November 2008

I'm helping Momma prepare our Thanksgiving meal.

We don't have any family in Florida, so we're cooking things just enough for us.

She said I'm allowed to invite my friends over—friends being Skyla and Reign—, but after the situation that happened last month, I haven't talked to Reign since.

However, Skyla's more than welcome to come over and bring Zaelyn, but their going to her grandma's house or something.

I frown at the thought of it just being me, Momma, and Daddy all at the dinner table.

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a happy holiday, and eating at a table with the three of us just like it is every other night isn't fun at all.

It was a sacrifice though; Momma gave me a choice between going back home for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

I obviously chose Christmas.

As I'm helping Momma pour the cornbread mix into a bowl, there's a knock on the wall. I look over and see Daddy entering the room with a box of brownie mix.

I gasp and let out a squeal. Running to him, I hug him and get cornbread powder all over his shirt.

Momma laughs, "you know damn well not to give her no sugar."

"It's for my baby, you know I couldn't help myself," he laughs back as he rocks me back and forth.

I turn around and look at Momma, "Can we make them tonight? Please, can we can we?"

She sighs, "I guess we can—"

I'm already unboxing the brownie mix before she gets a word out.

𓆩♡𓆪

We finally finished cooking and Momma's about to start fixing plates.

I'm a picky eater, so because my plates the easiest, I get it first.

We all sit at the table, holding hands as Daddy leads a prayer over our food.

"Amen," we say in unison.

Just as I'm about to put a scoop of macaroni into my mouth, there's a knock at the door.

Momma and Daddy give me a look that reads, answer it.

"Why do I have to get it?" I whine.

"Because we all know it's one of yo friends," Momma answers. "Probably that lil boy across the street."

I give her a look before I sigh and drop my fork onto my plate, "And his name is Jahseh."

I open the door and just like she said, Jahseh's standing there with a smile on his face. "Happy Thanksgiving, Y/n!" He says.

"Happy Thanksgiving to you too," I say back.

"My mom wants to know if you and your family would like to come over and eat at my house? This would be also a good time for our parents to meet. And for me to meet your parents," he rushes out.

I stare at him as I yell, "Daddy, can we go eat at the neighbor across the street's house?" I asked him because I know he won't say no.

"Of course, we can!" He yells back.

I smile, "We'll be over there in a bit, tell Cleo we said thank you for the invite." He nods and walks back to his house.

Turning around, I hear Momma and Daddy having a small bicker in the kitchen.

Mainly Momma stressing about going over someone else house unprepared.

I'm already dressed, so I just wait on Daddy to pick out my shoes.

We bring an aluminum pan mixed with a little bit of everything we cooked. I even shared some of my brownies, which I'm hoping no one will eat.

We ring the doorbell, and Cleopatra lets us in. She smiles as she shakes hands with Momma and Daddy.

Jahseh squeezes past her to get to me, he takes my hand and leads me to the backyard area where all the children are.

They're kids of all ages running around playing chase.

"The food will be done soon," he says. "Let's give the grownups a chance to talk with one another."

I nod in agreement.

He fidgets with his fingers, "I'm so nervous about meeting your parents, Charisma. How do I speak to them? Will your dad like me? What about your mom?"

I smile at how cute his nervousness is, "Don't think too hard over it. My daddy is the chillest person you'll meet. But Momma? She's well..."

"You think she'll say anything to me?"

"Probably."

"WHAT?!" He shouts.

"I mean— No— No, she won't." I lie. Knowing her, she'll ask a billion questions. Wanting to be nosey and get under their skin with uncomfortable topics.

I mentally prepare myself for the embarrassment.

"I had my mom make brownies. I know you love them," he says lowly.

I don't even attempt to hold back the grin that appears on my face, "Thank you." 

We get called in to eat. I pray to whoever's listening that this goes well.

We make it to the kitchen where Cleopatra's passing out food to us younger kids. There are certain things we aren't allowed to get like dressing and collard greens, but that's okay because I don't like them anyways.

Once everyone has their plate, we all take hands and bow our heads as Cleopatra's mother leads a prayer. This prayer lasts for what seems like decades.

After she finishes the adults begin to talk. It just so happens that Cleo starts speaking to my mother. I listen hard, tuning out the people around me.

She asks about her interests and professions. Momma tells her she's a nurse studying to become a travel nurse.

When Momma asks what Cleopatra does in return, she tells her that she's a stripper.

Momma laughs a little too loud before she realizes that she wasn't joking. I shake my head.

"Anyways," she sighs. "So, where's Jahseh's father?" She asks.

"Oh, Jahseh's dad is in jail," Cleopatra says as she causally picks up her wine glass. "He got caught selling marijuana. Something that's legal where's he's from."

Momma exchanges a look with Daddy. Daddy smiles in return, "I wish you the best of luck, Cleo. I hope you don't mind me calling you that."

"Of course not!" She beams. "We should all get to know each other more. Especially since Charisma and Jah hang out as much as they do."

Daddy nods in agreement.

A heavyset lady is standing over us. "Who are you." She asks pointing directly at me.

"I'm Jahseh's friend—"

"Friend?!" She says abruptly. "You look too sweet, too kind to be his friend. He is a bad kid, don't you know? He only causes trouble." She has a heavy Jamaican accent when she speaks.

I giggle and look over at Jahseh who rolls his eyes and sighs. "Thank you for the compliment, but I always try my hardest to keep him out of trouble whenever I'm around."

She hums in approval, "I like this one Jahseh." The way she says his name is so pretty, "Don't mess it up!" She then shuffles her way to the kitchen leaving so laughing at the interaction.