by La Jill Hunt
“Well, considering you ain’t listening to them, it seems that they’re a whole lot smarter than where you’re from,” I said.
“What did you say?” Junie came and stood in front of me. We were about the same height and size, but my shoulders were slightly broader than his.
“Junie, man, you need to calm down. You don’t understand—” D-Lo reached for him, but he snatched away.
“Understand what? That I’m ’bout to knock this—”
Before he could finish, I had balled up my fist and punched him in the face with so much force that he crumpled to the floor. He covered his eye where the punch had landed. The two guys that had been on the porch ran in. Seeing Junie on the floor, they started laughing.
“Damn it, Junie. I told you.” Dell sighed.
“Bitch ass mother—” Junie hopped to his feet and was about to charge at me, but two guys grabbed him.
“Take him outside and let him walk it off,” Dell told them.
Junie was still struggling to get at me when they escorted him out the door.
“You good?” Dell asked me.
“Yeah, I’m cool,” I said, checking my knuckles to make sure they were still intact. It had been a minute since I’d gotten into a fight, but it was good to know that my punch still carried some power behind it.
“I tried to warn him. You heard me, right?” D-Lo shrugged.
“Me too. People don’t realize. Bilal ain’t no killer, but don’t push him.” Dell laughed. “That nigga called you soft, and you knocked his ass to the ground.”
I turned and looked at Fee, who stood staring and too stunned to move. Before I could say anything to her, D-Lo snatched her ass.
“Next time you talk shit in front of your boyfriend, you’re gonna get fucked up right along with him,” he said.
Diane
The last place I planned on spending my day off was at Celia’s house, but when I finally woke up Sunday afternoon, the entire house was empty. No one mentioned anything about going anywhere, so I sent a text to Avery, asking where the hell they were. I knew she was the best one to ask, because Ashley’s attitude toward me was just as bad as Kendra’s, who still wasn’t talking to me. Out of all my daughters, Avery was the one who remained loyal no matter what. She was the one who always checked on me to make sure I made it to work safely, let me know that she made me a plate and put it in the microwave, and kept me abreast about what was going on in the house. I knew Kendra and Ashley weren’t too pleased with how she looked out for me. I had overheard them criticize her for her concern on more than one occasion. I appreciated her sticking up and defending me, and I was grateful that I shared a bond with at least one of my daughters. The other two could go to hell as far as I was concerned.
Sure enough, Avery texted me back, telling me that Celia had picked them up and they were at her house and about to have dinner. I told her to bring me a plate. A few minutes later, my phone rang.
“Aunt Celia said if you want a plate, you gotta come and get it yourself.” Avery sighed.
“What?” I snapped.
“This ain’t no takeout restaurant. If she wants to eat, she can come and sit down at the table with the rest of us. Tell her the food will be ready in forty-five minutes,” Celia yelled in the background. “Ashley, baby, hand me that pan for this macaroni and cheese.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ashley said cheerfully. I could just see her fawning over everything in Celia’s kitchen and making her feel like the queen she already thought she was. “Can I stir it?”
“You sure can,” Celia told her.
“I told her you were resting today, Mama. You been working all week,” Avery whispered.
“Don’t worry about it. Screw her and her fucking dinner. She just wants me to drive all the way the hell over there to brag about some new shit she bought and don’t need. Ain’t nobody—”
“Gimme that damn phone. Diane, shut up and put some clothes on and come on over here. Now, ain’t nobody gonna beg you to come and eat,” Celia stated.
“I ain’t say nobody had to beg me, Celia. You know today’s my only day to rest. I been working for the past three days straight. I’m tired and don’t feel like coming all the way over there,” I told her. “I don’t know why that’s so hard for you to understand. You can’t just send me a plate?”
“Di, when is the last time you’ve sat down and had dinner with your family, specifically your girls? Like, at a table, and had a real conversation with them over a meal?”
