Page 18 of U + Me

“Oh, you one of those people that do facials.”

“Jack of all trades ain’t cha.” I chuckled but respected her hustle.

“Something like that. Look, college ain’t for everybody and I’m not trying to rack up a big loan with the department of education. I’d rather hustle legally and be self-made, ya know. What about you handsome, I can already tell you play football or wrestle.”

“Both.”

“I knew it. You got that look.”

“While you both decide on what you would like to order, take a peek at the dessert menu, and let me know what you like. It’ll be my treat on the house as a graduation gift.”

“That’s really sweet of you, does that include his momma too? If so, I’ll take a slice of that vanilla bean cheesecake. I was gon’ order me one any way,” my mom requested.

“Of course it includes you as well.” Tiffany chuckled as she looked at me with a twinkle in her eyes. “I’ll give you both a few minutes while you overlook the menu, and I get your drinks. The restrooms are straight to the back in case you need them.”

The whole time Tiffany was looking directly at me, and I saw right through her. What waiter ever offered to tell you where the bathroom was unless you asked them. This broad thought she was slick.

Soon as she walked off my mom went in.

“That girl likes you. She seem cool, and she older than you and don’t care. That means she likes what she sees.”

“I ain’t worried ‘bout that girl.”

“But you worried about the other one that got yo crazy tail locked up. Darius, move on from KK and let it all go. Tomorrow starts a new journey for you and you sitting there looking like someone slapped you for no reason.”

“If you wasn’t smashing Todd, would you still not like KK?”

“What did you just say?”

“If you weren’t smashing?—”

“I know you a lie!” My mom cut me off. “Who you think you talking to, Darius? You might think you grown but I’ma always be yo momma. Watch yo damn mouth! KK gon’ fuck around and get you cussed out on this good damn day.”

“You hate her real bad and why? What has she done to you?”

“She sneaks in my house and has sex in my shit like she the woman of the house. Ion like none of them fast tail hussies that run behind you if you really want to know the truth.”

“Now you tripping.”

“I know she be in the basement with you Darius so you saying you haven’t been having sex with her in my house?”

“Nah, just cause she come over and chill with me don’t mean we smashing. She be trying to keep away from that grimy nigga you like to let up in the crib. So now that you know he like young girls, you still gone mess with him?”

“Darius McKinley, you gon’ make me go straight upside yo head! Ion give a damn how big you are or what sport you play. You betta watch yo damn mouth. Who you think you questioning?”

My mom talked her shit a little more as I peeped Tiffany looking at me from behind my mom. She was trying to get my attention, so I played it off like I didn’t see her. She came over to our table and took our food orders.

“I’ma run to the restroom. You said it was where?” My mom asked.

“Straight to the back, ma’am. And I’ll have some hot out the oven biscuits for you by the time you get back.” Tiffany smiled.

Tiffany walked away and my mom left and went to the bathroom. Ion think she was gone longer than a couple of seconds before she was back at our table.

“You don’t remember me, do you?”

“Nah shorty, I don’t.”

“Last year, homecoming game, Morgan Park beat the brakes off Julian and then the after party on South Troop later that night.”

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