Conflict Reloaded

Chapter 27: Cut From A Different Fabric

(Janelle)

I walked into my restaurant.

Cultural Cuisine.

Thanks to Tanisha and Florence, this place didn't close when I went away. I'm so glad that it didn't either. It's the last piece of my mother that I have. I know that she wasn't the best mother, but I do still miss her sometimes. I still think about her from time to time. That's my mom, I won't ever forget her.

"Ms.Young! Hey!" I walked over to Flo and gave her a hug. Beside her stood a guy that I'd never seen before. He has blue eyes, a light olive complexion, and a dark haircut.

"Hi Ms.Flo. Call me Janelle please."

She laughed then put her hand on her chest. "Okay Ms.Janelle."

I smiled at her. She's always been so sweet and respectful to me. I love her.

"Oh, where are my manners? This is my son Dylan. He brought me to work this morning."

She said her goodbyes to her son then walked away. I slightly smiled at Dylan as he held his hand out. I shook his hands and looked into his gorgeous eyes. Does it even makes sense to call a guy's eyes gorgeous?

"Hi, nice to meet you."

I cleared my throat then took my eyes from his. "Nice to meet you as well."

He smiled, which caused his light dimples to show. "You can hold my hand as long as you want."

I giggled and let go of his hand. "Umm, my bad. Well I guess I better go...do something."

I was about to walk away but he gently grabbed my arm. "I would love to maybe take you out for coffee sometimes."

I was about to respond but someone called me.

"It was really nice talking to you, but I have to tend to my business." I smiled and walked away from him.

Why am I feeling all giggly and bubbly like some high school girl? I have a heart that I have to protect. I be damned if I get played three times. Brandon. I knew Brandon was up to no good. He was a professional football player. He had money. Of course he was fuckin with gold diggers that wanted a piece of the pie.

Jamarcus. That man really had me fooled. He made me believe that he loved me. He had me thinking that I would be his number one and his only one. Now I'm far from stupid. I know that no man would be faithful to a woman that's locked up for nine years. If there is one who would have, that wasn't Jamarcus. I won't even lie, I would have been able to work past some random broad, but Lisa? The same bitch who I called best friend? It's funny, two people that I called my 'friends' ruined both my marriages. The only good thing he gave me was a son. And khalil and I aren't even as close as I want us to be. The best thing for his grandma was to have her grandson living with her. That was she isn't all alone. Khalil and I do have a pretty good relationship with him though. We talk to each other every day and we see each other often. That's my little boy. I love him. But I hate his damn daddy.

Wait wait wait, hold on. The guy just asked to take me for coffee, which I don't drink. That's besides the point though. I'm thinking way too far ahead. Then again I'm not, because I could never put my trust into another man to be let down. I'm an independent woman who has her own money, home, car, and business. Oh, and breath taking gorgeous grandbabies. I don't need a man.

(Malia)

Jahlil came in the door breathing heavily. His light gray tank top has dark gray sweat streaks on it.

"Hey Jahlil. Umm, where were you?"

"Gym."

"You're breathing and sweating like you ran all the way home." I laughed.

"Umm actually, I did. The gym is like right down the street."

I watched him jog up the stairs. Most likely, he's about to take a shower.

"That's your daddy little girl." I sighed and kissed Malina on her face. "What's wrong with him? Isn't it always something?"

"I'm glad you feel that way." Jahlil smirked as he walked by shirtless. I gasped then looked to Malina. She started crying. I laid her against my shoulder as I got up and walked into the kitchen.

"Jahlil I'm sorry for saying that, okay?"

"Shit, whateva."

"Don't curse around our daughter!"

"Damn it's 'always something' isn't it." He shook his head then walked away from me.

Why oh why didn't I choose my words wiser? I didn't mean it in the way it sounded. It's always something with him, meaning there is always something that has him down. I have no idea what it is half the time either. The twins take away some of his sadness, but not enough.

Jahlil and I, we come from two different worlds. I have both my parents. I have both sets of grandparents. We see each other often. I have a bunch of cousins and aunts and uncles. I have a lot of family, and we have family functions often. We do things together. We help each other out when we can. I don't know what it's like to live without having the option to see my mom for a long period of time. I've never had a gun put to my head. I've never had either one of my nanas treat me rude and hatefully for no reason. I know both of my grandpas. Couldn't imagine not knowing one or the other. My dad has never had an alcohol or gambling problem. My mom has never been to jail. We are just so different. I don't know how to handle him, and I don't know what to do.

At the end of the day I love him, but is love really enough?

(Hmmm, wonder if something's wrong with Jahlil. Since its 'Always Something'. Lol, smh. Hmmm, wonder if Malia will try to deal with Jahlil and his ways.)