Page 213 of Taeja

“He stopped a few months after you left. My nanny used to bring me, but after I went to college, I don’t go as often.”

“I realize that a lot of persons who grew up in church, grow further away from the Lord the older they get. Even at my church, the youth fellowship isn’t what it used to be. Why’s your generation like this?”

Taeja shrugged. “I can’t speak for them. I can only speak for me.”

“I’m listening,” Cassedi said. “But come mek mi comb yu hair so it nuh knot up.”

“It nuh knot up easy,” Taeja laughed, moving to sit between Cassedi’s legs. “My comb is in Damon’s computer bag. Don’t tell him that, though. He’ll kill me if he knows I stuck it in there this morning when we were running late to get you and ZsaZsa.”

“Let me guess, Wayne was driving and complaining that foreigners aren’t punctual?” she asked, and Taeja nodded. Cassedi chuckled as she found the comb, then got to work on her daughter’s hair. It was as soft as she remembered, and Cassedi smiled. This thick bundle of curls had been on her maternal grandfather’s side of the family for generations. The blessing skipped her, but Cassedi was happy her daughter received it.

Taeja continued, “It’s not that I don’t want to go to church, I just don’t have time.”

“That’s always the excuse.”

“But it’s valid. When I’m at school, that’s all I focus on, and Saturdays, I party to de-stress. When Sunday comes, I can barely drag myself out of bed.”

“You should manage your time wisely.”

Taeja sighed. “Miss Charm always tells me that. I’m going to do better this semester though. I can’t afford to fail.”

“I’d like to meet Miss Charm,” Cassedi said. She wasn’t jealous, but it was disheartening that another woman played her role as a mother.

“Mek mi call her.” Taeja grabbed her phone. “She’s probably at home baking—” Taeja paused when she found the number. “Speaking of calling people, did you speak to Jerry?”

Cassedi froze before she recovered, resuming the cornrow. “No.”

“You don’t want to talk to him?” Taeja asked, puzzled.

“I do.”

“Yu waa mi call him? If you don’t know what to say to him, tell him bout him mada,” Taeja suggested, and Cassedi slapped Taeja’s arm with the comb. “Ow, Cassedi!” Taeja exclaimed, rubbing the spot.

“Behave yourself,” Cassedi huffed.

“You sound like Jerry,” Taeja grumbled.

“I don’t sound like him. I just don’t think you should allow that woman to turn you into someone you’re not.”

“Me naa stop cuss her.” Taeja hissed her teeth. “Do you want to talk to him or not?”

“Sure… You can call him,” Cassedi said, somewhat thankful for how pushy her daughter was. She knew she’d never contact Jerry any other way, no matter how much she longed to hear his voice.

The call connected, and Taeja put it on speaker. “Hello, Jerry Marley. May I ask who I am speaking to?”

“Me,” Taeja said, a hint of attitude in her tone.

“Why are you calling me, Taeja?” Jerry asked, and Cassedi froze. His voice sounded just as she remembered, but… icier.

What happened when she was away?

“Yu feel seh a beg mi a beg yu nun, Jerry?” Taeja bit back, making Cassedi’s heart sink. She knew they didn’t have the best relationship anymore, but witnessing it was something else entirely.

Jerry sighed. “You do not have to be so aggressive, Taeja. I am at work.”

“Oh… Sorry. I didn’t know that you went back.”

Jerry paused. “What do you want?”

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