by DhNAi Divine
Sweat beads down her forehead as she stands over the steaming pot of boiling water. Gucatha (Goo-see-ah-thuh) shakes her head in mirth, listening to the sad excuses of her son Dhonjuh (Don-juh). All his reasons for chomping on his plate, instead of helping his mama in the kitchen.
“Mama,” Dhonjuh speaks through a full mouth, “come on—why you gotta trip on me?”
Gucatha lightly chuckles, then turns to face her son. “I'm over here boiling in front of this pot, cooking a hot Mucanga Breakfast and you over there eatin'. Go sneak in my kitchen and hook yo' self up a plate, then have the nerve to eat it in front of me too.”
“But mama,” he takes a gulp of juice, wipes his mouth, then finishes, “look at it this way—I'll have the strength to help you clean up when we done eatin' breakfast.”
The mother and son's banter stops as they heard the door creak open. Dyondrei was standing in the open door, staring at his family. Dhonjuh and his mom was too deep in their own conversation to spot Drei walking into the kitchen from the living room entrance, instead of the stairway.
“You leavin' Drei?”
“Yeah mama. I'm headin' over to Pat's shop. He havin' low pricing fest—so I figure I'd go check it out.”
“Pat shop?” Dhon said, cocking his head to the side. “His shop is for busters...like you and the Forcei fools.”
Drei clucks his tongue three times at his brother, shaking his head and wagging his finger. “See lil bruh, I know that's just the salt talking. 'Cause you always wanted in the group. And with that attitude it ain't go happen no time soon.”
“You not go eat baby?” His mother questions. Before he could answer, she reveals the breakfast. “I made rocky cakes, egg tumbles, potato rounds. Guess what just came in?” She floats to the fridge, pulling out a pitcher that held dark orange sparkling liquid inside it. Drei licks his lips and Gucatha nods with a precious smile. “That's right. Fresh Orang Spring Water. You still leavin' us now?”
Drei holds his angry stomach, looking over the covered bowls and plates of fresh food that graced the counter. The smells waft to his nostrils, whispering his name. He closes his eyes, taking it in on a deep breath, then with all his might shakes his head.
“Naw mama. I really gotta get to the shop. Remember I'm meetin' Khez parents and I wanna make a good impression. Bring 'em a gift.”
She sighs. “Okay baby. Go knock 'em dead. They're gonna love you.”
“Yeah,” Dhonjuh says from his seat, holding out his hand to give dap to his brother, “no doubt. That's...till they get to know you of course.”
Drei throws his hands in the air, then walks for the door. “Love ya ma. Oh yeah, Dhon...I heard that lie you told mama.”
Dhonjuh looks from his brother to his mother and back to Drei. “What?”
“About helpin'. Mama, you betta hold 'em on that one. Peace y'all.”
Drei leaves his home, heading for a ride to Pat's shop. Eyce Breakah.
