“Wait now, Mrs. Joy, Suki does very well for herself,” Eris vouched.
“Honey, she has something she loves to do. Why you want to go and make a damn fuss?” Daddy spoke.
“Because it’s embarrassing. You’re right…” Ma swayed because she was tipsy. “I sure did take out loans for my kids to go to school, and I would’ve done the same thing for you if you chose a real career like your brother who’s a pediatrician, or your sister who’s a paralegal. Not a damn kitchen stylist.”
I slapped my hands on the table and stood up.
“You were a fucking schoolteacher, Ma,” I argued. “Daddy was the reason y’all stayed afloat. Don’t forget. I can guarantee I put whatever you made to shame. Let’s play since you think my career ain’t shit. I’ve done some of the biggest celebrities’ hair from around the world. Get paid for my talents.
I was able to purchase my salon and my money still don’t stop. I even sent Joyce ten thousand dollars so her fucking home wouldn’t get foreclosed on because her husband gambled up their fucking savings. And let’s not mention that Benz out there for Derrick. Who you think gave him the down payment for it? Me. So, while you’re sitting here making snarky remarks, check my credentials. Come on, E. Let me get the fuck back home. I missed out on money for this shit.”
I walked away.
Hands trembling, heart racing. I was sick and tired of their shit.
“Baby girl, don’t leave,” Daddy called out.
“No. Let her leave. That’s one thing she got right,” Momma fussed.
I turned around and glared at her.
I went to give him a kiss on the cheek.
“Y’all gift will be on the porch. Love you, Daddy,” I told him and hightailed it out of there. The sooner I got away, the sooner I could spare their feelings.
Eris was on my heels. I grabbed my suitcase that I barely unpacked and repurchase what’s left behind. I moved like a tornado to get out of there.
When I got to the hall, my brother and sister were standing there blocking me.
“You think that shit was cool back there?” Derrick chastised.
“Get the fuck on, Derrick. You wanted to laugh. I got the last one. Remember that.”
Joyce lifted her hand up at me, but Eris caught it.
“That’s what you’re not going to do. She might be your blood, but this is my sister and you’re not about to put your fuckin’ hands on her.”
“Stay out of this, Eris,” Joyce said.
“If it involves her, it’s my business. Now y’all either let us by, or we will get by.”
“Y’all choice…” I finished.
“You’ll always be the ghetto, loud ass bitch you’ve wanted to be,” Joyce started.
I laughed. “Don’t you dare expose my family again.”
“You need to take your white symmetric ass on. I don’t care how many stiff wigs and white men you let stick their dicks in you, you’ll always be the black bitch just like me. Move, hoe.” I pushed her out the way.
My daddy was standing by the door. He held his hand out to me. I thought that I was about to lose him too, but he surprisedme when he grabbed my bags. Thankfully, we hadn’t unloaded Eris’.
“I’m sorry this always happens. Your mother is a bit tipsy.”
“A drunk mind speaks a sober tongue, Daddy. She knows what she’s saying.”
He exhaled.
The luggage was loaded. We shared a moment then he pulled me in for a hug.
