Ebony felt like shit…literally. She hadn't slept a wink and her mother had gone at it with Trey all night. The dull dawn sun was just rising over the city's coastline and spewing fourth into Ebony's open cracked window. Grunting, she turned frowning at the faded poster of Destiny's Child halfway sliding off the wall. The smell of bacon wafted into the room even through the tightly closed door. With great reluctance, Ebony slid from under the heavy duvet covers.
The room was fairly warm…warm enough for ease but not overly comfortable. Looking into the slightly cracked mirror, Ebony was not pleased. Her long hair had become knotted and tangled during her violent sleeping fit, sometime during the night. Snatching the comb, which was dangerously close to falling off the dresser, she tugged it none-to-gently through her disheveled hair. Her results weren't the best, but they would suffice.
"Shit, shit shit!" Ebony yelled heatedly. She could tell today wasn't going to be her day. Snatching the comb again, she gave it a death glare that could pierce stone. Unfortunately, the comb wasn't intimidated. With a shout, Ebony flung the comb out of the window. She wasn't exactly sure where it landed, but after its departure she heard the shrill hiss of the neighbors' cat, Chuckles.
Sighing, she fell back onto her bed, sinking into the unmade covers. She had to do something…soon. The memories of her mother's earlier sexual escapades brought bile rising into her throat. In was clear to her, she couldn't remain in the house. No, not as long as Trey was still apart of her mother life.
"He sure as heck won't be a part of mine," Ebony promised herself. Pushing herself from the bed, Ebony smoothed the sheets on her bed. She would catch hell if her mother came in, and saw them unmade. Tying the belt on her robe tighter, she walked into the kitchen.
Her mother stood at the stove scrambling the already done eggs. Under her drooping headscarf, her lined faced grimaced as she attempted to hold the phone and cook.
"Yea, gurl, he put it on me so good last night. Umph, that's the kinda lovin' I'm talkin' bout."
Ebony felt the urge to vomit but quickly swallowed. She looked at the pile of burnt bacon, scorched beyond recognition. Her mother had barely managed to salvage the eggs. Ebony decided it was best not to bring it to her mother's attention.
Taking a seat at the far end of the table, Ebony watched her mother chatter away. After a few moments, Jeanine turned and placed a plate of overcooked breakfast in front of her.
"Hey Baby, eat up," her mother said, not taking her mouth away from the phone.
Ebony nodded, "Morning mom, um, I'm not that hungry today."
Jeanine frowned and didn't waste any time scooping up Ebony's untouched plate.
"Lord, kids today. You cook for um and they don't wanna eat or the 'not hungry', but the minute you wanna sit down and do something, they want you to cook. Ungrateful, that's what it is," she complained into the line.
Ebony decided it was best not to comment; instead she reached for the newspaper folded neatly at the end of the table. She had just gotten to the job section when the paper was snatched out of her hand. Ebony frowned at the sight of the small paper cuts left in her palms.
Trey sat down, glaring at her, holding the newspaper, "This is my damn newspaper, girl. Who told you to read it?"
Ebony rolled her eyes, careful to not let Trey see, and didn't answer. Trey's biceps flexed as he unfolded the crinkled newspaper. Jeanine quickly placed Ebony's uneaten plate in front of him.
"Morning baby," she said timidly. She was cautious. They'd had a good time last night but who knew what kind of mood he was in today.
Trey's reply was a mere grunt as he took a bite of the food. Burnt as it was, Trey inhaled the food as though it was gourmet. He didn't even stop to thank Jeanine. Ebony watched in pure disgust as the man sloppily ate his meal across from her.
"At least one of will be full this morning," she thought.
Ebony turned away as her mother took a seat next to Trey and began whispering things in his ear and stroking his thigh underneath the table. Ebony felt her stomach begin to turn when Trey kissed her mother, small bits of egg hanging on his lips.
"Mom, I'm going to get dressed, I need to go to the library," Ebony said moving away from the table.
"Mhmm, have a good time," her mother said, never turning around.
Ebony rolled her eyes and went back upstairs. If Jeanine had been paying any attention she would have remembered that the library was still closed for renovation, it had been all month. Ebony sighed, if her mother wanted to play "house" with Trey, that was fine with her, but she sure wouldn't stick around to see it.
Ebony went to her closest and pulled out a white button down and knee length black skirt. Rummaging through the bottom of her closest, she found her knee-length leather boots.
She nodded pleased with the outfit, "Very conservative. Just the look I'm going for."
She rushed into the shower and just as quickly brushed her teeth and got dressed. Looking in the mirror, Ebony surveyed her appearance. The button down had a nice contour and enhanced her skin tone. The skirt while not being too casual was flattering and comfortable. The boots pulled the outfit together perfectly. It wasn't what she usually wore, but it would do.
"Watch out Oprah, Ebony Waters is in town baby," Ebony smiled laughing at her reflection. She grabbed some gel and pulled her hair into a slick chignon at the base of her neck. Grabbing her eye pencil she lined her eyes and put on a dab of lip-gloss. She was ready.
Snatching up her purse, she took one more look in the mirror. Ebony wanted to look no less than perfectly professional when she looked for her first job. Dusting a small piece of lint from her shirt, she went downstairs, her head held high in confidence. Unfortunately, Trey caught her at the door.
Trey eyed her up and down, "Girl, I know you not going to no library dressed like that. Besides, the library been closed for a while. So where you think you headed?"
Ebony was amazed Trey knew the library was closed, seeing as how he never ventured there, nor ever picked up a book(unless you call trashy men magazine's books). She couldn't lie, the library was closed and Trey was waiting on his answer. She knew she wouldn't be going on the door, if he didn't get one.
Ebony was getting uncomfortable from the look in Trey's eyes, "I've got a study date." She hoped she sounded convincing.
Trey raised a cut eyebrow, "Where yo books? Don't play wit me girl, I asked you where you were going and I better get the right answer this time"
The confidence drained from her face and Ebony strived to get it back. She new her next lie had better be plausible.
"Why you care where I'm going anyway? You not inspector gadget," she replied, rolling her head.
Trey smirked, "Don't get smart with me girl. I will----
He was cut off by the sight of Jeanine walking into the room, her robe completely open. Ebony closed her eyes against the sight of her mother's nude body.
Jeanine snatched her rob shut, "Oh honey, I didn't know you were still here. I thought you were already at the library." She laughed to cover her mounting embarrassment.
Ebony didn't have time to reply. In an instant, Trey eyes and attention shifted to her mother and he walked over and started to grope her. Obviously he didn't care whether or not she saw. Ebony was angry at him for doing so but even more ashamed of her mother for allowing it to happen.
Her mother's embarrassment had already left; instead she was laughing and allowing herself to be fondled. Ebony quickly opened the door and stepped out, before the familiar feeling of revulsion could come. She swiftly walked to the end of the street; she wanted to be away from the house as quickly as possible.
She willed her feet to stop moving, "Alright, calm down, Ebony. Take a deep breath. Breathe and pull yourself together."
Ebony followed her own advice and smoothed her skirt and hiked up her purse. She had to remain professional and in control. She had to find a job…today.
"The sooner I find one, the sooner I can move out," she reminded herself. The sun shone on the street illuminating the greenness of the grass and the blueness of the sky. Ebony took a deep breath and headed into the bustling downtown.