Crazy Love by Amir Abrams Page A

“I mean, yes.”
    â€œGood,” Mr. Croix says. “Now tell me, Mister Mills. Why does the narrator introduce himself as an ‘invisible man’?”
    Jarrell sucks his teeth. “I thought you wanted me to tell you why his hole was warm.” The class laughs again. Mr. Croix eyes him. “Okay, okay . . . my bad. He considers himself invisible because of the unwillingness of others to notice him as a black man.”
    Mr. Croix nods. “ Now, Mister Mills, you can tell us all about the narrator’s hole.”
    Everyone laughs, including me.

6
    I wake up real early Monday, feeling refreshed and all excited to get to school because that means that I only have two more days until I go down to Motor Vehicles to get my license. But no sooner do I step into the kitchen, humming a happy tune, than the Wicked Witch comes swooping down on her broomstick.
    â€œOkay, young lady. The party dust has settled and now it’s time for us to discuss your behavior. I hope you didn’t think I was just talking when I said you were going to be grounded for how you spoke to me Saturday night.”
    One minute I’m in the refrigerator—minding my business, trying to decide what I want to eat, and the next minute I hear her annoying voice. I don’t even acknowledge her. I keep fishing around in the refrigerator, ignoring her until I find something to eat. I grab a bottled water, an apple, and a peach yogurt, then shut the fridge door.
    I walk past her as if she’s invisible. Wash my apple, grab a spoon from out of the drawer, then pull out a stool and sit at the counter.
    â€œDo you hear me talking to you?”
    I glance at my watch and sigh. I have another fifteen minutes before Sincere picks me up to drop me off at school. And I gotta sit here and deal with this crap. She’s standing in front of me with both hands up on her hips, shooting me daggers.
    â€œYou don’t want to talk, fine. I’ll do the talking. Your father might have bought you that car, but during the school week you will not be allowed to drive it.”
    OMG, I could effen die—right here, right now! This witch is playing real dirty. And in a few minutes it’s about to go down. She knows driving my car to school is the one thing I’ve been looking forward to. And now she’s found a way to snatch that from me. She’s straight up evil!
    I inhale.
    Exhale.
    Keep my mouth shut.
    She continues, “I’ve had it with your mouth and blatant disrespect. And for the next week you’re grounded. I really should make it two weeks. But I know you’ll open your mouth to say something to give me reason to add another week. In the meantime, there’ll be no hanging out after dance practices. And the days you don’t have dance, you are to come straight home. Do you understand?”
    I finish my yogurt, then bite down into my apple. I narrow my eyes to thin slits. Inside I am on fire!
    When Erika was living at home, she and the Witch used to get into fights all the time. Difference is, Erika would actually hit her. At least I make her invisible and ignore her stank butt.
    I finish up my apple, deciding I’ve heard enough of her monologue. I walk out of the kitchen.
    â€œGirl, don’t you walk out on me when I’m still talking to you. Get back here.”
    Well, too bad! I’m done listening. I keep walking. Like I said , I want my license. And I know if I don’t keep walking, I’ma make it snap, crackle, and pop up in here today, so it’s best that I keep on stepping.
    â€œNow you just earned yourself another week onto that punishment.”
    Whatever! I grab my things and walk out the door toward Sincere’s truck. I open the door and get in. He kisses me, then drives off. And I smile. I’m happy to see my boo. And I’m happier to be getting out of that house and away from her.
    Â 
    Later that night, I’m lying across my bed, skimming