“I mean, yeah, but it’s like I’m not trying to ruin my life in the process. I’m definitely a hundred percent in her corner though.”
“So there’s nothing that would make you ashamed to call her your mother?”
“Why? C’mon Dee, we’re all human and we all have our faults. She’s my flesh and blood, my mother. You know you can’t be ashamed of that, yo.”
“I hear you, Coco. I hear you, girl,” Deedee said and thought briefly about her mother. She let the thought go when she heard the voices of her uncle and Sophia.
“They sound like they beefing. Is that what they doing?” Coco asked. She could also hear the voices in what sounded like an argument.
“They’re deciding on where to spend the night.”
“What’re the choices?”
“Well, it’s between a hotel or Sophia’s apartment. The hotel is leading so far.”
“What’s causing the hold up?”
“Everything. I don’t think my uncle wants to go there. They’re arguing about space at Sophia’s apartment.”
“Why?”
“She has a two bedroom apartment. Her home office occupies one of the bedrooms which leaves only one other bedroom and there are three of us.”
“That ain’t that big of a problem.” Coco nodded and lit a cigarette. “I’m saying, you could stay at my place if you want,” Coco puffed and saw a curious hesitation on Deedee’s face. “I mean my mother ain’t there so you’re welcome to stay and that would leave your uncle with his fiancé.”
“Nope, it’s not happening,” Deedee said and wandered over to the huge mirror. She fixed her shirt and pulled the collar closed. “My uncle isn’t going to let me off the leash after all this, Coco. And then you know your area is like Vietnam. My uncle would rather leave his fiancé’s side than see me in that area. Sorry.”
“I guess you’re right, yo. Ain’t nada sweet in da hood, you know what I’m saying? Damn place is even too dangerous for peeps who are from there much less your type,” Coco said with a snarl in her tone. It served as a forewarning to Deedee. She had stepped on a time bomb again. Deedee slowly backpedaled.
“Um, Coco, I didn’t mean nothing. I’m just saying Uncle E, he’s not gonna send me anywhere. That’s all I really meant to say.”
“It’s all good, yo. I’m gonna get up out of here,” said Coco.
“Where are you going?” Deedee asked.
“To da hood where I’m from,” Coco said and began a street bop. She turned and looked at Deedee and said. “Back to the ghetto, ya heard?”
“Look, if I offended you, I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t. You just told the truth is all you did. See, I ain’t scared when in my hood. I’m used to the roaches, the mice, and the crack heads. They all know me. I ain’t got to front like I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. You feel me? I’ll holla at you. Peace out.”
“Coco, you’re taking this way out of context. I didn’t say I was scared of anything happening. It’s just that my uncle wouldn’t send me anywhere after today especially…” Deedee stopped short and her voice trailed off. She looked down on the floor and then the tears welled in her eyes. “Coco, we’ve…”
“Look Dee, me and you, we different. We cut from the same cloth but I’ve got different patterns.”
“Coco...”
“Let me finish, yo. See I know where I’m from, the people are poor and it’s the ghetto. The crime rate is high and a whole lot of shit be popping off but that’s what I rep and I can’t change that,” Coco said and paused as if she needed time to formulate her thoughts. “You can stay chilling in your ivory tower thinking that you’re safe ‘cause you’re here and not there, yo.” Deedee stared at her, shocked.
“Coco, you’ve got it all wrong. My uncle is in charge of me and I have to do as he says. I mean, I would go back to your mother’s place with you but my uncle wouldn’t let me even...”
“Even what?”
“He’s just not gonna let me.”
“And if he did let you?”
“I’d go, yeah, but I’d be scared. You’re used to the rats and roaches. I don’t feel safe…”
“Aw c’mon, they got rats and roaches all over the city,” Coco said and paced back and forth before she continued. “You ain’t got to front for me, girl. You don’t wanna come to da hood, that’s all. You could just say it like it is,” Coco said.
Deedee frowned and looked away. Maybe she’s right, Deedee thought but my uncle wouldn’t send me anyway.
“You know what, you’re right, Coco. I wouldn’t feel safe there.”
“Even if it’s just like an overnighter, yo?
“No, I just don’t think Uncle E would let me and if he did and I had the choice, I’d rather spend the night at a hotel than in the hood.” Deedee was decisive and Coco knew there was no point arguing the issue. Nevertheless, she felt compelled to after seeing this side of Deedee.
“I can’t blame you. I wouldn’t leave my nice, safe pad for the ghetto either but that’s where I live and that’s where I’ve got to go. I don’t have a nice apartment somewhere downtown.”
“You don’t have to go there like that.”
“I’m just saying my mother and I live in the hood. If we lose our apartment then we’ll probably wind up in a shelter or sump’n. I ain’t got no rich uncle or...”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it.”
“So whatcha saying, yo?”
“I don’t know. I just feel safer around here,” Deedee replied and thought about it after she had said it. Maybe it was too harsh but it was what she felt and she thought she could be honest with Coco. She did not expect a verbal backlash but felt that one was brewing.
“How could you feel safe around these people and not feel safe around your own?” Coco asked in a tone that barely disguised her anger.
“I don’t know,” Deedee said pausing to think her answer through clearly. It was the only one she had. She didn’t want to say anything that might further draw Coco’s ire but Coco’s flared nostrils alerted her to the fact that she already had. Coco’s response was swift.
“I hear you. I’m out, yo.”
“Coco, Coco, wait up,” Deedee shouted after Coco but the girl had already retrieved her jacket and was out the door. Sophia and Eric were at the foot of the stairs when Coco rushed by bidding them goodbye in a hurry.
“I’ll see y’all.”
“Coco, is everything all right?” Sophia asked as the disgruntled teenage girl bolted for the front door.
“Everything is good. Just got to go home and take care of some things.”
“I’ll drive you there if you want.”
“No, it’s aiight. Good looking out, Sophia, but I got it,” Coco said and with a nod of her head, she was through the door.
TEN
Sophia locked the door and turned to see the look on Deedee’s face. She knew something had gone wrong between the girls.
Deedee’s expression changed to disgust as she slowly made her way down the stairs to stand next to Eric. He was in the midst