The ring tone of my phone interrupts the song.
“Hello.”
“Hey, girl.”
“Hey, Jamal. What’s up?”
“Do you want to go out?”
I automatically sit up on my bed.
“Hell yes.”
“Okay, I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
“Great.”
I quickly shower. I’m wearing skin-tight blue jeans, a leopard print bodysuit, and red heel. I style my box braids in a high bun on my head and then put on my big gold hoop earrings. I finish up with dark eye shadow, mascara, cream eyeliner, and red lipstick.
I walk upstairs, stopping in front of my mom and Michael’s room door.
“Mom,” I say, knocking on the door.
“Come in, sweetie.”
My mom and Michael are cuddling on the bed, watching TV.
“Aww, you guys look so cute.”
When my mom blushes, I laugh.
“This is a man in love,” says Michael as he kisses her on the forehead.
“You look beautiful, honey.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Where are you going?” she asks.
“I actually don’t know. My friend is coming to pick me up.”
“Okay, have fun, sweetie,” she says.
“I will,” I say as my phone rings.
“That’s him, I have to go.”
“Him?” my mom asks with excitement in her voice.
“It’s not what you think, Mom. He’s gay.”
“Oh,” she says, her face crestfallen.
I walk over to kiss her and Michael on the cheek before leaving their room. I lock the front door and then walk to Jamal’s car.
“Damn, you look good, girl,” Jamal says as I close the car door.
“I know,” I say, offering him a cheeky smile.
