"Well, I'm not the normal Bronx bitch."
"I know that's the truth."
When talking to Hov, I couldn't project my voice to save my life. With all those times I had to yell at Kairo, I didn't have to do that now. Truthfully, no bitch wants to be hard with her man. With my man, I want to be soft as a feather at all times. Floating in the wind that he puts under my wings.
"Alright, I'll be here at 4:30."
"Okay, cool."
"But Ciara, you know you don't have to go inside here no more. I told you I got you on whatever you need or want."
"I know that, but I like working. I wish I had a better position here, but it still makes me happy to be getting it on my own."
"And I admire the fuck out of that shit. What position do you have now, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I am in the warehouse and customer care, but this place would not run correctly without me and Mindy."
"Is there room for you to move up here? Could you eventually be running shit if you put in time?"
"Honestly, no. Everyone in administration has been working here for years. There is never any opportunity."
"Well, make the opportunity yourself. You smart, you will figure it out."
"Thanks, I hope so."
The high feeling from Hov's compliment was interrupted by a call from my mother, of all people. I haven't actually heard from her since I declined her request to move in with me.
"Ugh, I hate to take this call."
"It's that nigga calling you?"
"No, it's not. I blocked him. It's my mom."
"Your mama, I thought you said you two weren't close."
"We aren't really. That's how I know this call is some bull shit. I'm going to get out and take it. I have a feeling this call will be quite embarrassing if you hear it."
"Ain't nothing to be embarrassed around me for baby, but I get it. I'll be here when you get off. Sooner if you need me to be."
"I'll let you know. I tugged on his beard before reaching over to his seat to kiss him on his lips.
"Alright, see you later, mama.”
While the phone was still ringing, I walked over to the assistance center doors and stood back against the wall to avoid being trampled by the early morning sidewalk traffic. As soon as Hov pulled off from the corner, I hit accept on the call.
"Yes, Mama?"
"Well, well, well. My long lost daughter. I'm surprised that you even answered your phone since you are in the big leagues now."
"What are you talking about, ma? I'm not in the big leagues; I'm standing outside of work."
"Mmmhmm, for now. Kairo called and told me you sleeping with that boy Hov, Papi's boy. He said you're sleeping with all types of men."
"First off, why did you even answer Kairo? Last time we talked, you told me and him to kiss your ass."
"I'm over that shit now, and I was calling to see if you're really leaving your husband after all these years? Why give a man all that time just to start over fresh with something that's not going to last? "
My mother was only questioning me because it was always hard for her to believe I was the victim in any situation, even with Kairo. To her, everything bad that happened to me was a result of something I had done in the past that caused it. Hence, she's about to take Kairo's side in all of this.
