ASHLEY

29

For breakfast we decided on Denny's. There was a long debate before we finally decided that. Angela hated all the other options, Isaiah didn't care where we went, and Aunt Jackie couldn't decide. Jeez. I've never met a group of people that make choosing as difficult as they do. They even make a big deal with ordering. I'm about ready to just snatch up their menus and order for them.

I wave the waiter down and give her my order. The others take their time and change their order more times than I'd like to count. I'm sure out waiter's head was spinning having to take all those notes only to have to scribble it out or start all over again. I apologize. He responds by telling me he's dealt with worse. Ugh, how I would hate to have to wait on people. Not sure if patience is one of my best qualities.

   "Isaiah, I hear you play football, you plan on going pro?"

   "Yes ma'am-"

   "Don't call me ma'am. I'm not that old. Do you have a backup plan just in case something happens and you can't play?"

   "I haven't given it much thought. I don't know. I just figured I would be playing football most of my life. Uh maybe after my career I'll become a coach. Something like that." I know the thought of not being able to play football before going pro is a terrifying thought for him. Football is his life. He's been playing since he was awvsn years old. And crazy obsessed with the sport.

   Aunt Jackie nods her head in approval. The waiter comes back with our food and sets everything on the table. We thank him of course. It is the polite thing to do. Especially when he's been so kind do far and even got our order right.

   I watch with pursed lips as Angela digs into her food while keeping her attention in her phone, nearly dropping her pancakes off her plate. I'm sure there's nothing on her phone that's that important.

   "So what do your parents do?"

   "Well I just live with my mom. She works at a packaging company. They pay well."

   I run my long nails over the tattoo on my shoulder as I watch the two of them talk. Isaiah looks a little uncomfortable around Aunt Jackie but he's managing to keep his composure. Aunt Jackie is a very intimidating woman and she doesn't take anyone's crap. Most guys are scared off by that. Isaiah is starting to look like one of them. Only because the first impression is a lasting impression. Something he always says.

   Halfway through their conversation I get a phone call from Kenneth. I ignore it the first time but when he calls back I decide to step outside and take it. Everyone is occupied anyway. They barely notice me leaving.

   I lean against the brick building. Sighing deeply before answering the phone. "Hello?"

   "What's up. I was expecting you to call me."

   Now why would I do that? Especially since I've been with Isaiah all morning. I wouldn't have had the time of I wanted to. "Now why would I do that?"

   "Because we put an end to whatever beef we had last night. You even said you were coming to my little get-together next week."

   "I said maybe," I laugh.

   "Oh you coming. If I don't see you there I will come to your house and drag you out the house myself."

   "I thought you had something important to talk to me about. I just stepped outside for nothing."

   "Stepped outside-where you at?"

   "Denny's." Not that it's any of his business. I don't know why I felt the need to tell him that. We've only been friends for a couple hours, that is if we're starting from the part where we made up and officially became friends again.

   My only wish is that our friendship won't be how it was before. Despite what Kenneth did to me I really care about him. He'll always have a special place in my heart, right along with Kayla and the rest of my girls.

   "Oh well when you're done stop by," he demands. My face scrunch up in disbelief. Is he really trying to boss me around like that?

   My phone buzz with a text from Stephanie. She wants to know if I can babysit Da'Markus for her while she goes to work after running some errands. "So you mind if I bring the baby?"

   "Nah. Lil' man cool. I'll pick you up then."

   "Okay. I gotta go. Later," I say hanging up. I get back to my seat, telling them I was on the phone with Stephanie when they ask. Its not that I'm trying to keep it a secret from my boyfriend. I just want to keep it a secret Angela and Aunt Jackie. Just for now anyway. I'm not sure how they would take us hanging out again. Aunt Jackie never was a big fan of our relationship. But we're older now and more mature. I'm not the same skinny little girl, desperate for a friend, I was when I met him. Things are different.

   Throughout the rest of lunch all I can think about is hanging out with Kenneth. The last time I was over at his house we got into an argument and I stormed home. I'm just praying it doesn't turn out like that this time. That would suck. Especially since we're trying to make a mend. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.