GWEH (Go Away)

10. All Fruits Ripe

We first went and picked out the smart TV.

I chose one that was just a tad bit wider screen than the one that was taken, and it's a smart TV that had its own built-in programs, so it won't need a Roku stick. There were better options, but I was afraid that my father would complain and refuse to get anything else. I can't go home with just a tv, moomy made that very clear. We then picked out the kitchen stuff and some other things that were not on the list of item I claimed was stolen. 

Afterward, my father and I went with a trolley to get groceries while Jermaine said he was going to get someone to carry the items to the cashiers. It did not take long for him to return with another trolley. I supposed it was to get stuff for himself but when my trolley was filled Jermaine gave me his empty one and said to finish shop. I thought I was finished but who am I to complain when my father who's money was being spent kept quite and walking a distance behind us as if he was a chaperone or something.

Jermaine kept whispering in my ears, asking me questions that were too personal for my liking.

"So, you have a man?" he asked. It seemed as if Jermaine had forgotten that he had asked me that before.

"No, how many time you going to asked me the same question I said, picking up three poxes of each variety of pastas that I know mommy like.

"Mi just can't believe that a nice girl like you single. Well, a nuh fi long. "You ever had a boyfriend before? he asked.

"Why you keep a ask me them questions deh?" mi answered him with a question of my own.

"Because I want to get to know you."

"So better question no deh fi asked than that?"

"Just answer nuh. It's either yes or no," he nagged like a spoiled child.

"No."

"That means say you a virgin," he said, grinning as though he had won a prize.

"It means...say this conversation is done," I said, irritated, pushing the trolley faster, trying to outwalk him, but that was fruitless because his legs were longer than mine.

"Sorry. I just got excited, that's all," Jermaine said.

Excited for what? How did my inexperience affect him? 

I hummed and continued to the neck aisle for cereals. And yes Eric, my father was minding his own business while Jermaine a put words to me.

We reached the meat section again and I take come some more fresh meat, deli meat, seafood and some salted ones. I did not even noticed when Jermaine step way, until I turn to asked him if him nuh want to get some stuff while he is here for his baby but he wasnot there.

"The general gone get something," my father told me as we pushed towards the cashiers. I had one full trolley, and my father had the next. I questioned myself the whole time how God turned my mean daddy into this generous man. I still thought it was a prank, and when it was time to cash him, he had run away from me.

I zoned out when it was our time to cash, making sure to step back and let my father do it because mi nuh want get shame today.

When the groceries and appliances finished ringing up, Jermaine came back and gave the cashier a slip of paper. The cashier scanned it and Jermained told him to add it to his petty spending for the week. No money was exchanged but the boxes and bags were being carried out.

"Daddy yuh pay already?" I asked.

My father just smiled at me and help carry a doley with the load. I followed behind him while Jermaine stayed talking to a worker there who had gave him two bags that were not apart of our cash out.