Page 167 of Not My Type
I start combing his hair while putting oil in the roots. His hair isn’t hardto comb, so it’s making my job easy. I notice that he’s making a video of me combing his hair as he bites his lip and I roll my eyes, focusing on his hair. I plait until my hands get tired and he falls asleep. I’m tired too. I look at the time and it’s 5 AM.No Zara yuh need fi sleep.
I have a few more rows left so I’m going to finish it. So determined huh? That’s because I know he’s going to be on the road and a me trouble him hair. I continue plaiting his hair until I’m finally finished. I take an elastic band off the chest of drawers before I pull his hair to the back and lie down beside him. I pull the cover over my body and fall asleep.
50. TURNT
Zara
“Zara, how much time mi fi call yuh?” Mama’s voice cuts through the room, sharp and impatient. I turn around slowly, already bracing myself. The sunlight hits my face, and I squint, eyes squeezing shut. Jesus then a wah time?
I throw a hand over my eyes, blocking the glare, then slowly open them again. “A wah time?” I ask and she rests her hand on her hips.
“Almost or call it 12:00.” 12 o’ wah?? My eyes pops wide at that. Mi never wake up noon yet!
Well yuh dweet now, and a because yuh go a yuh bed 5 o’ clock.. plus yuh tired too from yo’know what, she just affi remind me, doh??
“I was tired,” I push my body up. She shoots me a look that makes my skin itch, cause I know exactly what’s going on in her mind.
“Yuh sleep late?” Mama’s eyes narrowing at me.
“Yeah...” I trail off. She eyes me for a beat, then flicks her finger toward the nightstand.
“Yuh probably need fi heat that up back in a the microwave.” I glance at the nightstand and spot a breakfast sandwich in a clear Tupperware container. “It’s there from after 8,” she tells me.
I exhale, trying to keep it cool. “Okay, thanks, mi a go hot it up when mi come down.” She nods, then walks out without a word. Mi know fi a fact say Mama know.
I push myself up off the bed, stretching before heading to his closet for another sheet set. I pull them out, tuck them neatly into the headboard, then grab the sheets from last night and head to the washroom. Before I go, I pause by the nightstand, pulling out my journal. A few quick scribbles, just like I do every day. I close it, slide it back into my bag, and head to the bathroom, feeling lighter already.
I get back to the bathroom, run through my morning routine, and slip on his tees with just a pair of lace panties. I grab my phone, check for notifications, and to my surprise, a few people actually remembers me.
A me alone check mi phone fi notifications in the morning fi see whether or not people member mi? Yeah? Oh... cause mi know a nuh mi alone!
“Nickoi, a now she just a wake,” I hear Mama saying downstairs, and I smile, knowing exactly what’s coming. Sure enough, he pushes the door open and walks in.
“Wah gwaan Mami?” he rasps.
I shrug. “Nutt’n really mi just wake, so mi just affi go get mi day started.”
He smiles. “Ah.” He opens a small box and pulls out a fresh pair of black Polo tees, black denim jeans. And, of course, his pants hang low enough that I catch a glimpse of his Polo underwear.
“Why yuh love polo so?” I question.
He shrugs. “A just the lifestyle Mami.”
“Hmm... okay,” I smile, my eyes aren’t leaving him. I know when he’s going out and when he’s not based on the way he dresses. And based on how he looks right now... he’s going somewhere. Without weeeee? him mussi’ crazy!
“So... weh yah go?” I tilt my head.
“Just a go a wah likkle party with mi fam dem,” he has the audacity. Fam?
“Family reunion?” I knit my brows, feeling offended.
Look how mi mek him come a mine... Zara a time fi yuh stop.
“Nah, it’s just a likkle party wid mi dawg dem... but mi call dem mi family,” he tells me.
“Oh,” I say. Yuh frighten mi.
He ties his Desert Clarks and approaches me. His aroma enveloping us, as he cups my breasts. I’m not wearing bra, my nipples shooting out through the tank top I’m wearing. I smile sweetly, staring up at him under my lashes.
