Page 13 of Our Mother's Sons

Baela held her hand up.

“I didn’t say that to bring up your past or to guilt trip you. I’m just saying, I’m lonely too, cousin. You know you’re my only family and friend outside of Riker, and we both know he’s out of commission. All we do is work. You just work and read fucking books. While I’m glad you’re feeding your brain, you needed some sun, and your time at the beach after work doesn’t count. It's dark as hell then. You need some human interactions. I promise I won’t have you out long nor will I push you to fuck with another nigga. I want to vibe with my fine ass smart ass cousin,” she blinked her lashes all innocently.

I know Baela didn’t mean to make me feel bad about how I’d been treating her, but I did. I let a broke ass nigga hide me from the world and he didn’t have shit on shit. How the fuck a broke nigga gone dictate some shit? Lord, I was dickmatized to the fullest. Even Riker let my cousin move how she wanted, whether he was in or out of jail. Just thinking about a few months ago had me wanting to vomit.

“You make me sicccck,” I rolled my eyes.

“I know. That’s my job. Now, here, have the rest of my drink so you can loosen up.”

Before I could stop myself, I reared my head back with a frown.

“Bitch I am not about to drink after your dookie eating ass. Unh uh.”

Baela grinned, showing her white teeth.

“You’re never going to let me live that down. I can teach your ass a few things I’m telling you. Come on, I’ll buy you a drink.”

We were in front of a bar, so we went to the service window and ordered two daiquiris. I sucked down the one I was drinking, tossed it an wrapped a paper towel around the new drink. Even though I wasn’t as done up as my cousin, I was still turning the heads of a few men. I’d added conditioner to my hair and took my time thumbing my curls. They were extra big and popping today. I wasn’t in the mood for makeup, so I did basic liner and added shades. I wasn’t as fashionable as my cousin, mainly because I couldn’t afford the brands she wore, so I was sporting a pair of fringed Levi's shorts that a white tube shirt was tucked into. On my feet were brown moccasin style sandals with the matching bag crossed over my body. The weight I’d yet to loose was showing as my ass cheeks peeked out of the shorts. It was why I constantly pulled the fabric out of my thighs.

“Every time you get me drunk. My legs end up wrapped around some random’s waist.”

“Girl!” Baela nearly spat her drink out.

“You need to stop lying. I was shocked you even went home with that dude. Usually the only thing I can dare you to do is dance for a nigga. You can’t lie like he wasn’t worth it, though.”

It had been nearly three weeks since I had my one-night stand, and I was still thinking about that man. I damn near wanted to kiss his mama in the mouth for pushing his fine big dick ass out. Ain’t no way a man should have been gifted with the ability to make a woman cum as hard as he had. I was still embarrassed from the poot I let out.

Shaking that God awful night out of my head, I followed my cousin down the boardwalk. A cotton candy stand made my mouth water, but I couldn’t eat sweets and drink simultaneously. It was either one or the other. Had I been on my period, I would have joined that long ass line though.

“Ohh, it’s a new Neiman’s store that opened on Ocean View Drive, let’s head over there.” Knowing I had no intention of spending any unnecessary money, I nodded. Ocean View Drive was where all the rich shopped, but it was way out of my budget. I’d only gone there once, and that was to use my light bill money to buy my ex some designer sneakers that he insisted on having. He didn’t give a damn that he didn’t have a dime on the bills. Needless to say, he was sharp as hell while we sat in the dark for two days until I got paid again. That was the dumbest shit ever.

The further Baela and I ventured away from the crowd, the more relaxed I felt. One thing I liked about this area was how beautiful it was. It gave Miami vibes, but in the best way. I wouldn’t be able to afford the homes in the area in a million years, but it was nice to fantasize about.

“Damn that’s a sexy ass car.”

A tan Lamborghini cruised by with music blasting so loud that the entire street vibrated. We watched it until it turned the corner. Six-figure cars weren’t uncommon in this area. Hell, cars that weren’t a hundred thousand or better stood out more than the foreign ones. It took us about twenty minutes to get to Neiman’s, and once we discarded our empty cups, I was good and tipsy walking into the store.

That typical expensive fragrance designer stores held greeted us as we walked through the sliding doors. With the temperatures outside rising, the store’s thermostat was set on Antarctica, and I wasn’t complaining. No sooner than we walked in, I ached at the sight of the neatly folded clothing on the tables. We’d walked into the baby section, and I had to bite down on my back teeth to not fall back into my depression. Biting my lip, looking away from the pinks, blues, and neutrals was hard. The sight of the baby’s clothing aroused old fears and uncertainties. I swallowed hard and became more uncomfortable by the minute as my dismay grew.

“And Riker is talking about getting me pregnant when he comes home. No matter how cute these clothes are, this pussy not an exit, it’s an entrance,” Baela tugged me away from the section. Her warm and moisturized hand brought me back to reality, and I could feel myself settling down as we ventured further into the store and out of the baby department.

When the men’s department came into view, I felt better and had my feelings in check. Who would have ever known mediocre dick would have ruined my fucking life?

“Oh, hell, yeah, Riker needs these.” Baela held up a nice pair of green low-top Prada sneakers. Standing beside her, I picked up an identical pair of blue shoes and flipped them upside down to see the price.

“Oh wow. Too much for me.” I put the eight hundred and ninety-five-dollar shoe down like a hot potato. I made decent money, but couldn’t justify spending that type of paper on a sneaker. Without even blinking, my cousin waved the sales associate over. The dirty blonde was smiling at two men whose faces I couldn’t see - only the backs of their heads. One was in an orange fitted cap while the other rocked fresh braids.

“Damn she the only sales associate in this bitch?” Baela frowned as she picked up another Prada shoe, that one being black.

“That must be a sign not to buy. He gets out in three years, Baela. Spending a thousand dollars on shoes that may or may not be in style makes no sense.”

Baela tossed her hair behind her shoulder.

“Oh, he’s going to wear everything I bought. I don’t give a shit if his foot grew, he better hop around in them bitches like the easter bunny. Ma’am! I’m trying to spend some money the fuck!”

I groaned at Baela’s outburst. That girl didn’t care what came out of her mouth. I always told her she was the ghettoest nurse I’d ever seen. That sales associate cut her eyes at us and shot a menacing glare, but she didn’t move. Instead, both guys turned their necks in sync, and it caused me to stumble backwards. If it weren’t a table to break my fall, I would be on the floor by now. Baela dropped the shoes on the table and grabbed my arm, holding me upright. Two sets of eyes were still on us, and I couldn’t look away even if I stuck my hand in my eye sockets to move them.

“Bitch! I know we was drunk that night but ain’t that’s the nigga you fucked?”

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