FACADE

08| Oh?

JACEN JR.

My eyes fly open from the sound of the house being up. I roll over to look at my phone, just to see if I missed the alarm.

I didn't... di house just up before me.

I get from under the sheets and head to the bathroom before kickstarting the day. When I get done, I drag my gym clothes on, to go meet Mum in the the guest house gym.

Exiting my room, I spot her, going down the stairs before me.

Here's the order of things. We have a full house or should I say full property? 'cause Dadz just come out ah prison last month. While he was gone, Mum needed everybody an earshot away to help her balance me, my siblings, her businesses, his businesses and to monitor the team while it was under uncle Liam's control.

*Dem do a good job*

They did, cyaa lie 'bout that. Whenever it all got too much for her, they were there.

When she needed time to fly out for weeks at a time, they were here...

... and when she lock weh herself and cried for hours, sometimes days, they were there.

*She swear me no notice that*

But now that Dadz come home, him no want nobody here for more than a week. Whether dem a stay ina the guest or entertainment house... it nuh matter.

Because of that, today is kind of like a 'thankyou but get the f*ck off my property' type ah thing. Him no say the words, but everybody knows.

"Happy Sabbath," grandma Janette hugs me as soon as I finish the stairs.

She nah stop until me start go church again.

She and Rhyeem can enjoy dem things deh now, I got my fill. Christmas, Easter and her birthday is already enough.

*Real*

"You big now. You can't accompany me to church again," she holds onto my cheeks.

I smile.

"Nuh wah Rhyeem get jealous," I pull for my famous excuse.

"Mhmm, yuh gwaan yerr. Me a pray fi you same way," she chuckles before walking away.

I move to the kitchen where I catch Mumz picking out ackee from the pot. My brows raise in concern...

"What?" she speaks without looking back at me, "a my mother cook this morning. Me entitled."

"Me nuh say nuttin all now," I laugh out, before walking to the refrigerator.

"Can feel the judgement," she rolls her eyes, before moving to wash the spoon she was using.

"A you say we nuffi thief from the pot enuh," I remind her.

"Please, I'm just a girl," she pouts- now walking past me.

"A 29 year old girl?" I follow her out.

"Thirty in five months, imagine that," she pushes the front door open and we head off towards the guest gym.

Most Saturdays, mi and her spar in the gym. This Saturday should be no different.

We get to there, only to see Dadz already present.

"Morning," the word leaves my lips with the tone of slight surprise.

Mum walks into his arms, and holds her head steady for the usual forehead kisses. My eyes land on his outfit. Him nuh ina no active clothes, so him deh here fi watch or?