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venusdian · 22 days ago

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The Black Aesthetic.

"Being Black isn't an Aesthetic, It's culture."

A story about adults who live in a predominantly black small town in Tennessee, Dealing with small town woes as well showing different perspectives of being from a small town.

(This is a mixture of 1st & 3rd POV) - 3.6K

Marí

────

“No.” I bluntly say as Tailah was on her knees. Her hands intertwined. She looked pathetic. Tailah angrily huffs at me as she gets up. I softly sighed. She knows I would do anything for GiGi. That’s my baby! But going to a parent-teacher conference is not something I want to do on my day off. Being around kids, in general, does not sound like some shit I want to do, period.

“Why can’t Devin go?!” I argued. I mean, what is he there for? His good looks?

“I already told you Devin went out of town for his farming business. Look, you’re always complaining that you want to be more active in Genesis’ life. This is your time to shine, God Mommy!” Tailah says, trying to butter up the deal. I rolled my eyes. I did put my foot in my mouth saying that shit.

Give a defeated sigh as Tailah’s eyes light up, knowing she had me wrapped around her fat fingers. She pulls me in for a tight hug. I hate when Tailah gives me hugs. Them bitches be mad tight for no reason. I try pushing her off of me. We are both fat, and that’s just a lot of blubber between us.

“Get off of me!” I scowl, finally pushing her off of me.

“Ok, if you need anything, just call the hospital.” I waved her off. I knew the spiel all too well. Tailah rushes out of my Duplex, and right on Cue, here comes my favorite little human ever, GiGi.

“Auntie, where’s mommy?” GiGi asked me, confused. I kneel to her level, admiring her big brown eyes, and softly sigh, fighting the baby fever urge.

“Mommy went to work. I’ll be going to your parent-teacher conference.” I proudly announced. GiGi smiles at me.

“Ok, that’s fine.” I stand back up and take Gig’s hand.

“Let’s go ahead and hurry up. Your mother will lose her shit if I’m late to this meeting.” GiGi giggles, shaking her head.

“Auntie! You have to watch your mouth.” She scolds. I rolled my eyes. Just like that, my baby fever went away.

omniscient

────

Meanwhile, Gregory was finishing with his last parent. He couldn’t believe that God just lets anybody reproduce. He lets out a disappointed sigh when a knock on the door shakes him from his negative thoughts.

It was his girlfriend and fellow teacher, Janine Teagues. She knew how much Gregory dreaded this day so she stopped by when she had a chance to make sure Gregory was not losing his mind or debating on quitting. Gregory’s mood instantly lifts into a more positive one.

A smile forms on his face as Janine walks over to his desk.

“How are you holding up?” Janine asks, walking behind him and giving him a small shoulder massage.

“They should test a parent’s intelligence before they can take a child home,” Gregory complains, earning a small chuckle from Janine.

“Oh, it can’t be that bad,” Janine says, playfully rolling her eyes. Gregory gives her his signature glare, making Janine laugh.

“Luckily, I have one more parent, and then, I can go home.” Janine grins.

“And what do you plan on doing?” Janine asks, leaning forward and whispering in his ear.

“Hopefully you—” Janine’s face heats up. Before she can answer, the door opens, and Ava clears her throat. The pair awkwardly pulled away from each other. They look up at Ava, who seems disgusted.

“Janine, your parent is waiting for you in the classroom, and if you could, please don’t do all that. Kids have to come here.” Janine rolls her eyes and walks towards the door.

“I’ll see you later.” Gregory nods. Janine awkwardly brushes past Ava. Ava looks at Gregory one more time. They share an awkward stare. Ava then seductively winks at him and closes the door behind her. Gregory scrunches his face up in disgust and shutters. He could not wait for this day to end.

Marí

────

I pulled into the packed parking lot, stunned to see it was so packed. I thought parents avoided going to these. Well, my mom always did. Edward Winston Elementary School aka E.W. Center, back in my days. Before they closed the 6-8 program. They had rebuilt the school during my stint in Cali.

I never thought I would revisit this school. But I also didn’t think I would move back home, either. But here I am, back in my old stomping grounds. The building looks nice, and that’s all I got. I hated going to school and still do. Tailah better be lucky, I love GiGi very much, or else, I wouldn’t have agreed to this. I finally found a parking spot near the school. Granted, it’s a handicap spot, but them niggas can wait thirty minutes.

I get out of my car and go to the back to get GiGi out of the car seat. I close the door, and with this girl on my hip, I carry her into the school. I let out a soft sigh. This was going to be a long ass day. I walked up to the table and signed GiGi and I in.

