Buzz.
She stares harder. “Who is blowing up your phone?”
I cave and glance down:
Jankro Jabari: hey.
Jankro Jabari: did you get home okay?
Jankro Jabari: can we talk?
Jankro Jabari: i don’t like the way you left.
Jankro Jabari: Francine. talk to me.
Me: look here big man, first of all, stop ring off my rassclaat phone.
Me: second, i said stop talking to me.
Me: third, ur sister is looking for you so answer her and u better not tell her anything or me and u gon end up inna war, seen? last night was a mistake and can neva happen again, alright? have a bless day.
I turn the screen face-down.
Za watches me.
I can feel heat crawl up my neck.
I inhale. Then exhale.
Then say the only thing I can:
“I need coffee.”
I yank the fridge open this time. Empty of anything I actually want. I check the top shelf. No coffee creamer.
Of course.
Za clears her throat behind me.
“Yeah… about that,” she says. “Jabari finished the last bit.”
I slam the fridge shut. “Ugh! I hate that parasite! Why is he always in my things?”
Za snorts. “Come on. Breathe. It’s just creamer. I’ll buy you a new one.”
“It’s my creamer,” I mutter, pacing. “He eatsmyfood, drinksmycoffee, ruins my life?—”
“Okay, alright,” she says gently, reaching out and tugging me back toward the table. “Sit down before you combust.”
I drop into the chair, arms folded.
She sits beside me, bumping my shoulder lightly.
“He’s trying, you know,” she says softly. “He’s rough around the edges. But he’s still my brother.”
“I know,” I grumble.
“Doesn’t mean you can’t be annoyed,” she adds, smiling. “Just… don’t lose your mind over dairy substitutes.”
