HAM (Hard As a Muthaf**ka)

Take the Red Pill

Take the Red Pill

                   “Hey mom,”

                   She screamed with joy, as I stepped in the yard in my Target uniform- red t-shirt with the Target tag, khaki-colored Dickies, and red and white Samoas. She ran up and gave me a hug. “I’m so happy that you are workin…you lookin real good in your uniform,”

                   I laughed a little. “I had some trainin today, and some tomorrow. I also enrolled in Barber College at Sam Verly. I start there next week on Tuesday,”

                   “Well, I am so proud of you,” she said, pulling me in for another tight hug. She kissed my cheek. “And your father would be proud too,”

                   I gave a funky-assed smile…Dad would be very upset with me right now. I guess, that’s why I hadn’t visited his grave yet- I felt kinda guilty about all the shit that I had been doin. Max walked into the yard. “Jacoby, you’re here! Wow…you got a job!”

                   “Yup,” I replied. “And I’m goin to Barber school, too,”

                   She walked up and gave me a hug. “I’m happy…I know Mama is happy,”

                   “Why don’t we all go out for dinner tonight?” suggested Mom.

                   “I’m gonna have to take a raincheck on that,” I said, lookin at my phone. “I’m a lil tired and I have something I gotta do this evening,”

                   “You have a date, Jacoby?” asked my mom. I lightly scratched the back of my neck, looking away…Max giggled. Mom crossed her arms. “I aint upset, Jacoby…I’m happy that you have a date,”

                   “He goin out wit Corliss Hamilton,” sang out Max.

                   “MAX!” I yelled, rolling my eyes…yet, that was far from the truth. I was steppin over to Reagan’s spot, then hookin up with Quinna. Mom laughed. “Ahhh…Corliss. She’s Henry and Maize Hamilton’s daughter, aint she?”

                   “Yeah,” answered Max. “They also have another daughter- Coriander Hamilton. She’s a couple of grades below me,”

                   “Coriander? Like the spice?”

                   “Yup,” nodded Max, walkin into the house. Mom looked to me with a smile on her face, as I stood there. She then reached to the car and pulled out her purse and a couple of grocery bags.

                   “Lemme get those for you,” I said, taking the bags. Mom gave em up and walked beside me to the house. “You know I want the best for you Jacoby- for you to apply yourself a little harder than you have been. I know how smart you are,”

                   “I’m tryin, Mom…just one step at a time,” I said.

                   “No more sellin drugs?”

                   “No mas,” I said…at least until I hook up with Reagan tonight. I set the grocery bags on the table, then begun to put the items away. Mom returned from dropping her purse off in her bedroom. “Well, you know if you find that you can’t afford your place any longer, you can always come back home,”

                   I paused for a minute, then smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind,”

                   “Kantrell has been callin here for you,” she said. “He sounds a bit concerned. Did you two fall out, or have an argument or anything?”