Latrice's Story

chapter 13

When Latrice walks in the house, Nelson's mother was in her room. Latrice goes in the room where Nelson is sleeping and puts her journal back in its hiding place. Latrice has no idea that Nelson's mother has already discovered where she hides her journal. Latrice takes a shower and gets in the bed. As she lays there listening to Nelson snore, she is thinking again about her family. She knows it can never be like it used to be but daydreaming is the only way she can keep her sanity. Latrice lays there and drifts off to sleep. The next day Latrice decided to go and visit with her mother. She really wants to see her but she feels it may be some drama. Latrice gets sick to her stomach at the thought of her mother drinking. Every time she thinks about her mother drinking, she thinks about the day the judge ordered the state to take custody of her and her brothers and sisters. Latrice was up and out of the house early. She got on the bus and headed across town to her mother's house. On the bus ride there she thought about how her and her sister used to sit around as kids and talk about who was going to get married first and who was going to have the most children. Back then Latrice could not have imagined that her life would have taken a turn down a path that lead to two abortions, and the only marriage she is involved in, is a relationship with a married pastor.

Latrice gets off the bus and walks to where her mother lives. Not knowing what to expect, Latrice braces herself. She knocks on the door, "who is it" her mother asked. "It's Latrice" Her mother opened the door, Latrice walks in "Hi mama" Latrice said. Latrice's mother saying nothing walks back into the bedroom. "Mama you're not going to speak to me?" Latrice asked. "Speak to you? After the way you left here last time and you talking about somebody speaking to you?" Her mother said. "I'm sorry mama, I'm sorry for everything" Latrice said. Her mother said nothing. She sat in a chair in her room with a glass of something on the table. "What is that mama?"

Latrice asked. "What is what Latrice?" "What is that you're drinking" Her mother turns to her, picks up the glass and says, "this is the best shit money can buy" Latrice's head drops. Her emotions are high. Latrice walks over to her mother with tears in her eyes... "Mama, do you know how much you hurt me when I see you drinking? Mama, my whole life has been changed because you drink. I miss you mama, the old you. I miss our old life. Mama, I love you...I need you!!!! Latrice's mother, filled with guilt, had a hard heart. She knew she would be an emotional wreck if she ever really dealt with what she did to her children. "You not gonna have that life. That life is gone, and don't you be around here trying to paint yourself as some angel. I heard a little about what you been up to Latrice. Yes...don't you try to front, I heard all about you" Latrice could not believe it. "You heard what mama... what did you hear?" "I heard you out there" Her mother said. "Out there...what you are talking about"Latrice doesn't know what her mother is talking about, but she is assuming Jasmine has been telling her business.

"Latrice what do you think I'm talking about? Tell me this, have you been pregnant lately? Latrice was boiling mad. She couldn't stay there any longer. She turned, headed for the door, open the door to find her twin brother and her sister Jasmine standing on the other side.... to be continued