Lilies
2030 Words
© 2021 by Ireland Rea. All rights reserved.
Approaching Ace's school, I walked by many rowdy preteens. Adrenaline-pumping from sitting in a building for the past 8 hours. I finally spotted my brother sitting on a bench at the front of the school holding his backpack and gym bag. I smiled brightly, starting to shout his name immediately, frowning once I saw who he was talking to.
Some fool with a yellow durag and t-shirt with the Tasmanian cartoon on the front. What puzzled me was when my eyes landed on his neon red sneakers. It seemed he purposely chose not to match. What kind of clowns is my brother hanging with?
Walking close I finally recognized Corden Harris, the known young wannabe thug from our old neighborhood.
Having friends that went to this school caused him to hang here regularly, which also caused him to associate with my brother, which inspired him to tell him his 'exciting' stories.
Having known him from his older brother, Darius who chose to always hang around my high school 2 years after he already graduated waiting for the different girls that decided to give him their time. Besides the fact of him being part of a g**g, which also happens to be a group that wasn't friendly with our fathers, could be one of the reasons that really made us not get along.
That being said, Maliq doesn't know anything about our father's lifestyle. My mom and I silently agreed that we wouldn't welcome him in that part of life. Knowing he has the potential to never have to visit it. Pretty sure Corden has no clue that Maliq is the son of the King that his family despises.
I approached them from behind overhearing parts of their conversation.
"Come on man, you never have no fun you can't let yo momma and sis control you forever."
"They don't control me. I do what I want to do, but nobody has time to be all nervous knowing you doing something you gone get caught for, and by 12 at that? Nah I'm good."
I literally smiled in relief. I knew my brother had a good head on his shoulders.
"Common Maliq we're gonna be late."
He turned around in surprise then smiled.
"Wassup sis, I'll see yah later"
Walking past the crossing light we started the walk the few blocks towards the community center.
"Aye where was Corden trying to convince you to go?"
"Huh?" Maliq replied clearly daydreaming.
"Oh, nowhere some house him and his homies hang out at. They said they got green so"
He shrugged as I shook my head in distaste.
"You mean a trap house?"
He stared for a second.
"Yeah probably," he said with a shrug.
I rolled my eyes.
"You gotta know the lingo man, or you gone end up in some d**g bust or something and nowadays they giving black boys adult sentences."
"I don't need to know the lingo" he scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"I know enough to say no, that's all the lingo I need."
Raising my hands in surrender "Touche, you're right I just wanna make sure-"
"Yeah I know don't worry about me I'm straight, trust me, besides Sasha doesn't like thugs."
"Wha- who is Sasha? Your only 14 ain't no Sasha" I laughed loudly pushing him away.
He shook his head laughing.
"I know she's not even allowed to date her dad won't let her, but she doesn't talk to thugs, and if I want to talk to her I have to make sure I stay focused you know?" He chuckled, rubbing his neck self consciously.
I smiled warmly in response, dropping it when he glanced at me.
"Alright," I shrugged. "As long as you speak and approach her respectfully. And remember Don-"
"Don't be putting my hands on anyone yeah I know" he interrupted rolling his eyes.
I raised my eyebrow looking over at him to see a smile on his face showing he's joking so I dropped it.
We approached the field seeing his other teammates warming up. I walked up with him watching as they greeted each other.
"Wassup Maliq you ready to show off the pitch I know you've been practicing?"Coach Tomms greeted as he approached.
"Yep I'm ready, common yah I'll pitch first"
The rest of the team agreed as they spread out into their positions.
"You gonna stay until I'm done?" Maliq turned to me pulling on his cap.
"Yeah, I'll stay and watch for a little."
"Hey, Adanni." I heard one of his teammates greet. I glance over at a boy with crisp french braids going back. Recognizing him as Jr. one of the boys with the biggest mouths. I shook my head watching Maliq shove him in the shoulder scolding him.
"Hello Jr." I chuckled facing back to the field.
Hundreds of drills later and me cheering them on every now and then. Eventually, they divided up into teams and started a practice game. Deciding to stand on my feet for thirty minutes was enough. I walked over to the benches a little further out and sat down with a few of the other moms that also decided to stay and watch.
"Do you know if Coach Tomms is with someone?" I overheard one of the moms' questions. Avery, I think? Her son was Michael, one of Maliq's teammates he didn't really get along with. Was too big-headed for his own good, obsessed over becoming the best, less about teamwork and more about solely getting a college scout on his own.
I rolled my eyes in silence. This is one of the reasons I didn't like to stay because I had to sit through the gossip and thirst of the ratchet.
All four of them laughed, shunning her random question. I pretended I wasn't paying attention focusing on Maliq taking his turn to bat.
"I heard he had a girlfriend for like 5 years, but they randomly broke it off."
