90s Love

Chapter 51: Epilogue

2018

I drove in silence, a little too angry and upset to turn on the radio or entertain a conversation. I was just glad the unexpected turn of events wasn't cutting into my paycheck.

"Mom?" A shy and hesitant voice called out.

"Fighting in school? That's what I get called out of my job to come pick y'all up for? Are you serious right now?!" I couldn't help but snap. "What the hell do y'all even need to fight for? What the hell was that serious that the both of y'all had beat up on some girls? Are y'all fucking for real right now?!" I glared at my two daughters in my rearview mirror.

My fifteen and sixteen year olds looked as deflated as ever at the fact I was raising my voice at them, but I wasn't playing around. They knew that from the minute I stepped into the office and they stiffened up like statues.

"Wait 'til your father hears about this," I added.

"Mom!" My oldest, Neveah, instantly protested.

"You're suspended. What? You think you could just stay home and he'll think that's normal? Please don't raise my blood pressure today."

I pulled up to our two-story Los Angeles home, going past the gate, and parked in my usual spot in the driveway. I turned off the engine, taking and letting out a deep breath to calm myself before getting out of the car, unlocking the front door, opening it, waiting for the girls to file in.

I followed them past the foyer, watching as they tried to make a beeline for the stairs. "Uh uh uh. Where y'all going?" I crossed my arms. "Down here," I commanded, pointing to the ground next to me. "I want the phones." The girls reluctantly handed over their cell phones. "And I want you down here. I gotta make a couple business calls, but your Dad should be here soon with Jaylen so you better have an explanation that doesn't make me wanna hit y'all upside the head."

I stuck their phones in my bag before walking away towards my office. "And no TV, if I hear it y'all getting your asses beat!"

Making it to my office, I kept the door open so I could hear what the girls were up to in the living room. I instantly threw myself in my chair, letting out a deep breath, putting a hand to my head. Being the strict and angry parent wasn't my strong suit, it took a lot out of me. But it did its thing 'cause I didn't hear a peep from outside of my office.

I pulled out my phone, texting Quincy with a quick update before getting started on where I left off from the office.

Through going to school for media journalism, I ended up interning and eventually working for a hip hop radio station which I was now, after twelve years, running. It seemed like a fast come up, but I worked hard and branched out, working with different organizations and companies to have a strong and steady workload.

And on top of all of that, I was a mother of three and a wife at just 40.

There was Neveah, a firecracker in her own right at 16, which is why we always clashed. She wanted to be independent and do her own thing when all she was doing was showing us why she was still a child. Then there was Lauren, the complete opposite of her older sister, with her head always buried in a book, and who was a little too overly caring about those around her. Which is why I was shocked when the principal told me that they were both involved in this incident.

And finally, there was my little man, Jaylen. He was not so little at the age of 12, but he was forever my baby boy. He had his sights set on a career in football, the thought scared me, but seeing him so passionate about something warmed my heart.