7:50am
"Okay! Wait a minute."
The gates of the school finally opened and children were more than anxious to roam the hallways and give their teachers hell including my little rascals.
Grand Ridge Elementary school was a lot bigger than what was expected and the neighborhood seemed less friendly than what was advertised.
"How much longer?" Maya sassed, folding her small arms.
I chuckled and finished tying her shoes. The young girl was only six years old but her attitude was ticking at thirty five.
After straightening her jacket and blouse, Maya was ready to have some fun while Khalil was still slightly hungover from this morning.
I sighed once more. "Let's do another backpack check."
"Come on mommy, I'm a big girl now!"
"I know but-"
"Yeah, mama relax!" Khalil laughed and slung his backpack over his shoulders. "We are just going to school, not the army."
"If you play around with the wrong whit-" I mumbled, standing up from the ground and dusting myself off. "child and you're going to be entering a whole different warzone."
"As long as they got food then I'm good." He beamed and rubbed his belly.
"You are too much." I shook my head, laughing and kissed Maya's cheek while ruffling Khalil's curls, something I knew he hated with a passion.
They were practically identical twins despite different complexions and height.
Khalil and Maya's faces were similar to mine and both of them carried light brownish eyes.
However, Khalil's height and facial expressions reminded me of his sperm donor while Maya's lips were from her father.
"Quit mama, you messing up my drip." Khalil whined.
"Boy what drip?" I laughed some more, smacking his head and tried to kiss him.
"Stop mama, you're embarrassing me!" He said, mushing my head away.
"Boy ain't nobody checking-"
"Mommy! I got people waiting on me, can we please go?!"
I cut my eyes at her then slowly bobbed my head. Maya didn't waste any time bolting inside of the gate. Khalil drugged his feet behind her.
He was not excited about moving back to our hometown especially to live with my father and the feeling was mutual.
However, this was our last resort and kept them out of harm's way, especially from their fathers. I was trying my best to manage life with two kids so help was very much appreciated. This was only a temporary fix and I already had my goals planned out.
"Make sure to call me after school!" I called out.
I stayed outside for a moment or two, making sure they entered the building safely.
Parents were scattered all around the school and kids were greeting each other with a hug or playful punch.
I was praying that this new fresh start will not only be good for my children but for me too.
I checked the time and began walking down hundred forty-seven street. The local market wasn't the best job but it fitted my busy schedule and paid decent money.
My kids and work took up most of my day and the little free time that I had to spare was used to study for my upcoming college classes.
"Look what the cat dragged in." Sunny nattled and some of my coworkers fell into laughter while I made my way towards the backroom.
"She seems to be down in the mouth."
"Chile! you how those young girls are, anything can make them hot under the collar." Kathy, one of the older heads in the group, commented.
"Mhm. and I heard that-"
I tuned them out and began placing my things inside my locker. You would think that these old women came more with class but they kept up with gossip and fashion more than the young people nowadays.
The reason why I wasn't big on work relationships.
"No sleep last night?" Charles chuckled, lacing up his boots.
I looked over at him and shook my head. "No doubt .. I didn't see you at bible study. Is everything alright?"
"So you checking for me now?" He wiggled his eyebrows and smirked.
"Pssh! Boy don't flatter yourself."
"You know you want all this sexiness." Charles moved his hips in an abnormal rhythm and we both bursted into laughter.
"What's their story of the day?"
I rolled my eyes, tucking in my shirt and putting on the store's apron."Well according to the grammys, I slept with the boss and got thrown away like a trash bag."
"Oh my!" He placed a hand over his chest and acted shocked. "You cheating on me bae?"
Charles was of the few coworkers that I didn't mind conversing with and our friendship extended outside of the working environment.
Both of our fathers were deacons at the church and close friends so we spent a lot of time together.
"Boy-"
Alvin, our store's manager, barged inside of the room with a scowl on his face. "Ay! Mickey and Minnie, we need help out there, the customers can't serve themselves!"
"I'm sorry but-"
"Don't be sorry, be careful." He grumbled and left out. "Hurry up!"
I snatched my phone from the bench, responding to a couple text messages, and placed it inside of the locker, slamming the small door afterwards.
Charles got a good tickle at my frustrations but little did he know I was on the verge of exploding. soon.
"Don't let him steal your joy." Charles reassured him.
"Chile- fuck his bitch ass!" I cursed and rushed to my station.
I couldn't wait to land a great job or branch off to a businesswoman because working under people wasn't my cup of tea especially for dysfunctional human beings.
In addition, our store's managers were mischievous and since they were related to the owner, there were foul play at times.
Customers began to line up around the counter once the station light turned green. I greeted them with force smiles and started scanning their items.
There were still assumptions about me transporting around the store but I paid it dust.
My mindset focused on my kids. money. stability.
-•
6:45pm
"You finally heading home?"
I looked at her, heavily sighing and nodded my head. "Yes! and the grind doesn't stop, got at least four missed calls from my little nuggets about nonsense."
Amanda shook her head, laughing, and finished restocking the shelves. "Girl, tell me about it! I only one child and she be working my nerves so I can only imagine. Um, I get off in about hour or so, I can give you a ride if my house isn't far from-"
"Thank you but I think I got it from here." I stated, waving my hand as I exited out of the entrance doors.
Amanda had a good spirit but that babyfather of hers was nothing but trouble.
There were stories about his questionable rap sheets therefore I wouldn't be caught dead rolling in their car or hanging around someone that can lead me in a crossfire.
