Family Lies 2

Dear Mama

Mahzya

"You know it's five A.M. right?" I rolled my eyes to the dark ceiling of my bedroom as I threw my arm above my head. This was the second day in a row I'd gotten a call at this same time from an unknown number. Lord knows the only reason I decided to answer was because I knew there was only one person with enough gall to hit me up at this hour.

"That any way to speak to your Mama, Zya?"

I took the deepest sigh. "Good morning Ma. What's going on?"

"I— I miss you Mahzya. Don't... don't nobody wanna come around here to check on me no more. I— I know I wasn't the best mom but I... I only did what I knowed how. That don't count for nothing?"

"To a certain extent. But Mama... how can you expect anybody to come around after what you did to Tré?"

"I ain't do nothin' to Tré! You gone let that lil girl lie on me and believe it? She ain't even yo full sister Zya!"

I sucked my teeth. "Mama... I'm a full grown woman. I know what I saw and I know how I lived. You can't gaslight me into feeling bad for you. So is there something you need?"

"I wanna get clean Mahzya," my mom cried and I just shook my head without saying a word. "You wanna get clean today? Is you gonna still wanna get clean tomorrow? Or next week?"

"Mahzya please help me... I ain't never needed help like I need help right now!" She continued on with her bullshit and I sat straight up. "I can't waste no more money trynna getchu clean! Ma, I got a family to support, I'm in school! You can't keep calling me, waking up me and my child just because you need money cuz you don't got and you ain't gone get no job! I can't keep doing it!" I ranted and Chris sat up kissing my shoulder before getting out of bed, probably to piss.

"I don't need no money, Mahzya," she sniffled and I thought I heard her stomping her feet like a child. "I just want... my family. I need my family."

"Now you want your family?" I asked as I sat back against the headboard. "What you think you can do for us? After all the bullshit you put us through what makes you think anybody would want to be around you?"

She didn't answer for a minute so I just listened to her cry for a short while.

"I know it ain't nothin' I can do for you right now," she sniffled. "But if you help me Mahzya I'll try to help you too. I can watch Lyric for you whenever you need me to and—," I cut her off, "You must be high as hell if you think there's a chance in hell I'd ever leave you alone with my child."

"I'm not! And... I can't say I don't get that... but whatever you need from me Mahzya I can do it. Clean your house, cook your meals, get a job... I just need help," she sobbed, "I just need help."

"What exactly are you asking me for?" I sighed.

"A place to stay..."

I sucked my teeth.

"Please baby? I just need a place to lay my head. And you. You the only family I got left Mahzya... you the only one who still answer the phone. I need another chance at this life shit Zya... please?"

"Where you at?"

"Eight and Chrenshaw. By Prepared Church of God in Christ. Thank you Mahzya. I love you baby."

I shook my head while rolling my eyes. "Don't thank me yet. I need to talk to Chris." I hung up just as my fiancé walked back in the room.

"What yo Mama want this time, bae? We can't loan her no more money."

I looked over at Chris, huffing and trying to get comfortable. "I know that. She asked if she could stay here for a lil while so she can try to get on her feet."