Page 8 of Honey's Special Roux

“Type shit.”

Silence filled the air. I fiddled with my nails as I contemplated his offer.

“I don’t think I’ll smoke, but I would like to ride in your car. I hear how fast it can go. Can I?”

“If yo’ people let you.”

“Okay. Let me go ask.”

I took my book out of his hands and went inside. Mama and Daddy were cuddled up on the couch, watching a true crime documentary. Really, it was Mama watching and Daddy dozing off.

“Daddy, can I go out with a friend?” I asked softly.

Both of their attention went to me. Mama paused the movie.

“Where are you going?” she queried.

“We’re going to get blizzards from DQ.”

“Who are you going with?” Daddy interrogated.

“Marquise.”

They both frowned.

“It’s not a date or anything like that. We’re just hanging out. I promise.”

They shared a look between each other and finally gazed at me.

“Sweet Tea, I don’t know if I like the idea of you hanging out with that boy. He’s trouble.”

I shook my head. “Not with me. He even made sure I got permission. Y’all trust me?”

“Of course we do. It’s that boy we don’t trust,” Mama explained.

“As long as you trust me, you should be able to believe I wouldn’t do anything out of my norm. My future is too bright to let anybody ruin my life, you know?”

Reluctantly, Mama sighed. “Keep your phone on. Don’t stay out too late either.”

The grin on my face was bright as I hugged them both. “Yay! Thank you! Do y’all want me to bring you back something?”

“No. It’s okay. Just come back home in one piece.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

I waved goodbye as I grabbed my fanny pack and headed out the door.

“We have to go to DQ before we head back home,” I explained to Marquise when I locked the front door.

“Huh?”

“I couldn’t tell my parents we were going on a joyride, but I’m also not a liar, so we have to stop and get blizzards before they close.”

He shook his head. “A’ight.”

Marquise led me across the grass to his car. He didn’t open the door for me, but I didn’t care. Why would he when we weren’t together, right?

The car was almost spotless except for the half drunken water and container where he kept his weed.

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