Enlighten Me

E.M. 17 **The Newbie**

Jun POV

"I don't why you didn't drive to school. Who has a car and don't use it?" Jalani complained on our walk back to the house. "A nice one at that. If it were me I'd be showing it off." Bryson cut in. "Its not my car. Well it kinda is but Im trying to use it strictly for work or when I need it." I said texting away on my phone.

We soon made it to Bryson house. His mom was outside watering her flowers. Ms.Walker was a very pretty woman and looked bad at her age. She looked over at us and flashed us a smile as she waved. "Hey Jalani.. Hey Junior" she said and we exchanged they friendly wave.

"Ms.Walker when you gonna quit playing games" I said with a smirk and she laughed shaking her head. "Im 18 now what's good?" I said and Bryson sucked his teeth before pushing me. "Thats my mom man" he said catching an attitude. I placed my hand on his shoulder and leaned in towards his ear. "I know and Im tryna be your stepfather but ya mama wanna play games. Ayye Ms.Walker I got money now we can get out this neighborhood together." I yelled over to his mom and he shrugged my hand off his shoulder.

Ms.Walker was just laughing as she continued to tend to her flowers. "See she thinking about it" I whispered to Bryson and nudged me again making me chuckle. "She don't want your ass." he mumbled before giving Jalani and hug and small peck on the cheek. I turned my nose up mentally gagging. "See yall later." he said opening the wired gate and up the path.

"Byyyeee Ms.Walker" I said waving with a little wink. She playfully rolled her eyes "Boy bye" she laughed as she walked into the house. Jalani and I continued our walk back to the house. I felt Jalani keep looking at me and I cut my eyes at her. I arched a brow "Yes Jalani?" I asked her already knowing she wanted to say something. "Where do you work? What job pays enough for you to get a card like that?" she questioned with curiosity all on her face.

"I told you where I work at... I work at a warehouse. Its just a business car." I shrugged still walking with her eyes still on me. "What Lani?" I asked scrunching my face up at her. She just gave me a straight face before she sped up her pace. I sighed and tried to keep up with her. "Lani-" I said reaching for her arm but she turned around quickly.

"I know what you do Jun. I know what JT do too. How could you be so dumb?" she spat shaking her head and looking at me up and down in disgust. I sighed rubbing my hand down my face. "Look... Wait does mama know about this?" I asked with furrowed brows and she slowly shook her head. I sighed in relief earning another glare from her.

"Look Lani. You don't understand. If I could quit I would.. If I could find a job that pays enough to take care of you and mama then trust me. I would go for it but-" she cut me off again. "But what. Why can't you?" she questioned and I began getting aggravated. "Because its not that easy. I can't just quit Jalani." I said simply and she just kept giving me the same look. "Why would you take on such a dangerous job anyway? Out of all jobs why this one?" she said still upset.

I looked her in her eyes and saw concern and confusion. I tried to think of a logical explanation but she's right I could have chosen a different route but I was desperate and at the time I had to. "Because we were struggling and this was the fastest way to make money. Trust me Jalani this was the best option at the time besides. Look at us.. Look at mama she finally happy and she don't have to struggle no more. We don't have to go to bed hungry no more or keep wearing hand me downs til they tear or dont fit no more."

Her face softened a bit as she looked down at her feet. She was silent for a moment before she cleared her throat. "I heard about all the shootings.. Jun I don't want that to be you." she said with her voice cracking at the end. I heard small sniffles before I realized she had started crying. I went up to her and embraced her in a hug. She cried in my chest making my shirt damp but I didn't care. I rested my chin on her head and gave her a little squeeze. I bit my bottom lip thinking about it as scary as it was this was just something I had to do to provide for them. I know I would do anything to make sure they straight.