Independence

eight'

Isaiah Amiri Brown
24
January 2023
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"Wassup Princess" I looked down at Azariah who followed me into the kitchen. She smiled reaching her arms up for me to pick her up. She wrapped her arms around my neck hugging me.

"You okay" I asked and she nodded her head yes. She woke up this morning feeling a little better but she said that her throat was still bothering her. I walked into the pantry looking for snacks cause I was lowkey hungry.

"Can I have candy please Sa" she quietly asked making me nod my head. This lil girl done gave me a nickname and I dont even know how she came up with it but I ain't even gone ask.

I grabbed a pack of sour patches before walking out of the pantry and placing her on the counter as I stood next to her.

"You can't tell mommy tho cause you ain't even eat food yet ight" I spoke and she nodded smiling before putting her finger to her mouth saying 'shhh' making me chuckle. Leilani was upstairs sleeping in my bed cause she caught herself having an attitude with me cause now she caught the throat infection from Azariah.

Now I know if she sees us she gone get on our ass cause she has a rule about Azariah not eating any candy if she hasn't had her food yet.

I stood next to her while we ate our snacks and I listened to her rant about how her Barbie dolls are arguing and why they're arguing. Little kids amuse me cause how they be coming up with stories like this.

"What are ya'll doing" we heard making us look to the entrance of the kitchen to see a tired Leilani looking at us. Out the side of my eye I seen Azariah sneakily hide the sour patches behind her back before looking back at Leilani.

"Oh nothing. I'm just telling Sa about my barbie dolls" she smiled and I tried to stiffle my laugh when I seen Leilani straight face her. Oh shit.

"I seen you eating candy Azariah I'm not playing with you right now. Have you eaten food yet?" She asked making me stop laughing immediately and look at Azariah.

"You ain't gotta yell at her I gave her the candy" I said and she cut her eyes at me before looking back at Azariah and repeating her question. See what I mean? Attitude for no reason bro.

"No mommy" Azariah looked down shaking her head in a 'no' direction. Leilani walked closer towards us before walking infront of Azariah and taking the candy from her.

"Azariah you know my rules and you decide to break them. We spoke about this already now watch me take your iPad cause you don't wanna listen" Leilani spoke sternly as I watched tears form in Azariah's eyes.

"You don't gotta do— YOU KNEW my rules and you still gave her candy Isaiah so don't tell me what and what not to do with MY child" she pointed at me making me shake my head.

"I ain't tryna tell you what to do but you don't gotta do all that. I gave her the candy cause we was 'bouta go get food, I was waiting on you to wake up" I spoke calmly looking at her as she rolled her eyes. I didn't see the need to argue so I was going to be patient with her just cause I know she not feeling good right now.

"I don't care Isaiah you don't do shit like that" she carried on and I just kept quiet as I wiped Azariah's face while she sniffed. I picked her up as she laid her head on my shoulder before grabbing my keys and putting my slides on that was by the door.

I walked out of the house slamming the front door before walking to my car. I put Azariah in the front seat and put her seat belt on before I got in the driver side starting the car. I backed out of the driveway making my way down the road.