Page 3 of Fire & Roses: Harli

“Whoa, let’s fix that lil’ statement of yours. The only reason y’all fundin’ anything is because y’all got all these stipulations for a nigga. If it ain’t y’all way then it ain’t the right way. In what world would that be fair? And for the last time, I ain’t marryin’ no fuckin’ white bitch just to appease y’all!”

“Travis!” My mom’s voice roared. “Bruce, go to the room. I’ll handle it from here.”

My dad walked past me, but I could tell by the look on his face he had some shit to get off his chest. With my mom really running the show, he did as he was told and retired to his room. Once I was sure he was in the room, I walked past my mom and went to the kitchen. After I grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge, I turned to face my mom, who was standing in the threshold.

“Lay it on me,” I sighed before taking a swig of my water.

“Travis, you have to know that me and your dad only want what’s best for you,” she reasoned.

“No, y’all want to control me. And when I leave and never return, I want you to know that’s the reason.”

“Don’t say that. All we want is for you to take over the shoe store for us. We have to trust that you’ll be able to handle it once we’re gone.”

“Y’all want me to run a store that caters to black people but not be in touch with my blackness.”

“That’s not true!”

“Yes, it is. I don’t run or shy away from my blackness. I know that I’m a nigga and I know these white folks will only see me as that. No matter if I marry a white girl or not, I’ll never be on the same level as them. I’m not like you and dad, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just something I don’t want to do. Hopefully one of these days, y’all will respect that, but until then I’m going to bed because I have to be at the store in a few hours. Unless y’all fired me.”

“No, we didn’t fire you.”

“Good, I guess. Good night.”

“Good night, baby.”

There was no point in giving that conversation any more life. It truly was like beating a dead horse. My parents really lived in the mindset that it’s their way or the highway. Everything I spoke tonight was truthful, no matter how much they hated to hear it. The time was coming for me to leave this nest because I didn’t want to follow their path for me. Racing was the only escape I had, and cooking was my real passion. I hated working at the sneaker store, living by all their uppity-ass rules, and not being able to live the life I truly wanted.

“Son,” my dad called out right as I walked by.

“Yes sir?” I backpedaled to their room door.

“We really do want what’s best for you.”

“Nawl, y’all want what y’all think is best for me. It took me some time to realize that, and now that I do, I have the mindset of it’s cool… until it ain’t.”

Chapter 3

Harli

“Bitch, she really came to yo’ house on some Barbara this is Shirley type of energy?” Ryda chuckled into the phone.

“Ain’t shit funny but the fact that yo’ ass now got three meals and a cot,” I taunted as I rolled my eyes.

“Now that ain’t funny. I’ma need for you to tighten up with the bail money.”

“You must think I can pull money from my ass or some shit. I’m tryna see what you don’t get ‘bout the job went to shit, therefore I’m ‘bout out of funds. Now, you want me to come up with not only bill money but bail money too.”

“Look, Twin, I know I’m askin’ a lot of you, but if anybody can make a way out of no way it’s yo’ ass. Hell, why not hit the racin’ scene? Yo’ ass used to make a nice lil’ piece of a paper doin’ that.”

“Ya know what, that’s not a bad idea. At least it’ll bring in some funds for the time being.”

“See, I’m good for more than makin’ yo’ ass itch.”

“Uh huh. Just ‘cause you have one good idea don’t take away from yo’ ass makin’ my ass itch by bein’ in and out of jail. One of these days I’ma stop bailin’ yo’ ass out,” I chuckled.

“You have one minute left,” the automated voice announced.

“Well, that day damn sure ain’t comin’ no time soon. So, get yo’ ass out there and dust those niggas! I love you, Twin. I’ll call tomorrow.”