On the Come Up

On Christmas, Jay gives Bri “a glistening crown pendant [that] dangles from a gold rope chain” (197). The chain once belonged to Bri’s father, and Jay says that her father bought it with his first big paycheck, and Bri guesses that it must be worth thousands of dollars. The chain takes on a dual meaning for Bri. It belonged to her father, so in one way, it represents her father’s legacy and his infamous conflict with the Crowns. The chain also represents financial security for the Jacksons. Bri refers to the chain as her family’s “safety net,” something of value they can pawn if money ever gets too tight. The chain represents a connection between Bri and her father and the financial security he would have brought his family if he was still alive.

Aunt Pooh is the first to point out that the chain might be dangerous to have around. She tells Bri that she “[doesn’t] need to wear it” (200) because it might anger the Crowns. Bri’s father was allegedly murdered by Crowns, who didn’t like that he hung out with Garden Disciples and walked around with a crown on his chain. The Crowns even tell Bri that “[her] daddy was real disrespectful, walking around with that crown on his chain and calling himself the King of the Garden while rolling with them Disciple bitches” (315).