#3
I assumed that Ray-Ray was going to drop me off at my grandma’s or something, but we got on the freeway and drove for what seemed like forever.
All my family stayed right in Fifth Ward, so I knew that I wasn’t going to any relatives’ house, especially when I saw a sign that read Welcome to Sunnyside.
Finally, we arrived at this brick house with plenty of kids hanging around it. It was not all of that, but it was better than most of the houses in Fifth Ward.
“Where are we?” I asked, looking around.
“You home.” Ray-Ray simply replied. “Grab a few of the light bags. I'ma get the heavier stuff.” he ordered.
I didn't move as I stared at the house.
“Raven.” he called out.
“Huh?” I eyed at him, curiously.
“Daddy, got you, baby girl.” he promised.
I nodded as I eased out of the truck, and slowly tipped up to the house.
I was a little embarrassed, because obviously there were people living there, and he wanted me to walk through some woman’s house, with all of my shit.
He had not discussed this with anyone, and I knew my daddy. That was not his house.
As I struggled to the front door I was trying to walk extra slow, so that my daddy could walk in and lead the way.
Right when I reached the porch, this young dude came outside.
He looked to be seventeen or eighteen, with a dirty red complexion, a slim but cut build, extremely bowlegs, thick eyebrows, long lashes, and had fine hair that was freshly tapered faded.
I can’t even front, he was fine, but I could tell that he was too old for me.
“Jahrein, help her.” Ray-Ray ordered, from behind me.
Jahrein. That was the cute boy’s name.
“Oh, shit. I aint know what you was doing.” Jahrein smirked, as he relieved me of all my bags. He sounded like he was high.
“Yeah, she gon be staying with us.” Ray-Ray told him. “Go in girl, with ya scary ass.”
I sucked my teeth, as I walked into the house. It was hot and stuffy. The furniture was alright, but it looked like it had seen better days. Actually, Tisha's house was much nicer on the inside.
On the couch was this slim woman, with a mouth full of gold, and to complete her ghetto look she sported loud honey blonde weave. She was a dirty red/brown complexion just like the boy, therefore I assumed that she was his mama.
“Baby, some wild shit just happened and I had to get my daughter away from that bitch Tisha. It’s cool, huh?” Ray-Ray asked the woman.
“Oh, this Raven.” she smiled from ear to ear. “She looks just like your ass. You know she welcomed here. Hell, she can stay before your ass can.”
“Raven, go put your stuff in the room where your daddy works out. He gon move all that shit out for you, and then put a bed in there.” the loud mouth woman told me.
Ray-Ray showed me the room, and quickly removed the workout equipment with the help of Jahrein, the cutie.
I found myself watching his muscles flex as he lifted the heavy equipment.
The temperature in the room seemed to rise a few degrees.
Minutes later, they were setting up a bed for me.
I was glad that I at least had a space to be alone, because moving into a house full of strangers was hella awkward.
Luckily, I took my comforter, radio, CD’s, and things from Tisha’s house so that added extra spice to the room.
Ray-Ray insisted that I get comfortable, and hang up all of my clothes in the closet, after he dragged in a dresser from another room for me.
I had too many clothes, so I knew that it would take a while for me to get settled.
As I took care of my clothes, the loud mouth woman came into the room.
“I’m so rude, baby. I didn’t introduce myself.
My name is Red and I’m your daddy’s girlfriend.
He has told me so much about you that I feel like I know you already.
I just want to let you know that my home is your home.
If there’s anything you need just let me know.
I mean anything. Don’t be shy, either. I know this may be a little awkward for you, but I will do whatever is within my power to make you comfortable.
I should let you know that you are the only girl under the roof besides me.
I have three knucklehead boys. Two of them live here and one is in jail.
You already met Jahrein who’s seventeen, and the other one, Jalero who’s ten, is outside somewhere. ”
“Oh, okay.” I smiled.
“And there are plenty of girls around here your age. So tomorrow you might make some new friends.”
I nodded to get her to go on about her business. It was hot enough in that house, so I wasn’t even thinking about going outside. They needed to turn on the damn air.
“The air don’t work?” I asked her, as I fanned myself.
“It’s hot, huh? That shit is broke, but we have plenty of fans. I’ll get you two.” Red told me, as she finally left the room.
A few minutes later Jahrein brought me the two fans. I was bending over organizing my shoes when I heard, “Got damn!”
I jumped at the sound of his voice, before I stood up. “Boy, don’t scare me like that.” I breathed, as I held my chest.
“My bad.” he replied as he looked at me strangely. “Here go the fans.” he placed them on the floor.
“Thanks.” I sighed half-heartedly.
“So, how old are you?” he asked, as he gazed at me. I was growing uncomfortable, because of the way he was looking at me. It wasn’t the way the boys at school looked, either. It felt like a grown man was scoping me out.
“Thirteen.” I replied shyly.
His mouth dropped. “Damn, you young. I kind of thought that you was a little older.” he stated, as his eyes examined my body.
“Oh.” I sighed.
I was feeling self-conscious about my outfit, and I really wanted to pull my tight shorts down.
“Oh. My. God. Um um umm.” he said as if I couldn’t hear him, as he stared at my na-na.
“Did you want something?” I asked him, trying to redirect his attention.
“Oh, no.” he looked up. “I was just seeing what’s up with you. So, you from the bloody nickel, huh? It’s crunk out there?”
“I mean, I guess. It’s fun sometimes, but you know how shit can get out there.”
He stopped and looked at me as if I was crazy. He was acting as if my words shocked him.
“The hood do raise y’all fast.” he smiled, as he left out of the room. I really didn't know what he meant by that, but I knew that is was going to be a long summer.