The heat of the day has ebbed to a comforting warmth as the sun settled behind some buildings. My whole body was sore and a shower was definitely on my to-do list.
My brain was on five percent battery so I was in no mood for arguments tonight.
I walked down the path towards my house, my shoes slapping against the wooden steps that led to my front door. When I entered our home, I expected to be greeted with hugs and kisses but was faced with quietness instead.
This either meant that my children were asleep or Khalil took his narrow ass to play with them bad kids across the streets.
I placed my belongings on the counter and headed upstairs to my kids room. To my surprise, Maya was wide and awake, messing with my makeup kit.
I leaned against the doorway for a moment, watching her play dress up with her imaginary friends.
"What are you doing?"
She startled at the sound of my voice and dropped the brushes on the ground. I tried my best to hold in my laughter but failed miserably.
Maya turned around to face me, makeup all over her face, trying to wipe the makeup off her clothes.
"I-I was just playing-"
"Put all that shit the fuck back!" I raged and she rapidly grabbed all of the things from the dresser and some from the ground.
"Where is your brother?"
"He went with his friend Rodger."
"That boy-" I took a deep breath before heading downstairs.
"You're late again." My father shot as I grabbed my phone and keys from the kitchen table.
"I had to work overtime." I replied.
"Hm. I had to cancel my prayer meeting because you were not here in time to watch my grandchildren and I cannot keep missing them. You need to fix your schedule or-"
"It won't happen again." I reassured him.
"You said that last time and the time before that so please spare me the bullshit. Onika, you need to step up to the plate and stop-"
"Oh, I'm sorry!" I interjected and put my hands on my hips. "Am I not paying you? or helping pay your debts? therefore it shouldn't matter whenever I decide to clock out especially since I'm not the daughter who's trying to sell my ass!?"
"You need to put a muzzle on that mouth of yours." He retorted, following behind me into the hallway.
"Yeah, whatever."
"Onika, I understand your hurt and frustrations about them but you're no longer a teenager and need to stop blaming me and carrying so much pain because-
"My teenage years weren't not only bad when he started but also when he got caught."
The dynamics of our father daughter relationship has always been indifferent. I blame my parents for a lot of things especially for allowing that monster to sleep underneath my bed.
"I'm sorry babe-"
"I'm going to check the mail." I adjusted the lapels of my jacket and left the house, wandering to the front of our lawn and checked our mailbox. "Let's see, bills, bills and more-"
"Mama, watch this!" I whirled around and saw Khalil doing a trick with his bike. Although the young man had a good balance, he was in the middle of the streets and knew better!
"Khalil get your ass out of the streets before I whoop your ass!" I shouted.
"But ain't no cars-"
"Now."
He blew out his cheeks, rolling his eyes and began moving to the sidewalk. Right on que, a truck came racing down the street and sent me into a frenzy.
I dropped everything and rushed toward him, hoping to grab him in time before the vehicle got close.
However, the driver must've pressed hard on the brakes as the truck came to a complete stop, a couple inches away from Khalil's small body.
The people inside of the car let the windows down, laughing, while Khalil just stood there, scared out of his mind.
"You lost or something nugget?"
"Khalil!" I yelled and grabbed his uninvited attention. "How many times do I have to tell you to stay out of the streets? Get in the house."
"Yes ma'am." He rushed inside of the yard, trailing his bike behind him.
"Damn ease up little mama." The group laughed some more.
"I was talking to my child, get y'all eyes checked stupid motherfuccas!" I scowled at them and walked back towards our mailbox ignoring their owl calls and laughs.
Soon enough, the car engine roared and I assumed that they sped off which wasn't the case.
I bent down and started picking up the mail, my phone and keys. "Stupid ass clowns." I muttered and rose to my feet and to my surprise, that same black truck was parked across the street.
The four stooges jumped out of the mercedes-benz suv and met up with some dudes that were posted up at the apartment units across from my house.
All of them were dressed and meandered around apartments like typical neighborhood dope boys. except for one.
She leaned against the car door, revealing only half of her beauty but what was shown, definitely something to take a double look at.
Shorty was a giant compared to my height, glossy caramel complexion and had a rough demeanor that necessarily didn't match her flamboyant swagger.
When she turned her head in my direction, our eyes finally locked.
She froze for maybe four whole seconds, her eyes roamed my body, then she resumed chopping it up with her friends.
"Whew!" I let out a harsh breath and began stalking up the steps. I came to a stop once someone yelled out some childish ass remarks.
"Yo shorty, when you go let me ride that thang!?"
I looked over my shoulders and yelled, "Boy you can't afford me let alone some bar of soap to wash your ass." then proceeded my way into the house.
The rest of the evening went somewhat smoothly like any other day. Once the kids were asleep, I ran me a nice bubble bath and reflected on a lot of things.
I wanted my children to reach their highest potential of life and chase their dreams instead of drowning in sorrow like me.
My childhood home was never built on a strong foundation and there were a lot of skeletons in my closet that I prayed to always keep hidden.
The only hope I had left was for this new move to be successful and much better than before.
"To new beginnings." I smiled through my tears and took a sip of wine.
-•-
What are y'all feels on this story so far? Any predictions?🤔Nicki and her father got hidden animosity toward each other or what? 🤣🙃 Will this move be a good start for not only her but her children as well? Hmm 🍵👀 .. #StayTuned
Thoughts?
Vote and comment plz
Excuse any errors~ Bre❤