GWEH (Go Away)

14. Pay fi it

"Showa Powa!" Someone shouted, knocking hard on the apartment window as if a soul inside this apartment owed them money. It was midday, and I was home completing a sewing job because I was trying to work a miracle to pay for my school fees. But all the noise and interruptions from the campaigners are distracting.

I need an earphone to stay focused.

The knocking continued and became even more intense.

"A who that a lick down mi mada window?" 

I walked out, leaving the clothing that I was working on. Outside, it looked like St. Patrick's Day with all the green. Gary, Mom's current beau, was in the middle of knocking on the window with his fist.

"Gary mommy nuh deh here. Weh you a knock on the window so hard?" I asked with attitude.

 Gary is average height but a muscular man with plaited hair and dark brown skin. He looks ok and can dress but I think his lips are way too big for his face. To be frank, I really don't see what mommy and all them women weh a run down Gary see pon him. Plus I don't like him. Gary, nuh do mi nothing, my spirit just doesn't take him. That might not mean anything still because I really don't like most men.

"Look how long mi a knock. How yuh take so long fi answer?" Gary hissed his teeth, then said, "Yow Tammy, put on dah shirt here." He threw a green shirt at me. I caught it by reflex and then looked at it, seeing the big bell print and JLP printed big and bold. "Your mother deh pon the bus a wait pon you."

"Wait on me to do what? After me and har nah go nowhere?"

"A conference and Cheryl said you nah go like it if har spit dry and you no reach on the bus. Alright, at least I tell you. So, do what you want to do with that warning," he said, pointing his weed-stained index finger at me. Probably trying to intimidate little me. It never really sat right with my tiny rebellious side, so I decided to be a little rude just because.

I rolled my eyes. "You a waah...mommy mouthpiece?" 

"That's why I don't deal with little Pickney enough. You don't know how to talk to people. Stay deh, wait until Cheryl buck you. Watch and see if you ago have eyes left to roll." Gary mumbled as he walked away in anger.

Hissing my teeth, I went back in and threw myself on the couch. I really don't want to go to that conference. I have stuff to do nor do I like that kind of crowd. Plus I need to be doing all sewing jobs as I can especially now. One of the three fashion schools that I had applied to had contacted me, letting me know that I got tue. They emailed me the school fees for just three months, and I almost fainted. It was not the amount I thought it was going to be. It was doubled, actually, so the little money I had saved up couldn't cut it. 

I also have to consider school supplies and whatnot. The way things are set up, it looks like I am not going to get to go to the trade school. I told Mommy about it, but all she did was say congratulations and good luck. Sadly, that was the same thing she had said to me a couple of years back when CSEC results came out, and I told her I was going to sixth form since grandma made me promise to go the whole nine yards.

Cho. Sometimes, I feel like mommy nuh care about me, but other times, the opposite. 

I guess it's just me alone have my back.

 Sighing, I dragged my feet to the bathroom, stripping while I did so, then entered under the cold shower. I knew I had no choice but to go to that stupid conference with Mommy for the sake of peace

After I finished my quick shower and did my skincare, I got dressed in a black top and one of the black tights Mommy got me last week to make up for the black eye she gave me. She also got me two human hair lace wigs and other clothing, but I know I will not be wearing somebody else's hair on top of my head. Just the whole idea of it makes my skin crawl, but that's just me.