“Fuck!” I grit as I shift into reverse and back back all the way into the driveway.
I park behind Quay’s Beetle. She’s wanted that Beetle ever since she saw thatTransformersmovie with Bumblebee. After the movie, she talked about that car every damn day, so I got it for her sixteenth birthday last September. Volkswagen discontinued them ugly little cars in 2019 but for her birthday, Paxton helped me find one for her. My DP brother, Leem, owns a detail and body shop and he hooked me up by wrapping it in her favorite color, green, and updating the interior. It’s fye now but I’ll never admit that to her.
Before getting out, I close my eyes, take several deep ass breaths then utter the words that have fueled me since that nigga tried to break me. “The best motivation is being underestimated.”
When I get out of my ride, the front door opens and Quay rushes out. All five feet eleven inches of her crashes into me. Just like me, she’s an athlete, a beast in soccer and basketball though. She’s a junior, playing varsity at Douglasville Prep.
While hugging me, she says, “I’m glad you came back. Momma was really ’bout to cry.”
“Why that nigga here though?”
“He was going to Uncle Rod’s but their cable is off and they do not do apps,” she says.
Rod ain’t much better than his older brother. He’s a functioning alcoholic who somehow manages to keep a job. He works at the C-Mart off 8thand has been there for over fifteen years. I don’t think his brother has had any job for fifteen fucking days. Real shit, my father is a bitch ass nigga.
The funny thing is he swears he used to be a baller and some big-time hustler back in the day but I heard from a few oldschools that he was barely a corner boy. A lie ain’t nothing for him to tell. He also played hoops, but after he was shot in the leg, his balling days were over. Me and Quay get our height from him. He’s six-four. I surpassed him when I was fifteen and I’ve been looking down on him since.
“I only got out because you texted. I’m not staying though.”
She shoves me in my chest then sighs. “They’re outside in the shed; they won’t come in the house.”
“They?”
“Yes. Uncle Rod is here too. He rode back with Daddy.”
“Let’s get this shit over with.”
“Where’s the cake?”
“Shit! In my ride.”
Seeing his ride in the driveway really fucked me up. I forgot all about the cake. I step back to my Escalade, grab it, then walk with Quay into the house. The smell of my momma’s dressing hits my nose as soon as I duck and enter. Dressed in my jersey and a pair of jeans, my mom comes around the corner with a smile on her pretty, dark chocolate face. When she gets close, I see that her eyes are glossy.Fuck!She was crying; my fucking chest gets tight as hell.
“He’s not coming in,” she utters. I hand the cake to Quay and my mom walks into my arms. As the shortest in the family, she’s eye level with my chest. She wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me so tight. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you too, Ma but I ca—”
“No buts,” she says while lightly tapping me. Then she releases me and places her hands on my chest. “I cooked your favorite, smothered turkey wings, cornbread dressing withchicken, macaroni and cheese, and fried cabbage. We’re going to eat and talk about how proud we are of you. I want to spend this evening feeding and loving on my babies. Okay?” she asks, almost begging.
Her glossy eyes plead with me and her voice is shaky, all fucking me up. I hate this shit so bad. We can’t be a normal family because my mom loves the wrong ass nigga.
“I’m staying, Ma,” I tell her, then lean in and kiss her cheek. “It smells good as hell too.”
“Carb loads, right?” she says.
“Carb loading, Ma,” Quay exclaims, correcting her.
“You can say whatever you want, Ma. Ignore Quay. She looks crazy any way with that shit on her head,” I say, then grab the big ass afro puff at the top of her head.
“Stop! I’m getting it braided tomorrow. My appointment is at ten and I need my money at nine.”
“You stay in a nigga pockets. Plus, I gave you money already,” I say, fucking with her.
“Riq! No, you didn’t. I need four hundred dollars,” she squeals and I laugh.
“Calm yo’ lil ass down. I’m gon’ send it to you.”
“Stop messing with your sister like that. She’s been talking about them expensive ass braids all week. I just don’t know why they cost so much. I used to get my hair braided for fifty dollars when I was your age.”
