Their Journey.

E I G H T.

                                                                                          Khyra

Unlike Khya when I got home I put my bags in my secret hiding spot and went back out on the front porch. Where my mom relaxed in the back, I liked to relax in the front. We had the porch that somewhat wrapped around so I usually sat in the corner where I could barely be seen unless you knew I was there or you were looking too hard. I took a lot of selfies before I went to watch YouTube tutorials to get a idea on how I would do our make up. Khya suggested I do our make up and her nails so that I could add that to my private instagram. I figured once I went to college I could have a side hustle and make a couple of dollars. It felt so good under the shade that I just wanted to enjoy this weather so I locked my phone and just zoned out. I begin to softly sing a Marvin Sapp song until I heard "you're just a jack of all trades huh?" I slightly jumped up until I realized it was JaMar. "Boy do you ever just bother somebody else? Every time I look up I see you." He laughed like what I said was just the funniest thing ever. "Chill I seen you come out here so I decided to come see what was up." One thing I can say about him was he didn't give up easily. "Nothing just relaxing while I can. Tomorrow and Sunday is going to be busy especially since I start my new job Sunday." Since they were going to be overstaffed today and tomorrow they told me to just come in on Sunday so I could start training. I was more than ready. I just hoped they worked with my school schedule. "Word, where you about to start working?" "Kids footlocker. In the plaza on 8 mile." "Forreal, I need a discount on some shoes." I playfully rolled my eyes before speaking, "Boy now you know I don't like you like that. I only give discounts to the people I like." He looked at me like I hurt his feelings. "Khyra stop playing with me. You don't have to like me now but I give it a year and you'll be loving me. I promise you. And I don't give up." And with that he walked away. 

After JaMar walked away I decided to go in the house and clean my brushes.  I rarely used them unless mom or Khya let me play salon on them or one my aunts were going out. I hear my phone ding indicating I had a text. When I went to check it I seen it was Kameron letting me know he was coming to spend the weekend with us. Every year mom cooked us a big breakfast so since Mickey was out of town this year Kameron and our cousin Faith, who was our age was coming over to spend the weekend. Once I was done cleaning my brushes I went ahead and packed my overnight bag and make up kit since we were going to the hotel after dinner. I went back to our room and started picking out outfits. I wanted to be cute but comfortable in my pajamas so I chose this new colorful Ethika shorts and sports bra set that Khya had ordered for us. After I did that I got out some black yoga pants and a black tank top that I would wear to work. I got my make up supplies and personal things. After I was done I put the bag near my bed and went to wake Khya up since Kameron said he was pulling up. I went to the front and sat on the couch and laid my head on my mom shoulder. She looked over and kissed me on the cheek before she went back to working on her laptop. I heard the doorbell but before I could get up and get it Khya was already rushing there. When she moved away from the door I was surprised to see my uncle Shawn. I got up to hug him and Faith before uncle Shawn asked to speak to mom alone. We all went into the kitchen to get snacks so we could go to our room and watch movies. After 2 movies I felt myself getting sleepy but they weren't so I decided to go upstairs to lay with my mom. Since Mickey was gone I was glad I could lay with her like I used to able to. 

"I heard about your plan", she told me. I know it could only come from uncle Shawn since he wanted to speak with her alone. "Mom," before I could finish she stopped me. "No Khyra listen, thank you for trying but I want you to not worry about me. It's my job to worry about you all but I'm willing to listen to your plan and even come up with my own. I do hate the way things are and I've only stayed so long because I was afraid of what he would do.I've opened a separate account and started having my deposits sent to the account I made for you guys. I'm tired." And at that moment I knew my mom had her breaking point. I cuddled close to her and starting dozing off when she started singing to me.