3. Baby
BABY
I woke up the next day with every intention of going to look for a job. However, Leah dragged me out of bed to go to the mall with her.
She claimed Valentine’s Day was coming up soon, so she wanted to hit the stores before it got busy.
“Why you ain’t ask Tranae to go with you? You know I hate shopping, Leah.”
I was seated in the passenger seat with a scowl on my face. Even when I had the time and money, I didn’t go shopping like that. I hated the crowds and all of them long ass lines I had to stand in. I’d much rather buy my shit online. That way, it’s delivered right to my front door.
“She had stuff to do. I already asked.” She glanced over at me, and I could feel her eyes on the side of my face, taking in my appearance. I had on leggings and a tank top, with a pair of retro Jordans. I had no energy to comb through my hair, so I had it in a high ponytail.
“What?”
I looked down at myself to see what the problem was. My sister is the type that likes to dress to impress, whereas I don’t really give a fuck. I need to be comfortable with what I have on. I dress up when it’s necessary.
“You wearing that? You look like you ready to go play basketball somewhere,” she spoke, while keeping her eyes on the road. I didn’t miss the way her lips turned upward in disgust, though.
“Girl, fuck you. I just got out of jail, I ain’t tryna impress nobody.” I set my elbow on the console. “If you don’t like what I’m wearing, turn around and take me home.”
A smile broke out on her face. “You know I’m messing with you. You look cute, sissy.”
I gave her a tight smile, sliding my hand from under hers. I love her, but the way she acted towards me just now left a bad taste in my mouth. Instead of saying what I really wanted to say, I decided to change the subject.
“So, tell me about Derek. How y’all met?” I thought that she’d be happy to talk about him. However, as I’m studying her, it seems like she’d rather talk about anything else.
“I saw him at Nordstrom and just walked up to him, started talking.”
She shrugged as if it was no big deal. It is to me though, ‘cause my sister’s balls ain’t that big to just walk up to a stranger and speak. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say somebody put her up to it.
“Tranae talked you into it, huh?” I asked, turning to face her in my seat.
She sucked her teeth, “No. I did it by myself, Baby. I’m not a little girl no more.”
Swerving in the parking space, she turned off the car, then huffed out a deep breath. “I appreciate what you did for me. I do. But I looked after myself for years without you.”
I arched one eyebrow in disbelief.
“Alright, say no more. I was just tryna make small talk with you, but you can keep that nasty ass attitude. I’m just gone mind my business from now on,” I held up my hands in surrender and hopped out.
She can go her way and I’ll go mine. I was looking forward to spending time with her, but fuck that.
I walked away before she can say anything else.
She tried calling out to me, but I threw up my middle finger and kept walking.
She claimed she appreciated what I did, but her behavior says otherwise. She has no idea what I gave up for her.
To kill time, I went to go find Jayda. She mentioned working at the Footlocker here, so I’m about to pop up on that ass. I would text her first, but a bitch ain’t have a phone. I’m probably the only twenty-one-year-old walking around here without one.
Auntie Misha promised to help, but she was on a fixed income as it is. I don’t need her going out of her way no more than she already has. She added commissary to my books every week, and I knew she ain’t have it like that to give in the first place.
I walked around this big ass mall twice, because I kept getting lost. It looked different from before, and I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally found it.
Pushing on the large glass door, I made my way inside, my eyes scanning the room for Jay.
“Hey, bitch. What you doing up here?” she asked in surprise, giving me a hug.
“Hey. You look pretty.” I reached out and tugged the ends of her curly hair. She had a black-and-white footlocker shirt on with black skinny jeans, and all-white Nike forces on her feet.
“I came with Leah, but I had to leave her. Why you ain’t tell me how off the chain she got?
” Folding my arms across my chest, I tilted my head to the side, waiting for an answer.
Last night, she gave me the scoop on everybody, including my auntie, but failed to mention my sister done turned into a whole bitch in these streets.
She waved me off. “You wouldn’t have listened. You blind as hell when it comes to yo’ sister, Baby.”
She started rearranging shirts, tryna make it seem like she’s working. I mean, she is right. When it comes to my sister, I can be na?ve sometimes. I know she ain’t no angel, but I can’t see her out here moving wrong. She ain’t got it in her.
“Well, I just got a fat ass dose of reality. She basically told me she’s grown, and leave her the fuck alone,” I muttered out, exaggerating the facts.
