Mama's Little Girls

six

Beyoncé Knowles
6 May 2019
Willie's Car Garage

With a pick in my mouth, I entered the garage, tightening the arms of my jumpsuit around my waist. My wife beater clinging to my body.

I walked up to Willie, who was on the phone. I heard that annoying, stuck-up voice on the other end and waved him off.

"Yeah, I promise you I'll take care of it myself." He said to her. "Please, please forgive me. Thank you for your business."

I rolled my eyes, laying down across the couch by the door. I propped my leg up and stared up at the ceiling.

I just wanted my daughters back with me, where I knew they'd be safe.

Willie cleared his throat, getting my attention. I turned my head to see him looking my way.

"What?" I shrugged. "I told you I couldn't do it. I told you, man. I'm glad she called and fired me." I chuckled, removing the pick from my mouth.

"I feel sorry for them girls." He said, referring to my daughters. "You get that court date yet?"

"Custody hearing's in 7 days." I sat up, leaning up against my elbow. "I called like...9 lawyers this morning. They all said the same thing. They all need more money and more time."

"Don't look at me." Willie joked.

I laid back down with one arm over my forehead. "I just feel like, you know, I make two steps forward, I gotta make four steps back." I ranted. "All Ms. Kat asked me to do was raise them kids and...I can't even do that."

"Keri and that crack dealer, they got long money." He stated the obvious.

I cut my eyes his way because he was making me lose the little hope I had.

"You gon' need help from God and two more white people to fight 'em."

I exhaled, looking back up at the ceiling.

Wheat Street Baptist Church
7 May 2019

"So my assignment today is to encourage your faith by using what Paul said." The pastor said.

Rita and Willie dragged me along to church today because they said I needed some guidance. I needed something to take my mind off my girls, even if it was just for a few hours.

"He says, 'and let us not grow weary in well-doing'." The pastor continued. "He said, 'for in due season, you shall reap if you faint not'."

When he said that, the church erupted in applause. I just joined in because it felt odd not to.

"Now, what I'm trying to tell you—" More applause went on, with some cheering here and there. "Is that God is faithful. And in His faithfulness, He reminds us that in doing good, you shall get weary."

"Amen!" Rita fanned herself with her fan.

Maya turned to me, making sure I was listening to the service.

"There is no sin in getting weary, the sin is giving up. I'm here to announce to you, you're so close to your due season. You're about to taste it, there's about to be a manifestation of God in your life."

"Praise him!" A woman in front of me hollered.

The pastor continued. "It's not time to throw in the towel. It's time to lift up your head because something is about to happen in your life and God's going to ensure it!"