Shortie Like Mine by Ni-Ni Simone Page B

around and looked at her nails. “You be lucky I didn’t break one!” Then she lit a cigarette and looked in the rearview mirror before taking off.
    I was too scared to look in the backseat for fear that my sister was dead, but when I heard her sniffling, like she was suppressing the urge to wail, I knew she’d survived the beat-down.
    When we got home, Cousin Shake was laying on the couch in a too-tight smoking jacket and long johns, pretending to be asleep, but it was obvious he wasn’t, especially since he kept peeking at Toi with one eye half open while laughing out the side of his lips like a hissing snake.
    My mother looked at Toi and spoke calmly, “I’m not gon’ let you work my nerves anymore than what they are—yo’ daddy is on ’em enough. But let me inform you of this: I brought you into this world and I will gladly take you out. If you ever let another man, excuse me, another boy stand up in my face and even attempt to ever get you to disrespect me, I’ma beat the living crap outta you. ’Cause from where I stand, you seem to have forgotten who gave birth to who. I’m the mother and father up in this piece and the only other grown one is Cousin Shake. You just sixteen, and in my house that doesn’t make you an adult. And don’t think you gon’ break bad and storm outta here like you running away, ’cause that ain’t an option either. You gon’ stay here and get it together like you have some sense. Period. And no, we ain’t discussing this. There’s no reasoning you can do with me, and before you say it, I don’t care to understand how you feel. We’re not equals, so I’ma forewarn you not to break bad by getting up in my face! And the next time you yell at me, I’ma tear ya throat out! Now, you will leave that grown man alone, ’cause if I catch you with him, I’m calling the police on him and you can bet your bottom dollar on that!
    â€œNow, what you gon’ do is be in this house everyday after school. Don’t ask me to go nowhere because the answer is no. Don’t get on that phone, don’t do nothing but go to school and come home. Do you understand me?!”
    Silence.
    â€œI said do you understand me?!”
    More silence.
    I think Toi’s mind has left the building.
    My mother walked up to her and stood directly in her face, my mother’s head towering over Toi’s just a little. “Do you understand me?!”
    â€œYes,” she mumbled as her chest heaved up and down.
    â€œThat’s what I thought, now give me that cell phone and go to your room.” Toi handed her the phone and started walking away. “And don’t slam no door you ain’t pay for!” my mother yelled behind her.
    I stood looking around the living room before I thought to move. “Uhmm, is it okay?”—I pointed to the doorway—“if ... if I—”
    â€œJust go!” my mother screamed, “ ’cause you have worked my nerves, too!”
    â€œWitcha grown self!” Cousin Shake yelled as I walked out the room.
    I went in our bedroom and Toi was in her bed crying into her pillow. When I closed the door, she turned over and looked at the ceiling. “Why would she do that to me? Ever since Daddy left she’s been a mad woman! I can’t stand her!”
    â€œYou don’t listen, Toi. I told you Mommy was gon’ flip.”
    â€œI didn’t think she would show up at his house,” she sniffed. “And I can’t believe you told her where he lived.”
    â€œBelieve it. You must not know about Grier McKnight. I was not about to die up in here protecting you.”
    â€œWhatever, Seven.”
    â€œDon’t take it out on me. ’Cause quite frankly, you played yourself. You slept on Mommy and then you hangin’ with Quamir. He knows how old you are. He knows you’re still in high school and he doesn’t