Total 360° (Interracial)

Chapter 18- Where is your shirt?

Only the brave know how to forgive; it is the most refined and generous pitch of virtue humans can arrive at. ~ Lawrence Sterne~

  "Mammay! I'm home." I announced and closed my eyes, awaiting my blow out.

  'I'm in the kitchen." Came the alarmingly calm reply. Why was she so calm? A million scenarios crossed through my  mind as I made my dreaded walk to the kitchen. By the time I made it there, I was already feeling light headed. I'd rather be unconscious  that awake to face her silent wrath.

  "Good night." I greeted her.

  Only one word came from her mouth, "Sit." and she gestured to one of the bar stool. I placed myself there and sat in anticipation. I looked over at her putting a kettle to boil. "Who was that boy?" She was still too calm. What did she have up her sleeves?

  "His name is Tre'. He's new." She nodded for me to continue. "We went for pizza and then we just talked. We're friends." I stressed the last part.

  She sat opposite me, "Do you know why I called you in here?"

  'I'm guessing to talk about this morning?" I braced myself. What was she up to?

  My mother sighed, "I'm sorry. Not for whopping your ass, but for not believing you. I'm your mother, I should trust that you're old enough to not get yourself into that kind of trouble."

  "Ma." I started, but she shut me down immediately.

  "Let me finish." I closed my mouth. "Maybe I've been a little hard on you since your father left. I'm sorry. I'm not removing my band on James though. He seems like trouble."

  "Yes mommy." She reached over and gave me a hug. "Can I go now? I tired."

  She nodded, "Good night."

  "Night."

  I walked up the steps, leaving my mother in the kitchen. Just as I flipped on my bed, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Sighing, I raised my rear off the bed and removed my cell.

  The message icon popped up along with a tiny '5' on the top right hand corner. I clicked on it, an internal sigh going through me. Th fist message was from Sofie. The second and third; from James and thirdly, Tre'. The most recent one came from an unknown number.

              Want to know what James is hiding?
  Kissing my teeth , I deleted the message along with the number. I turned over, plugged in my phone to charge and fell asleep, completely forgetting about changing my clothes and replying to the rest of my messages.

  The next morning, I wake up with a familiar back pain. "Ma!" I called out and two minutes later I hear the patter of her feet. Before she could say anything,  I asked, "Can you get me my tablets please?" She nodded then hurried off. I heard the slamming of our kitchen cupboards. Yes, we kept pain killer in the kitchen instead of the bathroom.  You see, my mother recently started having body pains and would constantly call me to bring her pain medicine and because the of thought of having to walk up and down the stairs was mentally exhausting, I just put all the tablets in the kitchen.
  "Here." My mother handed me two capsules and a glass of water. "I'll call the school and tell them you won't be present." I nodded and thanked her. "Try to sleep and not move excessively.  I don't want anymore vomit soaked towels."
  "Yes ma'am." I muttered and swallowed my holy grail.
  "I'm leaving for work in ten minutes. You need to get up and take a hot bath."
  Considering her suggestion, I rose, each little movement getting more and more painful. Finally, I got to the tub and turned on the tap, watching the steam it cteated. With it only halfway full, I plopped down into the water, no caring about the temperature.  I turned off the tap and layed back, enjoying the soothing sensation it gave me
I'm not too sure what happened but I remember my mother calling out that she was leaving and that what she came back, she would bring me my stuff. After that, I recall nothing.
  I guess I fell asleep in the tub due yo the fact that I woke up surrounded in cold water.  Draining it out, I turned on the over-head shower and quickly rid myself of germs. After drying off, I put on my underwear and pad. I'd rather not have my towel a representation of the flag of China. My pains were back at this point and I wanted nothing but to go back to my bed. Once all was situated, I wrapped the towel around myself and left the bathroom.
  "Morning. " I jumped at the sudden greeting.  There on my bed, looking way too comfortable for my liking, was James.
  "What the- get out!"
  He sat up, ''Now that's not a nice way to greet the person who had to go shopping for you." Then showed me a box of Stayfree.
  My mouth hung open,  ''Why?''
  ''Well, apparently,  your mom called Sofie and asked her if she could have stopped by and brung you these but she was already in school. She called my dad saying that she would be late and told him why which resulted in my father offering me to go. Of course I said yes, I get a break from school. "
  I was still confused,  ''And who let you in?''
  ''Momma Jeffersons told me where the keys were,  but not before threatening to castrate me if I step out of line."
  I smiled,  "Thanks. You can go. I don't want you to miss school. ''
  He walked over to the door and opened it. ''Awe, no way cupcake,  I was told to babysit you. So, your're stuck with me.'' He winked, closing the door behind him.
  ''But I don't need a babysitter! " I yelled.
  He responded with a, ''Momma's orders and momma knows best.''