Black Rose

Thirty Eight

“Thanks for inviting us out with y’all.” Kelsi said to me as we walked alone the coast of the beach, heading to La Lucciola, for brunch. After staying up all last night and early morning, getting to know her and Ahmad, we are just now getting out of the house for the first time today. Raine even allowed them to stay over since it was late, and their hotel is forty minutes away. As much as I’m guarded when it comes to new people, I can say that I enjoyed their company. You can immediately feel the positive spirits they possess the moment they walk into the room and that’s what need right now. Raine and Ahmad hit it off really well and were currently at the other end of the beach engaging in a competitive game of volleyball with some of the locals and tourist. Me and Kelsi decided we wanted no parts of that and discovered a restaurant nearby that offers brunch. My baby and I were starving, so that’s where we’re headed now.

“It’s no problem. You guys are literally the only people we’ve talked to since we been here. Besides, being in this beautiful place while I’m almost five months along is hindering me from really enjoying myself. I can’t do half of the things I want so I needed company.”

“Who you telling? I’m a city girl. I’m not used to forest and nature all around me. I have to see skyscrapers, taxi cabs or something.” We stepped on the platform that led to the outdoor restaurant and before we could get any further we were greeted by an angry Caucasian couple scowling us as if we stole something. I tried to overlook it, but Kelsi chose to address it head on. “Uh, can we help y’all? Are we amusing to you? What are you looking at us like that for?”

The woman in her mid-thirties, scoffed, shaking her head in disgust before mumbling. “So loud and ghetto. Just like I thought.”

“Keep on, I’ll be loud and ghetto all over your ass, you wrinkled faced bitch.” She threatened, drawing attention to us. I lightly tugged on her arm to get her to walk away but she wasn’t backing down. Neither was the woman.

“Is that threat?”

“Is that a turkey neck I see under there?” Kelsi queried, patting under her chin. The woman gasped, clutching her hands around her neck to hide the extra skin. “Yeah, that’s what the hell I thought. Gobble, gobble, bitch.”

“Come on, Kelsi. Let’s go before they call security.” Successfully, I got her away from the table and found an empty one on the opposite end of the platform. We sat down and I picked up my menu, searching for anything appeasing to the eyes as I spoke. “I can’t be seen with you out here if you gone cause a seen. I cannot be going to jail in another country. I heard cruel stories about jail time.”

She waved me off, picking up her menu as well. “Girl, I am not worried about these people. My dad is an international big-time lawyer. He’ll work his magic and get me out.”

“Your dad, not mines.”

“Whatever.” Silence came forward between us as the only other noises were from everyone surrounding us and the music from the huge speakers on each end of the platform. It took a while before someone came to serve us, but we eventually got our food and I dug in, my plate barely touching the table. “If you don’t slow down and chew that food first. You gone choke to death swallowing that pancake whole.”

Jinxing me, I began choking excessively, throwing the fork down and pounding my chest. My eyes blurred from the tears that clouded my vision. Kelsi found it hilarious, pointing her finger and clapping obnoxiously loud, once again drawing attention to us. Thirty miserable and frightening seconds later, I began to calm down and my coughing fit had settled. Picking up the slices of oranges from my plate, I threw them at her one by one.

“Some help you are. Watching a pregnant woman choke to death.” It came out strained as my throat still hadn’t cleared completely.

“I told you to slow down.” She snickered, sipping her juice.