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saturday, nov. 2 detroit, mi
"Hey, baby. You doing okay? You haven't called all week."
I smiled softly, pressing the phone to my ear as I walked across campus to get to the student center. It was a Saturday, which meant that the campus was nearly empty as everyone chilled in their dorms or went home to their families if they lived in the city. My family was all the way in New York, so I spent my weekends on campus every single time.
"I'm good, Ma. Sorry I haven't called. I've been busy," I told her.
"It's a shame that you could carry a child for nine months and raise them up, just to hear that they're too busy for you once you send them to college."
"Mommy, you are so dramatic! I'm never too busy for you. I just been swamped with assignments, plus it was Halloweekend, so I was hanging out with my friends," I laughed.
She chuckled softly. "Mhm. I miss you."
"I miss you too. Have you been okay this week?" I asked.
"Oh yeah, I've been great, baby. I had a date on Wednesday night."
"A dateeee?!" I gasped.
She laughed like something was funny. I knew that she was her own person and that she deserved happiness, but I just couldn't fathom the idea of some man courting my mama! I didn't date men, but I knew that men were fuckboys at all ages. I didn't need anybody breaking my mom's heart.
"He's a handsome guy. A real gentleman, too."
"I don't know how to feel about this! You're too young to be dating," I scolded playfully.
She laughed. "I could say the same about you, Nika. I hope you not breaking those young girls hearts at college."
My mind flashed to Beyoncé, and my smile faltered as I entered the student center. It had been days since I'd seen her, and although I still had her blocked, I was hoping that she was doing okay. After a while of reflection, I realized that I could have gone about things differently. I could tell that she really liked me, and I was interested in her too, so I wanted to resolve things the next time I saw her.
"I'm not, Ma."
"Hm... you took too long to answer. What's going on?"
"You're literally so nosy."
"That's fresh coming from you, child."
"Oh wow," I laughed.
"Tell me what's bothering you, baby. I can hear it all in your voice."
I chuckled, looking around the mostly empty student center. I came here to get a quick snack and work on my midterm project, but I could tell that most of my time was about to be spent on the phone with my mom. We were real close, and we could talk to each other for hours. I missed her so much. I couldn't wait to go home for the holidays.
