𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐮𝐬𝐭

Caught Up

Angela rested at the dining room table smoking a cigarette. The smell of soul food was heavy in the air because she had been preparing dinner. A task she needed to complete early because she was using her crockpot to tenderize her baked chicken. She made sure to sit at an angle where she could still keep an eye on Mason and Maverick, who were currently passed out on her living room floor. They had been running Angela raggedy all day and had finally burned out all of their energy. They had visited the park, and went for ice cream afterwards. She had broken up fights, giving piggyback rides, played tag, and was their personal chef all in one day.

Angela was beyond tired so when they finally tapped out on her living room floor, she didn't even bother moving them. She simply propped their heads up with pillows and covered them both with a throw blanket. She was sure they'd wake up in about twenty minutes or so. Kids their age never napped for too long. They seemed to take short cat naps that still somehow managed to keep them energized for the remainder of the day. Angela was going to enjoy the little bit of quiet time she had to herself for the time being.

She finished her smoke and put the butt out in the ashtray. Not long afterwards Kenya came strolling in, looking like she'd just walked off of a magazine cover. The sweet smell of her perfume, making an entrance long before she did. Her usual curly mane had been pressed out and looser curls brushed the tops of her shoulders. She wore a white sleeveless one shoulder bodysuit and flare denim jeans she purchased from Zara, one of her favorite stores. She chose to dress up her casual look with a pair of expensive heels. Her makeup was flawless. She looked stunning. It was quite obvious she was prepared to spend a day free from playgrounds and temper tantrums. Angela leaned back in her chair. Something was telling her that Kenya was getting ready to ask her for yet another favor.

" Good morning, Ma," Kenya said, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge before taking a seat across from her.

" Morning? Chile, it's after 1pm. I think the correct term you're looking for would be, good afternoon"

" I stand corrected," Kenya said, smiling awkwardly. Angela gave her a once over as if she hadn't caught a glimpse of her entire outfit the minute she had stepped into the room.

" You look nice," she said dryly.

" Thanks," Kenya replied. She sat there silently trying to figure out a way to ask her mother to baby sit for her again.

" You might as well just come on out and say it. I know you didn't get all dressed up like that to walk around the house. Where is it that you're trying to go this time?"

" Well, Me, Nia and Destiny wanted to go to lunch and do some shopping afterwards" Kenya said as she unscrewed the top and took a sip of her drink.

" Are you sure you'll be with them or were you planning to go see, Donnie?" Angela asked, causing Kenya to nearly spit out her drink. She quickly twisted the cap back and sat the bottle down on top of the table as she cleared her throat.

" Huh? "

" You heard me. My grandsons tell me everything. They say you have a new friend that goes by the name of Donnie. They seem to be really fascinated with her. Cool, is the word I believe they used when describing her. I didn't think anything of it until one of them mentioned that she dressed like them" Angela pried further.

Kenya's heart began beating fast in her chest. She didn't know why but her mother finding out about Donnie made her feel uneasy. She couldn't believe her own children had sold her out. Toddler betrayal hit a little different. She was flabbergasted. She knew now that she needed to move differently in front of her babies. They were entering the stage where they repeated everything. She wondered if they had mentioned Donnie to their father when he kept them. Angela looked across the table at Kenya. She could tell that she was over thinking so she decided to provide her the details.