ILY 17

𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐲

𝖂𝖊𝖊𝖐𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝖕𝖙. 1

Feeling a soft presence on my chest I open my eyes to see my sister laying on me. Wrapping my arms around the teenager I squeeze her into my chest.

"What the fuck Trey," she whispers yells, so our mama won't hear her. Squeezing her even more tighter I let her go causing her to jump off me.

"Why would you lay on me if you know that was going to happened," I questioned the young girl. "Maybe I just missed my absent brother that finally decided to come home,"she says lowly with a sad look.

Pulling her into my side I wrap my arms around her. "I'm sorry I haven't been a good big brother to you these past couple of months. It's just life lately been busy and after that argument with mom I just didn't find a reason to come back home."

"So you said fuck me and Tiffany and decide not to come back home," she says looking up at me. Looking into her I eyes I nod my head slowly realizing I hurt her feelings.

"Yeah my bad Teyana, I've been a terrible big brother but I plan to make up for it this week." "Really," she questions. "Yeah really whatever you want to do, I'm there". "Okay I'm going to hold you up to do that," she says dabbing my hand up and doing our signature handshake.

Shaking my head at the young girl I just know she about to put me through hell these next couple of days. Getting up I gather my clothes for the day and make my way to the bathroom. Thinking back to my conversation with Teyana it made me realize that I messed up big time these last couple of months with my family. It's just that my mom and I had a real rough conversation before it was time for me to start the school year.

𝕷𝖆𝖙𝖊 𝕵𝖚𝖑𝖞

"Mom I don't understand why you are so hell bent on me changing my major. I enjoy what im studying...why can't you accept that, "I questioned the older woman in front of me.

"Are you cussing at me have? you lost your narrow ass mind. The last time I checked me and your father paid your college bills not you," she emphasized for the hundredth time.

"Oh goodness mom you say that all the time...like what do you really want from me, I just don't get it. I get good grades I help around when I can. I'm following my dreams of becoming a director and I mind my business I don't do anything else," I say really trying to figure out the problem.

"You said my problem Trevon you," she says using my government name. "You are chasing a dream that is not 100 percent certain for you. I can't even name 10 famous black directors of anything without having to repeat names. You're chasing a dream that is not stable like your sisters or other boys at the church. You're in fairyland and not realizing what will happened after you graduate," she says pacing around the living room.

Taking a moment to understand what she's saying I ask her a burning question. "Mom do you believe in me and what I am doing?" I ask looking at her. Stopping in track the older women looks at the son she's proud of but don't have much faith in and answers honestly.

Taking a seat beside the young man she grabs his hand and place them into hers. "I don't believe you can do it. Its so many others better at what your doing and I just don't see what you have to make you special or even more special than what others in your field have," she tells her son.

Nodding at the words coming out of the women's mouth that loved and took care of him for the past 21 years, broke his heart. Not having anything else to say he lets go of his mother's hands and walks out the home he once felt the most safe and confident in. Now not knowing if it ever was truly real to him.

𝕻𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖊𝖓𝖙 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖊

Feeling a tear roll down his cheek, Trey wipes it off and shakes the cold feeling off from one of the worst conversations he's ever had in his life. Your mom will come around one, he says to himself in the mirror. Gathering his self together he exists on the bathroom and begin his journey downstairs.

"Look who decided to join there family for the week," the older women says with a slight aggression. "Good morning to you too ma," I say kissing her on the cheek. Mhm.. she says pushing him away.

Taking a seat at the table to the older woman places a plate of toast and eggs infront of me and place a kiss on my temple. "Thanks ma".

"Now wait a minute how come I gotta fix my own plate," my younger Teyana yells. Well because your brother never comes home and he needs to add some meat to his bones,"she says rubbing my head. "What are they feeding you at that college," she questions her son looking him over.

"That still don't make sense ma," Teyana says folding her arms. "How about you make sense of your math work then we can talk about what makes sense," she says looking at the younger girl in her eyes. The older woman and younger girl that resembles each other hold strong eye contact to one another. "Ma that was low," the girl says before eating her eggs again.

Rolling her eyes she gives her young daughter a kiss on her cheek before walking back towards the kitchen. Shaking my head at the two women I begin eating my mom homemade toast she learned to make. Her cooking and my sister were the only thing I really missed more than anything.

"So Trey, how has your film classes been going?" My younger sister asks me. Side eyeing the young girl I answer her question. "It's been good I worked on a short film for my midterms and I gotten pretty close with my professor," I say licking my lips thinking about Calvin.

"Well that's good," she says nodding. "But by any chance have did you bring your camera this weekend." "Yeah why," I asked finishing up my breakfast. "Well since you asked," she says putting down her fork. "My team plays against North Valley tonight and I was wondering if you film us tonight," she asks looking at me with her big brown eyes.

"NO," I immediately say to mess with the young girl. "Oh my goodness" Trey she says throwing her napkin at me. "Teyana stop throwing shit in my dining area," our mom yells out. "Trey is not being nice though," she yells back. "I'm just playing T damn I'll help record yall tonight", I say standing up.