A cute ass pair of Jordans caught my eye. I sulked over to them, pouting at the fact that I can’t afford to buy anything this nice. I’m usually not a fan of purple, but I like the way it’s set up on these shoes.
“You like them?” Jayda strolled over, grabbing the shoe from my hand.
“What size you wear again?” she questioned, peering down at my feet.
“Girl, I wear six. Why?” I asked with a frown. I’m 5’6, so naturally I’m gone have small feet, but I never been comfortable with my size. People tell me I’m lucky because I can fit into kids and adult shoes.
She shrugged, telling me to hold up while she helps a customer. I walked around to look at some more while I waited.
“I figured you’ll be in here. Why the hell you just left? I was looking for you everywhere?” I glanced over my shoulder and rolled my eyes at Leah. She claimed she looked everywhere, but where else I’mma fucking go?
“You found me. You went shopping already?” I questioned, my neck craned to look inside the bag. When I did, she moved it closer to her chest. “Why can’t I see it? It’s lingerie or something?”
She didn’t get a chance to respond before Jayda walked over, a black box tucked under her arm.
“Here you go, Baby,” she said, extending her hand.
“What’s this?” I inquired, opening it up in disbelief, “Girl, you bought me shoes? You my bitch in real life.”
I flung my arms around her shoulders. Leah peaked over to look inside before rolling her eyes. They alright, I guess. Why you ain’t tell me to get you shoes?”
“She ain’t ask me to get her shit. I did it because I wanted to.” Setting her hand on her hip, Jayda rolled her neck with attitude. “That’s my cousin and she did time for yo’ ass. The least you can do is make sure she’s good.”
Leah opened and closed her mouth multiple times, as if tryna find the right words to say.
She finally thought of something when she blurted out, “Girl, whatever. You need to mind yo’ own business. I do plenty of shit for my sister.”
I ain’t mean to rain on her parade, but mama did teach us a thing or two about telling tales.
“Like what?” I interrupted with knitted eyebrows. She did nothing for me and I didn’t expect her too. Although, it would’ve been nice if she offered it. She kept quiet, and I knew she wouldn’t have a comeback. What would she have said?
Turning around, I pulled Jay in for another hug. “Thank you so much. I love you to pieces.”
She squeezed me back for a second, then pushed me away from her. “Alright, hoe. Let me go.”
We shared a quick laugh before I turned towards Leah. She stood there with a scowl on her face like she’s mad at the world, and I’m sure she’s ready to go.
She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “I’ll be over to the house later. Let me get back to work.”
I placed my bag in the crook of my arm then headed towards the exit, ignoring Leah behind me.
“Wait, Baby.”
She jogged to catch up, but couldn’t move fast enough with all the bags she was carrying. “Why you put me on blast like that?”
I cut my eyes at her. That’s what she got out of that conversation? Never mind everything else Jayda said, she’s worried about me outing her.
“I didn’t say nothing untrue, Leah,” I claimed, stopping in my tracks when I noticed the hiring poster in front of this cute boutique. “I’m going in there. Wait here.”
The bell above the door alerted the cashier to my arrival. I put on my best smile, walking up to the counter. “Hi, how can I help you? See anything you’re interested in?”
“Hi.” I pointed behind me to the open window. “I noticed the hiring sign. Is the position still available?”
She climbed off the stool. “Absolutely. I just need you to fill this out.”
She took a piece of paper and a clipboard from under the desk. “I’ll look over it as soon as you’re done.”
Another person came inside, so I moved out of the way.
I didn’t take me long to complete everything else. However, when I got to the part about criminal history, I stalled. Biting my corner of my lips, I wondered how I should respond.
Either way it goes, the shit can end up bad for me. If I lie, I’ll probably get the job, but I’m sure they’ll find out down the line. I can also tell the truth now and just hope for the best.
Ugh! Fuck it!
I circled ‘yes’ next to the question ‘Have you ever been convicted of a felony?’
After double checking everything else, I passed the clipboard back to the cashier.
It took her all of two minutes to deny me. I can even pinpoint when it happened. I watched as she skimmed across the paper before she paused on criminal history. She tried to be discreet as her eyes roamed up and down my body, but she’s clearly judging me, even without knowing the full story.
Now that she knows, I suddenly looked like a convict in her mind. I huffed out a breath and walked out without a second glance. I know she felt disgusted, because her face said what her mouth wouldn’t.