Page 24 of Bern and Isley
“Well, I’m glad you dropped by to hang out with your boy for a lil bit. We don’t do this as often as I would like. Next time, I’ll come to you so you won’t have to leave Aunt Fee alone.”
She smiled. “I guess since we’re both single, we have more time to kick it. And we can do so without getting backlash later.”
“Shid, I didn’t give a damn about that anyway. You know I always come running when you ask me.”
Our eyes met and she grinned. It was like an invisible spark between us. “Yeah, you always come through.”
“And I always will. Remember that.”
Chapter 13
Isley
“Ouch,”I groaned as she ran over my ankle in the motorized shopping cart. I looked down to assess the damage. It was just a small scrape.
“Oh baby, I’m so sorry. My perception is still off a little bit,” Aunt Fee admitted.
I giggled. “It’s okay. I’m not bleeding.”
We were out getting a few groceries for the house. Typically, I did the shopping alone, but she asked to tag along. I was happy she felt good enough to accompany me to the store and I didn’t mind having company. After her amputation, she suffered from severe depression. Not being able to move around like she once had really taken a toll on her. Her self-esteem took a tremendous hit. She was no longer the outgoing Aunt Fee she used to be. It didn’t help that her raggedy ass son was never around to spend time with her. I would give anything to have my mother back, but my cousin Scrap couldn’t be bothered to spend any time with his. He only came around when it was time to beg for money.
“How’s Marshall been doing? I haven’t seen him around in a while.”
I sighed as I reached for a bottle of olive oil. “We broke up.”
“Oh, sorry to hear that,” she replied as she carefully turned the corner toward the produce section.
“It’s okay.” I shrugged. “I don’t think we were meant to be.”
“I understand that. I’m proud of you for making the decision to walk away. So many women stay in relationships that they know aren’t headed anywhere just to say they have a man.”
“Yeah. I definitely understand that. I just need to focus on me.”
Aunt Fee abruptly stopped her chair. “You really should focus on you, Isley. You’re such a kind hearted, giving person. I feel guilty because I know I’ve played a part in holding you back.”
“No, don’t say that, Auntie.”
I didn’t want to admit it. Guilt plagued me every single time the thoughts crossed my mind. My aunt didn’t hesitate to take me in when my mom and brother passed away. She came to Arkansas and packed me up and brought me to live with her and her young son. Aunt Fee loved on me and treated me like I was her own.
“You’ll never admit it because you are such a loving person. But when my health started to decline, you put my needs above yours. I just wish Steven would come around more to relieve you. You need a life outside of me.”
“I don’t mind helping you, Auntie. The only thing I’m concerned with is saving money right now. Everything else will fall in place when the time comes.”
When we made it home, Aunt Fee requested broccoli and cheese casserole for dinner. I didn’t mind. I preferred a quick and easy meal seeing that my energy was almost nonexistent. The doctor’s office told me to start taking prenatal vitamins and folic acid. They also scheduled me for an appointment at nine weeks. I still hadn’t decided if I was actually going to go throughwith the pregnancy. I had given myself one more week to make a final decision.
I was removing the casserole from the oven when I heard the doorknob turn. My mood instantly soured like milk that had been sitting out in the summer heat.
“Hello baby, you finally came around to see your mama?” Aunt Fee’s face brightened when Scrap entered the apartment.
“Hey, Mama.” He plopped down on the sofa beside her. “What you cooking, Isley?”
I blew out a breath. I didn’t even want to speak to that sorry nigga.
“She cooking my favorite, broccoli casserole,” Aunt Fee answered. “You staying for dinner?”
“I don’t eat broccoli. I hate vegetables, you know that.”
Grown ass nigga admitting that he didn’t like vegetables should be against the law. As wide as he was around the waist, all he needed was some vegetables. Auntie and I both knew why the nigga was even here. He didn’t show up to see how his mama was doing or to spend any time with her. Scrap didn’t even pretend to do all of that. He was always clear with his intentions and motives.