“Oh! You must be a new parent.” The lady at the table says. I look up, and the woman gasps.

“Marí Dunlock, is that you?” I looked her up and down, confused.

“I might be, who’s asking?” The woman gets up and smiles.

“It’s me! Mrs. Howard! Your Kindergarten Teacher!” I blink rapidly. Oh, shit! She might be right.

“I didn’t know you were related to Genesis.” I chuckled.

“Yep, I’m her god mommy and her favorite aunt.” GiGi Giggles, laying her head on my shoulder. She proudly looks at me.

“Aww! Well, how have you been?” She asked me, trying to make small talk, but I didn’t know what to say.

I left town to get away from my mother, only come back after my love life and job life went into shambles, running back to my mother only for her raggedy ass to die, and now, I’m stuck here trying to figure out what’s the meaning of life while working some stupid job I hate but is stuck with because it pays the bills and also comes with great benefits.

“Fine. I’m a Senior Entertainer Manager at a popular Management company.” Mrs. Howard’s eyes light up.

“OH! That sounds exciting.” More, like, exhausting. I shrug.

“It’s ok,” I mutter.

“Well, I should get going.” I continue, pulling myself away from this dreaded conversation. Before she can say something, we quickly rush off. I put GiGi down so she could lead me to her teacher’s room.

“Aight, GiGi. Lead the way.” GiGi happily nods, and she begins to lead me to her teacher’s room. As we walk down the hallway, she explains unnecessary information about the classrooms. How did she know all the gossip? I don’t know, but I begrudgingly listen to it, all because I love her. I’d rather have her talk my ear off than be silent.

We finally reach the classroom, and GiGi opens the door.

“This is my classroom, Auntie!” She proudly professes. I smiled as I looked around the classroom. It was cute or whatever. Nothing to write home about. It looks like your average first-grade classroom.

“Oh, You must be—” That voice… That voice sounds familiar. It better not be— I slowly turned around and beat Tailah’s ass is the first on my list of things to do when I see her. He looked at me as if he saw a damn ghost, bitch same here.

“Marí?” I take a deep breath.

“Gregory, you’re my goddaughter’s teacher?” I asked, trying to keep my composure. He cautiously nods.

“Yea… Small world?”

“What do you mean small world? Nigga, you ain’t recognize Tailah?” His eyes widened as everything pieced together in his small brain. Figures. He wasn’t the brightest light bulb in the pack.

“Oh wow! I knew Ms. Rhodes looked familiar, I just didn’t realize—” I put my hand up, stopping him, and sighing.

“I’m here as a favor for Tailah. The hospital called her in.” Gregory nods.

“Ok, have a seat.” I nod, sitting at one of the desks. He sits across with a folder in his hand.

“How have you been, Marí?” I rolled my eyes, I didn’t care for the casuals.

“I’ve been fine,” I said, struggling to keep my composure. He hums nodding.

“Genesis is doing really well in my class— Too well.” I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Is that a bad thing or something?” I asked, I was offended by his tone. He saying it like he is shocked. My GiGi is a smart girl! Of course, she doing well.

“I wasn’t trying to say it was a bad thing. If you’d let me finish, I feel that first grade is not challenging her enough.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you start with that?” Gregory takes a deep breath.

“You’re the one that cut me off,” Gregory argued. I rolled my eyes.

“Well, fix your tone.”

“You need to fix yours.” He says as if he was threatening. I couldn’t lie, he still had a hold on me when he was domineering. It was the way his voice deepened and how serious his tone was, just always knew how to put me in my place.

I hate it.

A satisfied grin plastered on his face. I wanted to smack that shit off, but GiGi was in the room, and I don’t want her to see me act crazy. Although, she was distracted, playing with the toys across the room. When I smack, I make sure I leave a mark.

“Well, they’re a gifted program offered here, and if you talked to Tailah about it, the program might be a good fit for Genesis.” He explains, handing me a pamphlet. I looked at it and skimmed through it.

“Is that it?”

“Well, I mean, she’s doing exceptionally well in my class.”

“You already said that.”

“What’s your problem, Marí? Last time, I checked, you left.”

“And you didn’t stop me.”

“Cause, you’re a grown woman Marí. Why would I stop you?”

“Because you said, you loved me.” Gregory lets out a flustered groan.

“And I did, but we clearly wanted two different things in life. You wanted to stay in Cali, and I didn’t. I wanted a long-distance relationship, but you shut that idea down. I don’t know why you’re so damn mad?!” Gregory argued. He had a valid point. I was scared, and I couldn’t admit that. I still can’t. I softly sigh.

“Gregory, I—” Gregory took my hand.

