. Monet was lying in her bed under the covers. She jumped up wearing only an oversized T-shirt. Dorothy's words were like fire burning, "Boy, you better get the hell out of my house!" When she reached out to grab the gangster boy, he ducked and dashed out of the bedroom. He was lucky that she didn't get her hands on him. Dorothy wrapped her hands around her daughter's neck as she screamed for mercy. Realizing what she was doing, the raged mother released her frightened child and left the room. Dorothy was upset and didn't want to argue with Monet because she might end up seriously hurting the girl. She was so disappointed, tears streamed down her face. She had lost total trust in her daughter. She didn't know what she had walked in on, or what she had missed. Monet was supposed to be looking out for her younger siblings, but now she would have to be watched. She was too old to whip, so Dorothy would put Monet on a strict punishment. She wouldn't allow her to leave the house for a month, except for school. She would only be allowed to utilize her bedroom, the kitchen, and the bathroom.

Monet sat in the back for about ten minutes before Dorothy called her into the living room. Before she could say a word, Monet walked up, "I'm sorry, Mom."

Dorothy took a deep breath, trying desperately to stay calm. She counted to ten, then changed the subject. "Where are your brother and sisters?"

"They said they were going down the street to watch a fight."

"Did they finish their homework?"

"I don't know. I didn't get the chance to ask them because they all ran out of here. They said them bad kids down the street gang banged somebody at school yesterday, and today that girl who they jumped came around here with her cousins. They are supposed to be down the street trying to beat down whoever jumped their cousin yesterday so Tonya, Keisha, and Dwayne went down there to watch the big brawl."

Dorothy thought, she probably told them to leave so she and Derrick could be alone in the apartment.

"Them damn kids gone get enough of always trying to run and see something," Dorothy said. "Did you take them chicken wings out of the freezer like I asked you to?"

"Yes ma'am," Monet answered without hesitation. "They should be thawed by now."

"Good," Dorothy said stomping out toward the kitchen. "Go down there and tell them that I said to get their nosy behinds home right now before I come down there with my belt and give everybody down there something to see. I have something to tell you all, so hurry up back," she demanded.

Less than an hour later, the girls were sitting in the living room watching television. In the kitchen, Dorothy waited for her cornbread to finish baking and for her son to come back from the store. She'd sent Dwayne to the store for some Kool-Aid more than twenty minutes ago and he hadn't returned. Dorothy knew his little hard head butt was somewhere out there monkeying around.

Dwayne walked through the front door as Dorothy was about to tell the girls to go look for him. "It's about time you came back," Tonya yelled. "You got us waiting on your slow butt before we can eat."

"Shut up, nappy head," Dwayne teased as he swerved his leg to avoid Tonya's punch as he walked past her toward the kitchen. "Mama," he yelled, "Tonya hit me when I walked past her nappy head butt."

"Y'all two cut it out," Dorothy snapped as she evil-eyed Dwayne when he walked into the kitchen. "What took your behind so long?"

"I went up there and came right back Mama," Dwayne explained. Since her temper was short, Dorothy calmly turned the knob on the cold water tap. She stood there waiting as the warm water turned cold. She smiled as she reflected on what Dwayne said before. He had called Tonya "nappy head" and he was not lying. Of all four of Dorothy's children, Tonya was the only one who inherited bad hair from her daddy's side of the family, straight-up kinky. Her smile vanished and Dorothy poured the Kool-Aid into the pitcher before filling it with cold water.

"You all go and wash your hands, then come in here and eat. The food is ready." They all competed to be the first one to the bathroom sink, creating a commotion. Later, all four children gathered around the kitchen table. Monet silently poured everyone drinks while Keisha passed her brother and sisters their plates as Dorothy stood at the stove fixing them. Tonya and Dwayne were still aggravating each other by staring one another down with a devilish demeanor.

"I am going to kick your cry baby butt as soon as Mama leaves again," Tonya whispered to her tattle tale brother.

"I'm telling," Dwayne moped, making sure his mom could hear him.

Dorothy interrupted! "Now this is the last time I'm gone say this, so listen up. The next time I'm not going to talk. I'm just going to start swinging and y'all can try me if you want to. Now I said, cut out the mess okay?" Dorothy grabbed her plate from the counter, told the children to say grace, and walked toward the living room. She stared at Monet for a long time with a hateful expression. She was so disappointed in her, she didn't know what to do.

