Free Love Me by Gemma Weekes

That’s what you mean, right?’
    â€˜Well . . .’
    â€˜So I could flick it back over my shoulders like this,’ I demonstrate, ‘and twirl it daintily around my fingers? I could be a little black Barbie. Doctor Barbie. Or accountant Barbie, perhaps.’
    â€˜Oh, don’t start with your theatrics! It would be nice and neat, that’s all. You’d look pretty, and it would be good for job interviews.’
    â€˜Very subtle,’ I laugh, getting some cranberry juice from the fridge. Ever since I left the market research job he’s been on at me every day to get something else. ‘So . . . where’ve you been?’ I ask him, before he can ask me about my latest trip to the job centre. ‘I haven’t seen you since Thursday.’
    â€˜Big people business.’
    â€˜Come on, Dad. I
am
big people now!’
    â€˜Not in my eyes. You’ll always be a dirty-nose chile to me!’
    â€˜You been out with old Chanders again?’
    â€˜Don’t call her that, Eden. I told you already. But . . .’ he whispers, ‘yes, I have spent some time with the lovely Ms Rose Chanderpaul.’
    â€˜Nice.’
    â€˜I took her to Paris.’
    â€˜Wow,’ I say, trying to smile. ‘And I thought you were working. How was it? Aren’t dirty weekends against your religion?’
    â€˜Separate rooms of course, Eden!’
    â€˜Oh, you animal! Tell me all about it. Did you have fun?’
    He shoots me a look, and decides to treat my enquiry as a sincere one, telling me how lovely and really-a-great-bargain his trip was; frying plantain again and pottering around his yellow kitchen. He painted it last year in a fit of DIY fever so now it’s sunny, just like he’s been lately with his novelty aprons and trips to Europe. At least the food is familiar. The smell of stewed chicken wafting over from the pots on the stove; rice and peas, and the macaroni cheese in a Pyrex dish on the counter covered in foil. Whatever happens out in the world, the Sunday menu has always been the same in this house. Even if it’s just the two of us.
    â€˜As it happens, Dad, I’ve been thinking of making a little trip of my own.’
    â€˜Oh yes, where? To work?’
    â€˜Ha ha. No, to New York.’
    There’s a long silence.
    â€˜Why?’ he asks, although he already knows the answer.
    â€˜Aunt K.’
    He shakes his head and snorts. ‘Humph! I already told you about Katherine! I know she’s your family, but that won’t protect you from what she’s involved in. She’s an
obeah
woman. It’s better if you have no contact.’
    â€˜Oh, please! She’s just lonely.’
    â€˜There is evil in this world, you know, Eden! There are spirits! Aunt K was always one to try and play with things that a good Christian shouldn’t. What have you got in common with her, anyway? It’s been ten years since you’ve seen her. Just let it go.’
    â€˜I have
everything
in common with her because she’s my family! How would you like it if anyone told me not to talk to your sisters?’
    â€˜My sisters are good Christian women! Trust me. Leave that woman alone because she is the last person you need in your life. Look at the way you’ve been for the past couple of weeks! I thought you were finally getting on your feet lately, but look at you, you’ve completely lost your sense of direction! You have no job; you leave the place disgusting. All you do is sit in that room. And I’m not saying that she did anything to you, but when you mix with certain people you just don’t know . . .’
    â€˜I can’t believe you! This is my mother’s sister we’re talking about! How could you even say that? Even if she was some bloody evil witch, why would she want to hurt me?’
    â€˜Just be careful. That’s all I’m saying.’
    â€˜I think she’s right, you know, Dad. You have