The Essence Of Love

The Kids Are Alright

I wake up to my buzzing phone on the nightstand. The girls are trying to FaceTime me but I'm not in the mood to explain all this shit yet. Plus I told them I'm not tryna pay those international charges, they trippin'.

"They been blowin' yo ass up all mornin'" Titan's deep, raspy voice startles me. I turn over to face him and he has one eye open.

"Good morning handsome." I play with his dreads that are sprawled all over the pillow.

"Uh huh." He closes his eye.

"Are you mad at me?" I ask shyly.

"Here she go wit the bullshit." He mumbles.

"Titan!"

"No, Essence." He opens his eyes and I poke my lip out.

"I don't believe you." I pout.

"I ain't about to argue with you right now, go brush yo damn teeth."

"Don't be rude!" I say and blow my hot breath in his face.

"Oh God!" He says dramatically and rolls off the bed.

"Fuck you!" I laugh looking over at him on the ground.

"You still talkin?"

"Uhgg,stop being an ass!" I huff as I step over him to grab his Balmain Tshirt off the dresser. I throw it on and stomp out the door, going to the bathroom.

I look into the mirror and suddenly Tyah's bloody, dismantled face is there instead of my own. I jump as I squeeze my eyes shut and take a deep breath. Chill ouuuut Essence. I say as I grab my electric toothbrush from the glass jar.

Titan comes in and hops up on the counter. I start to brush my teeth as he's texting away on his phone.

"We gon' head out in about an hour."

"Mmmhmm." I mumble as I brush and spit.

I can feel him staring at me but I ignore him. I rummage through my bag for my floss picks, but I guess I forgot to bring them. I grab my flat iron instead and plug in it the socket and turn the dial up. I grab my paddle brush and he's still staring as I start brushing through my hair.

"Can I help you?" I roll my neck towards him.

"When you gon' pick that ring up? Yo ass left it on the damn ground like I ain't pay a few stacks for that bitch."

I huff and roll my eyes.

"I will when I'm done Titan." I turn back towards the mirror.

"Nah , I think you should do it now--"

"Look, I'm done with your bullshit ok? Your not my fucking daddy. I'm tired of you always bossing me around like I'm your child. I don't belong to you or any nigga!"

"Oh, so I'm not ya daddy, that ain't what I heard last night."

"Whatever!"

"Aight , keep on trying me and see if I don't leave yo stank ass here. Ion know why you got a fuckin' attitude like I did something to you."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me baby." He says coldly.

"You can't be mad because I said I don't wanna marry y--"

"Have yo shit together in 30 mins, and have that ring on yo finger or yo ass getting left." He orders as he hops off the counter and leaves.

"Uhhhhhhg!" I huff.

I can't wait to get back to Atlanta and leave his bipolar ass. I'm really done with these niggas , I don't care how much money they have. I need my sanity back.