Page 55 of A Minute Past Midnight

He was an intense man and had been hard to please since I’d left home. I couldn't understand why he was so mad about me leaving, but I was sure I’d find out today.

“How have you guys been?” I asked, trying to break through the tension in the room. My father remained mute as he sat back with his arms folded, face set with a stoic expression, eyes locked on Samir.

Samir wasn't a coward. He’d never given me those vibes, anyway, but he sat with the same intense look on his face, eyes never wavering from my father's.

God, please don't let things get out of hand.

“We’ve been good, baby. How’s everything with you?” my mom asked.

“Everything’s good. I got my dream career working at Frost Riverfront Architectural Firm.” I beamed.

“That's wonderful, baby. I'm very proud of you. Is that how you got this beautiful home?”

“Um, I didn't pay for it, but the deed is in my name.”

“Let me guess; he paid for it, right?” my dad finally spoke.

Samir answered before I could. “I did.”

They both continued the eye war before my mom placed her hand on my father’s knee.

“Jordan—”

He cut her off. “I’m gon’ be honest. I don't like this. This shit feels awkward to me. You used to call ya mama twice a month asking for money, then went months with no word from you. Now, all of a sudden, you got this big fancy house and a job that can afford this place? You were just crying broke.”

“I told you I didn't pay for the house, Daddy.”

“Right. Your drug dealing boyfriend did.”

“Pardon me?” Samir asked sharply.

“Samir, baby, don't. Please?” I begged. “Daddy, stop it, okay. What is the problem? Please tell me.”

“I should be asking you that, Juliana Marie. What was the problem with you staying home and doing whatever it is that you're doing here? You're up here with no family, no friends, and no one to protect you when the FEDs come knocking at this nigga’s door!”

“Jordan, you are out of line! She is our daughter!” Mom exclaimed, which shocked me because she never really took up for me. She almost always sided with my father.

Samir scoffed and sat back, placing his arms on the back of the couch. I felt the nerves trickle down my spine. I could also feel Samir’s energy and knew it would only be a matter of time before he said something my father wouldn't like.

“Exactly! I spent my life trying to build one for her. To stop her from making poor decisions, and what does she do? Make them anyway.”

“How am I making poor decisions when I have what I wanted? You wanted me to stay home and work at the market for the rest of my life, and that's not what I wanted, Daddy.

“For majority of my life, you and Mom have been dictating it, never once asking me what I wanted to do or be in the future. I'm grown now, and I wanted freedom.”

“Freedom? You had plenty of freedom!”

“I’m not talking about going outside to play, going on dates, or to parties. I never had the freedom to choose what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. That's why I left. I felt suffocated by your expectations and rules. I had to do what was best for me.”

“By getting with a drug dealer?”

“He’s not a drug dealer. He owns the company I work for.”

Daddy chuckled sarcastically. “And let me guess. He bought you that fancy car too, huh?”

So much for prayer.

“I did. I bought whatever she has and made sure she secured everything in her name.”