SELFISH •L.B•

46

MARIAH

"I see you've brought a friend today."

Gelo didn't have practice today, so I'm making him sit with me through my session with Diane. He needs to know exactly what his brother has done to me. Everyone always takes up for Melo's side, but nobody ever listens to me.

Mariah- Yes, he's here for emotional support.

That too. In case I started crying, because I actually do that a lot. Diane smiled towards Gelo and he nodded his head in return.

Diane- So, what exactly happened for you to end up in front of me today?

Oh damn. Just straightforward. Alright this is how we're doing things I guess. Just as I was gonna awnser, Gelo spoke up.

Gelo- My brother told me he's been putting his hands on her.

SNITCH. I couldn't believe he said that so bluntly, like was waiting to say it out loud. I almost laughed at how monotone he sounded.

Diane- Mariah how long has he been putting his hands on you? Don't forget, you can be honest. I'm not going to report this to the cops. You're a legal adult.

I'm gonna ignore the fact that she's talking to me like I'm a child. Gelo sent me an encouraging nod. Why does this nigga always nod? I might as well open up, since she's trying to help me.

Mariah- It's been on and off since I was sixteen.

I wanted to crawl down in a hole and stay there. This was very embarrassing. I'd never spoken publicly about this, at all.

Diane- Do you remember when it started?

Of course I remember when it started. Very vividly, I might add. That's when I found out how heavy handed that nigga was.

Mariah- Yeah. I'd taken his phone during one of his JBA practices because he wasn't taking it seriously. We got into this big argument about at the hotel after dinner, and he slapped me.

From the corner of my eye I saw Gelo tense up, like he was getting angry. Oh Lord. So dramatic.

Mariah- But he immediately apologized after, told me how much he loved me, and that he'd never do it again.

How young and naive I was. Yeah that ain't last.

Diane- I'm assuming he did do it again?

Of course he did.

Mariah- Mhm. First it was small shoves here and there when I made him angry. But the really psychical part didn't start until he went back to school. Mainly when they lost their last game of the year. I wasn't there and he blamed me for them losing.

It was such a stupid thing to pin on someone. Especially when he knew I had my own game that day.

Mariah- He was so mad at me when I got there and he started saying all these things about how I needed to be there for him, even though he was barely there for me but that's a different story. I argued back with him, telling him how stupid he sounded. That was the first time he punched me.

Obviously, at the time I'd punched him back. But this nigga was eight inches taller than me, and fifty pounds heavier with pure muscle. I didn't stand a chance in that fight.

Diane- Did you hit him back?

She asked, looking up from her notepad. She'd been writing away in that little thing.

Mariah- Yeah. But then he started beating my ass. So I gave up.

Diane- And, why'd you give up?

What does she mean why? What the fuck? Did she not just hear me say he beat my ass?

Mariah- Uh, because at the time he was six foot seven?

I'm convinced this woman's never looked at him nor does she know who he is.

Diane- Makes sense. What'd you do after?

YEAH IT MAKES SENSE. Let me calm down.

Mariah- What any other person would do. I cried my eyes out. That shit hurt.

It was on that day Jaden found out what Melo did to me. She'd walked in on me looking at the damage leftover. I was so scared when she did. I hadn't met her when everyone else did because I had all this going on with school.

There was this stranger that had seen bruises forming, and I didn't know what to tell her. So I told her the truth. She seemed honest that she wouldn't tell anyone, and she hasn't to this day.

Diane- You said it was on and off right? When did it not occur?

Mariah- After that day, I stopped speaking him. I didn't talk to him again until his little graduation party a couple months later. He overheard me tell his dad I planned on commuting to Duke and tried to force me into choosing Ucla.

That was the second time he beat my ass. But I at least put up a good fight that time. I'd gotten a few swings in, until he threw a fucking basketball at my head. I don't know where the shit even came from but he hurled it straight at me.

Diane- After?

Mariah- We got into another fist fight. I was winning at first, and then he threw a basketball at my head.

Gelo let out a snort, which almost turned into a laugh. Yeah I'm never letting this nigga be around for a session again.

Gelo- My bad. I wasn't expecting that.

Mariah- Yeah, just like you wasn't expecting not to get drafted.

His face went black and all traces of laughter disappeared. Yeaaaah. Don't like when I bring that up, huh?

Gelo- Why are you so mean to me? I've been nothing but nice to you, you she-Devil.

Nice??? Gelo?? Sure. Totally.

Diane- Stop it you two. Stay on topic please.