GWEH (Go Away)

16. Lock Chat

Mommy got out and slammed the door, and I hopped out behind her as she cussed and walked in the opposite direction toward downtown.

I really was looking forward to going home and finishing up some sewing for some orders, but here I am, walking with Mommy as if I were her tail. 

Cho, it is a good thing it's just late July and regular public schools don't open, so I have plenty of time to finish the pile of back-to-school uniform jobs I took up to increase my savings to about the money I need for the fashion dressmaker trade school. 

To be honest, I could go without attending school and still get minor jobs here and there with the basic skills I have, but that is not me. I want to uplift myself, I really want more from life, and a certificate in fashion design is just the first step. I want a bigger customer base and a business with a brand. I want to be proud of my accomplishments one day. I want my grandmother to be proud of me. Maybe even my mother to one day see that I am more than just beautiful with curves that should be offered up to the highest bidder. 

I looked toward Mommy, who I had stunned out on the walk, and realised that she was still cursing Gary's name since I last checked out from reality.

"...Him mussy want me come burn down him rass house bout have something put down for me. Think him can trick me. And the one dirty stinking Hannah can't get anything more from him as long as Gary and I are still together. I gone take every single red cent from him," Mommy walked and yelled, bring everybody in her business. Vulgar like.

"But Mommy remember him have small pickney," I said with my nuff self, especially since she was just cussing and not speaking to anybody in particular.

"When I take it all, I will give them money because it's not like say him a give them enough. It would be better for them any way you take it. Watch this, Tammy, you see them breed of men, if you let them loose them will take you for a fool. This a weh mi learn so you don't have to go and learn it too. See the one time I leave Gary with him money he take it give other woman. My daughter takes it all with no conscience. You hear me tell you?"

"Cho mommy mon. Me nah take no body things. Grandma already show me the pree. I want to go out there for my own."

"You a me daughter and me nah tell you nothing wrong."

"Of course you are." I don't like when mommy get into her man guru mood because she always a try mislead me using her personal experience like say we are the same.

"Thats why mi nuh like talk to you enuh. Anytime me a try show you a move you nuh stop act like you an idiot!" Mommy got upset and turn on me. "If you never was my daughter, mi stop try long time. My girl if you and a man deh take him things because him a take your things too. Make him pay down pon it. Front cost nuff to maintain plus the cost for exclusive access." She was not all too quiet when saying this. We were now walking through the market area, and people were side-eyeing us.

"Hmm." I held my head down and started slowing down so that I could walk behind her instead of beside her.

"Weh we ago mommy? Nuh, just Saturday you go market?"

"Stop questioning me. If its not about man don't ask me!"

***

First, we went to a fabric store.

"How much material would be needed to make a straight uniform skirt for someone who has similar measurements as you?" Mommy asked of me while we were being served by one of the store attendants.

"It is about one and a half yards, but two for the wiggling room. Who you a but material fah?" I answered and then presented her with a question of my own. I really did not know why we were here, and it's unlike Mommy to go into a fabric store. If she wanted anything, she would give me the money and ask me to go buy it as her personal breed and raised send-out girl.

"I say no ask me a nuh question because you nuh talking. What color is that fashion school uniform you plan fi go?"

"A me you a buy-"

"Tamara Moore! Lock chat please. Wah color?"

"Blue, royal blue... this one." I pointed to the roll of material.

"Miss can I get six yard of the A851 material, three of that blue big buttons, three zipper that match the material, two dozen small clear button for white blouse. What else? Oh yes, give me about eight yards of the cotton white uniform blouse material and big reels of threads to match the two colors." Mommy placed her order then turned to me and asked, "What else you ago need?"

I showed her the picture of the list I had on my phone with all the sewing material that the school said I should get.

I was truly taken aback when my mother took charge and ordered the items while also covering the expenses. It was unexpected for me because I typically handle purchasing my own uniform materials for the entire sixth form. Since the eleventh grade, she has become increasingly strict about these matters and I was left to fend for school items. Even worst when I turned eighteen and now I am ninteet but it seems the clock has turned around and mommy have become caring once again in these  matters of my life.

"Come, you carry the bag them let go get you the notebooks and pens and them things deh," She said while I filled her muted from the unfamiliar experience. Well, it was not really formula; it's just that mommy stopped all this while back, and it's now strange that she just picked it up out of the blue. A wah fly up inna har. She is mussy get possessed by my grandmother's spirit or something.

***

As we finally arrived home, I was still reeling from the surprise of Mommy getting me all the things I needed for school. I felt incredibly grateful, but as the reality sank in, a wave of sadness crashed onto my shores.

The realization that school was starting next Monday hit me hard, especially since today was only Thursday. I calculated my savings and realized I only had half of the fees saved up for the first semester. With a heavy heart, I put away the bags, making sure to express my gratitude to Mommy yet again. I then retreated to the couch, sinking into it with my hands propping up my tired jaw.

(1151 Words)

I still, plan to post on Sundays.