After taking a shower and handling my hygiene, I walked out to see Jayda had already changed her clothes. She held my favorite pair in her hand, and I didn’t hesitate to put them on.
Afterwards, she straightened my curls, slicking it back into a nice ponytail. Mama blessed us with long pretty hair, and I swear we got Native American somewhere in our family.
I had a watch on my wrist, so when I looked down and noticed the time, I rushed her ass out the room. I don’t know how long it’ll take us to get there, but my appointment is in fifteen minutes. She was going in the kitchen before I stopped her, pushing her towards the front door.
“Damn. I can’t get water?”
“No!” I spat, tugging on her arm. “Bring your bald-headed ass on.”
She sucked her teeth but didn’t fight me when I moved to the side, letting her walk out first. I wouldn’t put it past her to try and turn back around.
I put the address into her GPS system as my mind raced with thoughts. I’ve always been an independent person, so it’s a different ballgame now that somebody else will have control over what I do.
Exhaling deeply, I said a quick prayer for everything to go okay. I don’t need any more problems, so I’ll do my best to cooperate and follow the rules of the game.
Jayda took her eyes off the road to shoot me a worried glance. “You okay, cousin?”
I cut my eyes at her. “I’m good.”
When the GPS indicated we reached our destination, I sat up and noticed we weren’t too far from my house.
“You need me to come with you?” she asked, her eyebrows knitted together. I was about to tell her yeah until I took in her maxi dress and slippers. I don’t need her going in there dressed like that.
“No, I’m alright. You can wait here. I won’t be long.”
I didn’t really know that, but I’m guessing it’ll be at least an hour. I’ll have to sign paperwork, and I’m assuming whoever I’m assigned to will go over rules and shit to try and intimidate me.
“Good luck, cousin,” she muttered with a tight smile. I can tell she’s nervous for me, but she can’t be as nervous as I am.
When I opened the door, it was one dude sitting in the corner. His gaze locked on mine, before he licked his lips and ran his eyes over my body lustfully. He gave off an eerie vibe, the kind that told me he was somebody I should stay away from.
I shivered uncomfortably, and avoided making eye contact. This was the bullshit I was telling Jayda about, and I’m glad I had her stay in the car. I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, walking up to the counter. A lady was sitting on the other side of the window on her cellphone. She had to have felt my presence with how close I’m standing, but she didn’t look up once.
I cleared my throat, hoping it’ll make her look my way. It’s too early to be snatching weaves, and she lucky I was tryna do right this time.
I brought my hand up and hit the call bell twice with my palm.
“Good morning, my name is Baby Wilcox, and I’m supposed to meet my parole officer,” I said in an attitude.
She twisted her face, and I’m not stupid enough to say I wasn’t expecting this reaction. I knew what my life would be like once I was released. I’ll always be a criminal in other people’s eyes.
I can feel my blood starting to boil, so I exhaled slowly, tryna stay in control.
“I’m Lauren. You can have a seat,” she replied emotionlessly. “He’ll be right out.”
I bit down on my tongue and gave her a curt nod. I wanted to curse her ass out for treating me like I’m less than but decided to bite the bullet and do what I’m told. I can’t get mad every time something like this happens.
I made my bed and no matter how hard it may be, now I gotta lay in it.
I grabbed one of the magazines from the coffee table to look through while I waited. I wondered if Leah could take me to look for a job when I'm finished, since I’m already dressed for the occasion. I’m not used to sitting on my ass all day, and this was a change in pace for me. I’ve been working since I was fifteen, got my first job as a freshman in high school.
Although auntie Misha made sure we had the necessary things, like food and a roof over our heads, I paid for everything else. I made sure Leah rocked all the latest shoes and shit like the other kids, not wanting her to feel like an outsider, like she wasn’t worthy of having what they had.
“Miss Wilcox.” A deep baritone voice stopped my train of thought.
Goosebumps grew on my arms, butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach at the sound of his voice. He called to me like a siren, and had me stuck the minute I laid eyes on him.
Fuck me, he was fine.