"Really?" "Yes I told I've been a bad big brother I will be there tonight no problem." Jumping out of her chair the young girl jumps into her not much taller brother arms. "Thank you so much Tre I'm so glad you back," she says hugging him tighter. Trey does the same to her missing her present as well.

"Alright I a got small practice this morning, so I gotta go but I'll text you the address and time okay." "Yes Captain," he says raising his hand to his head like a solider. "Long as you know," the young girl laughs.

"Love you mom I'll be at the school till they pick us up for the game." "I know I've talked with your coach already, just be safe driving to that school," my mom says giving her a kiss on both cheeks. "I love you," she says before running off. "Don't forget your bag is by the couch", my mom shout out.

Returning my plate to the sink I take a look at the women I haven't seen in months. "Why the hell you staring at me like that boy," the woman playfully asks. I shrug my shoulders not having anything to say. "Well since you not talking, I guess I'll start off by asking who gave you those purple marks on your neck." The older woman says looking at me with her cold brown eyes.

Instantly touching my neck I forgot about the marks Calvin made the other night. "Yeah boy I see that neck don't try and hide it now," she says prying my hands off my neck. "Women move," I say gentle pushing her away.

"You better watch them hands," she say laughing. "But come seat with me and catch up," she says grabbing two of her teacups. Taking a seat at the dinner table she pours us some of herbal tea. Watching the women movement I couldn't help but grow nervous at what is about to come.

Sitting in silence the mother and son sip on their tea not knowing what to say. "Well me and your dad and Tiffany talked," she started. "And I was being a bitch..." she admits. "What mom..." I say growing confused and shocked at her words. "Don't make me repeat it she says rubbing her temple. But I was wrong for not believing in you and not supporting your dreams. You and your sisters are the best thing that ever happened to me and you not really talking to me for these last couple of months have hurt me and I know they've hurt you as well." Nodding my head at her I listen to her words.

"What I said that was not only not motherly, but I was not being your cheerleader. I never want you to feel you can't have a dream and make it, and that's how I made you feel thats not it and for that I am sorry son." Feeling a stray tear roll down my face my mom leans forward and rubs it off.

"Mom if I can choose any other career and sexuality trust me I would it's just something I am and I just want you to accept that," I say looking at her.

"know son, I was just worried about your future but you been doing so good and receiving and I just didn't think you had what it takes, but now I see it. It hurt me to know that you didn't share the things you've been doing this semester. Your father and Tiffany kept showing all your achievements that you never sent me anything. That was the worst pain," she admits getting teary eyed herself.

"Mom you don't understand how that hurt me to do that because I knew you didn't believe in my degree. It was a lot to carry and know. Then I was missing all Teyana and Tiffany achievement because I didn't want to come home and face it all. And trust it's been a fun couple of months for me, but I was missing my family badly." "And for that son I am truly sorry," she says leaning forward and kissing my cheek. "I forgive you Ma." Standing us both up we hug each other.

"Well look what the camera lens dragged in, my deep voiced father said". "Pops," I say turning towards him and slap hands. "I see your stubborn mom apologized finally", he says looking at the two.

"David don't start your shit with me I couldn't have my son be disappointed with me no longer," she says walking over to him and hugging him.

"Yeah pops she decided to stop being so cold for a minute," I say laughing at her. "That's good I couldn't have my favorite people not talking to each," he says walking over and giving me a hug. Hugging him I feel my mom join hugging me from the back.

Holding my tears in I accept there love that I craved deeply. Feeling my phone vibrate I separate from the hug. I'll be back I tell the older couple as I begin my journey to outside. Looking down at me I see it Calvin FaceTiming me. Talking a seat on the porch I answer the call.

"Hey brown eyes," I hear from the older man. "Hey Cal," I say licking my lips at the shirt less man. "What you up to brown eyes?" "Nothing much just got done having an emotional talk with Ma," I admit.

"Tell me about it," he says seating up in his bed. "Nah it's too much right maybe later," I say trying to move past it. "Okay later," he says getting a sad look in his eyes. "Well what are you up too," Trey asks feeling the awkward tension. "Just trying to get a little nap in before Raven makes me go cake tasting with her". Nodding my head I take in his words.

"Well you better you get you some rest I don't want to disturb you anymore than I already have," I try and joke. "Trey don't be like that I called you to talk not to rush off the phone the man," say with a pout. "I get it cal it's just things are getting real with this wedding and I guess I'm still processing it."

"I understand Trey, but don't shut me down," he says looking at me. Nodding my head at him I take his words in. "Well I hope you enjoy your cake tasting tell me how it goes,"

"I have go help my Ma in the kitchen we'll talk later Cal," I say hanging up before he can say anything. Looking at my call log I couldn't help but feel bad for doing that to him. Calling him back, he doesn't answer. Knowing I hurt his feelings I send him a message apologizing and telling him to call me later when he's ready.

Laughing out loud is all I can do when I think about how crazy my life is. Gathering myself I start my journey back inside to get ready for Teyana's basketball game later tonight.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐲'𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩. 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧??? 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐬o 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲'𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐭.

𝐀𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘,𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠!!!