Who Can You Trust (The Break Down). Keosha Boone's Gowins

are, so maybe that's it”, Jerry said nonchalantly like this is an everyday conversation.

      “I don't think so.”, Derek said while laughing. I didn’t think it was funny.

      Apparently Derek's dad didn’t think so either because he said my thought. “I know you aint doing what I think you doing? You ain't stupid!”

      “Man, Pop's I gotta make this money”

      “Like I said, You ain’t stupid!” Derek's dad said. Jerry and Derek's dad shared a laughed. “So, how's yo mom”

      “Getting on my nerves”, Derek said with a chuckle.

      “She gotta a way of doing that to people. I told you to just move in here. There’s plenty of room.”

      “I basically take care of them. If I move out they’re screwed”

      “You shouldn't have to pay the bills and take care of her and her boyfriend. But”, he stopped. I don't know if it was to gather his thoughts or for dramatic affect but he put up his index finger. “I understand why, shoot, I did it too with my mom and three sisters. So, I guess you have that trait from me, because yo mama ain't good for n---”

      “Thank you pops”, Derek quickly interrupted looking at his father pointedly.

      “I'm just saying. She could work, she ain't disabled. And so can that piece of s---”

      “Pops.”, Derek raised his voice.

      “You should be worrying about school, not how to pay the next light bill. How you making that money anyways? Other than the money I give you monthly, you ain't got a job”

      “I told you I get money Pop's”, Derek said proud of his self.

      “The wrong way I bet?”, when Derek didn't answer he kept going but this time with more anger in his voice. “So you just gone go out and make the same mistakes I mad?”

      “I got you Pop's”, Derek said. Not looking at his dad.

      “Yeah, but do you hear me?” he asked.

      “Yes, Pop”

      “Good”, he took a sip of his drink then looked back at Derek. “And what are you doing about college”

      The whole time, I was trying to make it seem like I wasn't being nosy, but I just had to open my big mouth. “I've been talking to him about it”, his dad had snapped over to look at me as if he had forgotten I was sitting there. “He doesn't wanna go?

      “I ain't saying that”, Derek said angrily at me.

      “Then what did you say then”, His dad asked.

      “I don't wanna talk about it”, his good mood was gone. He stood up. “I gotta go Pop's. I gotta drop her off at home”

      “Ok, son, don't be a stranger.” His dad said.

      “I won't”, he said to his dad. He then turned to Jerry. Jerry pushed him and he pushed him back making him fall back a little. “That's why you a 21 year old man living with his uncle-daddy.”

      “Just until I get a steady job! I'm getting paid though bruh best believe that, I gets my money too”

      “Yea whatever peanut. Bye Pop's”, he went over to hug his dad. His dad gave him a fifty then looked over at me.

      “Nice to meet you”

      “You too”

      “Pops you just gave me money for this month. I should be alright for a few weeks.” he tried to give it back.

      “It's burning a hole in my pocket, if I don't give it to you, who I’m going to give it to, Jerry?”

      “Naw, give it to me”

      “Hey, I need money”, Jerry shouted.

      “You just said you get money.” His dad said.

      “Bye, CC”, Jerry said as I began to walk out.

      “Bye”. We walked out and got into the car.

      When I got home, Joe was sitting in his car on the phone. It looked like nobody was in the house, which would explain why he wasn't inside.

      I gave Derek a kiss goodbye and got out, promising to call him tonight. He drove away.

      I walked towards my door. I heard Joe yelling as I walked up the steps to the door.

      “You skipped class CC, finals are coming up. You can't be skipping so close to the end. We're graduating, Derek might not be, so don't let him drag you down”, he kept on rambling as I threw my bag by the door and started walking up the stairs; He followed me. He didn't look like he was going to stop when I reached my room so I just went in ignoring him.

      I did my normal routine when I get home from school, and it stunned him into silence. Finally!!

      I took off my shirt, followed by my shoes and jeans. I had lifted up my bra when he taps my shoulder causing me to turn around. He ran out of the room yelling while covering his eyes. “CC, my eyes I need something for my eyes.” “Shut up boy”, he started laughing from the hallway.

      “For real though, put some clothes on woman. I don't wanna see all that”

      “Pa-leaz!! You know you do”