19 | Chapter Nineteen
May, 2015 | Harlem, New York
It was nine o'clock Harlem time but six o'clock Compton time when a familiar number called my phone. I was honestly surprised that the number was calling me, but at the same time I was scared because at the moment, I wasn't speaking to their daughter and I had no idea where she was. But I answered anyway, a guilty voice coming out my throat as I stated a, "Hello?" into the phone. The sweet voice of Isis's mom rang through my ear. "Joey, hey baby, how are you?" She questioned. I smiled. "Good, and you?" I questioned. Isis's mom, Mrs. Nyomi took a deep breath. "You know, I don't know. I haven't heard from Isis in a while and I thought that not playing her meal plan bill at Harlem Tech would send her a time to call us, but she hasn't. Come to find out, she hasn't been to Harlem Tech in what, more than a week?" She questioned. I didn't know what to say, she didn't really give me any questions to answer.
"Oh, that's terrible." I stated.
"Oh it is, alright. Is she still living across from you on campus? I've always liked you, did you know that?" Mrs. Nyomi questioned. I took me a minute to decide if whether or not I should lie to her, or tell her that she disappeared and only kept contact with me through an unknown phone number.
"Oh yeah, she still lives across from me. She actually just fell asleep studying for some final. I thought she told you, she's taking online courses now so that she can get a job." I stated, hoping that the lie made sense and she actually believed it. Mrs. Nyomi let out a laugh.
"This girl had her father and I worried! She should've just told us that, we would totally understand that." Mrs. Nyomi spoke, laughter in her voice. I laughed along too, not because it was funny, but because she believed the lie and I wouldn't have my ass chewed out because I wasn't taking care of her.
"But how are you, Joey? Isis treating you right? Ya'll finally dating yet?" Mrs. Nyomi stated. I laughed. "Oh, you know Isis and I are just friends. I'm actually helping her get a job and tutoring her...stuff like that." I wanted to smack myself for how corny I sounded.
I never tutored Isis, and I never helped her get a job. In fact, she didn't even offer to get a job.
But I would just have to let Mrs. Nyomi believe these lies, just until I figured out where Isis is, or whenever Isis decide to stop being a coward and running away from the confrontation and come and speak to me like an adult.
Mrs. Nyomi sucked her teeth.
"Boy, that sounds like a relationship to me. She really needs someone like you. She's been down since Reid left, wait-did she tell you about Reid?" Mrs. Nyomi asked, fearing that she slipped up and sold her daughter out. But I informed her that I knew about Reid and their relationship. "Yeah, she's been pretty down about that. I think that's the reason why she wanted to go to Harlem in the first place. Everything in Compton reminded her about Reid and the things she saw growing up: her daddy and I were always arguing about petty stuff, but that's besides the point. The real point is, the reason she came to Harlem was to find herself, or to have somebody else find themselves. When she spoke about you it sounded genuine. And I know Isis can be a pain in the ass sometime, but I want you to stick with her, okay? Be there for her. She needs you, Joey."
I took a deep breath, sighing.
"I understand, Mrs. Nyomi."
"And no, I'm not forcing you to get married to Isis. I'm just letting you know. Sometimes she just needs a friend or a hug...or both and I'm sure you can be that to her." Mrs. Nyomi continued.
I wanted her to stop talking because guilt seemed to eat me up inside as she began to describe all the things Isis needed. How was I suppose to know this? Isis never really opened up to me. It took myself to get things out of her. I wasn't going to beg her to tell me things, that just wasn't me.
