Page 9 of Cause When You Love Someone
“Ma, I don’t understand why you’re upset.” I groaned. “I thought all press was good.”
“Not when you have brand deals on the line! We all know reality TV is fake, so those white people don’t care when you cut up on screen. Showing your ass in the streets is different.”
I freed a gust of air through my nose. “My supporters are people who look like me. I don’t have time to impress a bunch of palm-colored vultures. They’re askingmeto promote their products, not the other way around.”
“Oh. You don’t have time for that, but you have energy to give a nigga who don’t know his place? You’re hustling backwards.”
I giggled at her slick comment. “You want to be a pimp so bad.”
“Girl, please. If I was a pimp, I’d be in here beating your ass for fucking up my money.”
Simone snickered, reminding me she was in the room.
My mom’s face was scrunched up as she walked up to Simone with a stiff finger pointed in her direction.
“Raggedy Ann, I don’t know why you’re laughing. I’ve been telling Clarke since you guys were in high school, you’re a bad influence.”
Simone pressed her fingers into her chest. “Moi? I rebuke that statement. I remind Clarke of her power.”
“Bullshit. You’re a professional crash out who loves dragging my baby into your shit.”
My baby.
The candid lady loved to code switch between a loving mother to a soulless manager. At one point, I thought her rollercoaster behavior was a result of losing my dad, but fifteen years later, she still hadn’t found balance.
“Enough of all the back and forth,” I declared. “Nobody knows it was me. I had something over my face. Anyone who says my name is assuming.”
Surges of air worked my mom’s ribcage. “Timon and Pumba, give me a minute alone with Clarke’s silly ass.”
Sage hurried out of sight, but Simone giggled before she strolled away. I returned her childish gesture while tucking my legs under my butt.
Once everyone cleared out, my mom retrieved a small stack of papers from a purse I knew she used my money to buy.
“Here.” She guided the documents to my hand.
Amusement brought a twist to my lips as I skimmed over the first page.
“See. You think this is a joke. That’s why I’m hiring someone to look after you.”
“What? I don’t need a handler.”
“You need something, little girl! I’m looking into a few private security firms. I’m hiring a bodyguard.”
I scoffed. “Why not just train me on how to use a gun?”
“Clarke, please. You’re reckless. I saw what you did with a bat and a wig. I can only imagine what you’d do with a gun.”
I jumped out of my seat. “I already have a guard.”
“Chunks was a temp, and he was horrible. You’re not filming right now, but you’re always outside. Did you forget someone snatched your jewelry off your body? My decision is final.”
“Mama, I’m twenty-six. You can’t?—”
“As long as I’m working as your manager, I can do more than you would like to believe,” she interjected. “I’m setting upinterviews for next week, so look up some of those companies, and let me know which one you’re feeling.”
Years of being bossed around by my mom taught me when to let her have her way, or at least make her think she was running the show. That’s what I tried to convince myself.
“Are we done? I want to get on live for a few hours.”
