Never Satisfied: A New Orleans Tale

Guilty Conscious

A ray of light exuding from the crimson drapes landed across my face, reviving me from an alcohol-induced coma and right away a brutal migraine surfaced. After I got out of bed, smoothed back the sable comforter and readjusted the pillows, I limped to the bathroom to freshen up.

When I returned to the bedroom I looked at the alarm clock resting on top of the cherry oak nightstand.

8:00 A.M.

Sky didn't leave for work until nine-thirty so I knew he was still home.

Slowly I staggered into the hallway and as I approached the living room, the aroma of pancakes invaded my nostrils.

"What are you doing?" I asked stepping into the kitchen, cupping the side of my head. It felt like someone had a vice grip on it.

"You up? I thought your ass would be out for the rest of the day," Sky said as he walked in my direction and planted a kiss on my forehead. He hurried back to the stove to finish scrambling some eggs. "You had fun last night, huh?" he teased.

"Shut up stupid! My head is killing me." I trudged further into the kitchen.

"Yeah, I knew you was gon' feel that shit in the morning. The way you and Kyrielle was acting..."

Instantly guilt started to set in as I recalled last night's events. "How were we acting?"

"Both y'all was talking out the side of y'alls necks, slurring and shit. I couldn't make out a damn thing y'all was talking about." He threw some sausage patties in the skillet.

I let out a nervous titter. "Yeah, that was all that Holy Water Kyrielle gave me."

Chuckling he replied, "Holy Water? Let me find out y'all was taking communion up in there."

"No dummy, it's a drink." I left him to cook and went into the dining room. Slowly, I eased my ass in a seat at the table and rested my head in my hands. "Anyways, did you ever get done at the shop?"

"Oh, so now you concerned?" His dimples winked at me.

"I'm sorry baby. I tried to tell Kyrielle..."

"Naw, don't worry about it. I got Roxie to help me."

"That pregnant bitch that do the braids at the shop?"

"Yeah her."

"You got that hood rat to help you redecorate the barber shop?

"She a cool li'l chick though Jasmine."

"She's cool? Boy you don't know what she is. Shit, she only been working for you for a few weeks," I huffed.

"I mean, I guess ma. All I'm saying is she straight by me for helping hook my shit up.

"Okay." I sucked my teeth.

"Awe, you jealous Phat?" He sat a plate of scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage patties, and buttered toast in front of me.

"Whatever nigga."

"A'ight. What you want to drink?" He noticed my irritation and changed the subject.

"Orange juice," I responded with attitude.

Ignoring my venom Sky walked off and moments later, he approached me with two tall glasses of orange juice. He handed me a glass and sat the other one on the table. After retrieving his plate and a bottle of pills, he joined me.