Pieces of Me by Pua Ramona (small books to read txt) 📕

“I don’t know Mama. I mean I was okay until I ran into this girl a few days ago. Since then I’ve been having these feelings that I don’t know how to deal with.” I don’t look at my mother because I know she’s looking at me, probably surprised that I’m even feeling this way.

She moves her chair back and asks “What feelings Son? Who’s the girl, do I know her?” I sit back and watch Mama make herself a cup of tea. I know she’s dying to know because she won’t stop staring at me. “Are you going to tell me or not Elijah Jonathan Hunter?” Oh shit, she triple named me!

I laugh at her and give in. “Do you remember the Petersons?”

She sits up straight and says “Of course. Are you talking about Makerita and Loane Peterson? With the beautiful kids? Three boys and two girls, right?”

“How do you even know their whole family Mama? I don’t remember you ever talking about them” I ask curiously.

She sits back in her chair and tells me with a small smile, “That’s because I don’t gossip Son. This whole town might, but I know when not to run my mouth. I’ve known the Petersons since my high school days. Loane and I used to date, but then he met Rita.”

“Mama was he your first love, before Dad?”

“Yes, he was my first love, but I wasn’t his. When he met Rita, I knew he loved her so I let him go. But I never regretted my decision to let him go, because if I hadn't then I would have never met your father” she says smiling. She clears her throat then asks “So, tell me why did you ask me about the Petersons son?”

I move my chair backwards and lean both elbows on my knees, I take a deep breath and say “Their daughter Sina is back and I can’t stop thinking about her. She was at Pixies earlier this week and she didn’t even acknowledge me, and it pissed me off. Then Becca showed up and everything went to shit. Even Lei was pissed off that Becca even showed up, but it bothered me more that she was there because I know it hurt Sina to have Becca there in the same room. I don’t know Mama, I’m losing my mind, and I can’t stop thinking about her. When I do think about her, my heart does this funny thing and it’s weird because sometimes I think I miss her. Now you tell me how that’s even possible when we don’t even speak let alone know each other.” I can feel myself starting to get frustrated because all I want to do is get to know her and spend some time with her before she leaves. The thought of her leaving grazes a little sting against my heart, and I don’t like it one bit.

Mama leans forward and asks, “So, what are you going to do about it?”

I run both of my hands down my face and say “Well, here’s the thing Mama, I don’t think she even cares that I exist.”

“Well, why’s that?” She asks, puzzled.

I don’t want to tell her but I know I’m desperate for any kind of help or advice so I hang my head and confess my sins. “She came by the house this morning with her sister in law to drop off my wallet, because I left it in her brother’s car.”

“Why was it in his car?” she asks with a frown.

“I was at The Hut last night and I drank too much, so her brother Daniel and his wife Mona drove me to Reese’s and Lei’s place” I know Mama’s upset because she stays quiet. “So this morning I left Reese’s place early because I needed to grab my charger, but when I got home Becca was waiting for me” I said. Mama starts tapping her fingers against the table, hard. Shit, she’s pissed at me.

“So what happened when you saw Becca?” she says with a little annoyance bleeding into her voice.

I know I’m already fucked and need to finish this conversation, so I rip the bandaid off and say, “I had sex with her outside by the garage. I didn’t realize that Mona had driven up, but by the time I turned to thank her for dropping off my wallet, Sina was standing behind her.”

Mama gets up and starts pacing back and forth “Why was Becca waiting for you? Does she not have a house key?”

“She did but I took it back because I told her I was done with us last night.”

“And you decided to forget about everything you said and just screw her outside where people can see you? I raised you better than that Elijah” Mama shakes her head at me. “I don’t blame that poor girl for not wanting anything to do with you son. If the tables were turned, how would it feel?” I can’t say anything because I know Mama is right. “Do you think Sina deserves better? Does she deserve more?”

“She deserves everything beautiful and so much more from this world Mama. I just want her to see me, not see through me.”

“Do you think you deserve her Elijah?”

I clear my throat and answer her “Yes ma’am, I see her.”

“Well, then you better work on your shit before you even consider yourself to be worthy of her. Don’t think that I don’t know about her leaving because that Moore kid, he was too stupid to realize that he had something good in front of his face. And I know Becca played a hand in that bullshit because her mother used to laugh about it behind Rita’s back. So if you’re serious about her, you better start acting right. She’s been through enough already, so be good to her and respect her.” She leans toward me and kisses the top of my head and says, “Lock the door behind you when