Today was Easter Sunday, and Janien had to lead the choir this morning for morning service. Janien rolled over to turn her iPhone alarm off when a notification from Bryce caught her attention.
𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐜𝐞
- I know we ain't been talking, but I'm coming to church today to hear you blow that mic ☺️.
Janien blushed, as she read the message from the locked screen. She let out a happy sigh, before rolling over and getting out of bed.
Janien then went to her closet to set out her Easter dress, along with her white flat church shoes, placing it on her bed.
She then slipped on her bedroom slippers, before walking to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for her and August.
•
The church was crowded for Easter Sunday today. Everyone sported their bright colors and new hairdos.
Since Rev. Joshua was in Jerusalem for a couple of months, Ms. Evans's husband Rev. Ricky Evans was the fill-in.
" We are gathered here today " Was the last thing Janien heard before she lost her focus from the preaching.
Bryce and his mother snuck in quietly through the side door of the church, causing a few heads to turn.
a small smile plastered Janien face, before waving at Bryce. Today he wore a light pink button-up dress shirt, with khaki pants, and light brown dress shoes. His hair was freshly twisted, and his beard was trimmed.
" Now we will have a selection from the youth Choir " Rev. Evans announced, as he handed gestured the choir to rise.
Ms. Evans handed Janien the Microphone before she went back to playing the piano.
After the Keynote was heard, Janien cleared her throat and began singing.
—
—
" you sounded great today " A woman complimented Janien, as she stood by the exit plastering a great smile.
" you were ight " August Joked, as she stood on the other side of the exit ushering for the church.
The two began ushering at a young age. Carolyn made sure her daughters always played a role in her father's old church. If they weren't ushering, they were sectarians or cleaning.
" you did good ma " Bryce smiled, as his tongue glided across his bottom lip.
" Thank you " Janien smiled, as she felt her face getting hot from blushing.
" whatchu doing today? " Bryce asked, as he slid out of Ms. Evans's way.
" Now you girls get home safe na, your mother wants me to make sure of that " Ms. Evans Assured the girls, as Janien and August forced a smile.
" I don't know " she shrugged, as Bryce smacked his lips.
" come chill with me then " he suggested, as August cleared her throat.
" won't be having my sister in no shoot-outs" August mugged him, causing him to smack his teeth at her.
" You act like I knew they were coming or some shit " He cursed, as he realized he was in church making him instantly ask God for forgiveness.
" Plus, your sister is grown.. she doesn't need anyone to talk for her " Bryce said, as he looked at Janien for assurance.
" slide through later ight? " Bryce said, as Janien gently nodded her head.
August blew her breath, before walking off and getting into the car. She didn't understand why her sister was following up on Bryce, after what he had done endangered her life. Although August Cared for her sister, she couldn't stress about it, knowing that she had her own life to depend on.
•
Janien nervously sat at the end of Bryce's leather sofa. After church Janien and Bryce had linked up, and came to his house to hang out.
" Why are you so nervous ma, sit back," Bryce said, as he patted the Extra space on the sofa behind Janien.
Janien sat back as Bryce threw his arm around her shoulder. She held her Telfar tote in her Lap, while her phone sat under her right thigh.
Bryce switched back and forth from ESPN to BET, as the TV played old football games on one channel and Tyler Perry marathons on another.
" How about I turn the tv off and we talk? " he suggested, as he powered the Tv off and shuffled his attention towards Janien.
" I have to ask, who in the hell named you Janien? " Bryce laughed, causing Janien to follow right behind him.
" My great-grandmother on my Father's side's name was Janet and my Great grandfather's name was Jahnien " she explained, " so my father thought it was great to take Jan from Janet and Nien from Jahnien and name me Janien " She chuckled, as Bryce smiled a bit.
" I like it, I think that it's different " He complimented, as she blushed a little.
" and who named you Bryce? " Janien asked, as she looked into his eyes.
" Bryce is my stepfather's name, so before my mom knew she was pregnant she was messing around on my biological with my step... my biological never claimed me and so Bryce Sr. Did until he died" He explained to her.
Janien was noisy, but she could tell it was a sensitive subject to talk about so she left it alone.
" Do you ever wonder what life will be if you were white?" Bryce asked as he looked up at Janien.
Janien let out a semi chuckle before responding " no " Bryce shooked his head at the dumb question he asked.
" Hey, I'm curious about you and white people. " Janien laughed, as Bryce smacked his lips.
" don't ever play my top like that " he smirked, as he couldn't help but laugh at Janien who couldn't control her humor.
" What kind of music do you like?" Bryce asked, before grabbing the controller and going to YouTube.
" umm, I listen to mostly Gospel and Some R&B " Janien said, as Bryce clicked on a song from YouTube.
