“Please, keep an eye on my baby. Don’t let her get in the big pool unless she has her floaties on,” Peace requested, handing the floaties over to Maleah.
“Of course. You don’t have anything to worry about. Dominique and Danae brought her one of those inflatable tubes to sit inside and float on top of the water. The only part of her in the water will be her legs.”
“My sisters are here?”
“Umm, yeah. They’re out back.” Maleah answered awkwardly, letting me know they must have told her about the situation between us.
We still hadn’t made up since the blow-up a few months ago. It might have been childish, but I still wasn’t over what they said. I spent my whole life making sacrifices for them, and it hurt to know it meant nothing to them. Doniese had been blowing my phone up trying to make amends, but there was nothing left for her to say.
The room grew quiet after Promise and Maleah left. There were so many things I wanted to say, but it was easier said than done.
“You need to let it go.”
My face twisted as I glanced at Peace.
“What did you say?”
“Whatever this issue is with your sisters, you need to let it go. I understand you were hurt by what they said, but this has gone on long enough. You’re the only person they have to depend on. Did you ever stop to think about how all of this affects them?”
I scoffed at the bullshit I was hearing. This was the exact reason I didn’t speak about my feelings.
“Let me make sure I understand you correctly. My sisters told me they don’t need me, and they never have, and you think I’m wrong for taking a step back and allowing them to take care of themselves?” I chuckled angrily, wishing I had left them room with Maleah and Promise.
“You’re the adult in all of this. Besides, I’m sure everyone was reacting out of raw emotions. They didn’t mean what they said.”
“You’re saying that, but neither one of them has apologized since it happened. To be honest, I’m not even looking for an apology from them. Dana and Dominique are both of legal age, and they can take care of themselves. I’m not in the business of forcing myself on anyone who doesn’t need my help. If they want to be grown, then I’m gonna let them do it.”
“You sound selfish.”
“I don’t give a fuck about how you or anyone else feels. I’m tired of breaking my back to take care of mothafuckas when nobody gives a fuck about what I have going on. If you feel so bad for them, then you can take care of them.”
“They love you, and you know it?”
“Naw, I don’t know shit. The only people I know care about me are Justice, Truth, and my daughter.”
“Wow.”
My anger was rising, and I knew it was time for me to leave.
“I’m about to get out of here before I say some shit I can’t take back,” I replied. This conversation was going left, and I wasn’t in the mood to argue.
“Go ahead. Run away from your problems like you always do. I used to think you were a real hero, but I’m starting to see how wrong I was. A real man would make things right with their family, instead of trying to punish them. Your mother made some mistakes in her life, but we’re all human, Dreaux. I would hate for her to die, and you never get the opportunity to make things right with her. As someone who lost their mother, that kind of pain doesn’t go away.”
“That bitch isn’t my mother,” I seethed, trying my hardest to control my anger.
“It’s okay to be upset with her, but it doesn’t change the facts. She’s still your mother.”
Her words triggered me in a way I hadn’t expected, and I lost it. Before I could register what was going on, I punched a hole in the wall. All of the anger I held inside of me came out as I destroyed everything around me. I heard the sound of Peace screaming, but I didn’t care. All I saw was Doneisha’s face, and it fueled me with rage.
“Aye, what the fuck is going on?” Truth yelled as he gripped me in a bear hug. I tried to break free, but he held on tighter. I could feel my emotions taking over, and it pissed me off even more.
“Calm down, son.”
I refused to let the tears in my eyes fall because I would never allow that woman to have that much power over me. I did my best to bury my feelings years ago, but it seemed like I couldn’t escape them.
Truth let me go, but he stayed close. His eyes were filled with concern because he hadn’t seen me this angry since my father passed away.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
