Finding My Way

Chapter 4

I'm almost one hundred percent positive that there was something I was suppose to be doing, but I just can't remember what that something is.

As I sat in the park, eating my Subway sandwich, I checked my phone. I'm not allowed to have any social media profiles, but I am allowed to get text messages and calls. I mostly only have females in my phone... well, because Malcolm is a very jealous man for some reason. He checks my phone whenever he feels like it, which is usually every day.

Mom: Can you come by the shop? I have something for you.

"Damn. Okay, that's what it was."

I really can be a forgetful person. My mom is all about the bullshit though. Oh I bet she has something for me alright, something for me to do. I can't deal with her most of the time. I hate to see her face most of the time. I don't even know why I'm going to actually go see her. She will find a way to piss me off because she always does.

She'd do anything for a quick dollar. That's why she has a small boutique store that she sells her makeup and other shit out of. She teamed up with bh cosmetics to come up with her makeup. She's currently working on a fashion line too. It should be called 'Bitter Bitches Bank off Babies'.

Growing up, we didn't have most things that we wanted, we mainly just had the necessities in life. We had a place to stay, hellah packages of noodles, and a place to sleep. For me, that was good. For her, that was horrible. She's always been the type that loves to live above her means though. Nothing was good enough for her though. Her high maintenance ass shoulda got a muthafuckin' job then! Our life would have been better if she wasn't a lazy bi- woman who just sat on her ass all day.

Since I wasn't too far from her it only took me ten minutes to get to her store.

Marcille's Makeup & More.

When I walked in I noticed Monquavious, my ten year old nephew.

"Whad 'e do nephew?"

I sat next to him on the floor to see what he was doing.

"Hi Auntie Dri!" He put his stuff down to hug me then he put it back on his lap. "I'm just trying to help grandma by sketching these things in this book. If I keep working hard at it I may be able to draw good so I can help her with designing and stuff."

"Is she making you do this?"

"No, but she said I may as well do something productive with my time. At first she had me helping with colors for her makeup stuff."

"Qua, weren't you suppose to be going on a trip to Tennessee with your class?"

He's ten, almost eleven, in the fifth grade. Usually around this time of year they go on the annual Tennessee trip. I never got to go, but I remember wanting to go so badly.

"Yes." He lowered his head. "But Ari didn't pay. She said her shoes were more important than a trip. I wanted to go with all of my friends. I could have celebrated my birthday with them too."

Should've known Arianna wouldn't pay. She loves living above her means too. My mother knew she could've payed for this boy to go on that trip though. If I would've known it wasn't paid for, I would have tried to pay for it myself.

"Aww it's okay Qua." I used the back of my index finger to wipe away his tear. "There will be other more better trips for you to go on. Don't worry about it honey."

I kissed his forehead causing him to smile. "Okay Auntie Dri. I love you!"

"I love you too nephew."

We sat there for a few more minutes until my mother came from the back. I get most of my looks from her. We have the same small nose, the small ears, the full pink lips, the somewhat narrow eyes.

I don't mind looking like her, I just don't want to and never will act like her.

"Why are you sitting on the floor in that expensive looking dress? Get up!"

She grabbed me by my arm and pulled me up.

"If you sweep the floors you shouldn't worry about me sitting on the floor in this. Where is Arianna?"

"Oh, Auntie Dri, she dropped me off earlier because she said she had shit to do."

I was waiting for my mom to say something, but she didn't.

"Qua you really shouldn't use profanity honey. A cute boy like you shouldn't be saying such ugly words."

He smiled at me. "Okay Auntie Dri. Sorry!"

I looked at my mom and shrugged. "So what did you call me over here for? What did you have to 'give' me?"

"Come, let's go to my office Adrianna."

I followed her to the back then sat across from her desk. Why is it that her office is more put together than the front of the damn store? I don't get it. I also wonder why she even needs an office here.

"It's time for children, don't you think?"

"Say what?!" I raised an eyebrow at this crazy lady. "Excuse me, did you say children? As in kids? As in babies? What?! Hell no I don't think so!"

"I think Malcolm is ready to have children with you. Y'all have been together long enough to have kids. Oh, and you two are married. That's what married couples do. They have kids to expand the family. You're already great with kids anyway. Look at how nice you treat Qua."

I rubbed my forehead then put my palm to my face.

"Qua is a child though. He isn't a little baby. Babies need special love and care. How in the hell do you expect me to take care of a baby when I can barely take care of myself ma?"

"That's what nannies are for, right?"

"Where is this coming from? Let me guess, Malcolm has been talking about children with Mr.Hayes and Mr.Hayes has told you. I don't understand any of this. Like I really don't. Why are you doing this to me? I never wanted to be with this man! He does things to me mom. Things I don't even want him to do! Why don't you believe me when I tell  you that?!"

"You are ungrateful. That's why! You just say that because you know I'm trying to hustle my way to the top. First I have my makeup, now I'm about to do this line of clothes. Once I get my name out there you can do whatever you want. I'm doing this so I can take care of you after you help take care me."

I stood up. "What did you have to give me? You don't even realize how stupid you sound and look while saying all that crap. If I have a baby with that man you know I'd continue to be stuck with his ass. I'm over this whole conversation though. Give me my shit so I can leave."

She reached into her purse and gave me an envelope. I snatched it out her hand.

She was about to say more dumb shit, but I walked back to the front of the store.

"I'm about go ahead and get out of here Qua."

I leaned down to hug him and give him a kiss. "Take care honey."

After that I happily left my mother's store.