Family Lies 2

Now Keep In Mind That I'm-

Donna

"Summer! Kashmir doin' her homework?" I called out as I watched Summer descend the stairs all the way from the kitchen. "Yes ma'am! I'm goin' to work I'll be back by nine," Summer called back waving. "Ma, hold still!" Nique fussed as she turned the curlers in my hair before setting everything with hairspray. "Ta ta!" Ayden opened his hands to do a magic trick and then reveal a quarter. "Who taught this baby that?" I laughed as he giggled and hooked himself to his mama's leg.

"Mr. Paris comin' over here Mama?" Nique asked and I just rolled my eyes a little bit. "Why you askin' me about Paris?"

"Everybody know that's your man, Ma. Marilyn told me he be takin' you out on dates. I got my eye on you lady."

I laughed. "Whatever girl. I got my eye on all y'all, how bout that?" I snapped my fingers and Nique put the hot iron back on the fire before spraying all the damn hair spray. "Auntie!" Lil Irv called as he came hustling up the steps licking his fingers. "Wassup boy? Ain't I tell you about eating in yo room?" I asked as I went to pop him with the magazine I had just rolled up and he jumped back. "I'm sorry. I forgot I had a bag of chips in my school bag. But can I call my mom?"

"What time that clock on the wall say?" I asked while pointing my thumb over my shoulder. "It's four o'clock."

"Ight, it's Wednesday. She out takin' care of business with your sister. She said she'll call you when she get home."

Lil Irv looked like he wanted to suck his teeth or something. "She said that last week!"

"She ain't feel good last week, Irv. You know she got a lot goin' on right now. But I know she can't wait to talk to you baby. You just gotta give her some time to get herself together. Ight?" Lil Irv just huffed and nodded his head. "Ight."

"Ight. Now go get that bag of chips and whatever else you got down there. I mean it boy, no food in yo room."

"Yes ma'am."

"Knock knock," I looked up to see Paris coming through the door with a big gift bag. I smiled and waved him inside. "Hey baby. I forgot you was comin' through here. How you doin'?" I asked as he swaggered over to kiss my lips as Nique started laying down my edges. "Naw leave that alone. You gone need to fix that later," Paris mumbled and I giggled. "Oop," Nique said as she put the gel down and walked out of the kitchen. I could only giggle and try not to smile so hard. I wasn't ever no cheesy bitch. But it was something about Mr. Paris Williams that made me giddy and careless and wild even.

I had been carrying my sisters' responsibilities for so long that anything extra felt like a chore.

And that included finding me a man.

But this one here had been trying to get at me ever since he popped up at my job a few years ago. I've been working in the dietary unit at East Medical Hospital since I was twenty one— I was young and fine then. And I'm fine as good wine now, don't get it twisted baby. But it had been at least that long since I'd given any man the time of day. I definitely did my thang now don't get me wrong. But if I'm being honest with myself I don't think I'd ever had no real love. At least not the kind I had to crave in silence.

I wouldn't dare complain in front of my kids. They weren't ever a burden. Ever. But they were a blessing that kept me busy. That's for sure! Now that most of them were good, grown, and out the way, I had more time to focus on myself and what I wanted. And Paris Williams was definitely what I wanted. "Where you been all day, huh? I been pagin' you, what did I piss you off or something?"

"Oh that's what this big ole bag is for? Case you pissed me off?" I asked while crossing my arms and standing to my feet. Paris smiled down at me with low eyes. "Maybe. So tell me. Did I?"