Too Young

TWO

   "You went to that party didn't you, sobo?"

   "How'd you know?"

   "Because, why else would you be telling me this if it had nothing to do with, sofu."

   "Okay, stop predicting my story and listen before I change my mind."

. . .

   "Mom!" I exclaimed. "I'm going out!" I stood by the back door dressed in a white off the shoulder dress that stopped below my knees. I had pressed my hair that night and put on a little makeup.

I stood there playing with my fingers. Hoping that she'd say something along the lines of...

"Child, you ain't grown. Ain't nobody said that you could go out!"

Or...

"Come in here and take that getup off!"

But, instead she walked into the kitchen, looked at me, looked at what I was wearing and said, "Okay."

   "That's it? You're not gonna make me stay in?"

   "Judith, if you don't wanna go... Then don't go."

Charles raced down the stairs, each step he took ended with a loud thud, and into the kitchen.

   "Mommy, I had a nightmare," he clutched the hem of her dress. He then looked at me. "You look pretty, Judy." He stuck his thumb into his mouth.

   "Thanks, Charlie." I shifted uncomfortably in the dress. There was a knock in the door behind me and I quickly opened the door to see Pat dressed in a pastel pink dress with heels and a handbag to match.

   "Hey, Judi-- wow, you look amazing!"

   "Yeah," I said more like I was brushing the compliment away. 

   "Where are the heels I gave you?" She asked as she stepped inside and closed the door behind herself.

   "I was gonna wear my chucks," I used my thumb and pointed over my shoulder to the kitchen doorway.

   "No. No. No." She shook her head. "Wear the heels."

I went to get the shoes out of my room and slipped them on. "See? Beautiful." Pat smiled as I walked down the stairs.

   "Let's go before I change my mind." I rolled my eyes and almost fell on the last step.

. . .

It was loud and groovin. I sat at a table as Pat went out on the dancefloor and mingled. I watched and sipped on my 7up.

Pat came back to the table and sat down fanning herself.

   "Woo!" She shook her head. "These men won't let me sit down for even a hot second!"

   "Having fun?"

   "The question is, are you? You've been sitting here all night."

   "We've only been here for like an hour. Besides, you said that you wanted me to come. Not come and dance."

   "You'd better dance before we leave," she squinted her eyes at me.

   "Fine, mom!" I rolled my eyes and sipped my drink. "You sound just like her too."

   "Judith--" A figure appeared beside me and she stopped we both lifted our heads to see Gene. His hair slicked back and his suit clean and pressed. He smelled of strong colonge.