Free Second House from the Corner by Sadeqa Johnson

is done and my outfit is just right, so I approach her first. Time to get my Dame membership rolling.
    â€œHello, Monroe.” I smile.
    She spins on her heels. “Felicia, how are you, dear?” She looks down at the children. “Boy, you guys are getting big.”
    Two hides behind my leg and Rory just give his shy boy look, which teeters on the verge of a look that says leave me alone.
    â€œHow’s the performance piece going? I really want you to wow the Dames,” she says, cocking her head. Those perfectly painted red lips smile out at me and I mindlessly wonder how she keeps the red from bleeding.
    â€œI started sketching it this morning but I had to run into the city for an audition. I’ll get back to it tonight.” It’s a partial truth but it makes Monroe’s eyes brighten.
    â€œAn audition! Really? What for?”
    â€œSamsung Galaxy. It’s a national, so keep your fingers crossed.” I beam, glad to have something to brag on, showing her that I am Dames material.
    â€œAnd toes,” she says.
    Rory slips off and I spy him out of the corner of my eye.
    â€œI didn’t get that e-mail from you with the details for the meeting.”
    â€œReally?” Monroe whips out her smartphone and starts scrolling through. “It’s next Friday at six for all potential talent. I hope you can make it.”
    I do a mental check and declare that Friday works. It’s my first time being invited to anything Dames, and I try to keep the excitement from bubbling outward.
    â€œWhat’s your e-mail address again?”
    â€œHere, it’s easier if I type it in.” I take her phone. Liv squirms and I bounce on my toes to quiet her.
    â€œRory, come over here,” I call without looking.
    â€œMommmmmeeeeee,” he says back.
    When my eyes flick over, I see apples, lots of them tumbling in all directions from the apple stand to the floor. Rory has three in his hand. Two rushes to help him. Five, six, seven apples spill from the cart like water and roll in all directions.
    I hand Monroe back her cell phone.
    â€œRory,” I say with my voice even, straining to keep my black mama scorn from showing up in front of company.
    â€œStart picking those up.” It’s fruitless because the apples continue to fall twelve, thirteen in all directions. I am at the stand trying to plug in the hole to keep more apples from falling. Monroe is watching Rory and Two crawling all over the floor, so I dismiss her.
    â€œI’ll look for your e-mail and see you next Friday. Call me if anything changes.” I give a short finger wave, and as I do, a store clerk is at our side.
    â€œI’ve got it from here, ma’am.” His facial expression is polite, and I pat his forearm in thanks.
    Breathe.
    In the canned goods aisle, I’m up on Rory. “How did that happen?” I hiss between my teeth.
    â€œI was trying to get an apple so you could put it in my lunch box for tomorrow.” Rory pouts, and I can tell by the way his brows tilt down that he is two seconds away from crying.
    I soften. “It’s no big deal, honey. Accidents happen.” I pull him to my hip. “Let’s get the chicken for the soup tonight and get out of here.”
    We head to the other side of the store and pick up the rest of our list. When we get in line, Rory tugs my shirt.
    â€œMama, I don’t have my karate belt.”
    I look down. He doesn’t. It’s been a long day. I just want to get out of this store, take off these tight clothes and high-heeled shoes.
    â€œSweetie, where is it?”
    The tears brim.
    Oh, my goodness. Please stop it with the tears. What you need to be is more responsible with your things. Mommy can’t be in charge of everything.
    â€œI had it when we came in.”
    â€œMaybe it fell by the apples?” The apples are on the other side of the store and I stand there while the cashier rings up my purchases, half