The children dug into their fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and homemade cornbread. The only sound was clanging forks and smacking jaws. When they finished eating, the children scraped their plates into the trash and placed their soiled stoneware in the kitchen sink. Dwayne headed toward the television in the front room, and Keisha was right behind him. As Tonya entered the living room, she noticed her mother's annoyed expression and paused. Dorothy's look meant "don't even try to come in here and think that you are about to watch T.V. when you know that it's your dish night."

Tonya did a one hundred and eighty degree turn in the middle of the floor and headed back toward the kitchen. The water running in the kitchen sink reminded Dorothy how well trained her children were. Even though Tonya tried to be slick, she realized her foolishness wouldn't get her far. After she washed the dishes and swept the kitchen floor, Tonya joined her family watching television.

Dorothy twiddled her fingers, trying to figure out a way to break the news to her children. She couldn't wait to get her income tax refund so she could upgrade her living room furniture. She hadn't noticed how run down, dirty and dingy, everything looked. She knew she could do better. She felt good knowing that when she spent her hard earned money from now on, she could relax in a comfortable place. Dorothy was tired of paying her slum lord four hundred and seventy-five dollars a month for a raggedy, squeaking floor, leaking ceiling, and dumpy apartment. God was blessing her with the extra earnings that she'd soon bring home so she could refurnish her new place.

Monet was only sitting with the family because Dorothy wanted to talk to them. She hoped her mom wasn't about to tell her business. Even though Monet was wrong, she didn't want her siblings to know about her and Derrick. She felt embarrassed and guilty.

"What are you thinking about, Mama?" she asked.

Blinking back to reality, Dorothy faked a smile and began to speak.

"I bet you guys are ready to move out of this apartment and move into something three times as good."

"Yeah," they responded simultaneously.

"Well, the place that I went to go and look at today is three times better than this one."

"Where is it, Mama?" Keisha blurted out impatiently.

"Well," Dorothy mumbled, letting the words slide slowly off of her tongue.

"Where, Mama?" Dwayne shouted.

She hesitated. "It's downtown near the West Side." Her oldest daughter was beginning to object.

"Please, Mama, don't say the Campau Projects," she exploded. Judging from her mother's expression Monet had guessed correctly. Monet's head dropped in disappointment.

"But, you will be able to have your very own room, Monet," Dorothy said, thinking that this would make her smile. Dorothy informed Keisha and Tonya that they would have to share a bedroom, and told Dwayne that he'd have his own bedroom. The younger girls were totally for the idea. They figured anything was better than their current living arrangements.

Dwayne jumped up as if attempting a slam-dunk. He was overjoyed at the prospect of having his own room. Monet was shaking her head. Confused, Dorothy stared at her ungrateful child. How could the girl not be excited about getting her own room when sharing a room had always been her biggest complaint?

"Does the new place have a basement, Mom?" Dwayne asked. Dorothy nodded, and her son ran around the room like a wild child. She said they could all drive over Friday and look at it together.

Again, the ungrateful one interrupted. "Y'all acting all happy and stuff to be moving into the projects, knowing good and well that they have roaches."

"Girl, shut up," Dorothy demanded. "Have you ever been to the projects and seen any roaches?"

"No, but everybody at school says that the Campau Projects are full of roaches."

"Well, that just goes to show you that you don't need to believe everything that you hear, and whether they have roaches or not we're moving there regardless, so you might as well start getting used to the idea."

Monet turned away, rolling her eyes and mumbling, "I'd rather stay here than move into the funky projects."

Dorothy told the children to take their baths and get ready for bed. As they marched off, Dorothy sat contently in the living room thinking about her new place.

Before going to sleep, Dorothy called her friend Punkin and told her about the place. Punkin told Dorothy that she would help her get situated. Dorothy rushed off the telephone saying she was tired and needed to get to bed. She grabbed some blankets from the hall closet and walked into the living room and made a small pallet. Dorothy was happy, exhausted, and anxiously anticipating the days to come. She changed into her pajamas and fell asleep.