On The Fence

Chapter 11

The rest of the day I didn't feel like talking, so I didn't say much. I barely talked to Angiie because I was very annoyed with the fact that she failed to be empathetic with what was going on with Miles and me. Miguel asked for my number last period during science and gave me his. The day he texts me will be the day my world will be happy again but I doubt he will tonight because we got a lot of science homework today.

My dad pulled up in the Kiss-And-Ride after school and I was glad. I was not about to go home with Miles, and Jordan had to stay after school for some extracurricular thing that I didn't know about and wouldn't care to know about because it was none of my business and I just.don't.care.

"Hey daddy," I said as I closed the door to the passenger seat.

He kissed my head.

"How was your day?" He said.

"How was your day?" I turned it back on him.

"I asked you first."

I looked down at my fingers and then peered out the window, thinking of what to tell him. I most definitely wasn't going to tell him what's going on between Miles and me and I wasn't going to tell him why I was annoyed at Angiie 'cause it would lead back to what's happening with Miles. I for sure wasn't going to tell him I gave my number to Miguel and that I got his number. He doesn't even know Miguel. I decided to go with,

"Eventful. What about you, did you make it to a meeting?"

He laughed, "I don't have a meeting everyday, Bree. I have to go on a business trip for a while sometime soon."

"For how long?"

"A few days....weeks...maybe more...?"

 Excuse me? Come again?- I tought- A few days, weeks...maybe more?!?! Is he crazy? Does he know what he's about to do to me? I mean sure, I guess I won't be nagged for a while or I won't have to try hard to get what I want but who's gonna drive me to school? Who's gonna take me home? Who's gonna give me free money? At the moment between mom and him, he's the pushover. Anyhow I have to be driven to and from school by Jordan or Miles, my life will be over....temporarily...but still! This is not good. This is sooooo--

"Not good," I accidentally said out loud.

"Not good? Bree, I could get a promotion, a raise after this. How is it not good?" He said.

Well,- I thought- If he gets this raise I get more free money....but if he gets this promotion he may not be able to drive me to and from school and I'd have to result in Jordan and maybe Miles. This is not good. It really isn't...well it is in some way but....

We pulled up in the drive way and I got out of the car. I saw Miles' car in the driveway as I got my backpack from the back seat.

•••

Ding Dong

"Bree, get the door please, I'm all the way upstairs!" Mom called.

Yea, sure, because Jordan is incapacitated- I thought while walking to the door- and shouldn't do anything that involves using his hands and feet because he's just a celebrity in this house and deserves special treatment twenty-four seven. The apple of everyone's eye.

"Blessings, sister Marie. How are you?" I said with a fake smile. 

She may be nice but her face just looks a bit too much like Barbie it's ridiculous. The struggle is real when you have to smile at her like you mean it when everyone knows she got work done on her face when she went on a "business trip" last year. The Sunday she got back was the Sunday the word got around. She stopped coming to Sunday School until people 'forgot' about it.

"Blessings, sister Bree. Are your parents home?"

Oh so you're not gonna answer my question? Cool.- I thought.

"We're upstairs, sister Marie!" Mom yelled, "you can come up if you like!"

"Go on children." Sis. Marie told her children.

They ran to the living room, when I heard Jordan raise his voice.

"What are you doing?! Get out, kid! You too!" 

 Sis. Marie found her way to my parents' bedroom.

•••

Jordan left to go to the movies with his friends by the time the adults came downstairs.

"Alright, Bree, we're leaving now," Mom said from the door.

"Bye."

The two girls, Lea and Mae were sitting beside me on the couch watching TV, while I did my science homework. 

"I heard it's suppose ta rain today," Lea said.

"Yea, hard. Lots and lots of peeing clouds tonight," Mae nodded.

Lea nodded too.

"Clouds don't pee, guys," I sighed, "you'll learn when you get older."

It was quiet for a while with only the sound of the TV, when Mae looked up at me. I was honestly upset enough with Miles not coming and the fact that I have to babysit. Then she decided to ask,

"Bee....where do babies come from?"

"Alright, no. I am not doing this right now. Get out. Both of you, to the game room and don't come out unless you need to pee."

Like, I'm trying to do homework. I don't need to play mom to four and five year olds.- I thought, and kissed my teeth.

It rained at 8:00.

THUD, THUD, THUD.   

The heck? Who's at my door?- I thought.

I opened it and stood there in shock.

Oh, my Lord- I thought. 

"Uuuhhmmm....." I tried to find words but nothing came to mind.

"I was thinking," he said.

".......About."

"You........I'm sorry."

"You're sorry for what?"

"Making you feel stupid...embarrassing you...allowing you to frown...not being the friend I should be and...leaving you here....alone--"

"I'm babysitting."

He stepped up to me, making me have to look up. 

"Bree, I'm sorry."

I paused.

"Miles..."

"Annie please."

I sighed.

"Annie, it's raining hard out here! Make up your mind."

"Fine, come in."  

Now I don't know what just happened, but I think I can do without Miguel texting me. I walked into the kitchen to put on the kettle so he could warm up with some tea. I turned around to go back into the living room, when I bumped into his stomach and felt his arms wrap around me.

"I missed you," he said, his voice muffled.

"I missed you..."