The Pride – page 29
“You see me type at the computer everyday. Why would you ask me if I can type?” Romina was trying very hard not to allow her temper to rise. She didn’t like the questions, but she tried to keep the channels of communication open, as well. She wanted to be the first person in her children’s lives to know what was going on in their minds. She didn’t want to have to hear it from a teacher or even their father. She wanted to be approachable. Her parents had not been approachable.
“Momma, typing on the computer to surf the web and typing for a job ain’t the same, I don’t think.” Quantavianna put her arms around her mother and kept her head on Romina’s stomach.
“What did I tell you about saying ain’t?” Romina was hoping to get the attention off herself.
“Sorry, Momma.”
“What did I tell you about always saying ’sorry’?” Romina hated when her children used that word. It was the word her father had used to describe her when she was growing up.
“I apologize, Momma.”
“That’s better,” Romina said and kissed Quantavianna’s forehead.
“Why are you trying to change jobs, anyway, Momma?” Quantenerra finished the last of her math homework and joined the conversation from her seat at the table. The twins were talking quietly amongst themselves in a language no one else could understand. It must have been about their writing, because they kept pointing to each other’s papers.
“I need more money. Y’all are getting bigger and so are the bills. When the twins start school next year, they’re going to need all those school supplies, lunchboxes, more clothes and everything. I need a better job.” Romina still had one arm around Quantavianna, but she put the application down on the counter next to her and wrapped her other arm around her oldest child.
“They want you to type,” Quantenerra asked.
“It’s a receptionist job, so I’ll have to type.”
“Momma,” Quantavianna began, “that application says you have to take a typing test. Are you going to be able to pass it?”
“I’m going to try.”