Broken

37.

August

When we got back home that night, I saw Izel already in her pajamas.

She was sitting on the couch watching movies in the dark.

"Finally you guys are back." She whined. "I missed my baby."

"I missed you too." I gave ha a kiss. "What you doin'?" I frowned and watched the movie she was watching.

"Scary movies." She grinned.

"Pause it cus' I gotta talk ta you bout some."

"Yes sir." She grabbed the remote and paused the movie before sitting closer to me.

"You know what weed and stuff is - Right?" I side eyed ha'. Izel has ha slow moments so I gotta make sho' we on the same track.

"Yea, why?" She frowned.

"Well uh - When me and Trav be leaving, that's what we do. We sell it."

"You're lying, right?" She frowned.

"Why would I be lying?" I squinted my eyes.

"Why are you guys selling drugs? Y'all couldn't apply for a job anywhere?"

"Its quick money Izel, plus it's easy."

"It's also illegal! I don't want neither one of you getting locked up for something this stupid!"

"No ones gonna get loc-"

"You don't know that August." She grabbed her blankets and headed for the stairs.

"Baybeh don't walk away from me." I followed ha

"I don't want to talk to you. Go do your damn job and be face to face with crack feens and possibly undercover cops."

I sighed.

*

Izel

The next morning I was up extra early. Today we didn't have school, but I planned on going to the cemetery today.

I had already took my shower and stuff so I was dressed already too.

I put on my shoes and grabbed my bag and phone.

I walked downstairs and saw no one was up.

The cemetery isn't far from here. I had planned on walking anyway.

I pulled my umbrella up before stepping outside in the light rain.

*

When I made it to the cemetery, I saw a few people here which made me feel a little uncomfortable. I wanted to be completely alone, but I can't make these people leave.

I walked around looking at all of the expensive looking gravestones and all the pretty flowers, then I find my mothers.

She had a headstone, but it looked thrown together. She had no flowers and it seemed like no one had been here to see her.

My stepdad didn't tell me anything about the unborn baby, which was made me wonder what they did with her or him.

I wiped my tears away and sat in front of the headstone.

Even her last name was spelled wrong.

My stepdad wasn't a poor man, he had all the money he needed, yet this is what her gravestone looks like.

I swear if it were up to me, my mother would have been buried with the most expensive headstone and have all her favorite flowers and pictures surrounded by her.

My phone started to vibrate and I saw August name pop up.

I rolled my eyes and answered.

"What?" I answered.

"Whea' you at?"

"I just went for a walk. Why?"

"Because you left wit out tellin' anyone - You want me ta come get you?"

"No, August - I'm walking distance from the house, i'll be back in a few."

I hung up and sat there for a few more seconds.

"I love you." I touched he gravestone.

I got up and dusted myself off before walking away.

*

I took off my shoes and still, it was dead quiet in the house, but I smelled someone making breakfast, most likely Travis and Mama Sheila.

I walked in there and to my surprise, it was just Travis.

"Yo, where'd you go?" He frowned while putting bacon in the microwave.

"Is the microwave your best friend?" I frowned

"It is - Now answer my question."

"I went to the cemetery." I sat at the island, waiting for him to attack me on how I shouldn't have went by myself.

"By yourself?"

"Yes - I wanted to be alone,"

"Fair enough - Why are you giving my brotha' the silent treatment?"

"Maybe you should ask him." I rolled my eyes.

"Come on Zel, don't be childish."

"I'm not, he is. You are too! Why do y'all decide to go out late at night to sell drugs?"

"Oh - That's what this is about? Listen - You prolly know this, but we used ta be a very poor family - Afta' melvin passed away, that was a wake up call dat we needed ta get betta' - So me being the oldest brotha' I started ta sell drugs - Aug and Mama ain't know shit about it up until I bought this house - So I talked ta Aug bout it, and he was helpin me out up until last year, he almost got shot at, so he took a break wit it, and now - Now I don't know why he decided ta start sellin' again, that's just him." Travis shrugged.

"I can't date a drug dealer, Travis." I frowned.

"So you saying, because August sell drugs, you can't date him? Bullshit Zel."

"Not bullshit - If anyone knows I don't like to hear about that type of stuff, it's August. I grew up around drug dealers, and they used me! So why would I want to date one?" I frowned.

"Because Aug ain't out hea' tryin' ta hurt you like all them other niggas did - He cares way too much about you."

"Whatever." I shook my head and walked away from him.
-
Things are spicing up lovely.

Thoughts??