Page 18 of Blake University: HBCU Chronicles: Brynleigh & A.Z.
“At the tattoo shop?” I eyed the small apron in her hand.
“No. I picked up a part time job at a lounge.”
“If I call you sometime, will you answer the phone?”
“Brynleigh sighed as if I’d asked her to do the impossible. “Yes, A.Z.”
I wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth, but I’d done enough begging for the day.
I had apologized, and I made her aware that I didn’t care how anyone else felt about her.
If that wasn’t good enough, then I would have to let her go.
It was a relief that she didn’t seem too worried about Rhia telling the police Kandi got the pill she took from Brynleigh.
The fact that she possibly lied let me know just how bitter and petty Rhia really was.
I went home and the moment I saw my mother’s BMW in the parking lot of my apartment complex, I sucked my teeth.
I wasn’t in the mood to see her or hear anything that she had to say.
The downside to my parents paying my rent was the fact that they had keys and didn’t feel like they had to let me know before they paid impromptu visits.
Justin and Smoke’s parents were just as nosey and entitled as mine, so we were used to the idea of surprise visits.
No more women were allowed to pass out naked in the living room.
If we did smoke weed, we did so outside, and we always kept the place clean.
When somebody’s parents came by, the others just got out of the way.
Justin and Smoke couldn’t have been home because they would have given me a heads up.
I walked toward the apartment like I was headed into a court room.
I’d never disrespect my mother but the older I got, it became increasingly hard to bite my tongue when she started talking crazy.
I entered the living room and found my mother sitting on the couch. There was a slight scowl on her cinnamon-colored face. “I thought you’d never come home. I’ve been here for an hour.”
“Had I known you were coming, I would have been. You don’t tell me you’re coming and just expect me to be home.”
“I knew if I called, you wouldn’t answer. Don’t you think this has gone on long enough? You’re mad at me for telling the truth?”
“No, I’m mad because you really think it’s okay to insult another person and be downright rude and disrespectful in their face and that they have to take it.
Rhia isn’t better than anybody else, she just hides her flaws well, and she doesn’t have tattoos.
If you’re still basing a person’s worth by things like them having tattoos or not being rich, then we don’t have a lot to discuss. ”
My mother’s hands rested in her lap. “What about her selling drugs, son? Do you have a way to justify that as well?”
“Have you seen her sell drugs, or you took Rhia’s word for it?
The same woman that had a man in her bed.
She was asleep on his chest, but she told me she never cheated on me.
What I do know about Brynleigh is that she looked out for Tyra more than once.
One night, Tyra could barely stand. She was trying to drive and go get food, and Brynleigh took her keys.
I know that she works two jobs, and she wants to be a postpartum doula.
So, respectfully, don’t disrespect her again in my presence. ”
A look of horror crossed my mother’s face. “Wait, the day Tyra went to the ER wasn’t an isolated incident? She’s been drinking like this, and you didn’t say anything?”
“Nope. I tried to give her a chance to stop before I got you and dad involved.”
My mother’s expression was icy. Her lips were set in a hard line. “What is it that I did wrong?”
I sighed. And the theatrics had begun. “I think Tyra told you what her issue was. I’m fine.”
“As long as I don’t disrespect your friends, right?”
“Pretty much.”
“Do you like this woman?” my mother asked lips still pursed like she tasted something bitter.
“Are you and her dating? Because even before the incident took place, I was going to invite Rhia over for dinner the next time she was in town and you, and Tyra came home. You guys are young. Mistakes happen. Things can be fixed.”
I simply stared at my mother because she was making it real hard for me to keep my cool. We had a brief stare off until I cleared my throat. “I can assure you if I’m at your house and Rhia shows up, I’m leaving. If I wanted to fix things with her, I could have done it a long time ago.”
“You didn’t answer the first two questions.”
“Yes, I like her. Unfortunately, she’s not interested in trying to prove to other people that she’s good enough for me.”
My mother’s shoulders squared. “I apologize for the things I said to and about her. If you ever choose to bring her around, I will apologize to her face.”
That was the last thing I expected to hear. I didn’t see Brynleigh jumping at the chance to be in my mother’s presence, but my mother offering to apologize was a big step for her. “I’ll let her know.”
“I’m going to visit Tyra now. You and your sister are adults, but you’re still my babies.
I can be overbearing sometimes, but I only want the best for the both of you.
However, I’ve learned over the past week or so that I’m doing too much, and it’s backfiring.
Your father has already put his foot down, so I guess I better get it together before everybody hates me. ”
My mother started the visit with her usual antics, but she folded like a lawn chair in the end which was something that I didn’t expect.
More than likely, Brynleigh didn’t want to hear an apology from my mother and even if she didn’t, I had to admit that I was proud of my mother for offering. Maybe miracles did happen.