Running Secrets

Chapter Five

(a week later)

Josephine

I have been here for a  week, and I haven't felt this great in a long time. The first couple of  days, I messed up. Bored, I had went out a few times to explore the  little town, forgetting to call and check in. That resulted in a lot of  yelling from Mark, and a few lectures from Anita. But after the third  day, I did better. Being on my own for so long, I wasn't use to having  to check in. I finished putting my shoes on, heading down stairs to the  kitchen. The smell of breakfast hit me instantly. Inside the kitchen,  Anita was cheffing it up.

"Morning sweetie," she called out upon seeing me.

"Morning. Has the paper came yet?" I asked, taking a seat.

"Yup. It's right on the table." She pointed.

I  needed a job bad, and the paper was helpful. Anita had offered to get  me an interview at her job, but I told her I rather find my own. It's a  pride thing, for which she understood. I picked up the paper and began  to shift through it. I began circling places as Crystal came into the  kitchen. All dolled up, she was dressed in black skinny jeans with a  blue/green colored peplum top, and some light blue/white J's. She looked  fresh. Her make-up held a spring time look.

"What up doeeeeee?" she greeted.

"Same shit, different day." Anita grinned.

"Morning y'all."

Mark  grumbled, walking into the kitchen, dressed in jeans and his work  shirt. I learned that he is an mechanic at some auto shop. He looked  over to see me and waved. Our little beef was quickly squashed by  Tuesday. Mark was hot headed, but give him time and he will come around.  I looked at my siblings with a smile. I  just wish that mommy and Just  were here. If things go well, we might all reunite. But for now, I was  going to look for a job and keep my family out of danger. That's the  least I could do.

Vic

I walked with  Lamar to the bus stop. Mom was back at the house, getting ready for  work. For the past couple of days, we barely spoke. She has been angry  with me for how I acted towards her nigga. All week, she has been acting  out. On top of that, there is a party tonight and she isn't happy about  it. She has been constantly walking around, talking shit under her  breath. I know I'm her child, but she is my mom. I am supposed love and  protect her, not be friends with her wack ass boyfriends. Just like she  supposed to love and be my mom, she's not required to like any girl I  date. That's just the way it goes. I'on trust dude and I let him know  that night that I don't fuck with him. No matter what; my mom will  always be my mom. He just a temp. Lamar's bus came rattling up the  street, breaking my thoughts.

"You got your lunch?" I asked, looking at him.

"Yeah." He nodded with a slight smile.

"I'mma pick you up after school." I told him.

"Okay. See you later bro," he replied.

"Later bro,"

We  dapped each other before he ran to the line of kids climbing on the  bus. Before heading to my car, I watched as he climbed on. Walking to my  car, I gave him one last wave. He waved back before settling in his  seat. I unlocked my car and got in. Today, the shop was getting an  inspection. I made sure I had my uniform on, aka my shop shirt. It was  the yearly inspection, so it wasn't some extreme thing. But we still  needed to be sharp. Zach didn't want no trouble. I started it up,  putting the car in drive. My car is a 2013 Honda. Being the best  godfather ever, Zach had co-signed for me. It didn't cost much and my  car note was about 200 a month. It was good, because I was able to pay  for college and the car. I cruised down the road, thinking about  tonight. Jay had hit me up again, making sure I was still coming to the  party tonight. At first, I wasn't sure. But after a while I agreed. I  needed to get out and have some fun. Come to think of it, I haven't been  out in a while. Turning on the radio, I bopped my head to the music as I  continued on to work. I reached the shop in no time. Getting out the  car, I wished I could get back in. A sudden wave of laziness hit me. I  didn't feel like working, but I had to. I grabbed my bag, locked the  doors and headed inside. The smell of gas and oil hit my nose. I nodded  to the guys as I made my way to the lockers. I tossed my bag in my  locker and went right back out. As I made my way to my work station, I  peeped that I had a car waiting for me.