Page 52 of On Everything
“Wait, babe wait. We can’t go out to eat without my girl and it’s her birthday today.”
“Oh yeah. Happy birthday Ciara.”
“Thanks. But that’s okay. I’m already about to eat cereal.”
Pernelle rushed over to catch my arm just before I could pour the milk.
“You WERE about to eat cereal and now you are not. Go in that room. Get something Kairo would hate for you to wear and get dressed.”
“But you know I’m going out later. I can’t be doing stuff all day.”
“Says who? It’s your birthday. You better live a little.”
“Living and doing too much are too different things. I’m going to stay here. I want my hair to be curled tonight so you know that’s going to take me a few hours.”
Pernelle stumped her foot and rolled her eyes.
“Whatever, you bug.”
She walked back over to Emoney, and they hugged up again. My phone then chimed with a text message notification from the counter, and I saw that it was Hov so I almost broke my thumbs trying to get to his message.
Hov:Yo Ciara, Happy birthday mama. I’m sorry but I don’t know if later today will be able to happen after all. I’ll keep you updated because I really did want to take you out today. If I can’t make it. Send me your zelle so you can do what you want.
I read the message and heard his voice but that made me even more irritated.
“Just like I knew you fuckin would. Whatever.” I said to myself after responding, K, to his message. I don’t want any money from him. That’s not what this is going to be about.
“Yo, come lock the door, Ciara.”
Pernelle called out from the front door. I put my phone down on the counter and changed my mind completely about the plans just offered a few minutes ago.
“I’ll actually go out with y’all to brunch. What time we leaving?”
Pernelle smiled bright as hell because due to my disappointment from Hov, she was getting what she wants.
“We trying to make it there by 4:00. They stop their brunch menu at 6:00.”
“Okay, I’ll be ready.”
Hopefully this outing and fixing myself up help me get over feeling played. After all, I knew better and still put myself in this position so there is no need to sulk in my misery. I just have to move carefully from here on out.
Later that day
The restaurant the Brooklyn Beso that we were going to was a tropical sleek vibe that was black owned and the spot to be for brunch. I’d never been there, shit I don’t’ think any of us have from the conversation we were having in the black truck Emoney had called for us. There was Emoney and Pernelle in the back, and me and Elijah in the middle row. Everyone was deep into their phones looking at the menu excited about what would hit our taste buds. I had on a floral halter top dress I bought last summer but was told I could never wear it in public. Today I am.
Once the driver pulled us up to the front door of the restaurant and I could already hear the vibes coming from inside.
We filed out of the car one by one and when it was my turn, I stepped out, quickly having to tug on my dress. Last time I wore it, I was about fifteen pounds smaller, and my hips weren’t spread as wide.
We walked up the stairs to the restaurant and were greeted as soon as Pernelle stepped through the door first. She also looked cute in her denim tube top skirt set with some stilettos that she had been itching to wear since she stole them a few months back. As we all filed through the door, Elijah made sure to hang behind and hold the door for me.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Elijah was dressed nice today, showing that he too had run into some money. He was playing it cool today, not talking as much, and sitting calm behind his shades.
“A table for six please.”
