What's more to it

12 1 0
                                    

"I was walking down the lane, feeling the Jamaican vibe. A young mom was trying to manage her kids - the baby on her hip, the toddler learning to walk, and the big one giving her dad a piece of her mind. A teenage couple was sneaking glances at each other, trying to keep their love on the down low. Kids were playing tag, laughing and shouting.

When I got home, the drama was in full swing. My parents were arguing, my brother was racing his truck across the floor, and my sister was glued to her phone. I just sighed and headed to my room, needing a break from the chaos.

This is what I've had to go through for the last 14 years of my life. I always wondered what it's like to enjoy life to the fullest.

"Alex, come wash the plates now!" my dad shouted.

"Why you love bother the pickney so?" my mom shouted back at him. "Tell Ashley fi go do it!"

"Mi a come, mommy, no worry, mi will do it," I said, trying to avoid the argument.

But it's hard to avoid the drama when it's always surrounding you. I just wish I could experience a day without the yelling, the arguing, the stress. Just one day of peace and happiness. Is that too much to ask for?

After washing the plates, I locked my door and put in my earbuds, starting to do my hair for tomorrow's outing with my friends - my first adventure of the summer. I also wanted to look extra good, since my best friend's cousin, who I have a crush on, would be joining us.

Just as I was getting into my groove, I heard my dad knocking on the door. "Alex, Alex, why the door lock?" he asked in an angry and curious tone.

"Nothing, daddy," I replied.

"What you a do?" he pressed, his voice growing angrier.

"I'm doing my hair," I answered, getting up to open the door before he got any more upset.

"Little girl, you not paying any bills in here, so no come lock no door, you hear me?" my dad said sternly.

"Yes, sir," I replied, but in my mind, I wanted to ask him, "Why does my room even have a door if I'm not allowed to lock it?"

I let out a deep sigh and continued getting ready, my excitement for tomorrow's outing tempered by the familiar frustration of living with my parents' rules and arguments.

Later that night ~

I was in my bed, overthinking as always, planning all the fake scenarios in my head of what could happen tomorrow.

"Alex," I hear my mom say.

"Yes, mommy," I answer.

"Move over, mi a sleep beside you," she says.

I move aside, and she lays down beside me.

"Alex, mi daughter, don't get married, hear mi? Man a problem. If mi never have you guys, mi would a leave long time. You fada nay stay so, but man change, no think about pickney either. Too much work. Enjoy yo life, hear mi? Go a school, get a good education, get a good job. No think about man or pickney."

I listen to my mother's words, familiar with every phrase, every sentence. She's said it over and over again since my sister was born. Sometimes I just want to tell her, "Man is not the problem..."

But it was just her who took up the wrong man.

I keep quiet, knowing she won't listen. She's stuck in her own experiences, her own pain. I just nod, pretending to agree, while my mind wanders to tomorrow's adventures and the possibilities that lie ahead.

~ The next day ~

I wake up, brush my teeth, and clean my room. My dad walks out of his room, "Good morning, Alex," he says. I nod and reply with a simple "Morning, daddy."

He heads into the bathroom, and I go to the kitchen to start breakfast. Before long, the whole house is awake, and chaos erupts. My dad asks where the soap is, my mom complains about the mess, my sister shouts back at her, my mom looks for something to throw at her, my brother cries for food, and I'm left wondering where I went wrong.

After finishing cooking, I share out my brother's food and give it to him. Then, I look for the soap for my dad, who bathes and gets ready for work. I shout at my sister to clean up the place and give my mom some food - sometimes I feel like I'm the only mature person in the house.

"Alright, mi a leave out, Alex, where's my lunch?" my dad asks. "Here you go, daddy," I reply, handing him his plate of food.

He looks at my mom, "What mi fi bring home for you?" he asks. "Idk, as long as it's something I can eat," she answers.

"Okay, mi gone now. Love you all," he says before leaving.

I look at my family and smile. Yes, it's crazy, but at the end of the day I love it and I'm stuck with it.

Yes you reach the end of this chapter just keep going for the next chapter 💋😁

my little life Where stories live. Discover now