I was getting my books out of my locker when Nicci approached me with a small smile on her face. "I got detention. Can you cover for me with my mom?"
I turned towards her and leaned against the locker. "I can just wait for you. We can say we were working on a project or something." Nic smiled a soft smile. "You always on my side. But my mom said she was gone pick us up today, remember? Cuz your social worker is stopping by your aunt's house?" I huffed and rolled my eyes. "Hey, you gone be ight. You can come back right after."
"I know. I just don't wanna see nobody that's over there. I wanna Jackie Chan everybody over there that's older than me."
Nic laughed. "Okay Kung Fu fighter." I rolled my eyes. "It ain't funny, Nic. I really feel like they made a joke out of me. I don't think I could ever think of any of them as family again. Not even True."
"You got every right to feel how you feel. You know I just think you should give them a chance. Especially True. I'ma see you tonight?" I nodded. "Ight. I'll see you later. Be nice to your people," Nic said as she pecked my lips and walked away. I took a sigh as I shut my locker and walked out of the school to see Miss Gwen leaning against her car smoking a cigarette. "Hey Tré. Where's Nicci?"
"Oh she had a group project to work on for her Spanish class. She told me to tell you she'd be home a little later. You know you didn't have to pick me up. I coulda caught the bus to Aunt Donna's." She shook her head as she threw the cigarette bud to the ground to walk around and get in the car. "You was not about to have that crazy aunt of yours banging on my door like she's the police again. Come on, get in." I got in the passenger's seat and Miss Gwen pulled off turning on the radio and SWV started singing through the speakers. "Can I ask you somethin' Tré?" She inquired while tapping the steering wheel.
"Sure. Wassup?"
"You and my daughter... y'all awfully close. The two of you aren't just friends. Are you?"
Unt uhhhh. Miss Gwen why you try'na get me caught up? If my girl ain't ready to come out she ain't ready to come out.
"Yeah we're close. We've always been close. But what gave you that impression, Miss Gwen?"
"Well I know my daughter. And you've been around long enough that I know you too. So I'm curious to know the true nature of your relationship."
I chuckled. "You and Nic have always been there for me. But to tell you the truth, me and Nic are just friends."
"Oh really?"
I simply nodded. The rest of the car ride was awkward and silent and not without reason. Miss Gwen was always kind to me so I felt bad for lying to her face like that. But if she claimed to know us like she said she did then she knew and she ain't need to ask me that so really it's her fault. When we pulled up at Aunt Donna's Jam was sitting on the step coloring in the coloring book I'd given her.
"You want me to pick you up later?" Miss Gwen asked.
"No thanks. I'll walk back or catch the bus over if it gets too dark. Thank you."
"No problem." I got out the car and approached Jam.
"Hey Jammy Jam."
She looked up at me wide eyed with the biggest smile on her face. "Tré!" She jumped up into my arms and I laughed as I kissed her cheek. "I missed you so much!"
"It's only been a week. Come on, sit down." I sat beside her on the step and Jam put her coloring book back in her lap. "Everybody in there?" I asked as I watched her color the whole picture blue. "No. Aunt Donna said Sahari and Blaze and True went to stay the night with Marilyn. She said we can't tell these people they still live here. She said if they ask me about them to just say I'm sad they ran away." I shook my head. "Well what about Nique? Nique in there?"
YOU ARE READING
Family Lies
FanfictionYou think you've seen family drama? These sisters finna give you a run for your money! "Say I can't wait for you to wake up Mommy," my husband coached our daughter. His voice startled me. But it still didn't wake me up. "Can't wait for you wake up M...