Mahogany Blues

11

Sweltering Atlanta heat was out to get Levi as he dribbled across the court, swerving the opposing team before he dunked the ball in the basket. Earning cheers from his boys, he couldn't help but smile, this right here was the life.

He noticed some women sitting by the court checking him out but for some reason, he didn't pay them much mind, it was like he couldn't. He felt a sense of betrayal to the point that he unwittingly became celibate for the past few months since her.

There were times that he wanted to look her up but he never got her last name to be able to do that so he resided with the fact if they were meant to meet again, it would simply happen.

The game ended on a high for Levi and his boys, winning 2 rounds with spectacular results.

Hydrating themselves, they were off to a little cookout at Omar's folks' place.  They hopped into Omar's SUV, instantly cooling them off as they drove away.

" Yo mama making them plantains? Cuz a nigga feeling some right now" Marcus reclined in the passenger seat.

" Prolly, we'll see when we get here" Omar answered, making right into the long road leading to the house.

Foreboding houses began to appear adorned with creeping plants, large luscious green lawns, and grand porches that let you know that wealth lived there.

As Omar turned into the intricate stone driveway, there was a trail of cars parked.

Sounds of old-school classics blasted, and the perfect blend of aromatic smells permeated the fresh air as people mingled, laughed, and chatted away.

Omar's parents were cuddled up by the grill, his mother whispering into his father's ears and it made him very happy, drawing her closer to him by the waist.

Sometimes in the small corner of his mind, Levi wished to have witnessed such affection with his parents. The coldness of their conversations and the sheer lack of intimate affection made him believe that their marriage was nothing more than a contract that satisfied mutual business benefits.

He learned to come to terms with that by accepting that it was normal. But every time he came here, a small part of him had a real craving for what they shared.

" Ayyy, my boys. Grab a plate before those folks come for seconds." Omar's father chuckled, gesturing to the nearby empty plates which the boys rapidly got, queuing up for servings of delicious food. Omar's mother dished out portions of barbecued meats, grilled vegetables with some jollof rice, and grilled plantains that Marcus so deeply craved.

" Here you go, enjoy" Omar's mother smiled handing out the plates but Marcus observed him, noticing that he didn't have 'enough' plantains.

" Hey Aunty, you holding them plantains hostage? Imma needs a few more of them, hook a young man up with a few  I see on the corner there" Marcus pointed to the last three before the next batch was put on the plate.

" Oh I see what you mean baby, let me see what I can do about that" She chuckled, turning to the plate, and he laughed along, thinking everything was cool.

In a flash, she popped the back of his head causing him to squeal so loudly that everyone surrounding them couldn't help but laugh at the scene that they had just witnessed.

" Damn Aunty, all this because I asked for more???"

" You mannerless boy, you didn't say please" With that, she walked off back into the kitchen while devouring the last three plantains, leaving him completely bewildered.

" You know by now, my mama doesn't play about manners. That's what you get for messing with a Nigerian mom" Omar ridiculed him, continuing his food as Marcus sat down with a sad look on his face.

Levi was still laughing because what did Marcus think would happen? He should've known better.

The sun seemed to subside a bit, allowing for cooler air to circulate. It was further into the evening and the boys had already cleaned up after the basketball game. Slower R&B jams were played with respective couples swaying in each other's embrace.

His mind travelled back to her, wondering what she might be doing. Even his ex didn't have him sprung like this, come to think of it, she rarely crossed his mind until now.

................................................................................................................................................................

The school bell rang, lulling Levi out of his boredom. It was the second to last day of the senior year and he couldn't wait to leave.

All the work he did had finally paid off as Raymond Millgram offered him an intern role to work alongside him for the summer but he hoped it could lead to something long-term.

Given how much his parents argued, this would be the perfect opportunity to escape them and work on his plan to leave them altogether.

He knew that with a little bit of money and some advice from Auntie Erica, he would be able to finally get some peace and quiet.

Reaching his locker, he smelt the familiar floral scent, knowing exactly who it is. With a warm beige complexion and baby-like features, Raven was quite the knockout but unfortunately for her, it wasn't doing it for him anymore.

"Can we talk?" She asked.

"Umm, sure, Let's go to my car" He gestured towards the door.

The sun hit both their faces, making their complexions richer and warmer. As they approached his car, he hoped that they would finally be able to talk properly after a week of no communication.

" Sooo..."

"Sooo, I think that we should break up, Rae" He looked at her, hoping that she wouldn't take this the wrong way. Her unreadable face softened slightly as she let out a relieved sigh.

" I was gonna say the same thing! You know I will always care about you, Levi?" She played with his hoodie strings.

" Yeah, I know, come here. I hope you have a great summer" He pulled her into a sweet hug, rocking them side to side.

" You too, I'm gonna miss you"

" Same" He let her go, watching her go back to her friends and getting in the car with them.

He was happy that they ended amicably, and made his day better before he returned back to the hell house he shared with his parents.

He could only hope that they wouldn't try to ruin his happy vibe.

...........................................................................................................................................................

He wasn't phased when he and Raven ended but with Sabrina,  that was a whole other story.

It irked him how quickly she left that day but at the same time, he couldn't stop yearning after her every day since. It was as if she was hell-bent on troubling him from afar. 

He hoped she was troubled as he was right now.

...............

Whoo! Another chapter for you lovely people

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments.

Love, Tam xx