Page 18 of Ghetto Heartstrings
“Your brother? Yes. Your sister? Nah, she doesn’t want to have shit to do with a nigga, since her people put all that whack ass shit in her head about me.”
“And they’re both here?” she questioned. She couldn’t believe this shit; her daddy never ceased to amaze her.
“Yep,” he confirmed.
Brook’Lynn took a twenty-dollar bill and placed it on the table. “I’m gone, daddy. I don’t have time for this.”
He glared at the money and couldn’t help but to laugh. “Baby girl,” he said while picking it up, stuffing it in her pocket.“Perfect is gone. He can’t make sure you’re straight no more, so you need to be saving every penny.”
It was her turn to smile. “That’s why I went to school and bust that shit down to get my own education, I can take care of myself.”
“Can you do the same when niggas start coming after you?” he questioned. He didn’t know who Brook’Lynn thought she was. It wasn’t shit that she ever did that he knew nothing about. He would give his life for his hardhead ass daughter, but she needed to learn.
She sucked her teeth, but her heart nearly pounded out of her chest. “What niggas?”
It was his time to stand up, instead of saying another word. He pulled out a wad of money from his pocket and dropped fifty on the table. Kissing his daughter on the cheek, he walked past her, leaving her standing there. “I’ll be here for a few days!” he yelled over his shoulder.
Brook’Lynn had to get her breathing together before she headed out to her car. “Ruth…” she whispered to herself. Ruth was her great aunt, and it was true; she hadn’t seen her in forever because last time she saw her, she was acting all funny, like it was something she wanted to tell her, but was all caught up about it. It made Brook’Lynn really uncomfortable.
Then, she couldn’t help but to think about what Brody had said about her having siblings. Unknowingly, she found herself in Bunche Park on the same street that Ruth lived on. Without her consent, her body did its own thing, turning into her driveway and throwing the car in park while staring at the powder blue house that was in need of a serious paint job.
She knew Ruth was home because her old Volkswagen was parked out front and she never really went anywhere. She forced herself out of the car and walked to the front door.
“Come on in child!” She heard Ruth yell from an open window before she even got the chance to knock.
The fuck she got? Three senses?She thought to herself as she turned the knob and opened the door. Immediately, the smell of carrot cake tickled her nostrils, as she pushed her way inside the neat home. All of Ruth’s shit was old, but that was the good furniture; the shit that could last for years.
Brook’Lynn followed the smell to the kitchen, where Ruth was standing there with her apron on taking a fresh carrot cake out of the oven. Her extremely large ass and hips swayed from the side when she walked, and her grey hair was done up in some finger waves. Ruth looked mean as hell, but she was as sweet as they came, and she didn’t play the radio.
“Hey Aunt Ruth.” Her mouth watered when she spoke to the woman who was just as dark as her.
Ruth turned around and smiled after she sat the cake on the counter to cool off. Looking into her niece’s beautiful face, she put her arms around her, embracing her in a hug. “The blacker the berry.”
“The sweeter the juice.” Brook’Lynn smiled.
“You’re beautiful baby.”
“I get it from you, auntie.”
“I know that’s right,” she chuckled. “Here, have a seat, you hungry?”
“Nah, I just had breakfast. I’ll take some to go for lunch, though.”
Ruth nodded her head and grabbed a plate from the cabinet, loading it with the homemade lasagna that she had sitting on the stove as well. After fixing a hefty plate, she wrapped it in foil, placed it in a plastic bag, and tied it up before sitting it on the table in front of Brook’Lynn.
Brook’Lynn eyed the bag, “Thanks.”
“So, what took you so long to get over here and see me, child?”
Brook’Lynn humped her shoulders a little; she really didn’t have a legitimate answer. “Just life and school I guess, but I’m all finished now. I’m officially a nurse.”
Ruth threw her arms up, like she was a champion that had just won something. Clasping her hands together, she told her. “Yessss! God is good… congrats to you, my chocolate baby.”
Brook’Lynn couldn’t help but to chuckle. “Thanks auntie.”
“So, how is everything with Perfect? He ain’t came to see me either.” She frowned.
“He’s okay. He’s out of town right now, but I know he’ll come see you soon.”
