EIGHT #2
The words landed harder than Nina expected.
She was growing tired of everyone acting as though they knew her better than she knew herself.
Her family had already made up their minds, drawing conclusions without ever bothering to ask her how she felt.
It was easier for them to judge and pity her.
She knew that they were probably whispering behind closed doors and having lengthy conversations about how she was throwing her life away over a man.
They probably thought that she was sprung on his hood dick to the point where she would abandon her own future.
But none of that was true. They didn’t know him like she did nor did they see the amazing parts of his life.
They didn’t understand the weight he carried or the sacrifices that he had to make as a made man.
“Nina,” Charis said again, her voice softer this time. “Daddy wants to speak with you.”
“Oh, now he wants to talk?”
“Please... just come.”
Nina closed her eyes for a brief second.
What was the point in her going? She already knew exactly how this would end. He’d tell her she was making the biggest mistake of her life. She’d defend the man she loved and neither of them would budge.
“I'll be there in an hour.”
η
She kissed Jio on the nose and made him promise that he would still be home when she got back. He was half asleep, so he told her whatever she wanted to hear so she could leave him alone.
Roberto asked before he turned onto her parents’ street. “Ms. Marcelle, do you want to get dropped off back here?”
“No, in front of the door is fine, thank you.”
She was done hiding and sneaking around.
Brooklyn felt weird. It wasn’t even cold outside, but the weather gave her a chill, or maybe… she felt unwelcome before she could even lift a finger to knock on the door.
Her parents' house screamed old money elegance. Nina used to adore their brownstone. Growing up, she bragged just like her mama did about the family heirloom that she used to hope to one day inherit. But now, she despised the address. The neighborhood and the mother fuckers that lived inside.
She felt the tension upon entering. She felt like she was about to testify in court with the way her family was standing in the formal living room.
Her mother was still in her pajamas, which was bizarre.
When she was growing up, they used to get a beating if they came downstairs on the weekends in their sleep clothes.
She couldn’t recall many moments seeing her mama dressed so casually.
Her hair was still tied in a scarf too. Last night must have did a number on her.
She had a look of disapproval on her face after she stared her up and down. Nina was used to it though. If they weren’t going to a gala or a charity dinner, Nina looked regular. Like normal fuckin’ people.
She wore a pair of baby sweats, a sorority sweatshirt, and flip-flops. The same dusty ones that she would slide her feet into to take Nino outside to piss.
Her father stood near the fireplace holding a glass of Bourbon. It wasn’t late enough for a drink, but knowing them, they’d blamed the early indulgences on Nina’s foolish behavior.
Her sister Charis sat curled on the sofa scrolling through her phone. Once she noticed Nina, she stopped. “You came…”
“I told you I was on the way… what’s up?”
Jacqueline looked offended instantly.
“You think this is funny?”
Nina was confused. The perplexed look on her face told her family that she was confused. “Did anyone hear me laugh?”
“Nina,” her father warned quietly.
She turned to him.
Charles Marcelle carried power differently than Jio. Jio’s power felt dangerous, whereas her daddy’s was more so inherited by default. He didn’t do shit to deserve it.
“You embarrassed this family!” Jackie said sharply.
“How?” Nina desperately wanted to know.
“You are running around New York attached to a criminal,” she hollered, holding her chest.
“My blood pressure is through the roof and it’s all your fault.”
“Oh please! Yall are blaming me for everything these days.” She shook her. head.
Jackie stood. “Do not talk to me like I’m unreasonable!”
“Ma, you walked into that bakery looking for a fight. What were you thinking?” She still wanted to know what her real reason was for causing a ruckus.
“I went to buy dessert!”
“You went to Beaumont because you knew exactly whose family owned it. They allegedly killed your best friend, so you thought you were going to go and seek revenge.”
Her mama was at a loss for words. She wasn’t used to being called out and Nina had facts to prove it.
“You wanted a reaction,” Nina continued. “But when you get one, everybody wanna act all shocked because you got what you were looking for.”
Jackie looked furious. “That family is trash. They all belong in the gutter and I’m going to make sure they’re all in jail!”
Nina’s chest tightened instantly. “No, you are not.”
Charles threw his hands up.
“Oh my god! Girl, listen to yourself.”
Nina turned and looked at him. “What?”
“You’re defending these people like they raised you.”
“They’ve shown me more kindness lately than y’all have.”
