Pushin' by L. Divine

hair, raid what’s left of my mother’s clothes for something suitable to wear to the tea, and get a move on. I’m a bit nervous about meeting the ladies of leisure, as Nigel calls his mom’s sorority sisters, but I’m also excited. It’s nice being chosen, even if I wasn’t running for anything. Speaking of which, I also have to write my speech for the election during the African Student Union meeting on Wednesday at lunch. I’ve made a good case for myself and think I’m a shoo-in for president, but one can never be too sure.
    â€œBe careful about spreading your word too thin, Jayd. Just like your ass, it can get worn out.” Mama places the last index card in the spirit book and pushes it across the table toward me. “Here’s your lesson for the week. Study it well. There will be a test at Netta’s soon.” Mama rises from her stool, walks over to me and kisses me long on the forehead. “I love you, baby. Have a good time at your tea.”
    â€œThank you, Mama. I love you, too.” I hug her tightly before she exits the small house with Lexi at her heels.
    The section Mama has chosen for this week’s lesson, is all about verbal ashe, or the spoken word. This should be an interesting lesson to say the least. I have about an hour before I have to get going. I’ll read as much as I can and take notes to study later. The rest will have to be done tomorrow after work. I don’t have much time to get ready, hair included. Balancing my new priorities with my old ones will take some serious juggling. Hopefully, I’ll get better at it because I can’t keep neglecting my spirit work or Mama.
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    When I made it back to my mom’s place a couple of hours ago, I took a quick shower and touched up my hair before raiding my mom’s dwindling wardrobe. Slowly but surely my mom’s things are making their way over to her boyfriend’s apartment, undoubtedly forcing some of his stuff out. I finally settled on a cream silk skirt suit with a pink shell underneath and pink snakeskin pumps to match. I look so good I wish I had somewhere else to show off my sophisticated clothes. If I don’t look like a lady, then I don’t know who does. We’ll see if Nigel’s mother and her friends agree. I send Jeremy a quick text to let him know I’m thinking about my boo. He’s probably in the deep blue sea riding a wave, or whatever it is they do at the beach all day. Maybe we can meet up tonight after we’re done with both of our busy days.
    Not fully realizing what I was getting myself into when I arrived at Nigel’s house twenty minutes ago, I walked into his foyer greeted by thirty or so girls my age and other women in the sorority. I had no idea there would be so many people here, all wondering who I am and where the hell I came from, causing me to feel like an outsider in a house I chill at on the regular. I may look as nice as the other young ladies present, but there’s something about the way people with money walk that I don’t possess. These broads are sizing me up and I’m doing the same thing to them. Now that we’ve all served ourselves tea and cookies, we’re seated in the living room ready to get started.
    â€œGood afternoon, ladies,” Mrs. Esop says, gently tapping the side of the petite china teacup she’s holding with an equally dainty silver spoon, officially calling the meeting to order. “We, the lovely ladies of Alpha Delta Rho, would like to welcome you to our first debutante tea, one of many mandatory social gatherings you’ll participate in over the next several weeks.” She places the cup on the coffee table across from where she’s seated on the couch, allowing another elder to continue.
    â€œI’m Mrs. Tyler, vice president of our chapter, and you’ve just heard from our president, Mrs. Esop,” she says, smoothing the cloth napkin over her lap