Twenty minutes later Char came running through the door.
“Great let’s go before I change my mind about the bitch behind the desk.”
“Biiiitch, Char screamed as she ran over to hug me. I’m so happy you finally made it. I can’t wait to show you around. Look out Brookview, my bestie is finally here. Is this all you brought with you?” she asked as she looked over my disheveled appearance and lone bookbag with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes," I said, unsure if I should be embarrassed. It was still hard for me to determine the right way to feel in certain situations. I wasn’t ashamed that I only had the clothes on my back, my toothbrush and three panty and bra sets. If anything, it was more of an inconvenience. I would have to spend most of the money Tyron gave me on clothing and essentials.
“Nevermind, you’re here and that’s all that matters,” she said as she hugged me again.
“Thank you,” I said, learning quickly that Char liked physical touch a lot. She had been holding onto me like I might disappear since she ran in here. But unlike some people touch it wasn’t unpleasant so I would rock with it.
Char didn’t know everything about Taye and my toxic relationship, but she knew enough to know that I needed help and would probably be starting all over again if I ever took her and Ms. Mamie up on their offer to come stay here. We walked out into the warm fall weather outside arm in arm to Char’s car. She drove a cute dark blue Honda accord with vanity plates that said HAPPYCHIK. We jumped in and headed to what would be my new home.
“We can go shopping for essentials tomorrow when I get you settled. You can wear some of my stuff until then," she said over the music playing.
“Okay, Tyron gave me some money to get started, but I will be looking for a job asap, so I don’t go broke out here.”
“Bitch why are you trying me like that? If I got it, you got it, she looked at me with her face balled up. You know Ma is not going to be okay with you working when school starts either. Focus on school and let us help you. You know, help? What families do for each other,” she smiled, turning up sexy red on the radio.
We drove for almost an hour through some horrible traffic until we reached a nice subdivision called Biltmore Estates. This was a nice middle-class neighborhood where people took care of their lawns, kids played outside, and families walked their dogs.
We pulled up to a tan and red brick contemporary two-story single-family home. It was really nice. Getting out of the car, Char grabbed her purse, before threading my fingers in hers as she dragged me into the house. It smelled so good, like fresh peach cobbler and vanilla, as we walked through the bright entryway. I heard singing coming from the rear of the house. As we followed the voice I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful African art motif with a touch of southern flair throughout the house. It was warm and welcoming with a large living room, big bay windows that looked out into the backyard and woods beyond with a large fireplace.
The furniture was tasteful and picked with a family in mind. It wasn’t giving a don’t touch anything vibe. Off the living room was a dining area and a beautiful kitchen. And in that kitchen was Ms. Mamie. She stood at the counter placing fresh rolls in the breadbasket while she sang. Ms. Mamie was a gorgeous sixty-five-year-old woman that looked to be no more than her late-forties. She was wearing a fluffy brown sweater with a pair of black tights and a pair of brown flats. Her hair was thick, beautiful salt and pepper curls that she had tamed into a nice silk press. She had the same dark skin as Char with an identicalfigure. Char clearly got her looks from her grandmother’s side of the family.
“There's my baby,” she said, looking up at me when we walked in. “How have you been doing Suga? We’re so glad to have you home.”
She walked over and gave me a big hug, letting me go just as quickly. I could tell she was trying to respect the boundaries Char probably told her about. It wasn’t that I didn’t like physical touch, it was just that I hadn’t really experienced it positively outside of my parents.
“I’m fine Ms. Mamie. How are you?”
“Now what I tell you bout that. You call me Ma just like Char.” She said, giving me a once over.
“Hope you girls are hungry. I made a nice dinner for us tonight since it’s your first day here. I wanted to make you a nice southern meal. You do know that Maryland is the south too Ma,” right Char snickered.
“Girl hush. There ain't nothin’ like a down-home southern meal.” Ma said.
Looking at Ma’s spread made me have to agree. She had ham, fried chicken, mac and cheese, collards, yams, fresh buttered rolls and for dessert a red velvet cake and peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. I could feel my back swelling as I eyed the food.
“Ma why you make all this food it's only three of us here.”
“Oh, about that your cousins are coming home from Miami, and I asked them to stop by for dinner tonight.”
“Really Ma, Gunner, Aren and Alestar are coming here tonight?” Char inquired, eyes widening with an unfamiliar expression.
“They should be here in about twenty minutes. So y’all better go wash up and get ready to eat.”
“Come on girl,” Char grumbled. “I’ll give you a quick tour and show you to your room.” She said, before showing me the rest of the four bedroom, three and a half bath home I would be sharing with her and Ma. My room was across from Char’s. Inside there was a queen size bed, a dresser mirror combo, chest of drawers and a cute desk I could use for schoolwork. The room was decorated in my favorite colors green and cream including a beautiful green accent wall. I was amazed that my room had its own ensuite bathroom with a large shower and tub for soaking. A strange feeling came over me at the sight of the room Char had offered me. I got it a lot when I talked to Char but I chalked it up to my brain simulating the emotions I should feel at Char and Ma helping me when I was basically a stranger to them.
“Bitch, are you constipated?” Char laughed, giving me another hug. “We got you, now stop trying to fake appreciation or gratitude, get yourself situated and then come over to my room. I’m gonna change and then I’ll fill you in about my cousins. There’s towels and washcloths in the bathroom and a few outfits in the closet you can wear until we go to the store.”
“Okay, thank you.” I said, sitting down on the bed. I took a deep breath and walked into the large bathroom to take a long shower. My bathroom was just as cute as my room and decorated with the same color scheme as the bedroom. I gathered everything I would need to shower from the closet that was full of products and tamed my thick hair into a presentable style. After I washed myself and my hair, I did a quick detangle and put my hair up in a messy bun with a few curls left out to accentuate my round face. I kept my makeup light since we were having dinner at home. There wasn’t a need for a full face of makeup to have a family dinner.
Since we hadn’t discussed going out after dinner, I threw on a hoodie with some leggings and the brown and green Air Max 95s I wore here before I headed over to Char's room. When Igot there her door was already open, so I lightly knocked before entering and sat at the desk in the corner. Char’s room was almost identical to mine. Hers was just more her, with bright colors and flowers everywhere.
“Girl, you look good. She said looking at me through her vanity mirror as she finished putting her hair in a low ponytail. When she was done, she applied some nude lip gloss, finishing the natural look she had done.
“Why are you putting on make-up?" I quizzed. But she didn’t answer, only giving me a small smile. Again, I asked. “Why are you putting on make-up?”
