SCARLET
My
heart was just beating fast, black parents never understand things easily, and
especially things like bringing a man inside the house. I knew mom was going to
trip somehow. I looked at Twanda.
Quinton:
I'm sure your mom won't kill you.
Me:
she won't kill me but you! you shouldn't have come here in the first place..
God!
Quinton:
but I'm here
Me:
Twanda?
Twanda:
ok.
Me:
can you go with him to his room, stay there until I tell you to come out.
Quinton:
what about my car?
Me:
I will deal with it… just go.
They
stood up & left as I took the first aid kit & placed it in my room.
When I came back in the sitting room mom had already gotten in.
Me:
Mama
Her:
shouldn't you be at work?
Me:
yeah but we closed early today.
She
just nodded.
Her:
& the car outside?
Me:
ummh some man parked it… he asked to park it there because he was going to the
police.. Ummh apparently the kids.. the students at Twanda’s school broke it.
Her:
ok… I'm going to rest now.
She
then walked away. Something was wrong but I didn't want to ask because it would
prolong the conversation. The minute she closed the door I rushed to Twanda’s
room.
Me:
Quinton you have to go.
Quinton:
what about work? you should be there in 5 minutes.
Me:
I will go to work tomorrow. You have to leave now!
Quinton:
my hand is painful.
Me:
what the fuck nigga or you white?
Quinton:
I'm 100% black.
Me:
don’t make me throw you out through the window.
Quinton:
I'm serious it’s painful… I didn't drink the painkillers they make me sleepy &
I hate pills.
Me:
what do you do when you are in pain?
Quinton:
I just face it.
Me:
what do we do now? you need to leave!
Quinton:
let me call my friend so he picks Makeila from preschool then come & pick
me up.
Me:
no.. You need to leave as in now... this second!
Twanda:
how about you drive him to town? Then the friend will take it from there.
Me:
ok… let's go.
He
stood up then we walked out to his car. I could see it wanted to rain. I got
inside his car & him at the passenger seat.
Me:
shush Michelle.
I
said to Twanda who was standing by the window.
He
nodded. I started driving away. As I was driving I saw Litia's car parked by
the corner of the street.
Me:
oh shit!
I
turned then used another street.
Quinton:
why did you just turn?
Me:
the street thugs were waiting for you, you should never come to the Ghetto, and
they don’t appreciate fancy half breeds like you.
Quinton:
so basically it's not safe here.
Me:
for you, yes.
Quinton:
what about you?
Me:
I was born in Matero, in the Ghetto… I grew up there.. its normal for me not
sissy niggas like you.
Quinton:
can't you call at work & tell them you won't be coming back?
I
took out my phone from the pocket.
Quinton:
you can't drive & be busy on the phone Carl.
I
sighed annoyed to the fullest then gave him my phone.
Me:
look for Antoinette.
He
browsed through then put the phone on loud speaker as he dialed her number. It
rang for a while until she answered.
Her:
Carl?
Me:
hey... I might not come back, I have been caught with an emergency.
Her:
ohh ok... see you tomorrow then?
Me:
yes.
Her:
ok bye.
Me:
bye.
She
then hung up.
Him:
can you please drive to Makeila's school?
Me:
where is her mother?
Him:
passed on.
I
kept quite not knowing what to say.
Me:
can you please direct me.
He
directed me to the preschool. It was actually a fancy preschool.
I
parked by the gate.
Him:
let me go get her.
He
got off the car then came back after a while with her. She was dirty & was
holding some painting.
Quinton
opened the door for her then she got in. After that he also got in.
Me:
can you now call your friend? I have to go back home before it starts raining
I
said as I drove away from the preschool.
Quinton:
ok.
He
took out his phone then called the friend.
Him:
Blank! dawg I need a favor.. Can you meet up with me at Acardes. I want you
take Makeila home.. yeah.. ok thanks.
He
then hung up.
Me:
What about you?
Him:
I'm going to make sure you arrive safely at home!
Me:
do you have a death wish?
