Capri: Introducing Capri

by K. Tanae

“Calvin, Calease and Derisha come in and eat” we all heard momma calling us but none of us moved first. I looked at my oldest sister Calesha to see if she’d make the first move and she didn’t. My baby sister Derisha was somewhere on the other side of the garage playing so she acted like she didn’t hear momma neither. I slid one of my stubby fat feet out of the patent leather snakeskin four inch stilettos, trying my hardest not to make a sudden move and reveal myself to my sisters. I hurriedly slid the other foot out and pushed the box under the other boxes where I’d found it. I snatched off the clip on hoops that i was able to steal from the Beauty supply a week ago and tossed them in the corner and made my way out of the boxes that were stacked way higher than they should’ve been with kids running around. But that’s where momma kept her old stuff that she no longer wore but didn’t want to give away. I loved it shoot. If i could get my sisters to leave me alone long enough, I’d have the time of my life dressing up. That never happened though, they never left me alone when i wanted to be left alone but didn’t play with me until they wanted to play. “Calvin what are you doing, c'mon befoe she come out here” Calesha eyeballed me oddly as she made her way towards the door. My baby sister Derisha finally appear in front of us, looking at me the same way. I stared back and stuck out my tongue, hoping it’ll make them stopped but they didn’t. “Calvin why you got on momma old rings?” Calesha asked. Deresha looked from my hands to my face, waiting for me to answer. I started sweating immediately. I had to think of something quick.. I had to go to the little boy part of my brain that I hardly ever used. “I wanna be like Mr.T! He wears a lot of jewelry!” I stormed off into the house, trying my best to look like nothing was bothering me or that I didn't just lie. “boy what’s wrong with you, don’t run up in here. You know I’m doing hair, what if i had the comb in my hand” she scolded me. “I’m sorry momma” I apologized and walked into the bathroom to wash my hands. I locked the door as soon as I closed it. I looked at my reflection and I saw him. Calvin. The 11 year old BOY. But on the inside, through it all, I saw the real me, “CAPRI” .

32 pages, Paperback

Published January 5, 2020