Tia, another mother chimed in whose bun was slicked so tight it made my head hurt.
"Really? So, you're saying he's free game."
Cue more laughter. My issue wasn't even about them flirting with the coach. That isn't any of my business. I was more annoyed at how obnoxious and loose they were with it. You'd think I was back in high school how much they gossiped. These are grown-a*s women.
"You're like 10 times his senior Avery."
Tia rolled her eyes. Being the only married person here she seemed to have the most respect for herself. May we cue Aretha Franklin?
"I definitely gotta invite my daughter Madeline up here though. You know she just graduated from Yale? 4.0 GPA in Political Science. Yeap my baby gone be an Attorney.''
Whoo, go head Madeline.
"Chile please, well tell Madeline that she got some competition" Avery pursed her lips, flipping her Brazillian over her shoulder.
I'm not gonna lie whoever did her sew-in did they thing.
"Don't hate the player honey."
They laughed some more, the other moms agreeing and adding in their two cents not taking her seriously. Avery may have been 10 times his senior, but I could admit she didn't look like one. From her mocha exotic features to her full lips that complemented her striking eyes she was gorgeous, but way too out there for Coach Tomms, in my opinion.
Having known him for about two years now I've learned that he's very humble and takes his job seriously. Too serious to date any of his kids' moms. But hey who am I to say?
As if he knew he was the topic of the day he made his way over to the benches. After giving a few more pointers to the current batter.
"Hello ladies, your boys are doing amazing. You should be really proud." he greeted showing his pearly whites.
All the women giggled in reply perking up even more at the recognition that he was talking to us.
"Well they do have an amazing coach" Avery replied sweetly. Cuing all the other women to roll their eyes. "Michael tells me all the time that he is so glad that you're his coach now, I feel the same way as well."
Coach Tomms nodded eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'm glad I enjoy coaching him as well. He's a good kid."
He continued talking about the team's strengths, which I started to zone out focusing on the game. I smiled brightly cheering with excitement as Maliq hit a home run, making him jet through the bases sliding to third.
I had to agree as a team they've improved tremendously. When they focus and work together they can be unbeatable. My thoughts were interrupted as Coach Tomms slid on the bench next to me at least 6 feet away from the woman. Making them slightly out of reach to hear our conversation if he spoke at a normal level.
His cologne spread in the calm breeze making me inhale. He knew he picked a good scent.
"How's everything Adanni?" he greeted. Still paying attention to the boys.
I shrugged casually. I noticed I've been doing that alot lately.
"It's cool, I see Maliq's been doing well"
"He has you and your mom should be proud. You can tell he's been practicing hard"
I nodded in agreement sitting up with pride. "Yeah he practices at least 4 hours every day, he wants to make you proud."
Coach matched my smile shifting now facing me. "What about you, how have you been?"
I looked over looking at him seeing the same look I had seen earlier in Mr. Ross. I think everyone that has seen me and my mother in the same vicinity could sense our relationship is strained. I'm quieter when she's around, timid and from her strong personality, people could tell the kind of person she was. From her intense aura to her strong commands many people would be intimidated by her, but I knew deep down it was just her pain speaking out.
The small young girl who was 16 and pregnant, was kicked out of her own home. The girl who still feels everyone's out to get her. Maybe that's why she hates me so much. I'm the only one that knew the huge mask she puts on every morning was to cover the vulnerable girl she really is.
One reason me and Coach Tomms have gotten along so well is that I didn't feen over him like the rest of the team's family's did. He was cute and very respectable but I automatically saw him as a brother, especially since he has become like a mentor for Maliq.
"I'm fine" I sighed looking away. "Really."
I saw him slowly nod staring at me for a few more seconds before getting up.
"Alright," he looked over at the other women smiling. I glanced overseeing them stare daggers at the side of my head. Which I casually brushed off facing back to the field.
Tired of these bitches, I wanna go home.
"Hang in there" Coach chuckled looking back at me. I nodded chuckling with laughter in return.
He jogged back to the team explaining the last drills they will go over. I watched as Maliq turned searching for me through the bleachers then smiling once he spotted me brightly waving. I smiled back waving, giving him a thumbs up. We're definitely each other's cheerleaders.
Maliq was on cloud 9 when he finished his practice. Currently walking home he's been running nonstop about baseball. Which is the routine with him. After practice, it's nonstop chatter about the sport, what he's going to focus on this week. His coach, his teammates.
Never having the heart to tell him to move on I felt him. If anyone is going to be excited about something, it should at least be him.
"Coach said I'm improving well, he said I even have the potential of going pros!"
"You ain't gotta tell me, I've been telling you that, he told me you've improved well," I replied smiling. His excitement always rubbed off on me.
© 2021 by Ireland Rea. All rights reserved.
- Writer
