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Eric My nose twitches from the different aromas of the small space different families are placed in. Erin and I are waiting to see our mother. It's been so long since she saw both of us in the same vicinity.
"Inmate Erica Brown-Santiago" We both stand at the sound of our mother's name. We are escorted towards the small circular table. Seeing her in shackles defeats me every time. I cringe at the thought of my dad roaming freely and my mother being confined in these pissy ass walls everyday.
Erin inserts money into a close vending machine to get a few snacks. I can see she's a nervous wreck. Her curls bounce freely as she walks to the table.
"My babies." Mom voice cracks and I caress her cheek. A few tears fall but I know she's hasnt been this ecstatic in a while.
"They still treating you alright in here ma?" I inquire
"Yeah. You know nobody is going to step to Santiago's wife." She beams proudly at the mention of my dad.
"How are you Erica?" Erin says flatly. I gave her ass a pep talk on the way here and told her to behave.
"Better now that I see my beautiful baby girl. You look good. I see you're clean. I'm proud of you."
"Yeah I've been trying ma. Danielle has been helping me out a lot. You remember Danielle right?"
"Of course Nicole's baby. That woman visited me a while ago. Her and her daughter has always been sweet and like family to us. It's sad what happened to Jermaine." She strokes my free hand and her eyes are apologetic and full of sympathy.
"Yeah Eric knows how sweet she is. Ain't that right big bro?" Erin teases me. I kiss my teeth and slightly mush her against the messy bun in her head.
"Are you two seeing each other?" Mom says
"No we're just vibing."
"Good she's a good girl. Good girls don't need to get caught up in this life."
"Yeah they end up like you." I say before thinking about the severity of my words. She places her head down in shame.
"I guess I deserve that. But you two have to stop being mad at your dad."
"Why ma because you said so?" Erin shrugs her off in annoyance.
"That man has done some unforgivable things mom. He jumped you son in the gang at six. Had him selling drugs by twelve. He had me smuggling things in my backpack because his territory was near my elementary school." Erin continues
"Ok we get it. Calm down." I grab my sister's shoulders. She's absolutely right. I know her pain. Hell she hasn't had mom to help through different adversaries of her life as woman. Certain things me or pops couldn't teach. I know that haf to be tough.
"I just want you guys to know you're my biggest blessings. Everything I did was for you two. I promise you will know in the end. I love you two so much."
