It won’t be possible for me to be around Baby, and not wanna fuck the shit outta her. Not wanna kiss them pretty ass lips, I remembered. Not wanna get to know her in a way no parolee and parole officer should. Not wanna question her about whathappened that day. A nigga realized, I’m no better than D-Low, on that stupid shit.
I knew it when I opened my mouth and told the biggest lie in history.
“Nah, I can take it. I ain’t got no connection with her.”
3
BABY
I wokeup the next day with every intention of going to look for a job. However, Leah dragged me out of bed to go to the mall with her.
She claimed Valentine’s Day was coming up soon, so she wanted to hit the stores before it got busy.
“Why you ain’t ask Tranae to go with you? You know I hate shopping, Leah.”
I was seated in the passenger seat with a scowl on my face. Even when I had the time and money, I didn’t go shopping like that. I hated the crowds and all of them long ass lines I had to stand in. I’d much rather buy my shit online. That way, it’s delivered right to my front door.
“She had stuff to do. I already asked.” She glanced over at me, and I could feel her eyes on the side of my face, taking in my appearance. I had on leggings and a tank top, with a pair of retro Jordans. I had no energy to comb through my hair, so I had it in a high ponytail.
“What?”
I looked down at myself to see what the problem was. My sister is the type that likes to dress to impress, whereas I don’treally give a fuck. I need to be comfortable with what I have on. I dress up when it’s necessary.
“You wearing that? You look like you ready to go play basketball somewhere,” she spoke, while keeping her eyes on the road. I didn’t miss the way her lips turned upward in disgust, though.
“Girl, fuck you. I just got out of jail, I ain’t tryna impress nobody.” I set my elbow on the console. “If you don’t like what I’m wearing, turn around and take me home.”
A smile broke out on her face. “You know I’m messing with you. You look cute, sissy.”
I gave her a tight smile, sliding my hand from under hers. I love her, but the way she acted towards me just now left a bad taste in my mouth. Instead of saying what I really wanted to say, I decided to change the subject.
“So, tell me about Derek. How y’all met?” I thought that she’d be happy to talk about him. However, as I’m studying her, it seems like she’d rather talk about anything else.
“I saw him at Nordstrom and just walked up to him, started talking.”
She shrugged as if it was no big deal. It is to me though, ‘cause my sister’s balls ain’t that big to just walk up to a stranger and speak. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say somebody put her up to it.
“Tranae talked you into it, huh?” I asked, turning to face her in my seat.
She sucked her teeth, “No. I did it by myself, Baby. I’m not a little girl no more.”
Swerving in the parking space, she turned off the car, then huffed out a deep breath. “I appreciate what you did for me. I do. But I looked after myself for years without you.”
I arched one eyebrow in disbelief.
“Alright, say no more. I was just tryna make small talk with you, but you can keep that nasty ass attitude. I’m just gone mind my business from now on,” I held up my hands in surrender and hopped out.
She can go her way and I’ll go mine. I was looking forward to spending time with her, but fuck that. I walked away before she can say anything else. She tried calling out to me, but I threw up my middle finger and kept walking. She claimed she appreciated what I did, but her behavior says otherwise. She has no idea what I gave up for her.
To kill time, I went to go find Jayda. She mentioned working at the Footlocker here, so I’m about to pop up on that ass. I would text her first, but a bitch ain’t have a phone. I’m probably the only twenty-one-year-old walking around here without one.
Auntie Misha promised to help, but she was on a fixed income as it is. I don’t need her going out of her way no more than she already has. She added commissary to my books every week, and I knew she ain’t have it like that to give in the first place.
I walked around this big ass mall twice, because I kept getting lost. It looked different from before, and I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally found it.
Pushing on the large glass door, I made my way inside, my eyes scanning the room for Jay.
“Hey, bitch. What you doing up here?” she asked in surprise, giving me a hug.
