Imagined Love Read Free Page A

she would have let her child sit outside for an hour while she put on makeup and jewelry and packed her car full of luggage. Plus, Cicely had been hit enough times to tell the difference between a fresh bruise and an old one. And the ones on Willa’s face were at least a day old. Something was definitely off about her story and Cicely hoped Willa would be more forthcoming later on.
    The suitcases were placed on the floor so all four girls could sit on the backseat. Cicely’s daughters were so excited to be in the car that having to prop their feet on top of luggage didn’t bother them at all. They were happy and the sound of their laughter actually lifted Willa’s spirits.
    “Girl, this is nice,” Cicely said, admiring Willa’s black 1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. “And this is the new one too. Man, y’all must be rich, huh? What do you and your husband . . .?”
    “So where to,” Willa interrupted, hoping Cicely would take the hint and quit asking questions such as those.
    During the two minute drive, Willa recognized the area as being what some referred to as “welfare city”. It was a housing community which catered to low income families, most of which were recipients of government aid known as welfare. Cicely began explaining how she’d ended up in the neighborhood and that it was only temporary until she got back on her feet. Katrina asked if eight years was temporary since that’s how long they’d been living in their house. Willa and the girls laughed, but the scowl on Cicely’s face made it clear she was not amused. She turned around to give Katrina a piece of her mind when a young woman walking down the street caught her attention.
    “Now see, that don’t make no sense. It’s girls like her that give women like me and you a bad name, Willa,” Cicely proclaimed, shaking her head in disgust. “She can’t be no more than eighteen and she already got four kids! I don’t know what’s wrong with these young girls. They think it’s cute to be sitting up with all these babies and no husband. They ain’t like me and you who got a missus before our name. That’s why folks be thinking we trash around here ‘cause of stuff like that,” she said, pointing towards a similar young woman. “I be telling Katrina she better watch herself or she gone end up just like those girls. That’s what trying to be fast and cute lead up to. You hear me, Katrina?”
    The girls were laughing and talking so loudly they didn’t even hear Cicely’s rant. Willa heard her and was starting to recognize some of the traits she hated in her own mother. However, she didn’t want to seem judgmental towards Cicely or the neighborhood. Anybody could fall on hard times and need assistance. Though, Willa had to admit it did make her angry that everyone else had to work like slaves to make ends meet while they had all of their needs met simply for having one illegitimate child after another. It seemed so unfair, but as they pulled in front of Cicely’s house Willa felt a tinge of fear. Miles was the primary breadwinner and she hoped her decision to leave him wouldn’t lead to her and Jade becoming residents of “welfare city”.
    Willa smiled as the girls hopped out of the car still talking a mile a minute. It was good to hear Jade laughing and to see her having fun just being a kid.
    “Thanks for the ride,” Katrina said, as she hugged Willa tightly. “When I get big I’ma get me a car just like this one. I’ma have a big house and a lot of clothes and a bunch of boyfriends too! I ain’t getting married or having kids. I’ma be free to do whatever I wanna do.”
    “Well, I heard that, little lady. And I don’t blame you,” Willa smiled, as she hugged her back. “I’m glad to finally meet you. Jade talks about you all the time.”
    “I don’t blame her. I am fantastic!” She struck a model’s pose then burst out laughing.
    “Katrina!” Cicely yelled. “That’s a grown woman you talking to! I done told you . .