" This my favorite artist " Bryce clicked on the lyric Video to Rod's wave " alone "
" You ever feel like you worthless, like you aren't worth shitttt " Rod wave sang through the tv speakers.
" run that part back " Janien Spoke, as she slightly moved closer to Bryce.
"I knew you liked him " Bryce Smirked, as he reminded the intro of Rod waves songs.
For some reason, The words stuck with Janien. She could admit, sometimes she does feel like she's worthless, or not loved.
" Song goes crazy," Bryce said, as he clicked off of it being that the song had ended.
" you good ?" Bryce asked as He caught Janien staring off.
" hmm? Yeah, I'm good " she chuckled, as she forced a smile.
" look at me," Bryce said as he lifted Janien's chin. " everything gone be igh, you can talk to me " he assured her, as Janien eyes began to water.
Bryce's kind words comforted her, It made her feel safe. Bryce rubbed the falling tear from Jensen's cheek. He then rubbed the side of her face, as the two stared into eyes of each other.
Janien couldn't help but smile. His eyes were mesmerizing Carmel brown. Bryce licked his lips before his thumb glided across Janien's bottom lip. Her body began to get overheated, from noradrenaline buildup within her body.
Bryce peeked at her lips, as he tugged on her bra strap. The sound of Janien's phone rang, causing Janien to pull away.
" Saved by the bell," she thought to herself, as she grabbed her phone from under her thigh, it was August.
" Where the fuck are you, Grandma done cooked, and dinner starts in an hour! " August semi-yelled through the speakers, as Janien sighed.
" I forgot we had Easter Dinner today " Janien spoke, as August Smacked her lips.
" well, this is your reminder " August retorted, as she hung up the phone.
" damn, you didn't tell me you had Easter dinner today? " Bryce questioned, as Janien shook her head in disbelief.
" can't believe I have forgotten about it, I will make it up to you " she promised. A smirk appeared on Bryce's face, as he grabbed the keys to his car on the sofa.
" come on ma, I don't want your folks being mad at ya," Bryce said, as he stood from the couch.
•
Bryce pulled into Westbrook, searching for Janien's grandmother's house as she slept the 30 min car ride.
After two minutes of riding down Westbrook, he then spotted August chatting up in the yard with Lynn.
" ma wake up" Bryce shooked Janien, as the car came to a complete stop on the opposite side of Her grandmother's house.
Bryce watched as two elder men sat on the porch puffing on their cigars and drinking a bottle of Whiskey.
He couldn't help but think, which one was Rev. Joshua's father. Bryce heard a lot of things about Joseph, and how he use to run the streets back in the day... he hoped one day Joesph could put him on game.
" see you later " Janien smiled at him before she got out of the car and shut the door.
" call me later, be safe ma, " Bryce said, as he rolled his driver's window down and watched Janien walk to her grandmother's house.
He made sure to make eye contact with the men on the front porch as he kept one hand on the steering wheel and his arm rested on the window, He then nodded his head before pulling off once he has seen Janien waving bye to him.
" I don't want you talking to that boy, Niennie " Grandpa Joe said, as he took a puff from his cigar. " he a bad influence on this neighborhood and you " Janien knew her grandfather was as just as overprotective as her father, she respected his wishes, but Janien wanted to do her.
She felt that soon or later she was going to have to defend herself. Papa Joe and Daddy weren't gone always be around to protect her or her sister.
•
The Porter family sat around at the dinner table chatting about different things. Although Janien had a big family, not even half of them showed up. Some were in California, Texas, and Detroit, and just couldn't make it because of the highway traffic, and the delays on planes. While some of her family haven't talked to them in years, over an incident that happened years back.
" Let's bow our heads before we eat, " Granny said, as she joined hands with Papa and Aunt Mary.
" Lord bless us today, as we eat the food that's been prepared for us. Bless the hands that made it, and the mouths you shall feed... thank you, Lord, I'm the Name of Jesus I pray Amen " Granny prayed, as the rest of the family said their amens and began to eat.
Janien took A bite of her macaroni and cheese, before looking up at her aunt Mary staring at her with a disgusted look on her face, which made Janien feel uncomfortable.
"Is there a problem? " August interrupted, as her attention shifted towards Aunt Mary, which caused Grandma to stop and look.
" I just think... Janien is way too big for her size and considers getting weight loss surgery " The words pierced Janien's heart.
" excuse me " Janien voice crackled, as he walked away from the table. The April weathered warmth on her skin as she stood on the porch trying to keep herself from crying.
" You out here niennie? " Grandma said, as she opened the front door, and closed it behind her comforting Her granddaughter.
" Don't let what she said to you bother you, your beautiful and unique in your way " Grandma said, as she rubbed Janien's back.
