Chapter 25: October Varies Opaqueness

Uhm Lemme Think, WhatCouldIDo Tah Kick It Off? -___- Hey y'all. Not gon do too much talking. How Bout I Come All On Yo Zick And Zen I Lick It Off? People can be soooo distracting. Y U Mad? Was worth the wait. & S/o to @TeamOnikaFaree Hopefully that's your twitter. lol. Enjoy.

                                                                                                                          Cooncerely,

                                                                                                                                        Green & Purp

Emonie was sitting out in front of her Mother’s store holding a huge woven basket full of various candies. Mrs. Solarin had run back inside to use the restroom before the crowd would get any larger. She was taking a while, but Emonie didn’t really mind because she had to wait until Drake and his friends arrived to go walking around anyways.

“Emonie! Come here chile.” Her mother called. Emonie got up, sat the basket down in the chair and went to see what her mother wanted.

“Yes ma’am?” She answered, before lowering her eyes after seeing the things her mother was holding. “Ma.”

“Don’t ma me.” She told her. Emonie hung her head. “Now. Wouldn’t dis be cool to wear?” She asked holding up a traditional African Lapa. Emonie couldn’t deny it’s beauty, but that still didn’t make her want to wear it and her mother knew it.

“It’s beautiful mama. Really. But I think I’m a bit too old to be wearing costumes.”

“This is no mere costume Emonie.” She boasted while turning it around. “And you seemed all too excited to wear one, until I tell you to find something other than a Nosferatu.”

“Marceline’s not just any vampire, mama. She’s the vampire queen.”

“But this will make you look like a real Nigerian queen.”

“I know mama, but do I get to carry around a cool axe guitar?”

“No.” She said simply. “Just the pride of your foremothers.” She would. Emonie thought as she sighed. “Don’t let me force you against your will Emonie. It was just a suggestion.” Emonie nodded as her mother put the plastic cover back over the dress. “Did you leave all that candy out there, unattended?”

“Oh my!” Emonie exclaimed, before dashing outside.

“Walk!”

          When she got to the basket it was half empty. She heard laughs and immediately knew who the sources were.

          Nathan and Eric were the sons of a barber who worked at his father’s Barber Shop across the street. Their mother worked in the salon next door to it. Nathan was only one year her junior, but was less mature than Eric, who was two years younger. In Mrs. Solarin’s eyes the boys had too much freedom. But she wasn’t the kind to intrude in on other’s family affairs. Of course that doesn’t stop her from voicing her opinions about them to Emonie.

“Gluttony isn’t cute.” She told the two brothers and their friends.

“You ain’t neither, shit stain.” Nathan responded. His friends laughed, but it didn’t faze her a bit. Emonie just smiled. Not only was he just a few shades lighter than her, but he most likely had the stains of which he spoke, racing in his underpants. It would take way more than a corny insult to tear down the pride her mother and father, Allah rest his soul, had installed in her from an early age. She knew she was beautiful.

“Even a swear couldn’t save that awful joke.” She said, picking up the basket.

“Why you talk like that?” One of the friends asked.

“Cuz her mom’s Nigerian, right 'Monie?” Eric said.

“Right.” She winked before turning to go back inside.

“Well y’all should hop back on dat boat and go back.” Nathan said.

Emonie stopped in her tracks. He had gone too far by including her mother in that sentence. Especially since she had worked so hard to come here and provide for her.

“But she was born...” Eric began.

“Shut up.” Nathan scolded, cutting him off.

“Listen here you, you… my mother has earned her way and right to be here with hardly any support. I’m sorry if her choice to leave her homeland to make a better life for herself and child offends you. Maybe in another life my accentors will get captured and forced over as slaves like yours. That way she can be born here to please your self hatred.” She told him.
Not only was he embarrassed that she had told him off in front of his boys, but he was shocked. Since he couldn’t think off a good comeback, he decided leaving would be the only way to save face.

“Whatever.” Nathan responded. “Let's go.” He said, walking out into the street. His friends followed suit.

“Hey ‘Monie.” Eric called out.

“Yes?” She responded. He walked towards her, avoiding eye contact.

“I only got a lil, but here.” He said, going into is bag. She smiled. His gesture made her want to hug him, but she knew he’d be embarrassed in front of the boys.

“Keep it.” She told him. He looked up in shock. “But do me a favor?”

“What?” He said, twisting his face.

“Be, do, and stay you.”

“Uh, okay.”

“I mean think for you. Don’t let Nate make your decisions.”

“Neva dat.” He said, looking down into his bag. “I like dark chocolate.” Emonie rolled her eyes at his attempt to be sly.

“Leave.”

 “Okay.” He laughed.

“AYE! Quit talkin’ to charcoal and come on.” Nathan yelled.

“Wait.” Emonie whispered. “Say I don’t want your Aids infested candy anyways, then throw these at me.” She told him handing him a hand full of candy.

“Why?”

“Just do it, but not too hard. Pauz.” He looked confused for a second, but caught on.

“Here…”

“Louder.”

“HERE! Take yo Candy Aids! I’on want ‘em anyways!” He yelled while throwing them at her.

