Growing Up Together(EDITING*)

Chapter 22

[ C A R M E N ]

I woke up and yawned, cuddling deeper into Tony's chest. The room smiled like grits and bacon, and I woke up quick as fuck, a smile coming to my face. I grabbed my phone and glanced at the time, mumbling to myself. "Well, duty calls. Gotta get dressed for work." After the whole Tony apologizing to his Ma thing, I took the time to find a job. Since I was going to school for nursing, I was offered an internship where my mother used to work...At first I was cautious as hell to take the internship because it brought back a lot of memories of my mom. And when I got to thinking about my mom, I got to thinking about my brother, and then I would just depress myself even more. But then the rational part of me kicked in and I knew I had to take the internship so I could get back on my feet. Plus it would help me pay for school and finally buy an apartment for me and Tony. I wasn't afraid to provide for my nigga if he couldn't at the moment. Bitches always stereo typing people into thinking that a nigga gotta do everything. No, the man don't always gotta take care of the household. A woman is just as able as a man is, and that's why I'm happy to support my baby. Besides..I wanna save up for a big wedding too, we never got to have one...we just eloped by the government.

I got up and looked through the dresser, pulling out a pair of p green and orange scrubs. "Mmmm, GoodMorning baby. Where you going ?" Tony sleepily asked as he sat up, staring at me with tired red eyes. "I'm going to work honey. Want me to bring you back lunch or something ?" He shook his head and laid back down, staring out his window. "Nawh I'm good..when you gone be back home ?" I glanced at the wall and then turned my attention to Tony. "Around lunch time, so 4 ish." He nodded and pulled the covers over his head, signaling that he was taking his lazy ass back to bed. I giggled and shook my head, grabbing my clothes and walking down towards the bathroom. I stared at myself in the mirror and smiled, showing my teeth.

No, I wasn't perfect. I wasn't a super model, and growing up for me was hard. My brother was killed and my mother committed suicide before I even graduated. My boyfriend cheated on me twice, and I was almost raped. I also lost my baby boy, a month after he was born. I couldn't really say that god was anything but kind to me, but things were brightening up now, and I looked forward to living a life where I was happy. I matured with age and I was providing for myself. I couldn't be more prouder of the woman I was becoming.

With my positive attitude in tact, I turned on the shower and stripped out of Tony's big ass shirt, stepping into the shower. "See you in the club, oh shawty, walking past a nigga lookin' at me all naughty." I sung my favorite song and grabbed the shower gel, squirting some on my wash cloth and scrubbing my body down. "You know I live a magnum life style." I started feeling the song and got loud as hell, not even noticing. "Girl you gone think I invented sex." I started to rinse the soap off and did my business down there. You can't be walking out the house with yo pussy and ass smelling like fish and ham. That shit ain't cute.

I stepped out and turned the water off, grabbing my towel and drying off. After I finished drying off, I grabbed my under bra and panties and put them on, motioning up after. I thought about how work was going to be as I put my scrubs on along with my socks. I settled on some studs and pushed them through my ears, and then putting on a small silver necklace. I let my hair out of it's bun and brushed it a little, wanting to go with the messy look. I washed my face and brushed my teeth, applying a bit of eyeliner and mascara along with some clear lipgloss. I cleaned up after myself and walked out the bathroom, going back into Tony's room.

"Babe you sure you don't want shit for lunch ? Ima be out." Tony groaned and turned away from me. I rolled my eyes and pulled on my shoes, pushing on a orange headband. "Child, you can't stay in this bed all day. Need to getcho ass up and go apply ya self." I grabbed my purse and kissed his forehead before grabbing the keys and running down stairs. I ran into Mrs.Johnson making breakfast. She handed me a coffee cup and smiled. "I made you a coffee just the way you like it honey, have a great day at work." I smiled and reached over to give her a warm hug. "T-thanks mom.." She smiled and I snatched a piece of bacon before she could pop my hand. She laughed and shook her head. "Just like that boy Tony."