WILD THANGZ by Winston Chapman (An Essence Magazine National Best Seller)

Chapter 8

In the summer after my sophomore year, I still hadn't told my parents about the developmental deal or about my plans to not be returning to Spelman in the fall.

I stayed in touch with my girls by phone. Trina was in Savannah and Brea was back in Brooklyn.

It seemed like there was always something going on with the three of us and uncanny how whenever there was drama, we all had it at the same time.

Trina's parents were considering splitting. At the root of their debate was the fact that Mrs. Whitfield had to spend so much time as a lobbyist up in Atlanta because it was the capital city, Trina explained to me.

Mr. Whitfield had spent years building his car dealership business and was reluctant to move to Atlanta and give that up. Actually, he wouldn't be giving it up totally, as he could open a new dealership in Atlanta.

It seemed to me like it was more of a power-struggle between two successful people.

But in either case, it was stressing Trina. She'd even come to stay with me over a weekend just to get away from the arguments that were occurring at home.

It was clear from talking to Brea on the phone that she'd not be returning to Spelman either, due to her loss of an important scholarship. Though she loved Brooklyn, Brea was finding it difficult to accept staying there because of some of the drama that was happening around her. Brea's older brother had just gone to jail on drug charges, her father's shift-hours had been cut in half and money was extremely tight, so she was considering just moving to Atlanta and finding a job.

Simeon and Jamal did open their firm in downtown Atlanta, but Simeon was always very busy traveling to get new accounts so we'd not gotten to kick it in-person as much as I would've liked. However, we talked on the phone a lot.

My dad didn't like Simeon when he visited me at my parent's house. He said it was the age difference, but I paid him no mind for two reasons. One, I was grown and about to turn 21 in July. And two, because to date I've never had a boyfriend that my father did like. All that really mattered was that my mom thought he was a nice and respectful man.

All hell broke loose on the sunny July day that I informed my parents of my plans to pursue a singing career.

I'd told them during my 21st birthday celebration dinner. I know that it was weak to do it on that day, but I'd hoped that it would soften the blow. It did not.

My dad was irate. He went straight ballistic on me.

"What is wrong with you?!" he screamed his disappointment.

My mom made my 16-year old sister, Tyisha and my 12-year old brother, Malcom go to their rooms so not to witness the fireworks.

"I'm 21, now," I said battling back. "It's time for me to make decisions for myself"

"Oh, what? You s'ppose to be grown now?" my dad rhetorically questioned with his finger pointing at me. "You ain't paid a dime of rent in this house! Ain't bought a stitch of clothes that are on your back and ain't put an ounce of food up in that refrigerator, but now you're grown, huh?!"

My mom jumped in trying to slow the onslaught from my dad by softly placing her hand on his forearm to lower his pointing hand away from my face.

"Listen, honey. Jazmyn is grown and is old enough to make her own decisions," my mom defended even though I knew she didn't agree with my choice.

"Geraldine, are you trying to defend her?!" my dad turned his attention to my mother.

I felt bad because my mom was undeservingly getting caught in the net of something I created.