Janay's Full Court Life

Chapter 3

I thought Chris would have been following me home but he said that he was only dropping in to surprise me on the way to a get together with the guys. Honestly, even though the kids were excited to see him, I was even more so.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me." The sigh of frustration that leaves me can only be brought by one person in this entire universe and the next one.

I grab my bag before shutting the car door.

"Mama, I'm back!" I call into the house.

In the kitchen is my mama hovering over at least two dozen pies. Sweet potato, I'm sure. Her secret ingredient is a teaspoon of coconut milk. Normally just the vanilla extract is used but Mama was able to make it taste even better. I thought it was weird at first but it does not change the fact it makes her pies the best in the church and the best in my stomach too. She leans her cheek over for me to give her a kiss as she moves the spoon in a fluid back and forth motion to spread the filling for the pie. The sound of heels clacking against my floor cause the hairs on my neck to erect before I turn around.

"Hello, Mrs. Court."

A stiff nod is the only response I get as she walks around me and to the refrigerator. Her hair is up in a tight bun, pulling her eyes back, and her suit, yes, suit, is crisp to the tee. Her one-inch kitten heels barely bring her off the ground and she thinks she's doing the darn thing.

"Looks like you're back and I need to go. Baby girl ate and then she said she wanted to watch TV but she's been asleep for about half an hour now." She walks closer to me, "And that little heifer right there is about to get her rights read to her if she come at me sideways again."

Mama kisses my cheek and tells me to help her load her car with the pies.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Oh, and the pie I just put in the oven is for you. You know when to take it out."

After loading her car with the pies I return to the trenches. Knowing that I don't want to talk to her she stops me.

"Running away from me again?" She sneers.

"I wasn't running." I respond proudly...because I was walking.

"Anywho, I don't see why it is one o'clock in the afternoon and my granddaughter is in the bed." Wanda looks out to the backyard. "It's a refreshing day outside."

Her tone is absolutely condescending. As if I am purposefully keeping my daughter inside the house.

"I have a day planned for my daughter and I. Not only is it a Saturday but I had volunteering to do this morning. And on top of that, she's four, Wanda. If she wants to take an afternoon nap, there is nothing wrong with that."

"Oh, I did forget that you had some home training to know that you should give back to the community."

My body fully turns around, "What did you just say?"

She really wants to go at it this morning? She has nothing better to do with her time than to dig into me. That mouth of hers just doesn't know when to let both lips meet and keep it that way.

"And about this day you have planned...why would you schedule something over me?"

"What do you mean, Wanda?" I sigh. This lady is not talking straight.

"I specifically told Christopher that I would be taking Kennedy out today and that I would be here at twelve o'clock, yet, when I got here Francine tells me that she," she shudders for emphasis. "Is asleep. And now you're telling me that you have a day planned with her? I mean, do you all not want her to know her paternal grandmother?"