I thought about her question. I couldn’t remember the last time we sat down and had dinner. Shit, I couldn’t remember the last time I had cooked a meal. Most of the cooking in my house was done by Kendra, along with the cleaning, laundry, and other household chores, many of which she delegated to her younger sisters. It wasn’t that I wasn’t capable of being more maternal, but my oldest daughter never gave me the chance to be the mother in the house. Not that I was eager to do so anyway.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Celia. You act like—”
“Darnell has some steaks on the grill. I made crab cakes and fish. I’ll give you forty dollars to put in your gas tank when you get here. Now, bring your ass,” Celia said then hung up.
Hell, after speaking with her, of course I was gonna go to her house. I would get a free meal consisting of my favorite foods, enough money to fill my gas tank twice, and I would see Darnell’s fine ass. I would be crazy not to go. I figured now was as good a time as any to introduce Terry, the guy I’d been dating for the past two and a half months when I wasn’t fucking Darnell, to the family. I called him and told him I would pick him up in twenty minutes. After a quick shower, I put on my tightest jeans, a button-down shirt, and a pair of peep-toe booties. I piled my braids on top of my head, then dabbed on some lip gloss and some of the Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume that Celia had given me for Christmas.
Terry was eagerly waiting when I arrived to pick him up. He wasn’t the brightest guy I’d been with, but he was tall, sexy, and worked at the Target warehouse, so he was always hooking me up with what I needed.
Celia’s oversized five-bedroom, three-bathroom brick home sat in the center of a cul de sac. I never understood why she and Darnell needed that big-ass house, especially since it was just the two of them. Everything about my sister just seemed so damn excessive to me. She was extra when it came to everything—her job, her clothes, her house. Seemed funny to me that the only thing she wasn’t excessive in was pleasing her man. Darnell said he never got head, and they mainly only had sex in the missionary position; hence, why he came to me. I may not have had a well-paying career or an overflowing bank account like she did, but my bedroom skills and talents were top notch, and I made sure to be quite impressive each and every time I was with him.
“Damn, this place is nice as hell,” Terry said when we arrived. Celia’s car was in the driveway parked beside Darnell’s Audi and a huge Dodge Ram truck. “Your sister and her husband must be paid.”
“They do all right. Please don’t go up in here commenting about their shit. Act like you been somewhere. She already thinks that she’s better than we are,” I warned him.
“I feel you. My brother acts like that too, like because he got that good job being the manager at Jiffy Lube, he’s the man,” Terry said as we walked to the front of the house.
I rang the doorbell and glanced at Terry’s outfit, which consisted of baggy jeans, an oversized white T-shirt, and some Timberland boots. Celia probably wouldn’t be pleased with his attire, but I didn’t care. It wasn’t her reaction that I was concerned about anyway.
The door opened, and Darnell stood smiling. Like Terry, he was also dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, but his were well-fitting designer jeans, and he wore an apron on top. He went to greet me with a hug, until he saw Terry standing beside me. His face went blank for a second. I hadn’t seen him since our midday rendezvous had been interrupted by Kendra. That was almost a month ago. Now, here I was, standing on his doors
tep, wearing braids that he’d paid for, with another guy by my side. He was not pleased, and I was glad that he wasn’t.
“Hey, Darnell.” I grinned, then said, “This is my friend, Terry.”
“What’s up, man?” Terry gave Darnell a pound with his fist. “This a nice crib y’all got.”
I cut my eyes at him, but he was so busy looking past Darnell that he didn’t see me.
“What’s up? Y’all come on in.” Darnell moved so we could come inside.
I gave him a seductive wink as I walked by. I led Terry down the hallway and into the den area.
“Hey, good. You’re here,” Celia said when she came into the room; then added, “Oh, you brought a guest.”
“Yes, this is my friend, Terry,” I said.
“Uh, nice to meet you, Terry.” Celia’s voice was an octave higher than normal, and her smile was fake. She hated unexpected guests in her home.
“Same here. Wow, that TV is huge. Is that a 4K?” Terry asked, pointing at the plasma television hanging on the wall.
“Yeah, it is,” Darnell said. “You want a beer?”