" she wants you to get the surgery because she thinks it worked wonders on your aunt Thelma " Granny assured her, as she continued rubbing her back. " what she doesn't know is, Your aunt Thelma is sick.. and that part of the reason why she didn't make it to Dinner today. " Thelma was Janien's father's sister. It was Thelma, Mary, Joshua, and James.
" your aunt is on the nutrition board and is so high-tech on talking bout your diet and staying healthy " Grandma explained, as she comforted Janien.
" Well, that's not something you just up and say to someone, and—
" BITCH, I DON'T GIVE A FUCK YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN TRYNA AIR MY SISTER OUT AT THE DINNER TABLE " August interrupted, as Papa Joe carried her out on the front porch.
Caleb, aunt Mary's son was edging it on by agreeing with the mom which threw August into a loop. While Elijah tried to calm Mary, by keeping her in the house away from August.
" ON GOD I WISH YOU HAD YO CAR " August announced, as she paced back and forth on the porch. " I would've blown that bitch wig back " August raged, as Janien tried consoling her.
" calm down Aug, it's okay " Janien panicked, as she grabbed her sister's arm. " you're bringing up the wrong things right now calm down " Lynn added, as she pulled August aside.
The three watched as Mary was been carried out the door bridal style. August intertwines her hand with Janien, from keeping from acting on her intrusive thoughts.
" gone disrespect me! " Mary yelled, as she tried to fight out of Elijah's grip. " I'm tryna help you bitch ass sister out! " Janien squeezed August's hand tighter keeping August back from their Aunt.
" let her go Aug, let her go " Janien assured her, as August released her anger through breathing mechanisms.
" Mary you should be a damn shame of yourself! " Grandma protested, from the front lawn as she continued to watch and listen as Mary tried to fight out of Elijah's grip.
" I don't want that negativity around me to talk to me when you grow up ! " grandma stated, as she walked back towards the porch making Mary tighten up.
Janien felt a little guilty about making causing a scene, She never likes drama nor wanted to be a part of it. So knowing her grandmother had a falling out with her daughter, made Janien feel down inside.
" I just wanna go home " Janien sniffed, as she kept her head down. " No, you're going to—
" Granny, ima just taking her home... she probably needs a breather " Lynn assured her, as Michelle nodded her head. " well let me at least wrap your plate up to go, " granny said, as she made her way through the front door.
•
Janien laid on her comforters which were displayed across her bed. She grabbed her phone out of her tote, before checking the messages.
𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧
- Your father and I made it, how are you and your sister?
- what's this about Mary, and you?
Janien sighed before clicking off her and her mother's messages leaving her on read. She didn't feel like explaining things to her mother and didn't feel like hearing her father's opinion.
Janien clicked on the message thread of Her and Bryce, realizing they haven't texted since they had last seen each other. A smile appeared on her face as she lay on the bed thinking about their kiss earlier today. Janien instantly felt her cheeks get hotter, at the thought of Bryce tugging on her bra strap.
" wonder what was going to happen? " she thought, as she chuckled to herself.. finally it was something to ease her mind off of the incident at her grandmother's house. Janien always thought of happy moments to ease her anxiety or stress, she often talked to God about it or also wrote it in her journal as it was a coping mechanism her mother taught her when she was younger.
The morning came before you knew it, and Janien was still sprawled out on the bed just like she was the night before.
She was off today for Easter Monday, so her alarm didn't wake her as usual.
August and Lynn sat in the living room watching scary movies all night until early morning, something they couldn't do when Carolyn was home.
August and Janien mother never allowed the two to watch scary movies at their home, she said it might activate a demon and unwanted spirits.
There were small knocks heard on the front door, causing August to wake up out of her slumber.
" the fuck is it " August mumbled, as she wiped the crust out of her eyes, almost tripping over a popcorn bowl.
" I said who is it? " August Semi yelled as she peeked out the window outside.
"It's me Kourt!" Kourtney, August, and Janien's cousin said, as she saw August peek through the window.
August rolled her eyes, before opening the door for Kourtney. One thing about August she hated being woken from her slumber.
" Janien here? " Kourtney asked, as she took her shoes off and neatly placed them by the door, it was a rule her mother taught her growing up.
" yeah, she might be sleeping though " August yawned, as she extended her arms for a little shake and stretch.
Kourtney knocked on Janien's door before busting through causing Janien to awaken out of her sleep.
" People don't knock anymore?" Janien said as she knitted her eyebrows while rubbing her eye.
Kourtney sat in Janien's rolling chair spinning around and around before laying her head on the desk from being dizzy. Janien shook her head at the stupidity her cousin do. " why would you do that in the first place? " Janien questioned, as she scrunched her face.
Janien could admit, Kourtney's elevator never seem to go past the 5th floor. It was like she wasn't mentally stable at all at times. She does dumb stuff and didn't know why she'd do it.