Scars. |✔️|

Chapter 32: Sisters

Friday, August 2
Bakersfield, CA
7:13 PM

"So Aaliyah, what do you do for a living?" Freda asks, apportioning the food on her plate.

"I'm an Plant engineer at UPS. We basically troubleshoot and solve problems to make sure all shipments are completed smoothy."

"Wow, that sounds really cool!" Laila says.

"It is," I giggle.

"How about your family? You got any in Los Angeles?" Kenneth asks.

"Um... not exactly. I... don't," I stutter, not knowing how to explain my family situation.

Noticing my embarrassment, James squeezes my thigh reassuringly and kisses my forehead.

"I'm not really close with my family."

"Really not at all?"

"Dad, please leave it alone," James urges, giving him the death glare.

The entire room goes so silent that you can hear a pin drop. I knew this would happen. Someone was going to ask me about my family and all hell was gonna break loose.

"How about we talk about something different," Kendrick encourages. "What about you mama? I mean after all we are here because of you."

"Son, you know I don't like talking about myself. God gave me the strength to get through this. I believe that life is something miraculous, and if God says it's not my time to meet him yet. Then it's not my time," she shrugs, smiling.

"Wow, that's beautiful mama," Nia smiles.

"Aaliyah?" Freda asks.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Are you okay? You're not eating. I'm sure Kenneth didn't mean to offend you in any way."

"Oh no, no, no. I'm okay. I'm just contemplating on which thing to dive into first," I reply, plastering on a fake smile.

James looks at me with sad eyes, knowing that I'm lying. I grab his hand under the table and squeeze it tight. I throw him our 'I love you' hand and he throws it back.

The rest of the night was full of small talk and laughter. I eventually let go of the whole family thing. I understand that that is a question a father would want to know about his son's girlfriend. It was just kind of unexpected I guess.

"Well it's getting late, and we have a big day tomorrow," Freda smirks. "So-"

"Now sweetheart, you know you can't do too much. The doctor said you can live your life, but there still are some boundaries," Kenneth reasons.

"Life is too short for boundaries, Ken. I'm doing whatever I want to do."

"Fine, just don't come crying-" He tries to say, but he is interrupted with a slap to the back of the head.

"Watch your mouth. I'm still ya wife."

James and I laugh before he grabs my hand and gently pulls me upstairs. I've already had a mini tour of the house, but I never went in his room. We walk toward the end of the hall where James's room is. As we enter the room, I notice that his room is beyond what a kid could ever dream of. The posters, gaming system, flat screen tv, and a foosball table.

"Damn.." I sigh.

"Yeah, none of it made me happy though," James says, referring to the greatness of his room.

"What do you mean?"

"A lot of people automatically assumed that I was this happy kid because of my house and everything in it. But they don't know what happened inside the house."