Free True Story by Ni-Ni Simone Page B

some freaky-deaky disease.”
    Oh my God! Oh my God! “Cousin Shake, can you please put my mother on the phone? Please.”
    â€œCalm down. You don’t wanna talk to her no other time; what’s the rush now? Plus you know we got to pray before I let you go. ’Cause I know you ain’t had a good Thank-Ya-Lawd since you left home. Now bow your head.”
    I had no idea why I was listening. But I was.
    â€œYour head bowed?” he asked.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œOkay, let me start. Ah. Hmmm, yeah, Father and Bruh Man in the Christmas.”
    â€œYou mean Christ?”
    â€œThat’s what I said. Now keep your head bowed. Bruh in the sky, we thank Ya! And we ask You to touch Fat Mama and let her know that pimpin’ ain’t dead, but hoes ain’t in style. And keep her away from the Kool-Aid, and the Ring Dings, and the potato chips, and the fried meats. ’Cause she’s already a dinner and there’s no need for her to be a buffet. In the name of Mary and James Jenkins. Hallelujah. Amen.”
    â€œAmen. Now please. Please put my mother on the phone.”
    â€œGrier, your daughter wants you. I done prayed the devil out of her. So she should have her mind right now.”
    â€œHey, baby.”
    â€œMa,” I said, exhausted. “Please don’t give him the phone anymore. Like seriously, there is something wrong with him.”
    â€œYou know how Cousin Shake is.”
    â€œYeah, crazy.”
    She laughed. “Now what’s going on with you? It must be something for you to be calling me, without me having to call you first. Is everything okay?”
    I hesitated. “Ma, now I just need you to listen. I don’t really want your opinion. But if you give it to me, don’t be too harsh. Okay?”
    â€œDepends on what it is.”
    â€œI just need to know if what I’m feeling is wrong.”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œTonight I went out with Zaire and my friends.”
    I paused, waiting for her to sigh or make a sarcastic comment at the mention of his name. But she didn’t.
    â€œI’m listening.”
    â€œWell, the date sucked.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause, as always, he had to work. He’s always tired. So we had to cut the date short. We ate and we left.”
    â€œSo why didn’t you stay and let him go home?”
    â€œMa, how could I do that? Especially when it was supposed to have been a triple date. He did tell me he had to work.”
    â€œWell, you did the right thing then.”
    â€œBut I’m tired of his working nonstop. It’s always interfering with what I have to do! Everything is always on his time. I’m tired of that.”
    â€œDid you tell him that?”
    â€œKind of.”
    â€œWhat is kind of? How can you expect him to change if you’re not clear with him about what makes you unhappy?”
    â€œHe doesn’t want to change.”
    â€œYou don’t know that.”
    â€œI can’t believe you’re taking up for him.”
    â€œI’m not taking up for him. He still works me over. But, right is right. And you can’t hold people responsible for what you haven’t told them.”
    â€œSo you’re saying I should try and talk to him again?”
    â€œYes, and be clear with your feelings. See what compromises you can make. A relationship is a two-way street.”
    â€œBut what if he can’t change or he won’t?”
    â€œThen you have to decide what you’re willing to accept.”
    â€œYou really think so?”
    â€œYeah. I do. But here’s something I want to ask you.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œHave you thought about being by yourself?”
    â€œHuh? Where’d that come from?”
    â€œYou’re young, Seven. And ever since high school you have had boyfriend after boyfriend. When are you going to enjoy yourself? Be free, go to parties, and not have to worry about boyfriends