Finding my Happiness

My Pain

Five hours later I drive my raggedy ass car into the driveway that I call a home. It's honestly more like a zoo right now considering the circumstances. I shut my car off and jerk my car door hard so it can open. The door always sticks when it's freezing outside. I step out into the winter cold and hear Ms. Mabel trucking her ass over into my yard.

" Hey Jazzy Bell! Over here sweetheart!" She says walking over wearing a big puffy pink jacket and a cigarette in her mouth. Lord please give me the strength to not milly wop this old hag in the face. My name is fucking Jazzy not Jazzy Bell you fucking old lady. Gosh I swear this is why I anger issues.

I shut my car door and lock it while I watch Ms. Mabel carefully walking toward me so she doesn't slip.

" Can I help you Ms. Mabel?" I say annoyed.

" I was just coming over to check up on you baby that's all. I haven't really seen you around ever since your grandma passed. You know I was just worried." She says taking a puff of her cigarette and coughing right after.

" Well thank you for the concern, but I'm fine. Now if you don't mind I have to get inside." I say trying to inch my way to the door.

" Well I was also coming over here to ask if you was on your roof last night?"

I try not to look shocked at her question as I remember what happened that night when me and Danny was up there.

" Excuse me?"

" There was two people on your roof last night watching me.. that wouldn't happen to have been you up there was it?" She takes another puff of her cigarette.

" Is it any of your business? If I was up there I wouldn't tell you anyways. But just to give you some advice, if you don't want anyone in your business , stay out of other peoples. Now I gotta get inside. Have a nice day hag- I mean Ms. Mabel." I say catching myself from saying something to hurt her feelings
" Mhmmmm have a good night Jazzy Bell." She takes one last puff of her cigarette, drops it and stomps on it digging it into my driveway and walking away singing a gospel song. The rage boils up inside me as I think about just socking her in the head with a rock but I already had a stressful day today so I just let it go.
" Oooo I can't stand that old bitch.... grandma if you up there please handle her for me please." I say making it to the front door unlocking it to enter inside my very own crazy house.

" Hey look who it is, the working woman is back home." Vince says from coming down the stairs. I close the door behind me and grin at his presence. It's actually nice to walk in here and see all their faces. The house doesn't feel so lonely.

" Yeah, here I am. I'm guessing that you guys are still here as well?" I asks sarcastically as I try to take my jacket off.

" Well duh!" He says laughing lightly while he helps me out of my jacket.

" Here let me help you with that." He helps take the jacket off my arms and hooks it on the coat rack.

" So how was work?"

" Um let's just say it was a long day." The memory of today and the shadow figure chasing after me drained me mentally just thinking about it. My thoughts get changed when I smelled the intoxicating scent of dinner cooking. It brought back memories of my grandma cooking when I came back home from work.

" Are you guys cooking dinner? Breakfast is one thing but dinner? The Michael Jackson cooks dinner?" Vince rolls his eyes.

" Yes Michael Jackson cooks. I am guilty. But the chefs tonight are James and Prince like always." He says as we make our way to the kitchen.

" Hey you guys." I say as they all turn their attention to me.

" Hey Jazz!" They all say in unison. Prince and James are on the stove whipping up a bomb ass smelling meal while Danny, J5 and Billy are setting the table placing the plates and silverware down. Then I look over to see Darryl and Michael making sweet tea while Charlie is washing the dirty dishes in the sink.