Trey
Mom is sitting on the porch smoking a joint. She has a warm complexion with green eyes, and her brown hair is pulled back into a bun. Her face is weathered with scars from her battles with William, but she's still beautiful and radiant as a rose. When she sees me, she rushes over to greet me. "There's my son!" she exclaims, her voice a bit hoarse from being a smoker. "How long has it been? Four years now?"
"Hey Mama, I've missed you so much!" I give her a big hug, feeling her small and delicate frame in my arms. She looks thinner than I remember, but I decide not to mention it.

I hand her the pack of cigarettes that are in my pocket with a scowl. "Mama, why are you outside smoking weed? You know it's illegal here," I lecture her.
She shrugs. "Just tryin' to stop drinkin' and smokin' so much."
"But you just had me buy a pack of cigarettes."
She waves her hand dismissively and starts walking into the house. "That's for later, I promise I'll space them out. Get them groceries in the house."
I grab the groceries from the car and bring them in, putting perishables in the fridge and grouping the nonperishables together on the counter.
I take note of the three cases of beer in the fridge and the five large bottles of liquor underneath the sink. I'll make sure to mark those with a sharpie later. I'm not sure how long those have been in the house, but she's supposed to be in AA. I'm like 99% sure she shouldn't be drinking at all now.

She walks into the room and leans her elbows on the kitchen island, watching me with interest.
"So how are you doing, Mama? Where are Candy and Jeremiah?" I ask, still putting stuff into the fridge.
"Jerry's at school and Candy's either workin' or hangin' with Kiara."
"Her girlfriend?"

"Oh no, she's dating some chick named Patricia, she lives in another state. Kiara is her best friend. She's family, so you'll meet her tomorrow."
"I'm really not interested."
Why would I care about one of Candy's little friends, and why is she even coming? I don't have time to babysit them when they both get wasted.
She playfully scowls at me. "Don't be like that. Kiara is a real sweetheart, she's been a good influence in your sister's life."
I snort. "Candy needs a good influence? She's been a goodie two shoes all her life."
I was more of a trouble maker. I graduated by the skin of my teeth after constantly being suspended for fighting.
She shakes her head. "You don't know how badly she acted out after you left. After your father left, you were the last guy in her life, and she felt abandoned. From then until she met Kiara, she was rebellious as hell. Lyin', stealin', sneakin' out at night to parties."
My heart pangs with guilt. I never wanted Candy to feel like I abandoned her, I just left to get my shit together so I can take care of them. I'm the one who ran William off, now it's time to make up for it. I hope she'll at least give me a chance to explain.
"You got a girlfriend down in Texas?" Mama asks, cocking an eyebrow.
I crack open a bottle of water and take a swig. "Of course not".
She throws up her hands. "For fucks sake, my daughter's a lesbian. One of my sons is a fuckboy, and the other's got a case of cold feet when it comes to dating. At this rate, I''ll never be a grandma!"
"Jerry's afraid to date?" I ask incredulously.
I mean, it's not completely shocking, but I would've hoped since his dad left before he could remember, he wouldn't be as "damaged".
"No, I'm talkin' 'bout you!" she exclaims.
Oh.
"That's not the case, I just like to keep my options open," I protest.
She leans closer, "Tell me then, Son, when was the last time ya went on a date?"
After racking my brain for a bit, I finally remembered her name. I took her skating and then she gave me a blowjob after. "Jasmine Kirkland."
She scowls. "You talkin' 'bout that girl from seventh grade?" She walks over and pats my chest, gazing at me intently. "I know I'm gonna sound like a hypocrite, but ya gotta quit runnin' from love. I know me and William didn't exactly give y'all a healthy example of a relationship, but I don't want ya missin' out when the right girl comes 'round and ya ain't ready to give her more than your little soldier."
Oh God.
"Alright, I get it," I chuckle, "your gonna make me commit suicide if you keep talking."
Maybe she's right, but I'm not going to admit that to her so she can rub it in my face. That's why Cupcake slipped right through my fingers, and why I need to eventually find out who she is and prove to her that she belongs to me.
"You know, while we're lecturing each other you're in AA, you're not supposed to be drinking at all. I'm not gonna pretend I don't see all the alcohol in here," I scold her firmly.
She scoffs. "Look, I'm weanin' myself off slowly. It's a work in progress."
"Well, I'll work on myself if you work on yourself."
She smiles and shakes my hand. "We've got ourselves a deal."