Take Care

Vingt

The Beverly Hills Ball

2:00pm

I trailed behind my mother, slightly in my feelings about practically being forced to show up hours before the event.

I was slightly pleased to hear about Joe's absence but that only put more pressure on me by default.

"Linda!" My mother snapped her fingers at one of dancers. "You suppose to be filling in for Jane, get in front center!"

"Yes Madame."

"and Jelani!" She yelled again. "What are you eating?! The show will start soon and the last thing I need is for your belly rolls to be poking out! Grab a fruit."

I continue to follow her through the hall, watching her chew out some more of the workers.

"Jesus!" She facepalmed herself. "The colors are suppose to blue and white. I want this change, do I have to do everything?!"

I laughed more to myself.

The fact of the matter, she hasn't showed up not one rehearsal but expected others to be on board.

She stopped and turned to me. "Problem?"

"Nope." I said popping the "p."

After she finished scoping the place out, making sure things were up to her liking, we sat down at one of the outdoor benches.

"Sooo .." She coo'd. "Danielle told me you may be attending the ball alone and I was thinking that-

"Mother!" I whined, moving a bit further away from her.

"What? Cynthia, the ball is important to our family and can't be ruined by your bad taste in men." My mother complained.

"Like Joe?"

My family always gave Joe passes which rubbed me the wrong way. He couldn't do no wrong in their eyes.

Perhaps, it was because he helped with my father's last campaign and contributed to him becoming Mayor.

My family were big on favors.

"Joe different." She said. "He's a great entrepreneur with a bright head about his shoulders. Should've stayed with him."

I faked a smile. "No thank you."

"Why not?"

My mother raised a eyebrow before forcing a smile on her face. She always claimed she wanted the best for me but I'm starting to believe different.

"I just feel like you guys are such a perfect couple o-or would about Benjamin? I heard he just luck a major settlement."

"Mom!" I spat. "Everything doesn't have to involve money. My mental health also plays a role too."

"Thats fine and all but Cynthia you were born into royalty and should carry yourself that way. The last thing we need is for you to invite some ghetto trash here again."

"Ghetto?!" I scrunched my face up.

"Yes." She sounded asserted. "The last boy you brought could barely hold up a simple conversation without stuttering. What was his name again? Edward? Edgar-