Page 106 of In the Safety's Zone
“I’m dead ass. When you win it, bring it.”
“Is this a bet?”
“Whatever you need to get your mind right. I’m ready to stroll up to Leo’s and order my shit with living Black history by my side.”
She giggled again but it was low indicating she was fading. “You’re never going to stop telling me that are you?”
“I gotta say it to you until you believe it. Change up that inner voice to one that’s always positive right?”
“Right. And thank you for the heads up.”
I nodded knowing she needed to get back to sleep but hating for her to have to go.
“Ain’t shit. We in this for the long haul so we not about to let little shit get us off our game. Rest up, AP. You gotta get one step closer to history tomorrow.”
APHRODITE
“IT’S YOUR FIRST time back here since you ran away and embarrassed us. Is this a sign that you’re ready to come to your senses?”
I couldn’t frown at my mother who was clearly being the mouthpiece of my father. He was standing behind her gloating as if he thought they’d cornered me. He knew better than to behave like this but I guess they felt that since we were all under the same roof that this would mean something. With the cameras that were directed my way, they knew I wasn’t going to act up so I kept the smile on my face despite wanting to move away from them.
I’d only been away from Anthony a few days and I was secretly wishing that he would’ve been able to come with me. His last pre-season game was this week and I had to be here before the official start of the games.
“My sense? Yeah, I came to them a while ago. Hence the reason you all are in the position you’re in now.”
I nodded to the photographers to make my way off of the step and repeat. My parents followed behind me and I didn’t know why they wanted to do this here but I had no problem airing out their dirty laundry in front of all these people.
“I’m absolutely going to ask you again, why are you trying to pull this power trip?” My father stood in front of me blocking me from trying to escape this conversation.
I nodded to several sponsor representatives and waited until they’d passed by before I acknowledged what he’d said. “Powertrip? I gave y’all plenty of warning that you needed to get out. It’s not my fault that you thought I was joking.”
“We are living in anapartment, Aphrodite. Anapartment!” My other acted like she was stuck living in the slums. I was sure the apartment she was in was probably nicer than most people’s homes but it wasn’t what she had grown accustomed to.
“Then buy me out of the house when my tenant’s lease is up in two years. I made you both that offer before I put it on the rental market and y’all tried to call my bluff. It’s not my fault it backfired on you.” I kept my voice down trying to keep my cool but they were trying my patience.
It was warmer than normal in New York and I was dressed in a blue and white patterned dress with my locs in a braid. My parents were both in labels and I was sure their outfits were brand new.
“You are about to have such a big match; you really want this to be the headline?”
My father would try to use the thought of ruining my legacy to blackmail me but I’d learned to ignore the headlines. People had been talking shit about Anthony and calling me a fool for being with him for months. I’d been called a cheater and had my character questioned and much of it stemmed from the way my father and mother allowed Chris to frame our relationship after Wimbledon, hoping to capitalize off my win and the announcing of my relationship with Antwan. They could all go to hell as far as I was concerned.
“Do what you feel is necessary. The house is occupied and there’s a legal contract that I’m not going back on. And with the headlines part, I’ve been dodging them all summer without issue. I’m sure part of my PR team will have fun going after whoever wants to spread lies about me. I’m more than capable of providing proof for my side of the narrative. Can you say the same?”
“And what are we supposed to go?”
“Your husband has money, he’d just rather conserve it for his own purposes. Instead of paying bills, he wanted to put the burden of our household on me. If I don’t want to continue to fund your life, that’s a you problem presently. I have my own life to live.”
“I bet you have no problem giving that thug you’re running around with money. How much is he getting that you would leave us out here without a way to earn a living?”
“Not a dime. That’s the great thing about it. You’ve been all in my business so I’m sure you’ve seen the contract that he’s getting ready to sign as soon as he makes the last cut. You know he doesn’t need me for anything. Can you say the same?”
More people streamed by stopping to speak and a few asking for me to sign autographs and merchandise. My father silently seethed when only a few people acknowledged him.
My father didn’t waste any time when people moved around before he came back at me again.
“You’re going to regret doing this.”
I shrugged because no matter what he threw at me I was going to handle it and move forward without hopefully missing a step.
