Chapter 19
Lyric pushed her cart through Target while her sisters did the same. What was supposed to be a quick run had turned into all three of them throwing random stuff into their buggies. Between household cleaning supplies, panties, bras, snacks, and everything in between, their carts were full.
"You do realize you came in here for pampers, right?" Melody asked while eyeing Lyric's cart.
"And I got pampers."
"You also got thirty-seven other things."
“So,” Lyric shrugged.
By the time they reached the baby section, Lyric's cart had somehow become even fuller. No matter how many times she told herself she wasn't buying anything else, she always spotted something she thought the twins needed.
After adding one more item to the cart, she finally shook her head at herself and pulled out her phone. The line rang twice before her mother answered.
"What?"
"Why you always answer the phone like that?" Lyric frowned.
"Because this your fifth time calling me."
"I just wanted to check on the girls."
"They fine."
"What they doing?"
"Sleeping."
"You sure?"
"Lyric, if you call me again, I'm blocking you," Cady threatened before ending the call.
Both sisters overheard the conversation and immediately started laughing. Lyric gave them both the middle finger before shoving her phone back in her purse.
A little while later, the sisters made their way toward the front of the store.
By the time everything was scanned and paid for, each of them had spent way more than they originally planned.
After grabbing their bags, they headed outside and loaded everything into Harmony's truck.
Between the cleaning supplies, baby items, and random purchases they definitely didn't need, the back of the truck was packed.
Once everything was put away, Lyric climbed into the backseat while Harmony and Melody got up front.
The second Harmony pulled out of the parking lot, the music was turned up.
Lyric pulled out her phone and started taking pictures and recording videos while all three sisters sang at the top of their lungs.
"So, have y'all decided where y'all want to eat at before I turn into this Longhorn?" Harmony turned the volume down and asked.
"Shid, Longhorn alright with me," Melody replied.
"Me too," Lyric added.
"Longhorn it is then."
A few minutes later, Harmony pulled into the parking lot. Even though it was lunchtime, the restaurant wasn’t very busy. The sisters headed inside and were seated right away.
Once they settled into their booth, none of them bothered opening their menus. They already knew what they wanted. A moment later, the waitress walked over with a smile, ready to take their order.
"What can I get y'all to drink?"
Harmony ordered a margarita while Melody and Lyric both asked for lemonade. Once the waitress walked away, Melody leaned back in her chair.
"It's okay. I only got a few more months before I can go to the bars and get fucked up too."
"Girl, pipe down because our birthday is first," Harmony laughed.
"Exactly," Lyric agreed.
Harmony and Lyric's birthdays were only three days apart, so they usually celebrated together. Most years, they did something simple, but that year was different. Not only did they have money, but they had also survived one hell of a year and deserved to celebrate.
"I wanna take a trip," Harmony said.
"Count me out." Lyric shook her head.
"Damn. Why?"
“Because I’m not leaving my daughters for that long.”
"Lyric, them babies got enough people around to watch them," Melody replied.
"I don't care."
"Well, we can still do it big here. Have a huge party or something," Harmony suggested.
"Yeah, I fucks with that," Lyric nodded.
The thought alone made her smile. She was about to turn nineteen, and she was actually looking forward to it. The past year had been a rollercoaster, but lately, it felt like things were finally starting to settle down.
The sisters spent the next several minutes throwing around ideas. Harmony wanted something big, and Lyric just wanted good food, good music, and an excuse to enjoy herself.
"We should rent out somewhere," Harmony suggested.
"Like where?" Melody asked.
"I don't know. Somewhere nice."
"As long as the food good, I don't care where it’s at,” Lyric replied.
"That's because all you do is eat."
"And?"
Before the conversation could continue, the waitress returned with their drinks and took their food order. After she walked away, the sisters picked right back up where they left off, discussing party ideas, guest lists, and which family members they absolutely did not want to show up.
By the time the food arrived, everyone was starving.
The plates looked exactly how they wanted them to, and the smell alone was enough to end the conversation. For the next few minutes, the only thing anybody focused on was the food sitting in front of them.
"I’m definitely not finishing all this," Melody looked down at the table and spoke.
"I thought I could, but…. nah." Lyric shook her head.
A few minutes later, they packed up the leftovers, paid the bill, and headed back outside. Once they got settled in Harmony’s truck, the conversation picked right back up as she pulled out of the parking lot and started driving.
The sisters spent the first part of the ride talking and laughing, carrying on like they had never left the restaurant. Lyric had just leaned back in her seat and gotten comfortable when her phone buzzed. She glanced down at the screen and unlocked it.
Shannon: Guess who came to school today?
Immediately, Lyric sat up, but instead of replying, she checked the time on her phone. Reaching forward, she turned down the music and spoke.
"Aye."
"What?" Melody glanced back.
"Marshall gets out in ten minutes."
"Say less."
Without hesitation, Harmony made a U-turn at the next light. As she drove, Lyric quickly sent a text message to Kenya. After hitting send, she slipped her phone back into her lap and used the rubber band around her wrist to pull her hair into a ponytail.
The ride to the city didn't take long, and before she knew it, Harmony was pulling into a parking spot near the bus stop across the street from the school.
All three sisters kept their eyes on the school entrance as students slowly started gathering outside.
A few moments later, a car pulled up along the curb, and Kenya stepped out. A few moments later, another vehicle pulled up a short distance away. The driver's door opened, and Ma Ma climbed out.
Seeing them arrive, Harmony rolled down her window. Kenya crossed the street first, with Ma Ma falling in beside her. The two of them walked over and stopped next to the truck, one on each side, both looking inside.
"What's up? What we doing?” Kenya looked around.
Lyric didn't answer. Instead, she sat quietly watching the crowd of students spilling out of the school. Teens gathered near the bus stops, and not long after, she spotted Angela.
"There she go," Lyric pointed.
The conversation immediately stopped, and without another word, Lyric opened the truck door and stepped out.
Harmony, Melody, Kenya, and Ma Ma followed behind her as she crossed the street.
They moved through the crowd together while keeping their eyes locked on Angela.
Completely unaware, she didn’t notice them approaching until it was too late.
With all her might, Lyric swung as hard as she could, knocking the glasses off Angela’s face. Everything afterward happened so fast, and before she knew it, it was five on one. The girls stomped Angela out while her home girls tried to break it up.
Students started moving out of the way, while others crowded around trying to see what was happening. A few people pulled out their phones while several teachers and security guards came rushing from the school entrance.
"Come on," Harmony yelled.
Nobody needed to be told twice. The sisters, their cousin, along with Ma Ma quickly broke away from the crowd and headed back toward their vehicles before security could make it over to them.
Once Lyric climbed back into Harmony's truck, she shut the door and looked out the window.
“Now…… that’s how you jump a bitch!” Harmony laughed as she peeled away from the curb.
“Yep! Now…. two down, one more to go.” Melody turned around and smiled.