“You know I do,” I said.
“Yeah, I’ll take one,” Terry added.
“Where are the girls?” I asked Celia.
“They’re in the sunroom, setting the table. The food is almost ready, and we’re gonna eat in there. I guess I need to tell them to set another place,” Celia said. “I’ll be right—”
“No, I’ll tell them. Come on, Terry, so you can meet the girls,” I told him.
The irritated look on Celia’s face now matched the one on Darnell’s. The day was getting better and better.
“Mama!” Avery ran over and hugged me when I walked into the sunroom. Kendra and Ashley barely looked in my direction.
“Hey, Avery,” I told her. I looked at her sisters and said, “Hello, Ashley, Kendra. Girls, this is Terry.”
My three daughters were polite but nonchalant as they spoke. Darnell walked into the sunroom carrying two beers, handing one to Terry, then the other to me. I took a long sip.
“I’m going to help Aunt Celia,” Kendra said, rolling her eyes at both Darnell and me.
“Me too.” Ashley followed Kendra out the door.
“I guess I should go help too.” Avery shrugged.
Darnell made small talk with Terry and me while we waited for Celia and the girls to bring the food out, and then we all sat down for dinner. Darnell and Celia each sat at the heads of the table. The twins and Kendra, who avoided looking in my direction, sat across the table from Terry and me. The conversation during the meal was mainly Terry and I talking to one another. Darnell contributed a comment every now and then about a sports team, and everyone else just sat and listened. Once we were done eating, Celia finally spoke.
“So, y’all know my birthday is coming up. I’ve decided to treat myself this year,” she announced.
“What are you gonna get, Auntie?” Ashley asked excitedly.
“Something I’ve always wanted,” Celia said.
“A puppy?” Avery said.
“Hell no, not up in here,” Darnell spoke up. We knew he didn’t like dogs, which was ironic to me.
“No, not a dog.” Celia laughed. “Although I have always wanted one. Uncle Darnell is scared of dogs.”
“You scared of dogs for real, man?” Terry laughed.
“No, I ain’t scared of no damn dog. I just don’t like them.” Darnell shook his head. “I had a bad experience when I was a kid, that’s all.”
“A trip to Italy.” Kendra’s voice was so low that I almost didn’t hear her.
“Ohhhhh, yeah.” Ashley clapped.
“No, not yet. I’m saving that for when you graduate,” Celia told her. “We’re gonna go together to celebrate. Now, hurry up and finish.”
Kendra smiled at my sister, and for a second, I felt a twinge of jealousy.
“I am, Aunt Celia, with honors. I promise.”
“Well, what the hell is it?” I asked.
“A BMW.” Celia grinned.
“Oh, yes! Aunt Celia, a BMW is perfect for you,” Ashley told her.
“That’s so cool,” Avery commented.
“Great gift, and you deserve it.” Kendra smiled.
“Which one are you getting? You’d look good in an X5.” Terry nodded. “It’s classy.”
“It’s funny you say that, because that’s exactly what I’m getting,” Celia told him.
“I knew it,” he said. Again, I rolled my eyes at him.
“And I’ve decided to give you the Volvo,” Celia said to Kendra.
My mouth fell open, and so did everyone else’s at the table. I couldn’t believe she was giving Kendra a car that was only three years old.
“Are you serious?” Kendra asked.
“Yeah, once I get my new car at the end of next month, it’s yours. And you’d better take care of my baby,” Celia told her.
“Kendra, you’re gonna have your own car. Oh, snap!” Avery nudged Kendra, who had tears in her eyes.
“It’s about to be on.” Ashley gave Avery a high five.
“No, she ain’t,” I said. “You are not about to give her that damn car. That makes no sense.”
Celia looked at me like I was crazy. “What are you talking about? She needs a car to get to school and to work.”
“And to take us places,” Ashley whined.
“Why would you give your car to her and not me? I’m the one who drives all over the fucking city going to clients’ houses. You know how old and run-down my car is. Hell, you’ve had to help me pay to get it fixed.”
