Tramaine

I leaned back in the chair and bit into my apple again while watching Mitchel go through the same routine his ass always did. He knew he was going to grab the water. I don't know why he always stand there like he got a decision to make. Just as I knew, he grabbed a bottled water then pushed the refrigerator door closed.

“I was working out.”

“Working out what? Scrawny ass.”

“I'm getting there.”

He lifted his arms and showed off his miniature muscles.

“You got a long way to go, my friend. And why this fool get away with everything? Let that had been my ass standing at the refrigerator with the door open that long.”

I asked turning my attention to Miyra. She rolled her eyes while walking to the other side of the kitchen.

“Why you always picking at him? You got a problem?”

“He mad because I'm the cute one.”

“Boy, don't no girls want your ass.”

I sat my apple on the table as I sat up in my chair to look over at him.

“I wish that was true. It's a blessing and a curse.”

He shook his head as he took a gulp of his water. I laughed and leaned forward to dap him.

“What workout you doing? Yoga?”

“Push ups, pull ups. Why you tryna play me?” He sat his water on the table. “I've been lifting them weights.”

“You ain't lifting no weights.”

“I'm telling you. I've been pumping em every morning.”

“Every morning? Nigga, where you getting to some weights?”

“I can't have gear?”

“You can't afford gear.”

“I got gear.”

“Where at?”

“In the back.”

I looked over at Miyra.

“You let him put equipment in the back? What about the time I was on my knees begging you to let me put a plasma back there so I can watch the games?”

“Watch the games at your own house.”

She said before picking up her phone again to check it when we all knew it didn't ring.

“It's a tv back there.”

Mitchel's voice made me snap my neck in his direction.

“When did a tv get back there?!”

“I don't know. What was that?” He asked looking toward Miyra. “About a little over a week? When the fight was on. Me and the guys watched the fight back there.”

“Really?” I stood up while snatching up my half eaten apple. “What ever happened to I don't want nothing worth something back there where I don't see it everyday to know that I haven't been robbed? Huh? What happened to that? I guess it went out the window when baby boy over here asked.”

I bit into my apple as I made my way over to the pantry. I snatched out the family sized ruffles and closed the door. I bit into my apple before stuffing the bag of chips underneath my arm to go into the refrigerator and grab something to drink.

“Now if you will excuse me! I'm going to find something to watch on the tv in the back.”

I spoke putting emphasis on the words tv and back.

"And that girl will be the death of you. Stop checking that phone because she ain't called you back."

"You know what, Tramaine. Take your ass to the back!"

"Why you always cursing me out? You don't use profanity let you tell it but you're always cursing me out."

"Because you work my nerves!"

"Nah, that one works your nerves." I pointed at her phone knowing whose name she was waiting on to flash across that screen. "She need to be the one you cursing out. Funny thing is, I've never even heard you raise your voice at her."

I shook my head while walking out of the kitchen.

“Hell, I'm the second oldest but you don't see me letting her drag me down through there the way you allow. I've already learned that's a lost battle. When will you get it?”