EIGHTEEN

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Walking through the front door of home after what I could consider as the wildest night I'd ever had, I was definitely wiped out.

From meeting other big men who kept promising to me and Levi how Jake was so good at his plans for us, I was becoming more excited about the thrill of it all—seeing their vision more clearly through my eyes too.

But now, all I wanted to do was just put my feet up on the bed and knock out. Though looking at the time up on the wall, I was surprised to realize how late it actually was.

1:30 A.M.

Talk about a big change. I'd never stayed out past 10 P.M. usually in my life.

Surely the kids were already tucked in and fast asleep—Mama should be too. So it will just alright if I can sneak back to–

"Ivy Jane Hart..." I heard my Mama's scowling voice from her room.

Uh oh. She was bringing out my middle name and everything. I'm in trouble now. Stopping in place, I slowly sauntered back to her before entering fully into her room.

"Yes Mama?" I shyly let out while mentally preparing for a lifetime of whoppens.

I knew I should've asked for a ride from Levi who did actually offer to take me home with Heather tailing along. It would've been a heck of a lot earlier than the bus schedule.

Yet I just couldn't bring myself to muster up the courage for him and surely her to see where I lived, understanding the full scope of how my life was anything but the glitz and glamour of singing at a speakeasy.

Maybe he wouldn't like me as much as he does—even as just a friend, if he did.

Staring me down suspiciously, she shook her head in one of those usual parental cold shoulders that something was wrong—but was giving me all of three seconds to figure it out myself, before she pointed it out for me in a way I wouldn't like.

"Do ya have any idea what time it is, child? What were ya doing?! Where was ya?!"

"Mama, I told ya earlier I had a work event I had to attend. I'm sorry, but it was mandatory." I pleaded at first.

"Being here at a reasonable hour is mandatory!" She firmly spoke.

I was a bit surprised. I hadn't heard her angry tone in quite some time. That just meant however how truly disapproving she was about the matter. "I know...I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I promise ya!"

"Oh I know it won't! Because there might not be no more work events you'll be attending if ya keep up this level of tardiness. Ya hear me?" She sternly replied.

I lifted my head down, feeling nearly disappointed in myself for this kind of behavior too nodding in agreement.

Though maybe just like I wanted for Levi and Jake—along with his relationship with his parents, I could brighten her mood up with the good news I kept hearing all night too. Maybe if she only saw that things were actually starting to happen with the whole potential singing career, she would be more proud of me.

"Hey Mama?" She raised one of her eyebrows up to me. She didn't have to worry if I was trying to talk back to her. I just want to see what would happen. "W-what if I told ya something real good, then?"

"Like what? Ya gettin' more money or something?" She wondered.

Okay, good. Thank god she was kinda willing to listen.

"Well, not exactly. At least not right now. But soon, possibly! Ya see, what if there's a man–" I started to say.

"A man?" She picked up on. Of course that would be the first thing she thought of.

"No, no. I mean, yes. He's a man. But hypothetically speaking, what if there was a man who was a professional man. A man who looks for new talents everyday and somehow heard me singing, and wanted to make me famous."

"Ivy..." She groaned, shaking her head—highly disinterested in my words from that point on.

"No please, just tell me what ya would think. If he insisted that he could do it, a-a-and I could be internationally known to all colored girls and boys around the world for once in my life. I could be a role model and show folks what I can do and be happy-" I tried to explain, putting all my passion and heart into it too.

"Ivy! Enough!" I instantly stopped. "Now, I'm not gonna go over this again with ya. Ya Daddy said practically everything you've just said to me! I've given you my answer before and it hasn't changed and it won't! It will always be no!" She roared.

Taking in every aching word she just spoke, I finally accepted her response just by nodding once more but feeling extremely saddened within.

I knew she hated the idea, but I didn't know it was this much. But her answer was clear. She would never come around and see how much I loved to do what I was good at.

"I understand Mama...never mind then." I uttered weaker as she turned her head away from me.

With that however, I just quickly headed out and to my room.

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

Do you think her mother will ever give her music a chance? Let me know your thoughts! 

And stay tune for the next chapter, because things get a little...heated. ;)

See ya next time! 


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