“I’m not giving you my car,” Celia stated matter-of-factly.
“Why not? That would make more sense than giving it to Kendra. Shit, she hardly drives,” I snapped.
“Because I don’t have a car!” Kendra spoke up.
“You can have my car if she gives me hers.” I pointed to Celia.
“You’re not getting my car,” Celia repeated as she shook her head.
I decided I needed some reinforcements. “Darnell, can you please tell her that giving Kendra that car instead of me makes no sense? My car is in horrible condition.”
“It is in pretty bad shape.” Darnell shrugged.
“Well, you know my brother is the manager at Jiffy Lube. I can get him to look at it,” Terry offered.
“Shut up, Terry.” I finally said what I’d been wanting to say all evening.
“Why would you want Kendra to drive an unsafe car? That’s why it makes more sense for her to have the Volvo. It’s a safer car for her to drive,” Celia said.
“She’s not getting that damn car. If I can’t have it, then she can’t either,” I told her.
“You sound so damn childish, Diane. Don’t be like that.” Celia sighed.
“Childish? Did you just call me childish?” I stood up.
“Yes, I did. You’re pretty much throwing a temper tantrum at the table because I won’t give you my car. I’m doing something nice for your daughter. I would think you’d be a little more appreciative.”
“Appreciative of what? It ain’t like you did shit for me, Celia. You never do. Hell, you wouldn’t even let Ashley bring me a plate home. And I know why you did this shit. You ain’t slick. You wanted me to come all the way the fuck over here so, once again, you could floss and shine and force me to sit here while you brag about taking Kendra on exotic trips and then giving her your car. Fuck you, Celia. Let’s go, Terry,” I yelled.
“Diane, calm down. That’s not what she was doing,” Darnell told me, and I gave him a threatening look.
“Mama, please,” Ashley pleaded.
I looked over at Kendra, who stared at me in disgust. I was pissed and ready to go. I stormed out the front door. Terry was on my heels.
“Diane, baby, wait. I don’t think you should leave like this,” he suggested.
“Get in the fucking car!” I screamed, and he jumped in the car.
“Mama, come back!” Ashley came running
out the front door. “Are you just gonna leave us?”
“Get Kendra to bring you home in her new fucking car!” I yelled before spinning out of the driveway and speeding off down the street.
Celia
I didn’t know what the hell was going on, but it seemed as if my entire family had lost their damn minds. First, I had to damn near force Kendra to come to the house. After leaving early morning church service, I called and said I was on my way to pick her and her sisters up, and she said she couldn’t come. Normally, when I called to say I was cooking Sunday dinner, she and her sisters would be ecstatic, so I immediately became concerned. When I asked why, she began stuttering and giving bullshit excuses that I wouldn’t accept, until finally, she said okay. When I pulled up to the house and saw Diane’s car parked in front, I knew my sister probably had something to do with her initial hesitation. Then, when we got to the house, she hardly spoke to Darnell and spent most of the time alone upstairs in the bedroom that we kept reserved for her. Then, Diane finally showed up, but she had some random man with her. She flipped out when I told Kendra that she could have my car; then she stormed off, leaving all three of her daughters in tears.
“You guys okay?” I asked as I drove them home. I had tried to salvage the remainder of the evening with ice cream sundaes and a trip to the nail salon, but the girls still seemed melancholy.
“We’re fine,” Kendra answered, taking a glimpse at her sisters in the back seat.
“Yes, ma’am.” Ashley and Avery both nodded.
“Well, I had fun with y’all,” I told them. “Despite what happened. And I meant what I said. I’m giving you my car, Kendra. Your mama may not like it or agree with it, but it’s my car, and I can give it to whoever I want to give it to. You need a car, and you deserve it.”
Kendra looked over at me and said, “You don’t have to give it to me, Aunt Celia. She can have it. I’ll be fine.”
“Ain’t no way in hell I’m giving her my car. It’s yours, end of story,” I told her.
“Aunt Celia?” Ashley called my name.