Read Online Brenton Brown by Alex Wheatle - Free Book Online

looking than me though.
    She wondered if Mum ever thought it was a mistake marrying Dad. After all, she pondered, I’m not his. How many men take on women with kids? Maybe because Mum was so good looking it didn’t matter to him that she was a single mother. But their body language is messed up. They sit apart watching television. They never kiss in front of me, not even a goodbye kiss whenone of them is leaving for work. Man! Their generation’s weird. Malakai and me won’t go on like that if we last that long.
    Uncle Brenton’s got a chance of a long relationship with Lesley, Breanna thought. She’s alright. He can be intense sometimes but you can have a laugh with him; can’t have a giggle with Dad. Uncle Brenton should settle down with Lesley. It’s obvious she really loves him but her two kids are spoilt. Maybe that’s what’s holding Uncle Brenton back. Wonder what he and Mum were arguing about in the garden?
    A 68 bus screeching to a halt stopped Breanna’s thoughts. She had to stand on her journey to Brockwell Park and longed for the day when she could afford a car. She caught the 37 from the park to Brixton and as she passed the Town Hall she guessed her mum was still working there. She wondered if her place of work would be Westminster one day. You’re too damn ambitious , Mum, she said to herself.
    Nando’s restaurant was opposite Brixton Academy; some band Breanna had never heard of was playing there next weekend. Across the road a bus driver was refusing to proceed because a passenger didn’t want to pay his fare. A toddler was playing up in his buggy at the bus stop and his mother was trying to calm him with chicken nuggets. Breanna kissed her teeth.
    Breanna found Jazz sitting in a corner of the restaurant. There were some uppity young blacks there too who wouldn’t be seen dead in a McDonald’s or Kentucky, she reckoned, but they couldn’t afford much more than a Nando’s. She didn’t like the place but Jazz loved it, especially as it was located in the centre of Brixton.
    ‘What’s up, sis?’ Breanna greeted. She kissed Jazz on her left cheek and gave her a hug.
    ‘What’s up, girl?’ Jazz returned. ‘So where is he?’
    Breanna sat down. She picked up a menu. ‘He’ll be here any minute,’ she said. ‘He better be here.’
    ‘What you having?’ asked Jazz.
    ‘The usual. Rice, leg of chicken and roasted corn.’
    ‘And let me guess,’ continued Jazz. ‘A cheesecake to take home.’
    ‘You know me too good.’
    ‘You know it, girl.’
    ‘Have you ordered?’ asked Breanna.
    ‘Just my drink.’
    ‘Then let’s order.’
    The two girls made their way to the kitchen counter. Just as they were giving their orders to the waitress, Malakai and a friend arrived. Breanna turned round, spotted Malakai and smiled as wide as a Joker in a Batman film. She hugged him tight and kissed him on his left cheek. His jeans were barely covering his backside and Breanna spotted he was wearing dark blue boxers.
    ‘This is Sean,’ Malakai introduced. ‘He asked if he could come and link us. He’s well hungry.’
    ‘No problem,’ said Breanna. ‘This is Jazz. One of my best friends.’
    Sean’s eyes lingered on Jazz’s heart-shaped, caramel-coloured face. Then his gaze dropped a little to her chest. ‘My bredren’s girlfriend has pretty friends,’ he charmed.
    Jazz blushed.
    ‘You know it,’ continued Sean. He turned to Breanna. ‘And I’m sorry about losing your gran.’
    ‘That’s alright … So you’re going around the place calling me your girlfriend?’ Breanna laughed turning to Malakai. ‘I better be the only one. I know how you guys stay. You have links here, there and everywhere.’
    Guilt struck Breanna again. Should she be laughing a day after Gran got buried? she asked herself. Gran would have wanted me to carry on, she convinced herself. To live my life.
    ‘How many times do I have to say I’m not into that?’ pleaded Malakai.
    Ten minutes later they all