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

married her, but they did say that the opposite attracts, right?

Aunty Lupe gives him a dirty look and says, “Someone has to put them in their place, their mother can’t even do it.”

Just as I am about to call her out, someone tackles me from behind and yells “Sina Bo-Bina!”

I hear Megan yell, “June-Bug!” And she jumps on his back while he’s bear hugging me at the same time.

He looks over his shoulder and says “Meggie Wedgie'' and my sister starts laughing

“Stop calling me that ugh.” The evil skank that is Aunty Lupe is forgotten because all our attention is now on June-Bug who’s our best cousin. I mean, he’s that cousin you can trust with your life and all your secrets. I know this, because he knows all my secrets, except for one.

Megan jumps off his back while he puts me down he turns to her and hugs her “Missed you cousin” he says.

I watch her hug him harder as she says, “I’ve missed you more. I’m so glad you made it.”

He smiles at her, “I saw Collins and the boys, they’re so big now. And I’m mad that he’s still married to you.”

They both laugh at each other as she says, “Oh shut up, he thinks I’m pretty, dickhead.”

“I’m going to go say hi to everyone and check on my hubby and kids'' she says, her eyes trying to pick them out in the crowd of family that's arrived.

I smile at her and say “Okay. I’ll come find you guys in a little while.”

She looks at me and then looks at June-Bug “You better keep her away from your mom June-Buggy.”

He hugs her one more time and tells her “I got you Meggie.”

We watch her walk off to find her family and before I can say anything June-Bug hugs me again, this time for a little longer.

“I missed you Bina'' he says.

I hug him tighter and say, “I freaking missed you so damn much.”

“Come on let’s go sit, I need some gossip in my life”, he says as he takes a few steps back.

I laugh at him and say, “I have absolutely no gossip June Bug”

He looks at me with an arched brow and says, “Girl, please miss me with that. I heard rumors and I want them to all be true.”

“Some things never change here.” I say as I shake my head.

He laughs, “Honey, what have I told you about this town? Stop expecting so much, most of the people who still live here thrive on that bullshit. So cut that shit out.”

June-Bug is a big boy who likes hot boys and is no stranger to the rumors and gossip that happen around here. My parents pretty much raised him when we were growing up, because after he announced that he was gay, some people acted like it was the end of the world. Auntie Lupe couldn’t handle the gossip and stress so she asked our parents to take him for a little bit. June-Bug ended up staying with us until he graduated from high school and moved out on his own. When he left he made sure it was with a bang, and that was with his boyfriend Mark, who he’s still with now. So yes, he was the one who always kept us safe when it came to his Mama. He doesn’t hate her, he acknowledges her, but still calls our mother ‘Mama’. And Mama knows Auntie Lupe hates it, but she loves him just as if she gave birth to him. So he’s our brother even though we came from different parents. June-Bug is ours and we love him.

We walk over to an empty bench and sit quietly for a few minutes. “How have you been Bina?” he asks.

“I’m finding my way, but I’m doing okay.” I tell him.

He smiles at me and says, “You look beautiful.”

“Well, your Mama thinks differently.” I snigger because it was literally less than 10 minutes ago that she was calling my ass fat in front of everyone.

He rolls his eyes, “Girl, she's just jealous because she can only fit in elastic wear.”

I nudge him and say, “Be nice, don’t say that, she’s still your Mama.”

June-Bug gives me a look and says, “Check that shit Bina. Your Mama is my Mama. Plus, didn’t she just call you fat and tell you to stop eating too much? And that you aren’t ever going to find a man? Mhm, that’s what I thought heffa. Now, enough about Kurela fefela, catch me up on your gossip.”

I look at him and brace myself, “What exactly did you hear?”

He snaps his lips, rolls his eyes then says. “I heard a shit load Bina. And most of it was from Lupe’s mouth.”

“What?!” I say. Great, the last thing I need is Aunty Lupe sticking her beak into my business.

He looks at me and says, “She works with Becca’s Mama, so you know that bitch was popping her gums about you.”

I take a deep breath and say, “I figured it was going to get out somehow so I’m not too surprised. But I didn't know your mom and Becca’s mother were close.”

June-Bug looks over my shoulder and says, “Don’t flip out okay?”

“You can’t say that and expect me to not flip out now?!” I say panicking about what’s made June Bug’s eyes blow so wide.

“No for real, I’m about to tell you something and you have to swear you’ll stay calm Bina, like no joke” he says.

I take a deep breath and ask, “What is it June-Bug?”

He leans in and whispers “Michael’s here.” I turn to see if he’s being serious and sure enough there he is standing next to Auntie Lupe.

“Why the hell would she do that?” I ask.

June-Bug kisses the top of my head as he says “It’s fine love, I’m about to go handle this shit real quick”, as he walks off.

See, leave it up to Auntie Lupe to start up some shit. It’s almost like she gets off on doing evil