ARIAH
“Holy shit,” I groan out as the house, no… themansion, comes into view. I question my sanity for agreeing to come to Shay’s family cookout. Although agreeing might be a stretch, more like both arms were twisted behind my back and I was given the guilt trip of the century.
“You have to come Ry. You promised after I promised to never ask you to go to another football game again. Not to mention you still owe me a party.”I think back to our conversation in history class, yesterday.
Me and my stupid big mouth making promises my antisocial ass wouldn’t want to keep. I figured future Ariah would figure a way out of it. Now, I want to kick past Ariah’s bubble-butted ass.Dumb bitch!
I shove the gear shift in park, still annoyed with myself, and get out of the car before I decide to hightail it back home. Bending over, I reach across to the passenger side of the car and grab the assorted arrangement of wildflowers and case of Heineken.
Shay said I didn’t need to bring anything when I asked, but who comes to a cookout with their two long hands, especially to meet the family of your only friend? She’s mentioned on more than a few occasions how her dad would be sipping on Heineken and playing dominos or as she says it, ‘lickin’ domino.’ I’m telling you now I can’t wait to watch because I know it gets crazy.
Kicking the door closed with the heel of my black custom Green Day converse, I let out a deep sigh and mentally prepare myself for the amount of peopling I’ll have to do today. But Shay’s dope, so she’s totally worth the serious decompressing I’m going to have to do once I leave.
I’ve always been more of a loner, marching to my own beat and carving out my own path. It’s not like I didn’t have friends because I did, but my circle was small and then even they left me.
When my dad went missing, I lost my sounding board and closed myself off. I only found moments of happiness in the laughter and smiles of my sister and brothers. So, I didn’t blame my friends when they stopped keeping in touch, though I did at first. I left them mentally long before they left me physically.
With each town we moved to, I withdrew further and further into myself. I locked myself up tighter than Fort Knox. I had to. I had to make sure my family didn’t buckle under the pressure, and ensuring that the loss of my father and abandonment of my mother didn’t tear apart the only remaining family I had left. I had the same plan for Edgewood, but then Shay motherfucking Warren said ‘not ah bumbo’ and hasn’t let me disappear yet.
My mouth quirks into a small smile as I approach her front door and bend my elbow to ring the doorbell. While waiting for someone to open the door, I take in the beautiful colonial-style mansion. The stone and siding combination really gives it a welcoming feel. I hear the click of a lock disengaging and the screech of Shay’s excited glee.
“Yes, bitch! You made it!”
My face morphs into a full-out smile, “I did, you’re lucky I love you.”
“Nah, luck has nothing to do with it, I’m great and you know it,” she sasses back. “We’re out back by the pool.”
Lifting my hands, I say “Just point me in the direction where I can put this stuff down.”
“Aww, you didn’t have to, but thanks!” Grabbing me by my elbow, she half pulls, half drags, me through the entranceway. I barely get a chance to take in the earth-toned color scheme of the house that is designed with creams, beiges, and browns. I pass by pictures of her whole family and some of her baby pictures. I’ll have to sneak back later so I can snap some shots for blackmail purposes, of course.
Long before we reach her kitchen I hear the bass of the music as Beres Hammond’s tenor voice croonsRock Awaythrough the speakers and I just want to stop and vibe out. However, Shay’s not done guiding me to our final destination.
“Come on, you can remember the song that used to make you rock away after you meet my family,” she says cheekily.
I narrow my eyes at her ridiculous attempt at humor. “Haha you’re so funny, said no one ever.”
We round the corner into the most expansive kitchen I’ve ever stepped foot in. It’s double the size of our last apartment and filled with so many people.
“Mom, this is Ariah. Ariah this is my mom, Mrs. Warren,” Shay says, grabbing the stuff from my hands.
Shay’s mother is beautiful. She’s about my height with light brown hair and soft pecan brown skin, rich with cool red undertones. Her hazel-green eyes sparkle as she takes me in. I stick out my hand to shake hers, but she draws me in for a hug that feels like coming home.
“None of dat child, we hug roun’ ‘ere,” her rich Jamaican accent blending in with her American vernacular, much like Shay’s does at times.
Allowing myself to be held and just bask in the scent of her sweet perfume, I take my first real breath in a very long time. I can feel the water forming in my eyes and I quickly blink them back. “Thank you for having me in your home,” I choke out, my voice betraying my resolve to appear unaffected. She just hugs me tighter and two tears make their way down the right side of my face.
As soon as she releases me, I immediately use the back of my hand to wipe away the evidence, but Mrs. Warren’s knowing smile tells me she sees me and with an imperceptible nod she lets me know my secret is safe with her. And just like that Shay’s mom has a place in my heart just like her daughter.
“Okay, let’s bring dese tings outside and we can really get dis party started,” Mrs. Warren says, directing us to pick up the platters of fruit and a tray of BBQ jerk chicken.
Who’s stuffing their face tonight?This bitch!
Note to self: Don’t let Shay give you rum punch. The evil brat told me it wasn’t that strong, but the way I’m writhing on the dance floor without a care in the world whileMind My Businessblasts tells me that’s a lie. Listen, I can hold my own but the way Shay’s family is moving to this soca song, it’s only the rum in my system making me not feel shame.
My hands are up waving through the air and my body rolls trying to keep the beat when I feel a hand grip the meat of my hip. I think nothing of it and just grind my ass into whoever is behind me, until I hear the voice in my ear.
“If you keep this up, you won’t be minding your business for much longer.”
