Fast Life by Cassandra Carter Page B

lie and her mother’s rusty method of flirting.
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    By the time they made it home, Kyra was thankful to be there. She slipped her shoes off at the door and was in midstride when her mother called out to her.
    â€œHey, put your shoes back on. We have to head to the grocery store if you plan to eat tonight. Matthew told me about a place at lunch, and I would like to pick up a few more things.”
    â€œI don’t wanna go.”
    â€œAnd I don’t want to hear it. Let’s go. We can even take the car if you want.”
    â€œDang! Okay, I’ll go.” Kyra let out a sigh as she gave up the fight and headed out the door beside her mother.
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    The old-fashioned grocery store was located on the east side of the island and was outfitted with a 1960s-style gas station in front. There were absolutely no credit card machines or security cameras.
    Kyra tiptoed behind her mother as she watched her weave through the aisles, pick an item up, inspect it, and then place it in her basket. She was feeling anxious and her palms were sweating. She bit her lip in a feeble effort to exercise self-control, but she couldn’t help herself.
    â€œSo what do you think of Matthew?”
    Her mother paused for a moment, clearly caught off guard by the nature of her daughter’s question.
    â€œWell, he seems like a really nice guy, very intelligent, handsome. Oh, I don’t know. But that reminds me, earlier I got the impression that you didn’t care for him. Why were you acting like that toward him? He hasn’t done anything to you.”
    â€œHe talks too much. Blah, blah, blah. He needs to have a Mute button. Plus, he seems a little too nice. He was probably just actin’ like that because he’s feelin’ you—at least, I hope so, for his sake. Anybody that soft is a disgrace. He has no manliness to him.”
    â€œOh, stop it! He is not feelin’ me or whatever you want to call it.” She clutched the small plastic basket, and for the first time in the conversation turned her eyes toward her daughter. “What made you think he likes me?”
    â€œMmm, hmm, see, you asked me why I think he likes you. That must mean you like him, too, don’t you?”
    â€œNo. I barely even know the man. And yes, I realize that he does talk a lot, but he holds good conversation.”
    â€œYeah, I bet.” Kyra rolled her eyes.
    â€œWell, maybe if you said more than two words to the man you would know.”
    â€œI’m just sayin’ you don’t want to rush into things.”
    â€œYou know you need to stop. I know what you’re doing. But don’t you even start in about your father, because I can tell that’s what you’re beating around the bush about. And I just want you to notice how I didn’t bring up anything else about you drooling over some dreadlock wearing skinny li’l boy. How you’ve been staring off into space today is more than enough to make me think you like him. Now shut up and just let me shop if all you want to talk about is me and Matthew, because in all honesty, it’s really none of your business.”
    Kyra would have usually snapped back with a smart remark, but she couldn’t say a word. Her mother had her there, and by the tone of her voice, Kyra knew not to push her any further or she’d run the risk of raising her mother’s fiery temper.
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    Once they were back at home and settled, her mother started to prepare dinner. Kyra shut her door to block out the clanging of pots her mother was using in the kitchen. She listened to the lock click in place and began making a call on her cell phone. She was surprised she could even get a signal, being where she was.
    The light shone against her cheek and was blinding in the darkness as she perched on her bed, swinging her feet until, after five rings, someone picked up.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œIt’s me! Don’t tell me you forgot me already!”