“He’s never liked me Tonya. It’s the truth and I dare you to say it’s not."
“He does baby. Relax”
“No. It’s been four years and I swear to you he hates me and the thought of us together doesn’t help,” Brandon said
“Brandon don’t say that. My son doesn’t hate you boo. He’s just protective of his mother,” Tonya says as she runs her hand across his tight jaw. “Just calm down. He’s about to come through the door.”
“Mom! I’m home.” Tom said while shutting the front door behind him.
“We’re in the bedroom hun,” Tonya announced back to him.
“We? Who’s w-,” Tom came to a stop at the bedroom door. “Nevermind. It’s only his punk ass. What’s poppin dawg?
“Tom! Respect please.” Tonya shot back at Tom’s comment.
“No, It’s all good.” Brandon said. “What it do Tom?”
“So how was your day Tom,” his mother asked.
“It was ok. By the way, i’ll be late tomorrow because of football practice. Big game coming up so coach has us practicing longer,” Tom replied. “But what about you Brandon? Wait. That’s right. You don’t have a job so you sit and do nothing all day.”
“You know what, I’m out.” Brandon stands up, pulls his hood over his head, grabs his phone and fumes toward the door.”
“Baby wait,” Tonya called running behind him.
“I’ll be back. I just need some air. Ok,” he kissed her on the forehead and slammed the door behind him.
Tonya turned away from the door and glared at Tom who was playing with his phone. He briefly looked up at his mother and asked, “What?”
“You know what Tom Lenance Jr. I’ve told you about talking shit to him.”
“If you think about it, it was only the truth. If he can’t handle that then he’s just like the rest.”
“Still Tom,” Her voice elevated into a yell, “Even you know how hard it is to do just about anything with-”
“With a criminal record. I know Mom. Can we let that go for once please? I know what I did was wrong. He killed a man though. He made that choice.”
“Whatever Tom. There’s food in the fridge and I made Kool-Aid. I’m going to bed,” she said while walking to her bedroom and closing the door.
Tom sucks his teeth,”Night Mom.”
He walks to the fridge, and pulls out a steak, mashed potatoes and beans.
What does my mother see in him. I just don’t understand. He’s worse than any of the others. I can’t and won’t let him hurt her when the time comes. I don’t trust him. The thoughts kept flowing through his mind as he ate his food and afterwards, laid down. We’ll see if he comes back tomorrow though. We’ll see. He turns off his light and closes his eyes.
“Girl he didn’t come home last night,” Tonya was on the phone with one of her friends the next morning. “I don’t know where he could be.”
Just then, the front door’s lock began to turn and the door opened slowly.
“Baby,” Tonya dropped the phone as she flew toward the door with a smile. “Where were you? I was so worried,” she collided with him into a tight embrace.
“I went to get some air like I said,” Brandon said while trying to keep his face out of view.
“Brandon.”
