If It's Easy.

INTRO PART I

1976

A sixteen year old girl stood in her bathroom mirror casually applying makeup. She'd just bought some new mascara and applying it was her favorite part of her daily routine. She carefully stroked the brush in long strides down the length of her lashes. Just inches from the mirror she observed the tiny black dots that formed on the ends. Then easing out of the mirror she studied her entire face. Oval in shape, brown in complexion and one mole that set right above the right corner of her lip. She'd just finished applying her foundation moments ago. Leaning a little closer she looked for the reason why Stuart had been acting so funny lately. She couldn't find it. She tilted her head to the left loving the way the beams of light that came through the blinds hugged her complexion.

The girl was Licia Hall, she stood at just over 5'3, and was average for her height. Licia's face was a perfect combination of her mother and father. She had her mom's big mahogany eyes, plump lips and perfectly shaped brows. Her father contributed her round shaped nose, high cheekbones and brown complexion. Licia was just beginning to be comfortable in her skin, being that she was probably the darkest black girl she knew. It was still hard though, especially when she walked out of the door and saw every woman that was lighter than her with all the guys or even her own mother. Jackie, Licia's mother was just breathtaking, even now in her late forties. Jackie had long flowing waist length hair, that hugged her shape. She was slim in all the right places, and always had been, if you asked her. Her flawless mocha colored skin and model like features, always brought attention her way. Jackie's looks had paid off throughout her life and she would even tell you so. She'd even tell you, that's how she'd gotten her job at the Minneapolis Bank. Off looks alone. She could have married any man she wanted to a banker, lawyer, doctor etc. Unfortunately, she chose Ronald, Licia's stepfather of seven years. Even though he was a decent enough guy, it still hurt to know that Ronald was in the house, basically living off of her mother. Especially because Licia's biological father Lyol, roamed the streets strung out on crack.

It felt like no one could relate not even her family. They all had their fathers.

Cynthia, her best friend, had both parents in her life, so did Stuart, her boyfriend and all of her cousins. All she had was an old faded picture. It was of her father in his graduation cap and gown.

Licia placed the bottle of spritz on the bathroom vanity after spraying her braids. After turning the light off in the bathroom, she opened the adjoining door that led to her bedroom and quickly grabbed the leather jacket off the bed. Stuart was on his way over to pick her up. They'd been dating for almost two years now, and their relationship was far from what it used to be. She held hope because she loved him. They'd went to middle school and were now juniors at Stockton College Preparatory. Stuart was hands down the most handsome guy in the entire school. Sometimes Licia even caught the seniors eyeing him. Everybody said he reminded them of Marlon Jackson. At first their interest in him made her a little happy but lately she had genuine concern over whether or not he was being faithful. Even Cynthia had hinted that he might have been cheating on her. It's been awhile, maybe a month since they'd been on a date hopefully that day would go well.

Licia ran down the left side of the oval staircase and down into the marble floored entry way of her mother's trophy home. The floor was a gorgeous oreo color, sprawled throughout the entire first floor except the living room. The walls were cream colored a large family portrait hung between the oval staircase. No doubt her mother's house was the best looking one in the neighborhood. Licia walked over to the beige hang column that day to the right of the red wrought iron door. A large telephone sat atop the column. She quickly dialed Stuart's number. The phone hung up and Licia dialed again right away.

"Hello?" Stuart's mom picked up.

"Hey Mrs. Johnson can I speak to Stuart?" Licia asked politely, quietly hoping he hadn't left yet.

"Oh, Hi sweetheart, one minute , I think he's in the kitchen."

"Figures." Licia laughed, Mrs. Johnson did to, before sitting the phone down.

A few moments go by, before there is some mumbling, and then the phone is picked up.

"Hey."

"Hey baby. I'm ready" Licia said putting on a cheery voice.

"Ready for what...oh..." he began "Oh, yeah, I'm sorry honey but I forgot all about that-" his voice sounded barely apologetic, not sincere at all.

Liar.

Licia couldn't take his lies anymore she slammed the phone down, trying not to be upset. Still, Thoughts ran through her head a mile a' minute. He'd just called her the day before and asked her out for ice cream. It hurt to know, that he could just lie to her out of nowhere and for no reason. She could already feel the tears building up, but she refused to let them fall.

He didn't care, at all.

"Licia" her mothers voice echoed from the kitchen.

Licia tucked her feelings in and tracked into the kitchen. There she found her mother dusting the pots and pans that hung from the ceiling in the center of the kitchen. She could easily hire someone do the manual labor around the house, but she never would. Sometimes Licia thought she was over compensating for making so much more money than Ronald. Maybe it made her feel better.

"I'm getting ready to head over to Wanda's house, you want to come?"
Jackie asked turning around briefly to shoot her daughter an angelic smile.

"Licia stood there for a moment. Still thinking about the lie Stuart just told her. Before, walking over to the island and sitting on one of the tall white barstools.

"What's wrong baby girl?" She turned again, now going over to the wall to hang the duster on a hook.

Licia hadn't even recognized that her mother was staring directly at her.

"Yeah it's just...I was suppose to go for ice cream-" she mumbled picking at her fingers nervously. It was a habit she'd had for years.

"Oh well, okay don't let me hold you up."

"No it's fine Ma. Stuart cancelled... again" she said feeling the tears developing all over again, she didn't let them fall.

"Oh baby..." her mother crooned hurriedly walking around the island to console her baby.

Licia let out a shaky sigh as her arms engulfed her, she finally let her heasd rest on her stomach. Jackie's arms cradled Licia just like she had when she was a little girl, and rested her chin atop her head.

"I'm sorry baby. I doubt know why he's been acting so funny lately.

"Me either" was all she could say.

"Well, I think some fresh air would do you some good, maybe you and Andre can even play a lil' bit."

Her mother's statement was enough to gain a little giggle out of her. Sometimes she still spoke like Licia and Andre were still seven and eight years old. Andre was her favorite cousin, almost like a brother, but they were grown up and not kids anymore. Andre had music and girls and Licia had school and...

Stuart.

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