“I heard about your mother… I wanted to reach out—” I shook my head.

“It’s fine, honestly,” I muttered. I loathed vulnerable moments, and he knew that. I jerked my hand away, I didn’t need his sympathy. He softly sighed, he didn’t budge any further.

“Still the same ol’ Marí. Scared to confront her feelings.” I scoffed.

“Go to hell.” Gregory shakes his head, chuckling.

“It’s fine. I was overstepping boundaries, anyway. You still look good.” I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help but smile. He still can make me blush.

I hate that.

“Thanks, so do you. In your own goofy way.” He rolls his eyes.

“My goofy looks had you crazy over me back then.” He teases, leaning over and showing his pearly white teeth. I rolled my eyes.

“I was 10 with low self-esteem.” He scoffs.

“Oh, whatever! Marí! I had you stuck on me for 15 years.” He teased, I looked down and blushed.

“Fifteen years…” I trailed off. Gregory leans back in his chair, with a small smile.

“Yeah.”

“and it’s been seven years since I last saw you…” I muttered.

“How long were you back in town?” Gregory quickly changes the subject. I looked up at the ceiling to do the math.

“Uhhh, Mom Dukes died almost a year ago—- I wanna say almost 2 or 3 years.”

“And you didn’t think to let a nigga know?” Gregory asks. His body was relaxed but his eyes were seeping through my soul, making me nervous.

“How was I supposed to know you were still in town?” I argued, but I knew Gregory was not letting that slide.

“You could’ve hit me up. My number never changed, Marí.” I didn’t have a rebuttal for that argument. I just sat in silence. Our eyes had a separate conversation. It was nice to see Gregory, I can admit. He’s done well for himself, and I know Genesis is in good hands.

Gregory has always been good with kids, even though his face rarely shows it. He truly loves his job. I was just mad cause, deep down, I knew I still loved him, and it sucks that seven years later, I still can’t shake him.

I think he knew that as well.

“Marí?” A girl calls out. Our eyes unlocked, and we looked at the door. I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Janine? Janine Teagues?” I questioned, getting up. I looked over at Gregory. His expression was of Shock and guilt. Janine walks over to us.

“I did not know you had a kid,” Janine said, shocked. I shook my head.

“Oh, No! That’s my goddaughter,” Janine nods.

“Awe, Ok! It’s been like what? Over 15 years since we last saw each other?” I nod.

“Yeah, it has, you’re still with Tariq?” I ask, trying to hold my disgust. I still don’t know how they ended up together. Janine was so smart, and Tariq was—well retarded. We still think that Tariq’s mom fucked the principal so he could graduate cause we Knew Tariq was not passing regular classes. He ate glue because it looked like Cream cheese Icing, and we were in the 10th grade.

Janine blushes, looking over at Gregory, who sported a small smile. I—

“Well, no. We broke up. I’m actually—” Before she could finish her sentence, GiGi walked up to us, interrupting the conversation.

“Oh! You met Ms. Teagues, Mr. Eddie’s girlfriend!” I awkwardly scratch the back of my head. Now, feeling dejected and embarrassed. They both nervously chuckled. Janine kneels to GiGi.

“Hey, the adults are talking. When we’re done—-“

“GiGi, you can stay,” I interject. Janine looks up at me, concerned.

“Marí, I don’t think this conver—”

“GiGi is not dense, and you’re not going to treat her as such. We were leaving anyways.” I took Gigi’s hand before Janine could finish we left the classroom. I can admit, I was jealous knowing that Greg had moved on with someone who was more stabilized than me, but I was also glad that he did. At least one of us wasn’t suffering.

omniscient

────

“I bet seeing your ex was not on your to-do list today.” Janine awkwardly jokes trying to lighten the tense mood. Greg gets up and nods.

“Yea. I didn’t expect that.” He mutters to himself. He felt guilty. He felt guilty at the fact that he was secretly happy to see Marí again. The old feelings he thought he had buried after reconnecting with Janine had surfaced. Those memories he could physically feel all over again. They would hide under the playground and talk for hours.

The same playground where they shared their first kiss. Gregory used to hold Marí’s hand and walk her to her classes. They became intimate at her mother’s Section 8 apartment during their teens. Her mother was never home. Marí’s place was perfect for losing their virginity. After they had sex, they were disappointed because it happened so fast, then they got scared when there was a blood stain on her bed and thought they injured her. A memory that often brought laughter to the pair.

Or when in high school when they both got into their favorite college and celebrated the moment. All the good, the bad, and the ugly. Everybody thought they were destined to grow old together. Hell, he thought they were too, but he guessed Marí had other plans, and he had no choice but to accept them.

