"Momma why you got us all the way out here?", I ask looking through the menu.
"Because we haven't spent time with each other for a while, so this what we doing today."
I roll my eyes and smile.
"Hi. I'm Rebecca and I'll be serving you today. We're gonna start with drinks. What do you guys want?"
"2 strawberry lemonades please."
"Yes ma'am. I'll get those and then I'll come back to take you guys' order."
We nod and I go back to looking at the menu. "How's school?"
"Good. No complaints... classes are good."
"That's good." The waiter comes back and gives us our drinks.
"Alright, what would you guys like to order?"
"I'd like the bacon cheeseburger, medium well, with a side of fries."
"Ok ma'am. What about you hun?"
"Chicken tenders and fries please."
"Alright your food should be ready in about 15 to 20 minutes. Would you guys like any appetizers?"
"No thank you", we say in unison.
"Alright, well I'll check on you guys later." The waiter walks off and I sip on my strawberry lemonade.
"So which one you like more? Seyven or Jayvion?", my mom asks causing me to choke on my drink.
"....what you talking about ma?"
"You know what I'm talking about. The two boys that you like. I knew about Jayvion already. You didn't think I knew about Seyven."
"Ummm I didn't know you knew any of them... and ion like neither of them."
"You seriously goin lie to your momma?"
I shake my head. "Alright ma..... yes I used to like both of them, but they don't like me anymore. Truth is Seyven and Jayvion don't like each other because they both did stuff in the past to each other."
"Like? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"I'd rather not say. Just know that it's really fucked up. You know that I hang with Jayvion and I've hung with him for a while, then Seyven came along and we started hanging out. Jayvion found out and he's mad at me and then I told Seyven to leave me alone and now he's not talking to me either. Then to make matters worst, Jay's girlfriend claims that I planned that whole attack to get his attention when I didn't."
"That bitch don't know what she talking about. She just jealous because Jayvion like you. As far as Seyven, he likes you too. PERIOD."
"Uh uhn momma. I know for a fact that they don't. Jet has a first love and they're still together; meanwhile Seyven just in his own little world."
"Girl you are so smart, but right now you acting dumb. Dumb isn't in our DNA", my mom replies rolling her eyes.
"What I do? I'm telling the truth."
"Obviously both of them like you. Jayvion is mad at you because you started hanging with Seyven: the boy he don't like. Then Seyven turn around and get mad at you because you said you ain't wanna be bothered with him no more. It doesn't matter if Jayvion got a first love.... obviously he don't love her that much if he sitting round here, catching feelings for you. So to conclude, both of them like you. It's up to you to choose though."
"But momma, I don't want to choose because either way somebody is gonna get hurt."
"Then cut both of them off then."
"Momma, you know dang well that's not goin happen."
"I know. I was in a situation just like this when I was in highschool. Kemaru: big time drug dealer and Lamar: Rival drug dealer. It was a lot honestly. I knew both of them since we were kids but they both went down paths that I didn't condone in, but I had to make a decision."
"Who did you choose?"
"I honestly did like Lamar more. He was only in the game to support his family, because they were poor. He had a good heart, a good spirit, and he had goals. Kemaru got in the game to support his family as well in the beginning, but then he became greedy and ruthless. He didn't have goals in life. He didn't want to leave the game and I didn't want that in my life. I didn't want to constantly look over my shoulder, knowing that I had a dangerous boyfriend out here in these streets."
"So you chose Lamar?"
"No. I was going to go for Lamar, but he was murdered before I could ever get the chance to. Kemaru murdered him and got life in prison."
"Damn ma. You know how to pick them."
"Girl don't do that.... I promised myself that I would leave all of that drug dealer lifestyle mess alone. That wasn't me. And then when I went to college and met your father, I found a new love that made me whole... that made me happy. What I'm telling you is, it doesn't matter how much both of them like you, you gotta make the right and smart decision for yourself. Not for anybody else. I know Jayvion and it doesn't take a genius to know what he's doing in the streets and Seyven is probably doing the same thing. And I know that I can't control you or your actions, but I'm telling you. Coming from a person who has experienced this firsthand, I'm telling you: this conflict that got these boys hating each other isn't good for anybody. It will cause casualties and it will most likely end the both of them; just like it did Kemaru and Lamar. I don't want you in the middle of it because you're my only child and I love you with all my heart, but I can't make you listen to me. You gotta learn on your own and I know and trust that you'll make the right decision at the end of the day."
"I will make the right decision and I'm glad that you trust me enough to do that. I'm glad we had this conversation because I've always been stuck between two sides... now I don't know anymore."
"Trust me.. you will. And once you do, you'll feel much better. You gotta do what's best for you. I know you care about Seyven and Jayvion, but what they got going on, don't have nothing to do with you. You can't help everybody and you certainly can't save nobody who don't wanna be saved. The best thing you can do is fall back and do you. If it's meant to be with one or the other, it'll happen in due time."
"Yeah you right. It'll happen in due time... thanks ma."
"You're welcome baby. I'm always here if you ever wanna talk... and I always got your back through whatever. I know you'll make the right choice."
"Trust and believe I will make the right choice. I'm glad to have you in my corner ma."
"Period", my mom says swiping her hand like the city girls.
"Momma don't ever do that again."
"Why? I'm grown. I'm a city girl."
"Uh uhn ma. We goin have a discussion about what a city girl really is, later."
