My male friend think that I am Motel 6, the Grocery Store, his Chauffeur, his Maid and a Short order cook. Do I look like your mama? WTF.

Let’s talk about it…

“Cherise, I understand your need to explore the world now that you are eighteen, I just don’t think the military is the way to be adventurous in the world especially when troops are still being deployed to battle in other countries. Can you give college one more try? You just might enjoy it this time. Entering college at the age of seventeen immediately after graduating high school early may have been too soon for you.” “Mom, college is not for me at this time in my life. It doesn’t mean I will never consider going in the future. Besides, like I told you previously, I prayed about me joining the military; I am at peace with going; my spirit is at peace.” “Okay, Cherise, I have always taught you to pray before making major decisions in life and to listen to the voice of God as you spend time in his presence during meditation. I now must trust in what you received. You have my blessings.” “Thanks Mom, that means a lot to me.”

Cherise is Helen’s oldest daughter. She has always been a smart student with high energy. Throughout her years in school, Cherise teachers would constantly complain about her needing to learn how to use her idle time more productively. Cherise would finish class assignments long before time was up; she would use idle time to talk to other students as they were trying to complete the assignment before the time was up. Despite her parents and the teachers encouraging Cherise to read in silent when she finishes her work before the other students; she continued to disturb others. To Cherise, school was boring. She always talked about doing adventurous things like sky diving or rock climbing. As Helen reminisce on Cherise’s childhood, she understands why her daughter chose to join the military. Without doubt Helen knew that the military would provide the adventure her daughter so desperately seeks; her prayer is that Cherise finds a sense of balance with the strict disciple required from soldiers in the military.

Cherise enlisted in the Army. Within two weeks after enlisting, she was sent to the base in North Carolina. Cherise would call home weekly to update her mom on life in the army. One year after enlisting, Cherise received deployment orders. She was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan after the year-end holidays. Cherise spent Christmas and New Years at home with family. Upon returning to the base in North Carolina, she was prep for deployment. During Cherise’s one year assignment in Afghanistan, she often talked about her friend Henry. Henry and Cherise reported to the same commanding officer. Henry was a very patience person who often listen to Cherise as she expressed her concerns; or when she simply wanted to reminisce about family life in the U.S. Henry would sometimes share his upbring with Cherise; but for the most part, he would sit in silence and listen to her talk. His patience provided Cherise the peace of mind and calmness she needed. Henry and Cherise assignment in Afghanistan ended at the same time. Back in North Carolina, the two hardly spent time with each other. It was back to norm as they knew it prior to deployment. They would greet each other in person whenever their paths cross, as well as, like each other postings on Facebook. After six years of service, Cherise decided not to re-enlist. It was time to go home and learn how to navigate in life as a civilian. Two years after returning home, Cherise received a DM from Henry on Facebook. He informed Cherise of his decision to not re-enlist after serving eight years. He told Cherise that two of his siblings moved to the same state where she lives; but he will remain in North Carolina to help his middle brother who is a single father. After the DM, Henry would often call Cherise to talk about the way of life in the city where she lived. He would also ask about the distant between where she lives in California to where his oldest brother lives in California. His brother lives in a different city of the same state as Cherise. Cherise informed Henry that it is approximately a two-hour drive on the weekend without traffic. During the week, the route is known for heavy traffic therefore it would be approximately a four-hour drive. 

To Cherise surprise, three weeks later, Henry calls her from the airport, on a Thursday afternoon, asking her to pick him up then transport him to his brother’s house. Cherise asked, “which airport are you at?” After hearing Henry’s reply, she asked him, “why would you fly into an airport near my house when your brother lives two hours away from where I live.” Henry response was “my brother is usually tired after work and will not have the energy to pick me up from the airport.” Cherise was upset with Henry’s lack in consideration of her time. She thought to herself as she went to pick up Henry from the airport. What if I did not answer my phone or was not available. What would he had done for transportation to his brother’s house? After picking up Henry, it took them 4 ½ hours in traffic to arrive at Henry’s brother’s home. It took Cherise 2 ½ hours in her return to home. During the ride back home, Cherise made a mental note to tell Henry next time, he needs to fly into an airport closer to his brother home then take the shuttle bus or an Uber to his brother’s house. “Cherise thinks out loud; I can’t believe I have been on the road for 7 hours; I am exhausted.”

