In Love With The Preacher's Daughter

14. Major Change

"August why are you just standing there watching me, do some productive like help me instead of just standing there" she said with an attitude. "I know you're not still upset about earlier?" I quizzed and she looked at me over her shoulder "I was never upset about that" she answered

"Then what's wrong guh" I asked walking up behind her tickling her sides and she flinched "August stop, you're in my way now move boy" She pushed me back and went into the fridge to grab some milk and cheese

"Yo mama right, yo attitude is horrible right now" I stood up against the counter next to her looking at her

"Well if y'all would leave me alone you wouldn't have to deal with it now would you" she spat back while layering the cheese on top of the macaroni.

I snatched the bag of cheese from her and backed her into a corner of the counter with my arms locking her in on both sides "Look here, no one has done anything to you for you for you to be acting like this. You needa lose this hea attitude cuz it ain't cute at all. I'm sitting here tryna talk to you and you being an asshole to not just me but everyone including yo mama. That's yo mama guh, and you getting out of line so you need to apologize to her."

She put her head down and I raised it with my finger under her chin "What's wrong Koko" I asked searching her eyes to see something was really bothering her "Nothing August" she looked everywhere but at me "It's something so don't give me that bullshit, what wrong mama?" I asked still looking down at her and I saw her eyes were puffy and red like she'd been crying. "You've been crying so something is wrong, tell me" I said

"I don't really wanna talk about it August, please just leave it alone" she mumbled moved my arms and went back to doing what she was doing "Lemme talk to you for a minute" I grabbed her arm and she looked at me for a sec and then nodded

"Let me put this macaroni and cornbread in the oven, Ma!!! Can you come and get started on this chicken" she called out and her mom came in

Koko grabbed my hand and led me down the hallway into what I assumed was her room. We walked in and she closed and locked the door behind us and motioned for me to sit on the bed.

She sat down next to me and started playing with her nails "Stop that" I looked at her and she looked up "Stop what" she looked at me "Playing with them nails and talk to me" she looked down and then up at me

"I can tell you're hurting, what's wrong mama just tell me" I grabbed her hands and making her look me in my eyes. Her eyes started to welt up with tears "How do you know" She asked "Just the look in your eyes, like you're not physically in pain but you're emotionally in pain" I searched her face and she just let the tears roll down her face and she bit her lip

"I'm just not happy anymore, I don't smile like I used to. My hair is shedding from the stress, I can't sleep at night, I don't feel like myself. I'm not doing anything that's truly making me and happy and I'm not happy here. I love my city and my family, but I feel like I'm living in a shadow here and I want my own name. I need a change of scenery and people, I came home to be with my aunt and now that she's gone I feel like there's no reason for me to be here any longer. I've been thinking about moving back to Houston but..." She trailed off and looked down at her feet

"But what?" I tried to get her to keep talking "Nothing, just bad memories there" she shrugged and looked at me. The look in her eyes had me ready to cry, it was like those gorgeous brown eyes were begging for help and love and compassion. I could see the hurt and pain in her eyes. There was something else but I'd wait until she was ready to tell me. "C'mere mama" I opened my arms and she fell into my embrace crying. Her head was on my chest and she was sobbing silently. She was shaking so bad and my heart broke for her. I just held her and let her get it all out.