Free Prime Choice by Stephanie Perry Moore Page B

uncomfortable.
    â€œLet him go, Junior! You two stop that,” my mother ordered.
    I didn’t know why my mama was telling me to stop. I wasn’t doing anything. I was just standing there boldly while my dad had my shirt shriveled all up in his hand. I hated the fact that I was named after my father in times like these.
    Only around my parents did I not get to be who I normally was, and that was Perry. I had to answer to Junior, and he got to hold the name. I didn’t know why my father and I were drifting apart so, but when I looked at him I could only pray, “ Lord, help us.”
    â€œSon, let me tell you. The next time you come at me like a man, I’m gon’ take off my belt and show you that you’re still a boy. You understand me?”
    I said nothing. I wasn’t trying to disrespect him, but at this time I felt he didn’t deserve my respect. So I said nothing. I mean, what was he gon’ do? Really take off his belt and make me say something? I just looked at him. He came over toward me, and my mom got in his way.
    â€œLet him go,” my mother said. “Son, go on to your room now. Go, go!”
    I had no problem following that order. I still couldn’t believe what had just occurred. Breathing deeply, I retreated to my room and wished things were different.
    Â 
    For the next two days my father and I avoided each other. Monday morning when I was ready to head to school in my car, I noticed I didn’t have my keys. My dad had talked about taking the car, but I didn’t pay it no mind since I’d driven it yesterday. Why was he trippin’?
    â€œMom, where are my keys?”
    All of a sudden, my dad walked into the room jingling the keys. Guess he called himself trying to teach me a lesson.
    â€œDad, I need my keys or I’m gonna be late for school!” I said without thinking.
    â€œGuess you better call one of your boys to come get you or tell your mom to take you. You won’t be driving this car for a week.”
    â€œAll my friends are probably off to school, Dad. Why didn’t you tell me last night that you were taking my car?”
    â€œI told you when you came in late Friday night that I was taking your car.”
    â€œWhy you doing this? I don’t need my mom taking me to school; I’m not in kindergarten. Come on, Dad. I just won’t be late for curfew anymore.”
    â€œThat’s not all it’s about, Junior. You’ve been acting mighty grown around here lately. You might be good on the football field, but you stepped incorrectly to me the other day. I haven’t heard any apology from you yet.”
    â€œI thought you was messing with my moms. You’re the one who taught me to defend her and my sister, no matter who it was.”
    â€œAnd I see you trying to be a smart aleck again. You better find you a way to school, and, Patricia, don’t you dare take him. He thinks it’s beneath him to get a ride from a parent, let him figure it out on his own. Everything he’s got and everything on his back, our money bought for him. And, what? He gon’ challenge me? I’m tired of fussing with the boy.”
    â€œHoney, I hear you but school is important, so I’m taking him to school.”
    â€œNo, I said don’t take him.”
    â€œNo! I’m taking him to school. Junior, let’s go.”
    I was smiling on the inside. By the look on my father’s face, he wasn’t pleased, though. He started talking some more mess, and I blocked it all out because my mom was taking me to school. In my mind, I had won.
    But as we got in the car and drove in silence I realized maybe I hadn’t won at all. Maybe I had just driven a bigger wedge between my parents. I felt worse than if I’d been hit by a Mack truck.
    I, too, was tired of arguing with my father, but that was just our life now. He thought he ruled everything, but he didn’t rule me. If I had to be uncomfortable