Kenya Amora Moore, known as Amore by close family members and friends, is shaken up by a series of unfortunate events that lead her to live with her aunt. In the space of a few days, she is hit with shocking truths and bitter lies. The revelations...
Everyone was getting ready to leave, although a dark morning. I pull at my green, body fitted, long dress, applying another layer of lipgloss to my already drenched lips.
Extra yf.
I asked mommy beforehand if I could take Domonic and she replied "it's a big enough home and yuh know that" so that's exactly what I'm doing.
Junior is bringing Kayla, whether they liked it or not and I'm kinda glad.
Yuh more than glad and yuh know dat.
Okay, and?
"Who a drive with who?" My mother asked, running a luggage free hand over her face in supposed exhaustion.
A neva me tell her fi wake up suh early anyway.
"Dom said he'll bring me and Imani and yuh know seh Kj aguh bring him girlfriend" I was the first to speak up.
"I'll drive with Gary then" she tries to hide her smile as she runs back inside to put back her keys.
We pack our luggage in the vehicles and mommy prays for us before she gets in the vehicle with Gary and leads the way to St. Elizabeth.
____________________________________ Southfield, St. Elizabeth 7:09 am
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After many stops and traffic, we arrived.
As soon as I step out of the vehicle, I feel nauseous. I find the flower pot and do my business in it. Domonic hands me a bottle of Icool water when I was done.
Imani stepped out holding a sleeping Faith in her arms. Coming over to me to comfort me.
"I know you don't like to be here because of the memories associated with this place, but just do it for mum, please" she holds my hand as I fight the tears.
She hands Faith to Domonic and he surprisingly takes her and follows Junior and Kayla into the house.
"I can't do it" I simply say to her, my hands shook and my chest heaved.
Imani panics, not knowing what to do.
"Breathe in" she tells me and I try my best to follow her instructions.
When I can finally breathe, I lead her inside the house. I take off my slippers at the door, peeking around when I hear laughing.
I go around to see everyone gathered in a conference-like manner. All eyes snap to me once I enter. Mommy bites her lip slightly while holding Faith in her arms.
"Kenyaaaa.. you've grown so much" Carol runs over to me, extending her arms for a hug. I look at her face then her hands, then right back at her face. A cyaah me she a deal wid.
"I know" I gently mover her hands out the way and sit in my boyfriend's lap. Everyone is in disbelief.
"Suh the time when she come stay wid yuh, yuh nuh teach her manners?" Carol starts.
"Oh, I do have manners, just not to people like you" I snap.
Hear how yaah talk to the people dem inna dem house.
If she nuh like the way me word it she can always run me outta her place, me man drive.
Sarry.
Domonic puts his arms around me protectively as I await something else from her.
"And what exactly do you mean by people like me? I raised you for seventeen years, if you hated me that much you'd let me know" I roll my eyes at her, hissing my teeth.
Murmurs of disapproval were heard from the other members of the family but I couldn't care less. Grandma slid a hand through her wavy, greying hair, tutting in disappointment.
I wriggle free from Domonic's grip, standing where everyone could see me clearly.
Drama bbc queen. And doh badda fight yuh aunty.
Cyaah count pan dat.
"You raised me for seventeen years? YOU?" I point a finger at Carol, "You didn't raise me, you instilled self hatred in me. YOU made me feel as though I'd never be enough" my voice trembled but I didn't care.
"Stop lyi-", "let the child talk, Carol. I've heard enough of you" grandma sides with me, surprisingly.
"You made it difficult for me to look in the mirror without seeing someone undesirable. I hated my skin so much I wanted to rip it off and start anew. All you did was belittle me, both you and my sorry excuse of a father. You told me I'd never be as good looking as you, Kevon or Junior, and yuh feel like me fi like you or yuh man same way?" gasps were heard throughout the living room.
"Amore, baby, I had no idea-" , "save it" I spin on my heels and leave, slamming the door.
All this stress isn't good for the baby.
My chest tightened as my vision blurred. I desperately clawed at it as I felt familiar hands holding my shoulders. Their scent alone calming me down.
Domonic.
I look around to see Gary and Kj standing and staring at me, concern pasted across their faces.
"She good?" They ask Domonic.
"Yeah, heart rate normal and she a breathe properly now" he kisses my forehead as I cling to him.
Gary leaves, probably aguh inform mummy Seh me alright; Junior left shortly after, but Domonic and I stay outside.
"What would you do here if things get too bad?" He suddenly asks. I am taken aback by the question but I gather myself and answer nonetheless.
"We had a mango tree at the back, I don't know if it's still there.. I'd go around there and talk to myself. That's where I attempted.. you know" his eyes softened and I continued.
"Even though that place would have probably been where I took my last breath, I felt peace there".
"Want to go look for it?" He asks and I just lead him there. I pull the side gate, leading him around the back where the mango tree would have been but instead of a tree, we're greeted with a pool. My heart sinks.
Dem couldn't wait till yuh gone.
I can see.
I turn to face Domonic who looked at me in confusion.
"It was supposed to be here" my voice breaks.
"We can still chill under the jelly tree" he suggests.
"And when jelly drop and buss me big head, wah yuh aguh tell Claudette?" We laugh it out and I find myself feeling better.
We go back inside but this time nobody is in the living room. He leads me to the room we got for the stay, ironically, it was my old one. We settle in because I was tired and needed a good rest.
Domonic and I cuddle into each other, drifting off.
