My father shook his head before he cut his eyes at me. Brenda looked at me too and narrowed her eyes as if I did something to her.
She rolled her neck and pointed her finger at me. “You need to tell your mother to leave my husband alone. He’s off limits to her.”
“Brenda!” my father bellowed.
I stood up from the couch, now ready to slap this bitch where she stood. I had never come out of my mouth to disrespect this woman, but what she just did, she was about to get cursed the fuck out.
“How about you tell her that? Matter of fact, you get on the phone and call her a bitch. I bet you won’t do it. You talking all that shit when my mother isn’t around, but I dare you to say it to her face. I bet you won’t.” I fumed with anger as my nose flared. It took everything in me not to slap the hell out of her.
“Lil girl, you need to watch your damn mouth and how you talk to your elders,” she spat.
I waved her off. “My elders need to learn to keep their mouth shut and not talk to me in any kind of way. You’ve lost your mind.” My chest heaved up and down. If I didn’t leave, I might end up putting my hands on her.
She walked up to me, and that was her first and last mistake. I popped her in her nose, causing her to hit the floor with a thump, crying out. If she knew what I did, she’d stay down there too. I couldn’t wait to tell my mother what happened.
I took one look at my father and got the hell out of that house.
I made it to my car and rested my head on the steering wheel. That didn't go the way I had hoped. If only Brenda hadn’t talked to me the way she did. I’d always be ready if anyone ran up on me. She must’ve thought I’d let her get in my face without saying anything to her. Since I met Brenda, I was cordial with her and had no problems with her, but what she did today, hell no. That was wrong of her to be talking about my mother like that. I’d be telling my mother too. Brenda didn’t have to ever worry about me talking to her again.
My cellphone rang, and I snapped my neck up. I hoped like hell it wasn't my mother. I wasn't in the mood to talk to her. She'd be going off on me, and with the way I felt, I might hit her back with words. I removed the phone from my back pocket and studied the name on the screen. I smiled when I saw the name. It was Jamari. We had been talking since he'd left my house two days ago, and I looked forward to talking to him whenever I got the chance.
It surprised me, but I was happy that he hadn't shut me out, which was something I had been afraid of. He called me that same night he left my house, and we stayed on the phone until he had to get his siblings ready for bed.
"Hello," I answered the phone with a smile.
"Wassup? What are you doing?"
I heard kids screaming in the background. It had me wondering where he was.
"About to leave my father's house. Why, what are you up to?" I pushed the start button on my car and fastened my seatbelt.
"I'm at the park with Rylie and Zach. Rylie is reading while Zach is having fun." He chuckled. "Come chill with me."
"Sure. Which park are you at?"
He told me the name of the park.
"Okay, I'll be there shortly."
After we hung up the phone, I backed out of the driveway and headed to my destination.
From my father’s house to the park only took ten minutes. When I pulled into the park's parking lot, I spotted Jamari's car almost immediately. I retrieved my cellphone and keys before exiting the vehicle. To get to the playground side of the park, I realized I had some walking to do. I needed the exercise, but it wasn't required.
My cellphone vibrated in my hand, so I lifted it and eyed the notification. Jamari had sent me a text.
Jamari:
Look up.
I did as instructed and saw him coming toward me. He had a swagger in his walk that turned me on. With a smile on my face, I met him halfway.
"You came to meet me?"
We embraced, and he pecked my lips twice. I'd never tire of feeling his lips against mine. I wish I could feel them more often.
"Hell yeah. I'm not about to let anybody snatch you up."
I dropped my head, hiding a blush.
