Page 15 of Bern and Isley
“Don’t worry about it.” I playfully snatched his keys from him.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He nodded. “There should be some cash in the glove box.”
I hopped in his car that still smelled brand new. I decided to drive to Wings & Things, just a few miles away. Bern’s car rode so smoothly, I had to keep glancing at the speedometer to be sure I wasn’t speeding. And I loved the way his air conditioner was blasting. My car could never. I could barely feel the air in my shit. I wished I had a more dependable vehicle. It didn’t even have to be brand new. I was thankful for my little hoopty, but she had over two hundred thousand miles on her. The amount of money I’d spent in the last few years on repairs was shameful. I was doing everything I could to avoid getting a car note. But I knew eventually I was going to have to bite the bullet.
When I walked into the restaurant, the bell on the door chimed. I stood in line behind a lady with purple and gold box braids holding a small child. I studied the menu out of habit, but I already knew I’d get my usual, six-piece lemon pepper wings with fried okra. When it was my turn, I placed my order then took a seat at an empty table that sat two. I scrolled mindlessly on social media while waiting for my food to be ready. Within fifteen minutes, the server brought my meal to me. I didn’t wasteany time devouring my food. I smiled as I thought about Bern instinctively knowing I hadn’t eaten all day. He really thought he knew me. And he did. Being friends with someone for so long, you learned all of their habits. Good and bad. And he knew that I had a bad habit of not eating, especially on days I had braiding appointments. I just got so focused on tasks that I neglected my body’s hunger signals.
“Where Bern at?” A voice startled me. I glanced up from my phone to see Unique standing over me. She had removed her long braids and was rocking a blonde lace front. The pink mini dress she wore barely covered her adolescent looking body.
“He’s not with me.” I rolled my eyes as I gathered my trash and stood.
“Okay, hoe. But his car outside.” She stated the obvious as she followed me to the trash can.
“Alright…watch your mouth,” I warned her. I wasn’t one to start shit, but I had no problem with solving some. I exited the establishment, very aware that she was still on my heels.
“What you doing driving my man’s car?”
“Your man? When did y’all get back together?” I asked, never breaking my stride.
“None of your business.”
“Okay then, bitch, you need to ask your man what I’m doing driving his car. He answers to you, not me,” I advised when I reached the driver’s door of Bern’s car.
“I always knew you wanted my man.” She glared at me as I opened the door and took a seat.
Her accusation didn’t deserve a verbal response from me. I grabbed Bern’s sunglasses and placed them on my face as I started the car. I smiled and waved at Unique as I pulled out of the parking lot. I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but with the way she was pointing and rolling her neck, it was fair to assume she’d called me every insult under the sun.
When I returned to the car wash, Bern was spraying something on my wheels. I cut the engine and stepped out of the vehicle.
“I love the way that car drives,” I told him as I handed him the keys. “I need something like that.”
“You can have it whenever I get a new ride.”
“Sure,” I giggled.
“I’m for real,” he said as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He took a deep breath before answering. “What is it, Unique?”
I bit my lip, attempting to hide my smile because I already knew what that call was about.
“Who the fuck are you talking to? You got life fucked up. That’s my muthafuckin’ car. You’re not my girl, so I don’t answer to you. I don’t know why you can’t get that through your head.” His jaw clenched as he hit end on his phone.
“Did I get you in some trouble?” I asked with a mischievous grin.
“Hell nah, the broad is delusional,” he answered. “Hey, I heard there’s a couple of vacant units over at the D-Ville Projects available for purchase. I’m thinking about checking it out.”
“Oooh… we may be in the same complex again, huh?” I couldn’t hold back my smile.
“Possibly.” He shrugged nonchalantly before a subtle grin appeared.
“And what does Ms. Cynthia have to say about all of this? New business and moving out?”
I knew how glad his mother was to have him home. She and I spoke regularly when he was incarcerated. Ms. Cynthia always mentioned how she couldn’t wait to have her baby boy back under her roof again. I knew he wouldn’t stay there forever but it had only been a little over a month and he was already making plans to move into his own spot.
He pushed his hands into his pockets. “She doesn’t know yet.”
I pursed my lips. “She’s not going to be happy.”
“She’ll be alright. I’m a grown man who needs privacy. I don’t like bringing women into her house.”
