Hood Love

21

Onika Maraj
July 21 2017
Tuesday
8:28 am

*ring ring*

"Is there a reason you're calling me this early woman?" I groaned scratching my head.

"Yes. I just got off the phone with your mom and she's waiting for your call." I put my phone on pause and threw a small tantrum, careful not to wake a sleeping Josiah.

"Can't you just tell her for me? Pleaseeeee." I begged. When I was younger my aunt would just buy a card and write my name on it but as I grew older she forced me to actually call my mother.

"No Onika. That's your mother and you need to let that anger you have towards her go sweety. You only get one mom." I rolled my eyes in frustration because we literally have this fight every single year.

"I got two moms. Carol is my egg/uterus donor but you're more of a mother to me than she ever was." I've felt like this for years but this is my first time actually expressing my feelings.

"Nika you know I love you like you're my own but your mother Carol loves you very much and has only done what was best for you. You of all people should understand that considering you did the same thing with Alexis." Once I really thought about it my aunt was right.

"Call your mom Tanya." My aunt pleaded.

"Alright Monica." I sighed. I might as well just get it over with.

"Watch ya self Chile." She warned.

"Bye Auntie." I laughed

"Bye girl." She dismissed me rolling her eyes.

"Lord give me strength." I let out a large sigh while scrolling through my contacts. My finger hovered over her name for a few seconds before I finally got the courage to click the button. With each ring my heart beat grew a little faster.

"Hello?" My mother answered on the fourth ring.

"Hey ma." I said lowly. For some reason I was a little nervous.

"Onika!!! How are you honey?" The tone in my mothers voice changed drastically once she realized who I was. She was always so happy to hear from me considering it wasn't often.

"I'm doing good. Happy birthday momma." I spoke in a more upbeat tone.

"Thank you honey. How've you been?" She asked trying to create conversation.

"Depends on the day." I answered honestly.

"I heard that." She responded with a chuckle. Here comes the awkward silence.

"Well mom I have...." I tried to end the conversation before she tried to create small talk and things got weird.

"Before you go. Your aunt told me about what happened to Mckayla and I just want to say I'm sorry. I know you loved her dearly." I know that my aunt fills my mother in on what happens in my life and I really don't care because thats less that me and my mom had to talk about.

"Thank you." It really meant a lot to me that my mother cared enough to share her condolences with me.

"Well baby ill let you go." My mother sounded so sad getting off the phone. I thought about what my aunt said earlier she was right. I only get one mother. And since I'm making so many positive changes in my life, why not move in a positive direction with my mom.

"...don't......Lets catch up." Before I came to New York my mother and I were very close and I guess that's why I was so hurt when she decided to send me up here. But when my aunt compared our relationship to my relationship with Alexis something in my head  clicked. I would hate for Alexis to treat me the way I've treated my mother.