Spread Love, It's The Brooklyn Way

2|| Maryland House

"Yo, we at Maryland House."
I rub my eyes to see Bryson looking at me, ready to get out and get some coffee for the rest of the drive.
"I don't have to pee."
"Well, I want you to get out and stretch your legs." Mama says.
Mama pokes her head through my rolled down window. I yawn.
"Mama, lemme close the window."
"You getting out?"
"Yes, Mama."
I sigh and Mama moves her head back. I slowly roll the window up. Bryson, obviously irritated, says, "Nia, hurry up!"
I snicker. He uses his driver side buttons to roll my window up faster, and takes the key out of the ignition.
"Now come on, I need some coffee."
I grab my purse and open the van door. I check the time. 5:00 PM. I jump out and slam the door shut.
"Mama, why we ain't leave earlier?"
"That stupid stop at ya grandma house held us back."
"It wasn't stupid, Mama."
"Whatever. Get your sister, she still sleep."
"But Mama!"
"Get her, Nia."
I huff.
"Don't be giving me no attitude, young lady."
"Sorry, Mama."
I open the backseat car door and pick up the sleeping 10 year old. I move her and her warm body sits on my waist, my purse on my shoulder.
"Mama, can I get a 10?"
"What you buying?"
"An Egg McMuffin with hasbrowns and an orange juice from McDonald's."
"Buy somethin' for your sister."
"Ion know what she want!"
Mama gives me a death stare.
"I'll buy her an Egg McMuffin I guess."
"Alright. Bryson, buy me a coffee."
"Yes, ma'am."
Bryson, Mama and I start walking towards the big building. Suddenly, I feel some wet stuff on my shoulder. I stop in my tracks.
"Mama! Audrey slobbin' all over me!" I groan.
Mama gives me a napkin and I wipe that nasty stuff off of me.
"She ya sister, deal with it."
"Bryson, shut up. Dang, nobody was talkin' to you."
Bryson laughs behind me as I start walking faster.
"Hey, wait up!"
I push open the door and immediately the little number of people there give me weird looks. I know they don't think this child in my arms is my daughter! She was getting kinda heavy though.
"Sis, wake up." I say to Audrey.
"Huh, wha-"
I put her down and she takes a second to regain her balance.
"Sorry, but you been eating too much Krispy Kreme."
"Hush up, Nia. Now put me on your shoulders."
"Tuh! Girl, please."
"Please please, Nia!"
"No. Now come on, we getting some food."
"Ooo! I want an Egg McMuffin!"
"I know, I know, gosh."
Audrey skips to the McDonald's and walks through the line like a snake. Her green and black braids swish with her every movement.
"Just go around the tape, Audrey,"
"No."
I shrug and go around. Unsurprisingly, I get there before her.
"Hello, what would you like?" this lightskin girl says to me.
"2 Egg McMuffins, 1 hashbrown, and 2 orange juices."
"Hey, I want a hashbrown!"
"Mama only gave us a 10!"
"I could, you know, give you one for free. Don't tell my boss though." She jokes.
"Haha, thanks."
"Anything for the little ones. I have a sister that acts just like her." She says.
"Oh wow, really? How old?"
"9."
"Wow, this one here is 10."
The girl giggles.
"Will that be all today?"
"Yeah, thanks again."
"No problem."
I pull out the 10 Mama gave us and she puts it in the register. She prints out the receipt and hands it to Audrey. We go sit at a nearby table.
"That girl was definitely flirting with you."
"Audrey, oh my gosh!"
"Sorry! She was though."
I pick Audrey up and let her sit on my thighs. She's turning 11 this year. I can't believe it.
"Do you think I will make friends in Bed Stuy?"
"Of course, you're likable."
"But still, nobody likes dark-skinned girls like me."
I guess nobody told her.
"I know you did not say that! The color of your skin doesn't define your personality."
"Order 101!" Lightskin Girl yells.
"That's me!"
I get up and Audrey takes my spot.
