“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.
