An Adulterer's Price

Mr. Brown Eyes

December 19, 2014

6:30PM

Michael Jackson

I dabbed the small black towel along my jawline, wiping away any aftershave residue. I slung it back through its metal hook and opened the mirror cabinet. I took out the small container of gel and dipped my fingers in it, rubbing my palms together before slickin' this curly mess back into a low ponytail. I thought about chopping it all off and goin' with a more clean-cut look now that I had a professional job, but the ladies loved this curls much.

My sister Latoya went to beauty school. She now works at a ghetto little beauty shop down the street from mom and pop's. I've had my life threatened multiple times from her over this hair. When it starts gettin' too nappy, I let her relax it. She also handles the trimming. Basically, she's the only one allowed to touch it.

I've got three sisters, two older and one baby sis. Sometimes it feels like I've got two extra mommas and a daughter, but I love them dearly. Rebbie's the oldest and most definitely the most motherly. In fact, she was just here yesterday straightening out the new apartment.

I put the gel away and looked around. I signed the lease December 1st and this place still felt like a hotel I couldn't afford. Comin' from a two bedroom apartment in the hood shared with nine siblings and two parents, it's gonna take some gettin' used to - having so much space. As much as I used to dream about it, now that I got it... shit gets kind of lonely. So, I basically had my siblings on rotation comin' in and out stayin' with me and keepin' me company. Right now Lil' Randy on my couch dressed in a pair of my slacks and red dress shirt. Over the last five years its been nothin' but grindin' and schoolin' for me and that ain't really left time for me to get a girl or nothing like that.

I mean I gets honeys, but none that are allowed to stay more than just a night. I didn't need a distraction from my goal. But now that I've achieved it, I wouldn't mind meeting someone I could make mines.

"Nigga, you done gettin' pretty?! It's bout seven now!" Randy yelled from the other room.

I roped Randy into attending the company Christmas party with me. We were allowed to bring one guest. Since I ain't got a significant other and didn't want to show up alone, I asked him to go, promising he'd meet tons of rich suga mommas. Bein' the youngest of my brothers, he was the most gullible. Now his ass was too geeked.

I wiped my hands off, buttoned up my white dress shirt and tucked it neatly into my pants. My mother gave me this silly little light blue tie with snowmen on it. Couldn't think of a better time to wear it other than tonight.

Randy was lifting the remote to turn off my flat screen TV as I walked into the living room. He stood up and grabbed his leather jacket off the back of my couch, throwing it on and pulling a beanie hat over his head.

"Nigga, you can't wear that hat. This a semi-formal party..."

"What ain't formal bout this hat?!"

I rolled my eyes and plucked one of my black flat caps off the coat rack and tossed it at him. He sucked his teeth at me as he aggressively caught it in the air. He tossed his beanie off and put on his head. "There! Now am I good enough to be seen witchu, preppy boy?"

"Shut up, nigga... Do you wanna impress some ladies tonight or what?"

He rolled his eyes at me and we went on. I blew out a breath of relief as I followed him out, locking the door behind him. Ever since I got this job two months ago, my brothas have been jealous on the low. Makin' sneaking little comments here and there bout how I think I'm better than them now. I do my best to show them that I'm the same mu'ufucka they grew up with, but it gets hard.