"Here you go. Have a good day," she blushes.
I flash a smile. She also hands me a napkin. I bet her number is on it.
"You too." I say.
Her pale face goes pink and she moved her hair back with her finger. I'm not attracted to girls anymore. I managed to throw her off on accident though. I walk back to Audrey and we meet up with the rest of the crew at some of the chairs. It's pretty empty here. A couple of people on their laptops are getting work done, and some are just sipping their coffee, getting ready to finish the rest of their journey like us. I love breakfast foods too, so I'm glad McDonald's has all-day breakfast.
"Whatchu get, Audrey?"
"Same thing as Nia!"
I give Mama her change and we start walking out of Maryland House.
"Wait!"
Oh. My. Goodness.
"I have to pee, Mommy!"
"Audrey, come on!"
"Sorry!"
"Nia, be a darling and take her to the restroom."
"Mama!"
"Now, Nia."
I grab Audrey's hand and we start walking to the restroom. When I open the door, Audrey decides to run all the way to the last stall.
"No, go in the front!"
Only 2 ladies were in the bathroom, so almost all of the stalls were available, including in the front.
"You know what, do you, boo."
I stand next to the stalls on my phone. Then the door swings open. It's Lightskin Girl.
"Oh, hey."
"Hi! I'm guessing the little one had to use the bathroom."
"Yeah, she went all the way to the back." I shake my head.
"That's just what they do. They gonna be extra."
"Yeah, I guess."
Then, she moves closer to me, leaning in for a kiss. I move back.
"I...I don't..."
She looks at me, disappointed.
"Oh I... I'm sorry."
She puts her hands behind her back.
"I'm not attracted to the same sex," I begin.
"No, it's fine. I came here to use the bathroom so..."
She rushes into a stall. Then, I hear a flush.
"Done!" Audrey says.
We rush out. That was so awkward. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings, but I had to draw the line. I didn't want her thinking I wanted her, even though she was kinda hot. But I can't imagine being in a relationship with a girl. Not after what happened with Solange and I.
"You okay, sis?"
"Yeah, this girl tried to kiss me. I had to step back."
"Nia."
"Yes, Bryson?"
"Was she hot?"
I smack my hand on my face as he laughs.
"I just wanna know," he manages to get out after all of that laughing.
"Come on, we were really having a moment here. Like how we used to."
"I know, but...was she?"
"Yeah, she was lightskin."
"Wow..."
"But, I can't do another female relationship."
"Just because Solange cheated-"
"No, I don't wanna hear nun of that. She broke my heart into a million pieces."
"-Doesn't mean other women will do that. She was a liar, a cheater and she tried to manipulate you to get what she wanted. I don't even think she liked girls. But you were in love. And love makes you stupid."
"Hmph."
"Stop being stubborn and get in the van," Bryson takes a long sip of his coffee and opens the door.
I check the time again on the dashboard. 1:47 AM. I put my seatbelt on and we pull out of the parking lot to the I-95 highway. The Maryland House sign flickers behind us. I start eating my food.
"You tryna share?"
I break a piece of my Egg McMuffin off and give some to Bryson. He takes another sip of his coffee.
"We almost there, don't worry. Soon, we'll have a new life in Bed-Stuy. You know I heard of this new spot, Sweet Chick, I think."
"You know what they got?"
"Just search it up on your phone."
I pull out my phone and search up "Sweet Chick" but then stop.
"Where is it?"
"Williamsburg."
I add "Williamsburg" to the search bar and my mouth immediately waters. Images of shrimp, grits, fried chicken, steak and scrambled eggs make me want some right now.
"This look good, Bryson!"
"Yeah, maybe I'll take you and Audrey there."
"You see that shrimp though? And the poached egg on top?" I say, looking at the shrimp and grit meal.
"Dang, I want that right now."
"One day, sis, one day."
"I can't wait!"
"I know your greedy self can't wait."
"Hush."
We both laugh, and this is one of the rare moments where I know I have my brother back.