Page 60 of Not My Type
22. ATTITUDE
Zara
As I sit around the island, watching as she searches for a lighter, I’m stunned that this is his mother. She looks so young — she could’ve passed for his sister. I can’t stop staring at her. She’s sexy too.
“Chro,” she mumbles as her eyes scan the counters and she doesn’t find what she’s looking for.
“Weh the lighter dem deh mon?” she mutters to herself and hiss loudly. “Mi nuh like look fi things enuh.” I look around.
“I could go and get it from him,” I offer.
“Yeah... ” she’s distracted, her eyes are on the stove. “Mi nah think enuh,” she laughs and moves toward it.
I watch her, curiously. She clicks on the electric stove and what she does next surprises me. Mi cya’ believe mi eyes. I thought the lady wanted to heat something without using the microwave but she’s lighting her spliff. Her eyes turn to me right after with a smile, after achieving a satisfying puff from it.
“Me affi improvise yaw fren,” she beams and I can’t help smiling too. She sits around the island right after. “Yuh nuh have asthma?” she questions. Funny how her son asked me this same question too.
“No,” I shake my head.
“Yuh nuh have a problem with this?” she asks, pushing up her hand with the weed between her index and her middle finger.
“At times, but it’s fine,” I tell her.
“Oh, mi name Nickeisha, but everybody call me Nicki,” she stretches her hand for a handshake. I smile and shake it.
“I’m Zara,” I feel so shy. She looks intimidating. “Nice meeting you.” Again.
“Yeah girl same,” she relaxes and puff it again.
“So you and Nickoi,” she smiles coyly, hinting what I’m thinking. My smile grows. “Wah deh gwaaaan?” her face lights up as she laughs. I look away, blushing so hard.
“You a cute girl, yuh look intelligent, yuh carry yourself good and yuh in yer so mi know unuh a nuh fren,” she’s so bubbly.
I smile sheepishly and lean my head to the side. “So that’s his type?” I’m liking the opportunity I’m getting to know more about him through his mother.
“Well, mi nah go lie to yuh, a nuh all a the ooman dem him deal wid me like. Some a dem nuh all dat smart but dem always pretty.” She’s blunt too.
“Okay,” I nod and look outside at him talking to his friend in the distance.
“So the bwoy deh never bother you again?” her voice much deeper now. Malik.
“ No, mi not even hear back from him,” I retort.
“Well yuh inna good hands now,” she grins. “Cause one thing wid Nickoi, him ago take care a him ooman dem.”
I smirk and sip the lemon beer.
“You teach?” she narrows her eyes.
“Yeah,” I nod
She bursts out laughing — the market type, that triggers you to laugh too. “Ohhhh kayyy! Cause me know yuh fit Ms. Williams description. Woiii! The bwoy dem a go kill mi!” she laughs. I’m assuming her son, if not both.
“Uhmm... Dem talk bout m— ”
“Mommy?” Nickoi’s deep voice interrupts us. Just in time huh?
NICKOI
