His Last Name by Daaimah S. Poole Page B

think about it.”
    â€œNow, that was funny. Let me see your phone.” He grabbed my phone and stored his name and number. Then he called himself. I had to admire this confidence and how he stole my number.
    â€œI’ll call you tomorrow.”
    The next day, I hopped on my flight, and after we landed, I powered on my phone, only to see five text messages from Courtney. She was a pain in my ass. I posted a picture on Twitter with the caption: “Just landed!” and two minutes later my phone started ringing. It was Courtney again, stalking me. I knew I should have blocked my number when I called her.
    â€œI see you’re back in Philly, can you come to the apartment?”
    â€œCourtney, tell your mom I’ll be there.”
    â€œLike, what time?”
    â€œBy four.” I wanted to tell her to stop harassing me, but I just hung up instead.
    I pulled up to my aunt and cousin’s apartment. There was trash on the ground and a few dudes in front of the corner Chinese store. I got out of the car, and one of them shouted if I could give them a ride and did I have a man. I ignored them and banged on the door. Courtney answered. I hated my cousin, but she was still pretty, skinny, and cute with a short blond haircut. She forced a hug on me. “Oh, my God, I’m so happy you’re here!”
    I looked around, and everything was still in place like how it was when I left years ago. I was so happy the apartment no longer felt like home.
    â€œHave a seat, cousin. I am so proud of you.” She immediately started taking pictures and behaving like I wasn’t the same person who shared a bedroom with her all her life.
    She pushed some mail and a blanket off the sofa so I could sit down.
    â€œSo, cousin. I missed you. What’s up? How you been?”
    I didn’t bother to hold in my dislike for her. I yelled out, “Bitch, I still don’t trust you.”
    â€œWhy, Shani? I’ve changed. I swear on my kids.”
    â€œKids? You have one daughter.”
    â€œWell, you know what I mean. But, no, I go to church now. I really have changed. I have a job at a day care and everything. When I was dropping my baby off, I asked the lady if she needed help. She hired me. And I’m helping my mom.”
    â€œSo, what’s going on? Why are y’all contacting me?”
    â€œMy mom will tell you when she gets here.”
    â€œWhere is your mom?”
    â€œShe went to the store. She will be right back. Sit down. So how you been? What’s going on? I see you still doing videos and parties. That’s so good. Remember when we were kids, we said we were going to grow up and become famous? You really did it!”
    â€œCourtney, you said your mom had something she wanted to tell me about my mom. I don’t have time to sit here with you and reminisce. I didn’t forget all that trouble you started, or how you talked about me to the radio stations and blogs.”
    â€œWhatcha mean? I never started trouble before! I know we went through what we went through, but I’m different now. I don’t even go out anymore. I don’t drink and I have a boyfriend. I just be chilling with him. Back then, I was getting high and drinking. You know that.”
    â€œSmoking a little weed doesn’t make you tell your family’s business.”
    â€œI was on more than that, but that’s another story.”
    I missed my cousin Courtney, but she wasn’t trustworthy. I knew she could strike again. Courtney’s daughter, Ayana, came up the steps, carrying a white plastic bag with bread in it.
    â€œWhere’s Grandmom?” Courtney asked her daughter.
    â€œShe is coming up the steps.” I ran up to give her a hug. She pulled back. It was messed up. Her daughter was acting like she didn’t know me.
    â€œShanice, oh my! I’m so glad you’re here. You look so beautiful. I am so very proud of you!” my aunt Rhonda said, coming