Mama's Little Girls

twenty-two

Onika Maraj
5 September 2019
City Court of Atlanta

The courtroom was packed, filled with tense faces and eyes that darted back and forth between me and the defense attorney. After weeks of work, tonnes of preparation, it all came down to this final moment. I stood behind the plaintiff's table, my fingers tapping lightly on the wood as I awaited the verdict, my pulse thrumming in my veins.

"Ms. Maraj." The judge's voice boomed, breaking the silence. "The court finds in favour of your client."

A rush of relief flooded through me, and I barely stopped myself from exhaling a triumphant sigh. I smiled, nodded respectfully, and shook my client's hand as he whispered his thanks, his eyes bright with gratitude. I'd done my job, and I'd done it well. This was one of those high-stakes cases that could make or break a career, and I knew I'd just cemented mine even further.

But as much as I enjoyed the thrill of victory, the celebratory rush didn't last like it used to. Lately, it felt like there was always something missing—a void, an absence that winning cases couldn't fill. I shook off the thought, gathered my briefcase, and headed out of the courtroom, pushing that emptiness aside. I'd gotten good at that lately.

Outside, Alani was leaning against a pillar, her arms crossed and a knowing grin on her face. Alani grinned up at me, giving me a little wave, and Porsha smirked with her arms folded, already snapping pictures of me like the proud but judgmental big sister she loved to play.

"There she is!" Alani beamed, rushing over and pulling me into a tight hug. "The legend herself!"

I hugged her back, laughing. "It wasn't that big of a case." I caught myself downplaying it.

"Uh-huh. Says the woman who just won a six-figure settlement." Porsha chimed in, raising an eyebrow. "Girl, you better start seeing yourself how we do."

Alani beamed. "That was amazing. You had that judge eating out of your hand!"

Porsha smirked, arms crossed. "Of course she did. You really thought Onika was losing today? You know she didn't walk in there with anything less than her best."

I couldn't help but laugh, the weight of the day easing with each step. My friends. They knew how to make me feel invincible and completely seen all at once. Alani was always the first to congratulate, the first to pick me up if I faltered. Porsha, well, she had her rough edges, but when she believed in you, it was as good as gold.

I smiled at them both, appreciating their support. These two were my rocks, even if they drove me up the wall half the time. "Fine, fine. Drinks on me tonight, then."

"Perfect. Let's go to that new rooftop place." Porsha said, linking her arm with mine. "They've got this cocktail with edible gold flakes. You deserve gold."

But the idea of going somewhere so polished didn't appeal to me tonight. I felt like being somewhere gritty, where things were real. I wanted to lose myself in music and ambiance, not designer glasses and pristine white linens.

"Actually," I said, slowing down, "there's this jazz spot I'd rather go to. It's down on Edgewood."

The second I said 'Edgewood,' Porsha's mouth twisted, and I braced myself. "Wait a minute, Edgewood? As in the ghetto? What is with you and this whole 'let's-go-slumming' phase? I swear you have lost your mind." Porsha's face contorted. "Edgewood, for real? Girl, what are we trying to do, get shot?"

Alani rolled her eyes, stifling a laugh. "Porsha, stop. Edgewood cannot be that bad. People actually live there, you know?"

"People live there, but I don't have to. Or go there." Porsha crossed her arms, looking at me like I'd just suggested bungee-jumping off a bridge.