My Girl

The Beginning of the End

Her perfume raised suspicion around the entire table.

"Going somewhere young lady?" Lorna stared at Amber who fumbled on her phone on the dinner table.
"Can I go and see Ray. He wants to take me out," Amber lied.
"Sure you can go," I said as I served my food.
"Thank you," she quickly leaped out of her seat and dashed to her bedroom.
I stared at Lorna and laughed. Young love, I smiled.

Her blouse drenched with perfume and her braids were tied neatly. She rubbed her neck and stared in the full-length mirror. She began to imagine what Taylor will do to her. She imagined the light kisses he might do on her neck. She grabbed the car-keys and stepped out on the front porch.

"Be back by ten!" I yelled.
"Okay daddy!" She yelled back.
The car roared to life and Amber was off, to an unforgettable night.

"Sorry baby," She spoke over the phone, "I'm not feeling well today. Rain-check perhaps?" but she realised that it was going straight to voicemail.
Fuck! she muttered and pulled back her braids in disappointment.

Her phone buzzed later.
"Hey, I got your number from your friend, Brenda," Taylor spoke, "hope that's not weird or anything?"
"No, not at all," she laughed, "so, where are we meeting?"
Her phone buzzed again and the location was sent.
"Perfect I'll see you there," she hung up.
She couldn't contain the laughter. She laughed the whole journey. Time to meet Taylor.

"You look beautiful," Taylor held her hand as she climbed the small steps.
"Listen, I'm not a cook," he smiled and pointed at the pizza and root beer.
She laughed and patted his shoulder.
"Is the root beer cold?" She sat down on the couch.
"Yes," he sat beside her.
"Mom around?" she scoped the entire living room.
"No," he held her hand, "she went out," he whispered to her.

Her body was getting weaker by the minute.
"I'm so full," she rubbed her tummy and slept on Taylor's laps.
The main door opened and Joanna stepped inside.
"Mom, this is Amber," they both stood up and fixed their shirts.
"Hey Amber," Joanna waved at her.

"Taylor why don't you grab the plastic bags in the car?" Joanna smiled and ordered Taylor.
"Where you from Amber?" Joanna stopped her from moving out of the house.
"Mom!" Taylor shushed her.
"What? You haven't brought a girl in this house in a really long time," she shrugged.
"Mom!" He yanked Amber and they walked out like they were a bit tipsy.

"You've brought someone here huh?" Amber laughed but her jealous tone spoke louder.
"It's not what you think?" He justified himself.
"Listen, let me go home. It's getting late," Amber folded her arms and moved her braids aside to see Taylor clearly.

"Goodnight Amber," he kissed her until she couldn't stand properly.
She smiled and drove away.

She giggled lightly as she closed the door.
"Where were you?" I asked.
Ray sat between Lorna and I. I stood next to him, holding a mean face.
"Look, I can explain?" Amber walked up to Ray.
Ray dodged her and walked towards the door with his hands on his head. She ended up hugging the air. Amber's words brought back horrible memories. When Keisha said the same thing to me.

"That's enough!" Ray was already shedding tears, "enough," he whispered in pain.
Walking out the door, I then remembered when I sent Keisha out of my house. The memories flooded like a hurricane.

"Where were you?" I tried talking to the crying Amber.
"Some guy," she stood up, holding her heels.
"Some guy!" I summoned the anger that roused in me.
"Andrew, baby," Lorna held my chest and nodded.
I remained calm as I saw Amber walk up the stairs.

Lorna sat on Amber's bed and smiled at Amber, who happened to be sitting cross-legged at the edge of the bed. She drew things when she was nervous, well most of the time.
"Taylor," Lorna smiled wider.
"Mom," Amber blushed and hid her face in her pillow.
"I figured," Lorna grabbed one of the pillows and rested her sleepy head.
"Okay, here goes," Amber heaved and said her story.