Page 47 of My Brother's Keeper
I sat up. “This whole Hillsdale thing? You know, I find it funny that you hate me being at the very same HBCU you graduated from. I can’t understand why a man who had so much Blue Hawk pride hates it now.”
My mother cleared her throat. “Alyse, I know you're upset—”
“No, I have the right to know. Sounds to me like Daddy owes the white man and is using me to pay up.”
“Now goddamnit, Alyse, watch how you talk to me!” my father shouted.
I raised my brow. My mother reached out to me. Her face softened. “Alyse, you will stay at TSU. Your father will be fine.”
He looked at her like she was crazy. “You don’t speak for me.”
Her head snapped his way. “And you don’t speak for her. She is a growing girl, and we should be happy that she’s in college. Let her explore and enjoy the Black excellence we as a people don’t have much to call our own as is. Allow her to enjoy those moments with her people. You sure did, or did you forget? Or is it that you don’t want her to run across a man who was much like you back then? The rebel, the jock, the ladies’ man,” she paused. “You met me there, so what does that say? Huh?”
To hear my mother say those things made me happy. All this time, I didn’t think she was on my side, but she was. “I want to audition for an on-stage play. It’ll be for the summer. Which means it wouldn’t affect school.”
My mother smiled. “I think you should do it.”
“What the fuck is happening?!” my father said.
Alice and Brice covered their mouths as they snickered while Brennon sat there clueless. I got up from the table. “I’m going to a friend's. I will be back later.”
I grabbed my things to head out the door when I felt a tug.
I want to go with you, please.Brennon asked.
I glanced up to see my mother. “He misses you. Only if you want.”
I looked back down at my brother,only if you promise to be on your best behavior.
A wide smile appeared on his face as he snatched his coat and rushed out the door. Brennon’s coming would be good because his meeting with Jalen would show him that he wasn’t the only one.
SYMPHONY
“Sweetheart, you need to eat something,” my mother said to my father at the table.
Since today was Thanksgiving, we decided to change my father’s scenery and enjoy a quiet meal on the back patio. His mobility was limited, but he could still use his hands somewhat to eat; however, he hadn’t even tried to pick up a fork. I knew that every time my mother spent time with him, a part of her heart hoped for a miracle. She got up from the table, picking up the plates to take them in. “He’s probably not hungry,” I told her.
She ignored me as her frustration got the better of her. I turned to my father, “Daddy, it’s Thanksgiving, you should eat.”
The nurse came to the sliding door and told me someone was there. I was confused because my parents hadn’t had many visitors since the incident. I kissed my dad on his forehead as I stepped into the house. I glanced into the kitchen, and my mother wasn’t there.Where the hell did she go?I made my way toward the slightly open front door, but I didn’t see anyone. I pulled the door all the way open to see Kareem standing there.
I had gone from calm to angry. “You have some nerve showing up here. Leave!” I shouted.
Kareem dropped his head. “Symphony, I know no matter what I say, you won’t forgive me. However, I need to tell you that I’m sorry.”
My head flew back, “Sorry? Nigga I don’t give a fuck about your sorry. Sorry doesn’t change that you beat my father damn near to death. Sorry doesn’t change that he can no longer be normal. Sorry doesn’t change that you stole from me. You can keep your stupid ass apology.”
He placed prayer hands to his lips. “I know, and there is no excuse, but your father isn’t innocent. He said some shit to me that fucked me up and—”
“So, what! I don’t give a fuck. Kareem, you can die right now, and I wouldn’t bat an eye. I feel sorry for Keith because if only he knew how evil you are.”
Kareem glared at me with regretful eyes. “Everyone deserves a second chance. You gave him one,” he finished as he walked off.
I watched as he got in the car with Keith and they took off. Who did I give a second chance to? I closed the door and stood there thinking. That’s when I thought about Mison. “Hell no!” I shouted.
I snatched my keys and left the house. My mind was racing because if Kareem was right, I had been sleeping with the enemy this entire time. I was having this man’s baby. When I reached his house, his car was gone. I got out of the car and used the key he gave me to enter the house. I rushed up to his room and started to look through shit. I searched high and low for my necklace. If Kareem were so apologetic, he would have given it back. So, it meant Mison had to have it, but I couldn’t find anything.
I was going to this Zoogiving, and whether he wanted to or not, that nigga was going to give me some fucking answers.
