“Nobody is right now, but she is waiting on her man to come through.
"Good, where y’all kids at?"
"They are down the sidewalk building snowmen with Abby Smith's kids. Today was the first day that it wasn’t as cold as a panda bear coochie out here.”
“Alright. Well, I am going to give y’all some money. Get away from here and take their little asses to the arcade or something.”
“Why do we need to take them somewhere? Why can’t we just take the money?” Jasmine said, reaching her hand out.
“Don't take this money without taking them to the arcade, and I’m not playing with y’all. Let those kids have fun. Do something with them instead of sitting up getting drunk on thischeap-ass shit y’all drinking.” I slapped the can out of my sister's hand.
“Crewshon, you are so stupid! Why would you do that? I’m drinking this!” She picked up the can and still kept sipping it.
I pulled out a stack of money and thumbed out six hundred dollar bills for them.
They got up off the steps, went in the house, grabbed their purses, and left out quickly.
Once the stoop was clear, I walked inside and called out for my mama.
“Mama!”
“Yes?”
“Where are you?”
“In the restroom, trying to figure out where my brush is. One of the girls must’ve moved it from the spot it’s supposed to be in. They frustrate me.”
I walked into the restroom behind her and saw the green hairbrush that she brushes her hair with sitting on the top shelf. I handed it to her, and it was honestly amazing to me how my mother still cared about how she looked, even though she couldn’t see herself. If I ever lose my eyesight, I won’t give a fuck about my lineup or shit else.
“Where are you planning on going today?”
“I am going to go have a little tea with Gio this afternoon down the street at that Soul Tea place. He said he wanted to take me out somewhere, but I told him I didn’t want to go far, and he picked that place.”
“I know it’s not far, but you don’t know anything about that nigga to be going anywhere with him, Mama. Why would youwant to leave with him? You know I will take you where you want to go if you want to get out. I’ve told you that time and time again.”
She sighed and sat the brush down on the counter.
“Son, don’t tell me we are going to go through this again. I like him. He's fun, and he’s doing things with me to make me feel like a normal person again. Why is that so hard for you to understand? There is no hidden agenda with him. Stop thinking that, baby. Mama is going to be okay.”
I only shook my head because she couldn’t see me.
“Whatever you say. How long until he gets here?”
“What time is it? I left my watch on my bed.”
“It’s one o’clock, Mama.”
“Then about thirty minutes. He said before 2:00.”
“Alright. I’m going to go out in the living room and chill.”
“Okay, son.” I kissed her on the cheek and walked away.
I went into the living room and then into the kitchen, where my Mama had a bottle of water sitting on the table. It wasn’t mine, but I grabbed that shit and chugged the fuck out of it. All that drinking I did last night and then having sex till the early morning had a nigga thirsty as hell. But even still, the thirst didn’t take away the feeling inside me. My insides felt like they were on fire waiting on this nigga Gio. Not even the water could put that shit out.
I sat on the couch, waiting with The Parkers blasting loud on the TV, and waited, and waited until there was a knock on the door.
“Crew, can you get that, please? I’m putting on my shoes,” she called out.