And he thought he did, when he fell for Janine, but Marí quickly humbled him, making him realize that he wasn’t over her, but he couldn’t just leave Janine. It was too risky, and besides, He doubted that Marí even felt the same. What’s in the past, stays in the past.

Janine noticed his longing silence, bringing a feeling of insecurity. Greg quickly notices and gives her a reassuring look.

“Janine, You don’t have to worry about Marí. What we had is in the past.” He pauses and then caresses her cheek.

“You’re my future.” He says, assuring her. Janine looks up and blushes. They share a soft and passionate kiss. Those words quickly calmed her nerves, but if she only knew those words were lies.

Marí

────

“How was the meeting?” Tailah asks me, entering my house without knocking. I quickly shot my head up from my book.

“Bitch, how did you get in?” Tailah looks at me, confused.

“You gave me a key, remember? You gave me and Jeoni a key, and Courtney got mad ‘cause she ain’t get a key, and then you had to—-“ I put my hand up, stopping her. My name was not Michael Jackson, and I did not want to remember the goddamn time.

“Ok. I got it.” I slammed my book closed and got up.

“I want to kick yo ass, but Gigi is in the back sleeping. Why did you not warn me that Gregory works at E.W!” Tailah furrows her eyebrows then her eyes widen.

“Oh shit! You right! I honestly forgot.” My eyes widened. Bitch how did you forget my ex works there?!

“Bitch! What?” Tailah rolls her eyes.

“It’s been seven years, and you’ve moved on since. I don’t know why I need to warn you about Mr. Eddie working there?” I groaned, throwing my head back, then glared at Tailah.

“OH! I don’t know. So, I can mentally prepare myself not to fall in love when I see him!” I argued. Tailah hums.

“You still love him? You never meant—”

“Cause, I wasn’t right in front of him in a school where I fell in love with him at.” Tailah frowns and places her hand on my shoulder.

“Marí…” I moved my shoulder away.

“I don’t need your sympathy. I’ll be fine. He’s dating Janine, anyways.” Tailah gasps.

“Genesis told me that, but I ain’t believe her ‘cause you know how kids are.”

“Oh! Speaking of which, Gregory thinks you should put her in the gifted program because he felt like first grade isn’t challenging her.” Tailah crosses her arms and hums as if this isn’t her first time hearing this.

“Yea, Mrs. Howard expressed the same thing to us when she was in kindergarten. Devin doesn’t want to put her in the gifted program because he fears she’ll get bullied or worse, become depressed because she’s different.” I scoffed, leaning back.

“Just because back his in country bumpkin days they would bully the student doesn’t mean they will do that now, especially me as her god mommy. I am a tier three crash out. I will beat the kids and the parents.” Tailah chuckles.

“Devin also mentioned he didn’t need you crashing out either.” I waved her off.

“Well, Talk to Gigi about it. Ask her what she wants. Gigi knows what she likes and what she doesn’t like.” Tailah sighs.

“I know, it’s just Gigi is also a daddy’s girl, and if her daddy doesn’t want her to do something, she isn’t going to do it, even if she wants to.” I hummed, nodding. She had a fair point. If she senses Devin isn’t ok with the idea, she’ll say no just to make her dad happy. I sighed.

“Well, you got time to think it over and talk to Devin about it. Look, I agree with Gregory about her being smart. Genesis is reading chapter books meant for middle school students and she picks up her surroundings very well. Don’t stifle her potential because Devin is scared of his baby girl growing up.” Tailah sighs, nodding. She knows I’m right. Hopefully, Devin sees it, too.

“Well, I’ma go get Gigi up. She has school in the morning, and I have to go in right after.” I nodded. Tailah went into the back to get Gigi up from her bed. Yes, Gigi has her own bedroom. I told you that girl is the apple of my eye.

I return to the couch, grabbing my phone. A notification pops up on my lock screen. It’s an Instagram notification. I brushed it off as it was probably some influencer following me, hoping to get a management deal at my company. I open Instagram to see the heart flashing with numbers. I sighed and clicked on the heart to see this person liking all my pictures. I rolled my eyes until I caught a part of the name.

Eddie. I take a deep breath and click on the name. There he was on my phone screen. I smile softly scrolling through his account. He doesn’t post much, which isn’t surprising. He wasn’t too keen on social media, but the things I did see made me smile.

I scrolled back up and the blue follow button was taunting me. I bite my bottom lip, I wanted to follow him back, but I also didn’t want the blogs to catch on me following some random guy in my hometown. The door shuts, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked up and it was just me, alone in my living room. I sighed softly and pressed the follow button.

I hope this doesn’t bite me in the ass.

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