Chapter 4
This morning, I had to go into work for a last-minute professional development.
It was the middle of July, and I still had a few weeks before I had to report to work, which made having to go in today even worse.
How dare they force us to come in during our much-needed summer break? I didn’t care if they were paying us.
I dressed in a blue sundress, flat white sandals, and of course, my denim jacket, as it was sure to be freezing in the building. After parking as close as I could to the main entrance, I gathered my things and headed inside.
“Can you believe this?” Yazmeen asked as soon as I entered the building.
“Girl, I don’t even wanna talk about it. I would’ve rather they brought us in a day earlier than have us here in the middle of July.”
“Same. This better be important. Bronx had a whole fit when I told him we had a mandatory last-minute meeting.”
Yazmeen was cool. She was my work bestie, and we hung out occasionally outside of work. Her husband was Bronx Ravens, who played for the world champion basketball team, the Onyx City Blazers. Raine was also her hairstylist.
“He’s gon’ make you quit this job sooner rather than later.”
“I know. He says it all the time. Thank God his mother moved in with us to help with the kids, or he would’ve made me quit after baby number three.”
“Listen, if me and my imaginary man were millionaires, I’d put in my resignation so damn fast.”
We laughed, but I spoke the truth.
“Don’t say anything, but this is probably my last year.”
“For real? Damn, I’m gon’ miss you.”
“No, you won’t. We’ll still see each other.”
We walked down the hall to the largest conference room in the building. A few people were already seated, including Kenai. When he saw me, he frowned before returning his attention to his phone.
“Umm, what was that about?” Yazmeen asked in a whisper.
“He’s in his feelings, I guess. I’ll tell you during our break.”
We sat on the opposite side of the table from Kenai, and I didn't realize it was a mistake until it was too late. He glared at me almost from the moment I sat down. It would be a miracle if he’d heard anything the principal said because he was too busy staring a hole in my head.
The school provided lunch for us, but we had a full hour, so Yazmeen and I opted to go to a deli about a block away. We placed our order when we arrived and sat at one of the empty tables.
“Now, tell me why Kenai gave you that stank face and has been giving you the glare of death all morning,” Yazmeen said.
I rolled my eyes. “A few weeks ago, I ran into him when I went to switch out my laptop. He was all gas, and I had to tell him to pump the brakes.”
“I thought you already told him you weren’t interested.”
“I told him I was taking a break from dating, but that was months ago. He thought it had been a long enough break, but I had to tell him he wasn’t my type because he wouldn’t back off.”
We laughed.
“Girl, if looks could kill, you’d be a goner. He looked at you like you were shit on the bottom of his shoe.”
I shrugged. “I can’t do anything about his lil hurt feelings. He’s a handsome man, but something ain’t right about him.”
“I told you that when you told me he asked you out the first time. Girl, steer clear of him and don’t do or say anything that will make him think he stands a chance.”
We were alerted that our food was ready. After picking it up from the counter, we returned to our seats and caught up while we ate. Yazmeen was married to a millionaire, professional basketball player and lived in a mansion but was one of the most down-to-earth people I’d ever met.
“Let’s get back to this school before they start talking shit. If two people are liable not to come back, it would be us, and they know it.”
The rest of the afternoon dragged, and I was glad when it came to an end. Having to sit through a useless professional development during my break would definitely make me appreciate the rest of my time off even more.
“Let’s plan a spa day with all the ladies before we go back,” Yazmeen suggested.
“Okay. I’ll talk to my sisters and the other ladies and get their availability. You talk to Jahzara.”
Jahzara was her older sister and was married to Bronx’s teammate, Dakari Bentley.
“Sounds good.”
We embraced before parting ways. Before heading home, I called my mother to see if she was home.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Ma. I was calling to see if you were home.”
“No, but I’m headed that way.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you there.”
My parents didn’t live near me, but on the other side of town. The grocery store I preferred was near their house, and I decided I’d stop there before heading home for the evening.
About fifteen minutes later, I stopped in front of my childhood home. My mother was checking the mail as I parked and waited for me to get out.
“To what do I owe this visit?” she asked after we exchanged hugs and kisses.
“Ma, don’t act like I never come to visit.”
“You come less and less as you get older, but that’s fine. What’ve you been up to?”
I smacked my lips before responding. “We had a mandatory PD today. It was a waste of time, as most of them are.”
I followed her inside, closing the door behind me because she had the air conditioner on.
“I’m sure somebody got something out of it.”
“I doubt it. How was your day?”
My mother had been a very successful art buyer for many years and had recently transitioned into the role of art dealer. She specialized in African American art and thoroughly enjoyed her chosen career path.
“It was good. A little slower than I prefer, but not bad. Are you having dinner with us?”
“What time will Daddy be home?”
“The usual time. He—”
“Who is that nigga watching the house in that car across the street?” my brother, Shyne, questioned as he entered the kitchen, startling us.
“Well, hello to you too, Son.”
“My bad, Ma.”
He hugged her and kissed her cheek before doing the same to me.
“What are you talking about?” Ma asked him.
“There’s a man in a car parked across the street. Him and his car don’t belong to the neighborhood unless there are new neighbors you didn’t mention.”
“I don’t think we got any new neighbors. Let me go look.”
The three of us headed to the front door, which Shyne had left open. Just as we stepped onto the porch, a car that looked eerily similar to Kenai’s screeched away.
“I didn’t get a good look at it, but by the way he drove away, he must’ve realized he was in the wrong place,” Ma said.
Although I had no idea if Kenai lived near my parents, I highly doubted he’d be sitting in front of their house. I decided not to mention anything to my brother because he would be ready to call the cavalry.
“Keep an eye out and let me or Jacob know if you see him lurking again,” Shyne said.
“I sure will. I’m going to start dinner,” Ma said before heading inside with us right behind her.
“Why aren’t you at work?” I asked my brother.
“I had a dentist appointment, so I left early. I was headed home but stopped here when I saw your car.”
“You staying for dinner?” Ma asked.
“You want Raine to file for divorce? She probably already started cooking, and if I come home and tell her I already ate, I might be homeless.”
My mother and I laughed. Shyne’s visit was short, and by the time my father and Indira, who lived with my parents, arrived home, dinner was ready. After I stuffed my face, I walked off the calories at the grocery store and went home.
Once inside my apartment, I unpacked my groceries, showered, and turned in for the night. The day had been a bit longer than anticipated, and my bed was calling my name.