Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Find Me In the Club (pages 11 - 13)

“Nice of you to show up”, she muttered sarcastically.

I immediately began to help her hang laundry in order to diffuse the tension.
“Why do you hang laundry when you have a dryer?” I asked hoping she would lighten up.

“I like the fresh air smell and air dried laundry has less wear and tear on the fabric, so, you clothes last longer.” 

My mother turned to me, “You would know more household tips and secrets if you spent more time at home and less time rippin’ and runnin’ with that ball like a lil’ boy.”

The only time I see your legs is if you’re in basketball shorts; when is the last time you even had on a dress?”

I braced myself for the basketball ain't ladylike lecture. I've heard it a million times and I just had to mentally steel myself  and wait for the hurricane to run out of wind. I must admit that it’s getting old and I’m getting tired of being berated for having a passion and an outlet. But, I’m too tired and too hungry to even get into it with my mother so I just listened as I folded the dried laundry.

My mother didn't talk a lot over dinner; well, let me say she didn't grill me over why I was late or about the blood on my shirt. I could tell that my nose was somewhat swollen but that seemed to go unnoticed as well. Mom was more fixated on what the contractor did or didn't do.

“They got Madea’s tub in today. It has those nice strong metal rails. They’ll be putting in the electronic lift tomorrow; then they’ll tile. I let Madea pick out the color since she has to live with it.”
“What color tile did she pick?”

“She picked a color like Spanish Terracotta with some really nice decorative border tiles. She really surprised me with her choice.”

“I’m glad you opted for the lift because you may need it later on down the line. ”

“Me too; I know I’ll need it. Madea is healthy she just has trouble getting around. I also got her a good bed that has a lift and adjustments.”

“ I’m sooo happy that you and Madea will be together; it eases my mind to know that you’ll be busy when I go to camp and college.” I said as I got up to collect the dinner dishes.

“Just rinse them and place them in the dishwasher. It’s getting late and I rather you get cracking on the homework.”

“I can do the dishes ma, I did most of my homework in study hall.”

I washed, dried and put the dishes away. I could see the glow from the television in the living room; mom was watching her game shows, as I turned out the light. I took the backstairs up to my room and booted up my computer to do my homework.

No sooner did the “Welcome” screen appear before I was bombarded with almost 50 emails. I thought they were from classmates asking about homework but they all seemed to be from my friends in the neighborhood. They had headings like “What up with that?” “Where They Do That At?” “REALLY”

I’d forgotten all about my homework and chose to hit my emails to see what the noise was all about. The very first one threw me for a loop; it was from Tanya, a football cheerleader; Tanya and I weren't close friends but we talked from time to time because we had grade school and summer Bible school in common. Her email read:
Girl!
I just heard about your buddy Roni. What’s up with that?

The following emails pretty much read the same way. They didn't give any information they just asked questions. I’m not one to gossip or get into any he said/she said drama so I responded to the people who asked things directly telling them that I didn't know what they were talking about but the best way to get an answer is to contact Roni.

I instant messaged Roni after reading 2 or 3 emails. Roni was on line and responded.
Deni: Did anything unusual happen today?
Roni: No, why you askin’
Deni: I just got a bunch of email asking about you.
Roni: Askin’ what about me?
Deni: Just things like are you ok ? and Did you hear ‘bout your “girl”
Roni: What did you say?
Deni: Told ‘em I didn't know what the hell they were talkin’ about but if they wanted to know something then the best person to ask is you…
Roni: Good lookin’ out …thanks
Deni: So what is this about…I must have had 50 emails. I read 2 or 3 then just deleted the rest.
Roni: Ain’t no thang…I’ll tell you what I think it is about tomorrow

I finished the last bit of my homework and did my reading and prepared myself for bed. I was pissed at Roni for making me wait to find out what the emails were about. How did she expect me to sleep knowing that there was something between us that hadn't been shared?

I read mindless gossip pages until I heard my mother come up the stairs.

She yelled “Turn off that light and go to bed it’s after midnight!” on the way to her room.

I tried to sleep but I just couldn't get past the fact that my best friend was keeping a secret. I waited until I could hear the change in my mother’s breathing patterns before I reached under the bed for my laptop. I watched movies until about 2 am before I finally drifted off to sleep.


















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