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mother and you have to believe I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you. I love you, baby,” Mrs. Carmichael says, walking over to Chance and attempting to hug him, but he refuses to let her get too close. She looks at me hard before storming out of the dining room and up the stairs. Damn, this is some heavy shit. I’m all for Chance finding out about his true lineage, but there’s got to be a better way to go about it.
    â€œI called my mother’s father and he says he’s always won dered what happened to me. My mother’s dead and he doesn’t know where my father is, but remembers a little about him,” Chance says, choking back his tears. I see my boy’s been busy playing detective the past couple of days. It’s amazing how small the Internet makes the world. “I already got my plane tickets and packed my shit,” Chance says, like it’s no big deal. “I leave later this afternoon and will be back on Sunday.”
    â€œIs anyone going with you?” I ask after devouring the last of my chicken tacos. That was a slamming lunch even if the conversation wasn’t as pleasant.
    â€œNo, and I don’t want anyone to. This is something I have to do for myself.” Chance takes another bite of his second burrito, avoiding my eyes. I really fear for my friend. He’s suffering the loss of two mothers and doesn’t know which to mourn first.
    â€œI’m all about you finding your roots, but don’t get it twisted, Chance. The grass isn’t always greener. You don’t know how your black side is going to respond to you. Are you sure you don’t want your mom or Jeremy to go with you?” I would’ve offered my company, but Mama would never allow me to fly across country with one of my friends.
    â€œI’m not sure about anything anymore, Jayd. I just want to get to Atlanta and see what my real mom looked like. If she had this mole on her lip like I do,” he says, scratching his upper lip. “I always wondered where this damn thing came from.” I hope Chance finds the answers he’s looking for. It’s not going to be easy, but life rarely is. I just hope he doesn’t neglect Mrs. Carmichael’s grief in the process. Her son’s rightful search for self just might kill her.
    â€œAt least let me drive you to the airport. I got a school pass from Mrs. Sinclair and can take you whenever you’re ready.”
    â€œI was born ready, Jayd. Let’s roll,” Chance says, rising from the table and jogging up the stairs two at a time to get his stuff. I can’t believe he’s going to Atlanta tonight. I’m glad Chance trusts me enough to be a part of his journey. After I drop him off I’ll head straight to work, officially beginning my weekend. Like Chance, I hope I find some sort of peace over the next three days. God knows we both deserve it.

4
Ladies of Leisure
    â€œNever trouble no one/I’m a lady, I’m not a man.”
    â€”S ISTER N ANCY
    I nitially I’d hoped for a relaxing weekend, but it turned out to be the exact opposite, much to my bank account’s benefit. I had clients stacked up at the shop and at my mom’s apartment. As if doing hair all weekend wasn’t enough, I also had spirit work and my boyfriend to keep me busy, not to mention studying the sorority’s history for the debutante meeting at Mrs. Esop’s house later this afternoon. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be to deal with the ladies of leisure Mrs. Esop associates with. Tolerating their bougie asses will be a challenge, but nothing I can’t stomach for a couple of hours.
    After braiding all morning, I came over to Mama’s to help her fill some of her special Mother’s Day orders for next Sunday’s holiday, which also happens to be Mama’s favorite day of the year after Christmas, and have been working in the spirit room ever since. She and Netta get all