The room went still, but she didn’t care because they all knew that there was truth in her statement.
Jacqueline looked wounded now instead of angry.
“Why can’t you see that you’re being manipulated.”
Nina rolled her eyes. She knew she should’ve stayed home, nestled up with the man that they swore was the devil. “You think I’m weak enough to be brainwashed into loving somebody?”
“I think you’re lonely and looking for attention,” Charis chimed in.
Nina couldn’t do anything but shake her head as she thought, Bitch I know you not talking.
Her father sighed heavily. “Nina, we are worried about you.”
“Don’t be,” she snapped suddenly. “I am so tired of everybody talking to me like I’m some helpless little girl who accidentally wandered into the wrong relationship.”
“You are in the wrong relationship,” Charis muttered.
Nina turned toward her sister because she wasn’t about to keep sparing her feelings. It felt like Charis was coming for her and she didn’t need to do that.
“What exactly is the right relationship? A safe man? A boring man? A man that cheats? A man that don’t do shit but play golf and get drunk? Or maybe I should date somebody y’all can parade around because of his money--”
“It’s not all about money and you know that,” her dad interrupted her.
“Oh yeah…” Nina said quietly. “It’s about class rankings. God forbid he’s not richer than y’all!” she said sarcastically.
The Marcelles could tolerate wealth from almost anywhere as long as it looked respectable.
Jio terrified them because he was rich and he didn’t run in the same circles as their peers. He just wished she would love him publicly…
“You are throwing your life away,” Jackie whispered as she clenched her chest. Stress had her blood pressure all over the place.
Nina stared at her mother, she felt so sad for them because they weren’t doing anything but pushing her further into the arms of the man that they despised.
She wasn’t mad at them. However, she was super exhausted of defending her peace and happiness all because they didn’t understand it.
“Maybe I don’t want the life y’all planned for me.” In any other family, choosing a different path wouldn’t be so detrimental.
“Nina,” Charles said carefully, “You’re emotional right now.”
“Emotional?”
“Nina—”
“No. Fuck all of y’all.”
Even Nina was startled that she’d said what she’d been thinking for far too long.
Jackie jumped like she’d been slapped.
“See? This is exactly what we’re talking about. You are losing your damn mind,” Charis chimed in.
“Maybe I already lost it!” Nina shouted.
“It’s not me, nor is it Jio! It’s this FAMILY! If my grandfather were here none of this would be happening. Y’all ran Talia off and you’re doing the same thing to me. It’s not fair and I’m sick of it. I would rather struggle than keep pretending that I want to be a part of this family.”
Nobody spoke. They were all still processing. She’d addressed years of trauma. Her feelings had been bottled up for years, and suddenly, the pressure rose to the surface. She’d never signed up to be the perfect daughter nor did she ask for the spotlight.
There was no grace given. Nina was holding onto secrets that she shouldn’t have to keep locked up, but God forbid she disappoint them even more.
“I am tired,” Nina whispered. “I’m tired of feeling like y’all only love me when I’m behaving correctly.”
Jackie’s eyes filled but she wouldn’t dare let Nina see her cry. “That is not fair.”
“Nothing in this house is fair.”
Her daddy finally spoke again. “Nina, if you continue this relationship with him, there will be consequences.”
“What kind of consequences?” she challenged.
Charles held her gaze. “Don’t try me, little girl, because I will gladly humble you.”
“Again, what are the consequences?” She genuinely wanted to know.
“I’ll get the locks changed on the loft. I want the keys to your car and your salary will be all you have to live off of.”
He continued, “The company board also feels your public association with him is becoming damaging.”
Nina stared at him in disbelief. “Who told them that we’re dating? Because I’m very private, and as far as the blogs are concerned, they think I’m with Kobie.” Her daddy was a liar, but she knew that already.
“It’s speculation, but I won’t protect you.”
Her parents sucked. They’d failed her and they didn’t even care.
“That’s fine, Dad. I need to know if I should go look for a job.” She was confused by exactly what he was threatening her with.
“No,” Charles said calmly. “I’m protecting the company, and unfortunately, it’ll look bad if you step down.”
“I’ll just say I was fired because my parents couldn’t mind their business,” she shrugged.
“You are making choices we cannot support.”
Nina nodded slowly. “Yeah, so you’re cutting me off. Got it.”
She grabbed her purse.
“Nina, please don’t leave angry,” her mom had the nerve to say.
She laughed through the ache building in her chest.