Chapter 5
Vani’s uncle came first, but they wouldn’t let me leave with them since he wasn’t my guardian.
Mama blew up at me over the phone because now I was costing her hours from work and gas in the car to pick me up from Love Heights PD.
Not only was she mad, but I was too. My ball was probably gone.
They didn’t even give me a chance to grab it.
In the old Honda Accord, Mama sat straight up, eyes on the road. Her tongue kept rolling along her inner cheek. I ran my hands down my face. Tired and in need of a shower. Just being inside the police department made my skin crawl. It made me feel dirty.
I wanted to go to the park to look for my ball as soon as she went back to work, but I refused to go out at this time of night by myself.
I couldn’t text Vani because Mama already let it be known she was taking it from me, and I couldn’t go back to the park for two weeks.
School, practice, and my games were the only places I could go.
Mama was hardly mad at me. I didn’t do much to make her mad, but she was right now.
She wouldn’t even look in my direction. Mama slammed the car door, knowing it was already raggedy.
I slowly slid out of the car and made my way to the front door behind her.
I glanced around, hoping to see someone dribbling my ball or having it tucked under their arm.
It didn’t have my name on it, but if I saw my ball, I’ll know it was mine.
Mama unlocked the door quickly with irritated motions. The second we stepped inside, she flung her purse onto the couch and spun around to face me. Her lashes fluttered from how fast she blinked. She only did that when she was fighting the urge to yell at me.
“Scottie,” she started, her voice cracking. That tugged at my heartstrings, “…I‘ve told you about being around people you don’t know. People who mean no good.”
“Mama,” I stressed, with my arms stretched, “we were hooping. We never just hoop with people we know.”
“And that’s your problem,” she huffed, pointing in my face. Her fingertip brushed my forehead.
“I was with Vani, Jalen and…and Kane.”
Her head reared back. “Who the hell is Kane?”
I lifted a shoulder and replied, “Some guy. He’s from Heart Heights.”
Mama crossed her arms, sitting on the arm of the couch. “When have you just made new friends, Scottie? You’ve been rolling with just Vani since we moved here.” Her eyes widened slightly, “Is this someone you like? Like…like-like?”
My eyes stretched. “What? No!” I almost shouted. “No,” I said, softer this time.
She shook her head as if almost forgetting why she had to leave work early to get me from the county jail. The sound of me liking a boy piqued her interest. The spark in her eyes diminished.
“Well, I have to get back to work.” She held my phone out to me. “I’m only giving this to you just in case of an emergency. Keep your ass in the house and don’t have anyone in my shit. Not even a damn…Kane.”
I squinted, confused. “Why would Kane be in the house? I don’t even like him like that. He just knows how to ball.”
Mama sucked her teeth loudly. “Mhm. That’s how it starts. You’ve seen Love and Basketball, girl.” She picked her purse back up, dropped the strap over her shoulder, and released a heavy sigh. “Boy knows how to dribble down a court and suddenly you’re interested in being friends,” she muttered.
I rolled my eyes before I could stop myself. She caught it.
“Roll ‘em again, Scottie, and I’m a roll your head right off your shoulders.” I straightened up a bit. Mama grabbed her keys. “Look, Scottie…I’m not trying to be the bad guy. I can’t afford to lose hours, and I can’t afford to lose you.”
My throat tightened. “I know, Mama. I really am sorry.”
She stared at me for a second, with tired worry lines and bags under her eyes. I didn’t want to cause more stress on her than she already had.
“Lock my door behind me, shower, eat, and go to bed. I’m not sure what’s in there, but I can grab a few groceries in the morning.” Her hand touched the doorknob. “I love you, Scottie.”
“I love you, too, Mama,” I swallowed.
Mama opened the door and disappeared. I turned the lock and leaned against it, letting the weight of what had just transpired today settle in my soul.
I ambled to my room to grab my towel for a shower.
I powered on my phone and saw the missed calls and messages from Vani.