Cherise did not hear from Henry for six months after taking him to his brother’s house. One evening she receives a call; looking at the caller ID, she thinks to herself, Henry better not be calling me for long distance transportation again. “Hello” “Hey baby girl, what’s up?” States Henry after Cherise picks up his call. “Hi Henry, what’s up with you. All is well on my end.” “Well, I’m back in town. This time I’m not at the airport; I’m here at my brother’s house. I have been here for a week. I will be in town for another week before heading back to North Carolina. I was wondering if we can hang out?” “Henry, I do not mind us hanging out; however, I do not want to make that drive back to your brother’s house.” “Do you know of any transportation that can take me from my brother house to yours?” “Why don’t you rent a car? Check online for discount car rentals near you that would allow you to drop off the car at the airport. This way you do not have to arrange for transportation to the airport when you return home.” “Good idea Cherise, I will come over tomorrow around noon.” “Sounds good Henry, see you tomorrow.” Cherise was so glad she did not have to chauffeur Henry around town. The next day Cherise gets up early to prepare her place for company. She decided to order wings from her favorite fast-food restaurant, to go with the pasta salad she made earlier in the day. Her intercom buzzed at 1:15pm. “Hello shouts Cherise through the intercom.” “Hey baby girl, it me Henry, I’m downstairs.” Cherise buzzed him in after telling him her apartment number. To her surprise, he has a little boy with him. Henry greets Cherise with a hug. He was carrying a large army tote bag; like the ones they used in the army as luggage when they travel. She was so taken back by the child with him; she didn’t think to ask why he did not leave his luggage in the car. Cherise turns to the child and says, “Hi my name is Cherise. What is your name?” “My name is Henry Jr; everyone calls me junior.” “How old are you junior? “I am ten.” Henry Sr tells Cherise, he will explain later. After lunch, Cherise allowed junior to play her video games in her bedroom while she talks to his father in the living room. According to Henry Sr, junior mother was a one-night stand before going into the service. He did not know he was a father until he was contacted three months ago from children services. The mother was arrested. She was sentenced to ten years. She had no living family member to take junior. Because Henry wasn’t sure if he was the father, Children services arranged for a paternity test. It came back positive that Henry was the father. Now that Henry is a single father just like his brother in North Carolina; his siblings tell him that he needs to obtain housing for himself and his child rather than go from couch to couch at the homes of family. Henry asked to stay with Cherise for a couple of weeks until he figures things out.

Cherise lives in a one-bedroom apartment. Because of the child, she allowed Henry and his son junior to sleep on her sectional couch. Henry was putting in grocery orders without compensating her expenses. After two weeks she asked Henry about his plans. He did not have any. She explained to him that she could not continue to take care of him and his son. She told him that he needs to apply for public assistance in his hometown. And he needed to apply for housing assistance for single parents. Henry was unaware that this was something he could do. Cherise, help Henry with the online application for public assistance. Also, she assists him with booking his flight back to North Carolina. Henry brother in North Carolina agreed to allow him and his son stay at his home until the public assistance finds them a low-income place. After Henry and his son leaves, Cherise thinks out loud; I am rethinking if I want to get marry and have kids. I enjoyed their company but am happy they are gone. I am so tired from cleaning up piss from around my toilet as well as picking up their clothes; washing their clothes; cooking every day and being Henry’s personal business assistant. He acted like he did not know how to read and fill-out the public assistant’s application online. Is this how it is being marry? A woman must do everything for the man.

Cherise felt all must be well with Henry after a year of not hearing from him when suddenly she gets a call. She looks at her caller ID, then shouts; “Damn, I just jink myself. Why did I have to think about that man? What does he want from me now? Cherise tried to push the red button so that the call can go to voicemail when she accidentally pushes the green button. “Oh Shit” shouts Cherise. The word “hello, hello” is being shouted through her phone; she now must reply. “Hello, Cherise replied”. “Hey baby girl. What are you up to?” “Hi Henry, I was getting ready to run out to take care of some business. Can you call me back later?” “Well, I won’t be long. I am in town with my girl and I want to take her around sightseeing. I was wondering if you can take us around to different tourist locations; I have a list. As well as to a couple of nice restaurants while we are in town.” “Sorry Henry, google maps is the best tourist guide I know and is always available. I suggest you get a cellphone charger for the car and allow it to navigate the way. You and your girl have a wonderful time sightseeing. As stated, I was running out to take care of some business. Bye.” After hanging up, Cherise blocked Henry’s phone number.

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