When they hit her she put on a show. Pretending it was unexpected and that it hurt. She dramatically shooed him away while yelling random words in her native tongue. The boys cheered as Eric sprinted away as if he had did something wrong. When he got to them, they slapped him up and did offensive gestures to her. She stumped her feet and stormed back into the store. Her mom was just coming back to the front when the Security Screen door slammed.

“What’s got your beautiful face so scrunched up?” Mrs. Solarin asked. Grabbing her daughter’s chin and making her look at her.

“Nothing.” She said truthfully. Her mother looked surprised when she heard this and saw her whole body language shift.

“Alright.” She said skeptically, letting go off her chin and gasping.

“I’m sorry mama, it was all my fault.”

“Hush chile. You didn’t almost empty this basket out.”

“Yeah, Nathan and his friends did.”

“Not surprising. That is why he is banned from here now.”

“Mama?”

“Yes?”

“Where’s my costume?”

Mrs. Solarin grinned. Her daughter was so kind, always thinking of others before herself. She was blessed to have a child like her, but knew that strong characteristic could also be a weakness.

“You don’t have to wear it as a punishment, Emonie.”

“I know. I just changed my mind is all.”

“Oh.” She responded, trying to sound convinced. “It’s in the back closet in my office.”

Emonie smiled, looking at the clock before making a dash for the back. She only had about 10 minutes until Drake was supposed to arrive. She took off towards the back with the quickness.

“If I tell you not to run one more time…” Mrs. Solarin began, but stopped when she saw her daughter began to skip. She shook her head at her wittiness and continued to refill the basket.

When Emonie came back out from the back she was greeted with claps and woots of approval. Drake and a few of his OVO crew were standing around the store waiting on her. They were all wearing their black varsity jacket and various super hero characters masks pulled down and or up off their faces.

 “Look at our little princess.” Courtné awed.

“Queen.” Emonie corrected. “And thank you.”

“Up.” Niko chuckled.

“Oh Miss Thang done grew up, huh?” Courtné asked sarcastically. “So I guess a hug is out of the question?”

Emonie shook her head and went to hug her. On her way over she slapped up Niko, Jas and CJ.

“So who are you all supposed to be?” Emonie asked.

“Well we’re all someone from the X-men.” Court informed. “I’m Storm.”

“And I’m Nightcrawler.” Niko said, bowing his head all extra as if he wasn’t short enough for everyone to see the top of his head. Plus his tail already gave it away. Emonie snickered

“Cyclops.” CJ mumbled, putting his eye wear back on.

“Iceman.” Jas said, nonchalantly.

“Beast.” Drake said, lastly.

 “Cool.” Emonie said, grabbing a bag of chips. “So, where are the rest of the guys?” She wondered out loud before hugging Drake.

“Well Chubbs, Oliver and Hush are outside on look out duty. Future’s at some event he couldn’t unbook and 40’s at home resting. He wanted to come out, but you know how that shit makes him.” Drake informed.

Emonie nodded as her mother cleared her throat. The boys tried to keep a straight face, while Courtné just shook her head.

“Sorry Mrs. Solarin.” Drake apologized. “And Court.” He added sardonically.

“Umm hmm. Don’t y’all pollute my chile too much this time.” She said, grabbing the basket and heading for the door.

Drake grinned bashfully as he opened the door for her. As soon as it shut laughs broke out.

“Yo, last year was crazy!” Jas exclaimed.

“Right.” CJ agreed.

“Cuz Niko and Hush had to bring strippers.” Court said.

“They were cheer leaders.” Niko defended.

“Slash Playboy Bunnies.” CJ said.

“Slash hookers.” Court added.

“And that’s why we don’t bring dates no more.” Jas said. “Well, except for Drizzy special ass.”

“Seriously?” Court scolded.

“Man, ain’t she bout to be in high school?” Niko asked. Emonie nodded her head yes. “Alright den. Remember what we knew back den?” While Jas and Courtne nodded in agreement, Drake’s eyes widened.

“I gave you the edited version of my CD right, ‘Monie?” He asked. She rolled her eyes.

“Like the messages aren’t the same.” Court chuckled. The boys laughed again.

“Yo can we grab somethin’?” Niko asked.

“Of course. Just leave the money on the counter.” Emonie told him. Niko and Jas dashed down the aisles, while CJ just took his time.

“So what are we on the look out for?” Emonie asked.

“Drake’s imaginary date!” Niko yelled.

“Shut up!” Court told him. “Me, Oliver and Hush hooked up a gift Aubrey couldn’t refuse and he’s just mad cuz he didn’t.”

“She’s bluffin'!” Niko accused.

“I’on know, man.” They could hear CJ say.

“You’ll see.” Court assured.

“I will!” Niko continued.

“You will!”

“And you’ll lose the bet.”

“Whatever!”

“It is.”…

As they went back and forth and the boys listened, Emonie joined Drake who had repositioned himself back at the door.

“What do you think it is?” She asked him while staring through the bars and out the metal screen door. The street was heavily decorated for tonight’s festivities. Kids of all ages made their way to each establishment. Ranging from babies who had to be carried and pushed around in strollers, to the kids at heart who were limping on canes. It was a beautiful and exciting way to end October.

“Hopefully it’s an answer to an unanswered question.” He replied… TO BE CONTINUE ;-P