The last one said for me to let him know when I make it home so he’d know I did.
I quickly shot him a text, dropped my phone on the bed, and left to shower.
I stayed under the spray longer than I should have, and Mama was sure to notice when her water bill came. I couldn’t get out until I felt somewhat clean. I stayed under the spray even when the water turned cold, scrubbing away the dirt and the smell of the jail.
By the time I stepped out and wrapped the towel around my body, I felt somewhat lighter. Not all the way. I slid my feet in my slides and trekked back to my room. My phone buzzed from the bed the moment I entered my room.
Vani: Ma hot ain’t she?
“Hell yeah,” I mumbled to myself, and I responded.
Me: Yeah, but not as hot as I thought she’d be. You outside? I don’t have my ball.
I dried off and put on another pair of shorts, a sports bra, and a Heartville Hawks graphic shirt. Sitting on the bed, I covered my feet with socks.
Vani: Maaan, you can get another ball Slim.
My brows dipped. Vani, out of all people, knew how much my basketball meant to me.
Me: Whateva.
Frustrated, I decided not to even go into the kitchen to eat.
I brushed my teeth, flossed, and gargled Listerine before sliding into bed.
Sometimes I wished I had an updated phone where I could get on social media.
I felt shut off from the world, and at times, that was a good thing.
Right now, I wanted to know if people were talking about what had happened at the park.
I wanted to know who the hell those guys were and if they were online talking shit.
I wanted to find out about playing ball for money.
I wanted to know a little more about Kane Stone.
Practice was canceled and I was okay with that.
One of my calf muscles had been bothering me and I needed to rest it.
I was still down about my basketball. Before school this morning, I went out to look for it and came up empty handed.
There was no way I could ask my mama to buy another one, She might, but the money she made was for food and bills.
I hadn’t seen Vani all day at school. That wasn’t unusual, but he normally sent me a text when he wasn’t going to school or if he left early. Maybe he was mad at me because I was mad at him. Vani could be petty like that.
Walking up to my apartment, I spotted a square box near the door. I squinted, adjusting my backpack on my back. I picked the box up and in marker it read:
Don’t worry, be happy -KS
Kane Stone.
I didn’t even wait to open it inside the apartment.
I tore open the box and my heart clenched at the sight of a brand new ball.
My cheeks hurt from the smile on my face, but then it quickly diminished.
Why did Kane Stone buy me a ball and when did he drop it off?
It had to have been dropped off because there wasn’t a shipping label anywhere on the box.
Our elderly neighbor, Ernestine, opened her front door. Her gray hair was all over her head. She wore a zebra print muumuu and held a coffee cup in her hand.
“Some young cute boy came about ten minutes ago, and put that on your porch,” she pointed out.
“Hey, Ms. Ernestine,” I said, with a small wave.
I hurried inside before she held me captive because older folks loved to talk. Tossing the box to the side, I took the ball to my room and sat on my bed. Was I supposed to thank Kane or cuss him out for coming to my apartment unannounced. If he’d left a few moments ago, he’d just missed my mama.
Removing my phone from my backpack, I sent Kane a message after unblocking him.
Me: Thank you…I guess. You didn’t have to buy me a basketball.
I kicked off my shoes, removed my socks and laid down. Mama would fuss if she knew I was in my bed in my outside clothes. It would be just for a moment. I was about to shower, find something to eat, and start on this essay paper for English class.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number: No thanks needed. You busy?
Me: Yeah, sort of. I just got home.
I sat up because if I continued to lie down, I’d fall asleep. I stood and began peeling out of my clothes until I was in my panties and sports bra.
Unknown number: Want to hoop? Just me and you. I’ll come scoop you.
I nibbled on my dry, bottom lip. Mama told me I wasn’t to leave this apartment, but hooping with Kane was tempting. I mean, he did buy me a new basketball. I was ready to test it out. Mama would be at work until the morning. What she didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt.
Me: Okay, Just for a lil’ bit.