Jacqueline Marcelle stood near the register in a camel coat, diamond earrings sparkling beneath the soft lights, her purse clutched tightly in one hand. She looked furious… and humiliated.
Behind the counter stood Jio’s aunt, Valencia, whom everyone called Auntie Vee. She was a pretty older woman with deep brown skin, silver-streaked hair pulled into a bun, and eyes sharp enough to cut a ribbon. She wore a black apron dusted lightly with flour.
Two other women stood behind her, ready for whatever.
Nina stepped forward.
“Mama, I told you to leave.”
Jacqueline turned immediately.
“Do not mama me.”
Nina exhaled slowly. “Why are you doing this?”
“What happened is I came into this establishment to purchase dessert, and these people have refused to serve me.”
Auntie Vee laughed but wasn’t nothing funny.
“These people?”
Jackie’s eyes narrowed. “That’s what I said, didn’t I?”
She stepped from behind the counter slowly.
“Nina, I like you but your family’s money is no good in here. Please escort your mother out before my nephew gets here.”
The room silenced.
Nina moved instinctively between them. “Jio is busy.” She tried to pull on her mother’s arm, but she jerked away.
“Mom, come on… please let’s go.”
The last thing she needed right now was big daddy pulling up. He had a sweet spot for his auntie, so she knew that she wouldn’t be able to keep him calm.
Jackie scoffed. “Jio is busy,”she mocked her baby girl. “Busy doing what? Selling drugs! Poisoning our community!” Her tone reeked of disgust.
“Why are you doing this?”
Her mama seemed unrecognizable. She wanted to know what prompted her to stop by the bakery and act an ass. This was completely out of her character.
“Because I’m busy too and I’ve wasted my day by being here for an hour. Give me what I asked for!”
Nina again wondered if her mama was drunk or something.
Auntie Vee’s face hardened again. “You won’t ever get a crumb out of my bakery again. Now, I’m not going to ask youto leave again.” Her eyes found Nina’s. She warned her without saying a word that shit could get ugly.
Jackie lifted her chin. “It’s just interesting to watch everyone pretend this is normal.”
Nina’s stomach sank.
“Mom….”
“No,” Jackie snapped. “Y’all think you're untouchable but you’re not. I’ll have you shut down so fast you won’t even be able to blink.”
His auntie tilted her head. “Is that a threat?”
The bakery went silent.
