First Stone

Isa languidly walked up the concrete steps of her house after having a long day of school and dance team practice. Once she arrived at her front door, she switched the umbrella she was holding from her right hand to her left, then took out her keys. They jingled on her Etsy keychain as she opened her front door. She walked in and threw her backpack down in the foyer. She was ready to get out of the black yoga pants and white, loose fitting crop top she was wearing, and was determined to do so once she put some food in her stomach. She took off her brown leather jacket and put it on the hook next to her front door to dry off. She told herself that she had to remember to come back down to put it in the coat closet so her mother wouldn't annoy her about it. Then She walked upstairs, trying not to trip over the shoes spread out all over the beige carpet steps. Then, she went into her cramped kitchen noticing the dirty dishes in the sink from Monday, the last time her mother made dinner. Also, her mother's hair tools were scattered all over the kitchen table. She began to think her mother wasn't going to care about the jacket.

With arid lips, Isa looked at the fridge hoping there would be more in there now compared to what was in there this morning. She couldn't find much to make her lunch with this morning for school. She managed to find a semi-rotten apple, that she picked at trying to find parts that were good enough to eat, and a hard boiled egg. She was really grateful that her dance coach ordered everyone food before practice. Isa's eyes danced on the fridge doors, but after thinking, she decided not to even open the fridge. She had a feeling disappointment would invade her soul like the mold growing on last week's leftovers in the fridge.

Katina, her mother, was home. Isa finally heard her mom in the house when she heard her footsteps walking into the bathroom, and decided to say hello to find out what was going on with her mom. As Isa walked towards the bathroom next to the kitchen , she heard her mother giggling on the phone. With the bathroom door open, Isa walked up. "Hey, Katina?" Isa said standing in the doorway.

Her mother looked at her, slightly startled, then ended her phone conversation saying, "Hey listen, I'll see you later," as she smiled into the phone before hanging up. She finally acknowledged her daughter. "What you want Isa? I'm going out," she replied then grabbed a burgundy colored lipstick to put on. Her eyebrows were already drawn to perfection, she had eyeshadow over her eyelids, and a rose colored blush was splattered on her cheeks.

"You're not cooking first?" asked Isa.

After putting on the lipstick, Katina tied the red silk robe to cover the lingerie set she was wearing over her tight frame. "Does it look like I'm gonna throw on an apron and start cooking. Order Chinese or something," said her mother.

"With what money?" asked Isa extending her open palm towards her mother.

Katina turned her head sharply. "Oh my God!" she yelled. "Didn't your stupid father give you a twenty last week? Use that," she said as she took out a powder brush to blend the makeup on her face one more time.

"No, I wanna hold on to that," said Isa frowning.

"That's just like you. I guess you holding on to that hunger too," said Katina looking into the mirror.

Isa's eyes became big. "Oh, no I'm not. You better feed me woman," said Isa demandingly. "That's your job! You had me, remember?"

Katina stopped doing her make up and looked at her daughter."Who the hell are you talking to?" Katina asked. She wasn't confused. She just wanted to give her daughter a moment to realize the moment.

Isa was getting angry. "I need food! Do you know what I had for lunch today?" Isa said then rolled her eyes.

"If you don't get out my face with all that attitude, I'm gonna slap a plate on your ass. You ain't a baby!"