# *Blink Of An Eye*
C> ***Saturday, July 19, 1997***
C> **Mrs. Wallace**
Attempting to keep my only daughter from becoming one of Aaron Jones's hoes, I verbally forbade Rachael from seeing him. However, if she's anything like her father, nothing I say will stop her from doing what *she* wants to do! Thankfully, my 15-year-old daughter rarely gave me any trouble and normally I wouldn't tell her no but, if what I heard was true, I'll be damned if my honor roll daughter dated a dope dealer!
I'll admit that I was looking for *any* reason to keep Aaron away from Rachael. Losing my friendship with Aaron's mother Vanessa hit me as hard as my husband Eric walking out on me a week after I gave birth to our daughter. Becoming friends to the point that I felt like her big sister, all I wanted to do was protect Vanessa yet she accused me of spreading lies about her. Everyone in the neighborhood was talking about not only Vanessa's paternity but also her son's nefarious lifestyle. Knowing that Rachael wouldn't disrespect me in my presence, I decided to stay home and skip working my shift at the hospital to see if she would sneak over to the Jones's house. Practicing my sick voice, I coughed a few times before I called off from work.
"Bianca, this is the eighth time in the past two months that you have called in *sick*," stated Mr. Gold. "If you are truly ill, please bring in a doctor's note to prove that you've been seen bya physician..."
Rolling my eyes, I half-listened to my boss drone on about my poor attendance and declining performance. Outside of marrying my high school crush and giving birth to four of his children, with only one volunteer job on my résumé, I was limited with what job offers I could afford to pass up. That fact didn't stop me from running my mouth. So much so that I inadvertently replied, "Uh huh, whatever" when I thought Mr. Gold was ending the call. Blinking at the phone, I focused on his final words: "You are hereby permanently dismissed."
Clearing my throat, I snapped, "Excuse me?!"
"Saying 'Uh huh, whatever' is indicative of the disrespect you have displayed here at the office when you do bother to come in," Mr. Gold explained. "You don't want your job. We'll mail you your final check. Goodbye, Ms. Wallace!"
The dial tone in my ear confirmed that I had lost yet another job because of my negative attitude. Scoffing, I smirked, "Whatever, Pinhead. I'll find another job next week!"
Pacing in the hallway, I mentally estimated what my final paycheck would be and what bills could be paid until I found another source of income. Without the benefit of alimony, a job, or government assistance, I was completely broke. Suddenly, I thought of my ex-best friend. Instantly enraged, I felt jealous.
*Nessa don't* have *to work because her *daddy* got PAPER!*
Walking into the bathroom, I stopped in front of the wall-length mirror to check out my appearance. "Mad at me because I know the truth. Hell! I'm the only one that cares enough to tell it to your face, Nessa! You wanna act like you're blind but *I* see EVERYTHING!" I shouted at my mirror image, throwing a glance at Rachael as she stood in the doorway. Sneaking a look at my watch, I thought to myself, "And I see that I better get to the store before it gets dark!"
"Mama, I'm done with my chores. May I go over to Angela's to watch TV?" Rachael asked politely.
My only daughter stood before me, the spitting image of a father that denied her existence. As much as I desired for Rachael to have anything she ever wanted, my biggest concern was ensuring that all of her needs were met. The last thing she needed was any man who would treat her the way her father treated her. Knowing that Rachael's boyfriend, Aaron, ran in the same circles as my ex-husband, I was afraid that my daughter was born into the same trap that I fell into years ago: loving a man who didn't love her enough to be faithfully committed to his family.
