Zero Fade by Chris L Terry

Author:Chris L Terry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC000000
Publisher: Curbside Splendor Publishing
Published: 2013-08-27T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7: FRIDAY

1

Kevin

I came out the shower and saw Mama at her dresser, putting on makeup for her date. Before, I was kinda mad that Mama was going out with some dude, but then I started going out with Aisha, and it was like we had something to share. Was Mama going out with Earnest like they were boyfriend and girlfriend? People my age start going together and then go on dates. But old people don’t do it like that. I had my towel knotted around my waist, and I sucked in my belly as I walked to Mama’s door and asked, “You gettin’ ready for your date?”

She stopped with some lipstick at her mouth and moved her eyes over to me. Laura had already left for her bus. It was just me and Mama having a grown folks conversation.

“Kevin, I’m going to work. I don’t have a date until tonight.”

Still hated hearing her say “date” though. Was Earnest gonna show up in a tux with cigarettes in the front pocket?

“You don’t always put on makeup before work, though.”

She already had on the slacks and smocky shirt that she wore to work, but there were a couple disco-looking outfits on the bed behind her. Nighttime clothes. Shirts with ruffles. Sleek and shiny pants. Mama doesn’t dress up like that too often.

“Guess I’m just already planning. You gonna get all dressy for your date?”

Man does it suck when she says “date.” Her eyes get narrow, and I swear her eyebrows are about to wiggle. Nasty. Hadn’t actually thought about what I’d wear with Aisha, though.

“Probably my black hoodie, jeans.”

The black hoodie’s my favorite, except when I’ve got dandruff.

“You’re not gonna dress up?”

“For the movies?!”

If she tried to get me to dress churchy for this date, I might as well stay grounded. People don’t wear neckties to the goddamn movies. Even clip-on ones.

“Didn’t know if you wanted to look extra nice.”

She was screwing the top back on the lipstick while she talked. I don’t have any nice clothes except the churchy ones. I’d love to go to Chess King and get some fly gear. New jeans. Button-up shirt. Maybe a Nautica hoodie from the department store. Whenever I wanted that stuff, Mama said I was gonna leave it somewhere or outgrow it, so I better just get some t-shirts. Didn’t wanna go to the mall with Mama and Laura and get pulled into the bra section anyway. Then, I had an idea and asked, “Can I get a haircut?”

“You just got a haircut. There’s no hair to cut.”

“But it’s growing in.”

“Well, it’s not grown in.”

I started thinking about how much it sucks to miss the bus, even though I like the mornings when Mama gives me a ride to school. The street looks special and empty in the morning when everyone’s already in school or at work.

“How’d you meet Aisha, anyway?” Mama asked.

“School.”

“Yeah, I figured. Anything special happen?”

Not like we had some romantic story. I guess the mushy tushy thing was how we met, but I couldn’t tell Mama that.

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