Mama's Little Girls

twenty-five

Onika Maraj
8 September 2019
St. Petersburg, FL

Sitting on the back of my father's boat, the warm Florida sun beat down on my shoulders as we coasted across the water. The slight breeze tangled in my hair, carrying the salty smell of the ocean and making everything feel bright and alive.

My father was steering, looking happier than I'd seen him in a long time, while Theresa sat nearby with a calm smile, her gaze drifting between him and the water.

I was leaning back, phone pressed to my ear as Alani's voice came through, filling me in on the latest in Atlanta. She was telling me about something her and Carmelo were trying.

"So, are you surviving down there, or are you planning an escape yet?" Alani joked, her voice a little muffled from the spotty reception. "How many alligators have chased you in the past hour?"

I laughed, shielding my eyes with one hand. "No escape plans yet, but give it time. We've only just gotten out here on the boat. It's peaceful, though. I'll give Florida that much." That's why I never missed an opportunity to come down here.

"Good for you. A little peace won't kill you." Alani's voice softened, though there was a trace of her usual edge in her tone. "Maybe even do you some good."

I could tell she was hinting at work, and I was about to respond when I caught Theresa glancing over at me, probably wondering when I'd hang up and join in the outing she'd arranged with my father.

I sighed, giving Alani the rundown of my plan for the day, making it sound like I was excited about spending time with my dad and Theresa, even if my mind had drifted elsewhere—to Beyoncé, whom I just wanted to be laid up under.

Finally, I muttered a quick goodbye and clicked off the call, slipping my phone into my bag.

"This boat is too big, right?" Theresa asked with a light smile, breaking the silence that had settled around us.

For a moment, I stared out over the water, avoiding eye contact. But I knew I had to say something. I turned back to her, gathering my thoughts. "Theresa, can I ask you something?"

She looked a little surprised, but her smile didn't falter. "Of course, Onika."

I paused, hesitating. "It's about Porsha. She's...well, you know her. You've met her a few times."

Theresa chuckled, a knowing look in her eye. "I remember Porsha. Very direct, isn't she?"

"That's one way to put it." I huffed a small laugh. "It's just sometimes it's hard to get through to her, you know? She's always got something to say, and it's like she just decides who people are. I'm not sure if she'll ever see things differently."

I felt as if I shouldn't be having friendships issues as a thirty-something-year-old.

Theresa nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "Well, people can be set in their ways, especially when they think they're looking out for someone they care about. Porsha probably thinks she's protecting you, in her own way."

"Yeah, maybe," I said, a slight frown crossing my face. "But sometimes I wonder if she'll ever get past her opinions. Like, if she'll respect the choices I make, instead of just judging them."

Theresa smiled gently. "You know, sometimes with people like Porsha, it's not about changing their minds. It's about being clear on who you are, what you want, and being willing to hold your ground. If she's truly a friend, she'll learn to respect that eventually. If not, then you might have to leave her behind on your journey through life."

Her words mirrored Beyoncé's, in a way.

I took a deep breath, letting her words sink in. It was advice that felt so obvious, but coming from Theresa, it had a softness to it. She wasn't telling me what to do, just giving me something to think about. It was nice.