Trap Queen.

19♛

                        C H A P T E R - 1 9

      [Location; Reggie and Rah’s crib—Egypt’s 17th birthday]

        House Party by Meek Mill blasted on the speakers outside of Reggie’s crib. This party wasn’t even like a birthday party for me; it was more like a block party where anyone could celebrate. Eighty-percent of the people here I didn’t know, and some people were only people I’ve heard about, and I could finally put a name with a face.

    “You having a nice time?” Reggie asks me. He has a red cup in his hand, and there wasn’t no telling what was in it. I nod my head yes, even though I really wasn’t. My mom was supposed to be here celebrating with me, but instead, she was in heaven looking down. It made me feel good to know that she’d be in no more pain, but I wouldn’t be able to see her until the day I died. It depressed me.

      “Are you sure? You not acting like it. C’mone Egypt, it’s yo birthday girl. Smile a lil’ bit.” Reggie has a smirk planted on his face, and it makes me smile a little bit too. I guess he was right, but it didn’t feel right to be having fun when my momma just left the earth.

       “C’mon, let’s dance,” Reggie offers. He holds his hand out in front of me. I grab it, and follow him wherever he was taking me to. I wasn’t really the dancing type, but at family reunions and cookouts, I was the first one of the dancefloor. 

      Cupid Shuffle by Cupid started to play and almost everyone in front of the house gathered around. I started to dance a little bit, just to get used to the music. Reggie already to it, but it seemed like he had to be on something. I wasn’t surprised, neither—he was a drug dealer and that’s what drug dealers do. Drink, get high.

      “To the right, to the right. . . to the left to the left. . .” Cupid rapped out of the speakers. When Reggie faded out of the scene, I left the dance floor to have a drink by myself. I needed to think about a few things, such as how I’m going to live without my mom and how I would pay for her funeral. I just wanted to get her cremated and be done with it, but I want to be able me and my kids to be able to visit her grave someday.

        I went over to the punch bowl and filled up some black cherry Kool-Aid to the rim of my cup. I went to sit on the grass. People passing by said a few ‘happy birthday’s’ here and there, but all I did was nod my head at them. It was my birthday and I was supposed to be happy and excited, but it felt like a normal Saturday.

      “Hey, Egypt. I’m sorry about your mom, I really am.” A dude with shoulder-length dreads approaches me. His eyes a really light brown for him to black, and his clothes were oversized. I don’t think I’ve seen the guy, but something about him makes me him seem familiar.

      “How do you know about that?” I inquire. As of now, only Serena, Reggie, and Rah knew about my mother’s death. They’re the only people I associate with, so they’re the only ones that now. It’s not in Reggie and Rah’s nature to be bigmouthed, although I didn’t know about Serena.

      “Our dad was telling me about it,” he explains. “you know, she was kind of like a step-mom to me.”

      “Our dad? What the hell are you talking about? You don’t know my mom.” I narrow my eyebrows at him, because now this nigga was just talking crazy. I couldn’t tell whether or not he was crackhead or confused.

      The guy takes a seat by me and sticks his hand out to me. “I’m Cairo. You see, your name is Egypt, and I’m Cairo Henry. You see the similarities yet? Cairo is a city in Egypt. We have the same father, but not same mother, obviously.” I don’t say anything to Cairo, because I’m so confused. What he’s saying is making sense, but it’s taking a while to process it all. I knew I could’ve had a brother—I had to find out the complete hard way—but I didn’t think the possibility was that high. Now that I’m actually talking to him, I don’t have any idea what to do or say to him.

      “So basically, you’re saying we’re related?” I ask him again. I already know the answer, but I just want him to say it again.

       “You’re my half sister. Look, I wish we had a better chance of knowing each other better before your birthday. I know this ain’t a good time for you right now. That’s unless you still wanna talk,” Cairo says. I nod my head yes. Even though I’ve only known him for a couple minutes, I can tell he’d make a good brother.

      “I do. So, where’s our dad?” I inquire. I’m kind of scared of his answer. If our dad still lived in Compton and I didn’t know about it, I’d be so pissed I wouldn’t even know what to do with myself. I hadn’t seen him in forever, and he could’ve helped us out enough to the part when I could’ve stayed at school. I could’ve been getting my education for a better future.

      “I live with him on B street. Do you wanna go say wassup? I asked him if he wanted to come see you at your birthday party, but he said he doesn’t think you’re ready enough to meet him. He doesn’t think you can handle it.”

      “I can handle it. I just ain’t sure I want to meet that dickhead. He left me and my mom for years to struggle when he lived in Compton this entire time,” I argue. “That’s what upsets me about him. I couldn’t no phone call, no visit, and no letter. He just left.”

       “I know, and I completely resent him for that. However, my dad’s been sending your mom for money for years now. I don’t know what the hell she’s been doing with it. But he’s my father and I ain’t go no reason to hate him. He did you and your momma dirty, but there’s nothing we can do about that. We can just can start over and become friends. Family, even,” Cairo requests.

      “I don’t know y’all like that yet. I wanna get to know you, fo sho’, but I just need time to adjust to y’all being my family, you know? I have a lot of shit on my plate that I don’t know how to deal with,” I tell him. “You should hit me up more often. I live at this house now, so if you ever wanna speak to me, you know where to find me at.”

     “Definitely. And Egypt, don’t forget, if you ever need help, I got open arms. We’ve only known each other for a little bit, but I feel like we could be really good siblings. I hope you have a good birthday and the card I got for you is the table next to your other gifts. Bye,” Cairo waves goodbye, and heads back down the street.

      “Bye, brother.”