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know
how selfish you sound?”
      “You
know it’s true.” Aliyah stood beside the table. “She’s pathetic, and she’s
always riding my ass. How can she tell me how to act when she can’t control her
damn self?”
    “Because she’s our mother, and she’s schizophrenic. She can’t help her behavior, but
you can help yours.”
    “You can walk around and play the perfect
child-slash-doormat, if you want. You’re the favorite, any damn way.”
      “I’m not the favorite.” She washed her hands
and grabbed the dishtowel. “It’s just not fair how you treat Momma.”
    “You know what’s not fair? Not having a
mother when I needed one. That’s not fair. She’s spent more time at Wellington than
she has with us.” Aliyah grabbed Shanti’s hand. “How can you not be pissed off
about that?”
    Shanti yanked her hand away. “She did the
best she could.”
      “Yet
we’re the ones paying for it.”
    Shanti gaped. “You think she hasn’t paid?”
    The doorbell rang.
    “Thank God.” Aliyah ran out of the
kitchen.
      “Wait.”
Shanti followed.
    Aliyah got to the front door and looked
out of the peephole.
    “It’s my man. Oh .” She patted her thick hair she’d put into a ponytail. “He is so
fine.”
    “Yeah?” Shanti crossed her arms. “Like all
the others have been so fine?”
    “Shut up.” Aliyah pulled at her dress.
“Are my boobs sticking out?”
    “Yes.”
    She licked her lips. “Good.” She opened the
door. “Hey.”
    “Hey. What’s up?” A tall, young, dark-skinned
guy in sagging jeans, LeBron James’ sneakers, and a Houston Texans jersey,
grabbed Aliyah by her waist. “You smell good, ma.”
    He kissed her and Shanti rolled her eyes.
    Aliyah pulled on his jersey. “Stop.”
      He
sniffed her neck. “You didn’t say that the other day.”
    “Come on in.” Aliyah pulled him inside.
“This is Shanti.”
    “This your little sister?” He licked his lips
and held out his ashy hand. “What’s up, ma? I’m A.C.”
    Shanti didn’t take his hand until she
noticed Aliyah glaring at her. “Nice to meet you too.”
    “ Mmm .” He leaned
back, rubbing his flat stomach. “I see good looks run in the family.”
    Aliyah tapped his arm. “You crazy.”
    “How did you two meet?” Shanti asked.
    “Shit, I don’t even remember.” A.C.
scratched his cap. “A brotha was drunk as hell.”
    Shanti scowled at Aliyah. Aliyah put her
purse on her shoulder. “I’ll see you, Shanti.”
    “Can I speak to you real quick?” she
asked.
    Aliyah told A.C. to wait outside then shut
the door.
    “What’s your problem… today ?”
    “Who is that guy?”
    “My man.” Aliyah chewed gum. “What’s the
big deal?”
    “You’ve gone out with about five different
guys in the last six months. Are you out of your mind? Do you know how
irresponsible this is? How old is he?”
    “He’s nineteen, so chill.”
    “Why are you doing this?”
    “I don’t see what the big deal is. I’m a
teenager. I’m supposed to have fun.”
    “Going from man to man is fun?”
    “Yeah.” Aliyah chuckled.
    Shanti shook her head. “You’re doing this
to ignore your emotions. You’re hurting, and you’d rather have false attention
from these guys than to face it.”
    Aliyah looked at the ceiling. “Thank you,
Dr. Phil.”
    “You’re too smart for this.” Shanti
pointed to the door. “That guy looks like a thug.”
    “He’s not a thug.” Aliyah smoothed her
hair down on the sides of her head. “You’re just judging him on how he dresses.
A.C. is a nice guy, and he treats me better than any other guy I’ve dated.”
    “He’s just trying to screw you.”
    Aliyah pulled her dress down at the back. “Mission
accomplished.”
    “God.” Shanti exhaled. “You’re better than
this. You keep on, and you’ll end up pregnant or worse.”
    “And that’s my problem, isn’t it?” She
smacked gum. “This is my life, and I’m gonna live it any damn way I want.”
    “You’re just doing