Page 12 of Grown

“He was... sweet.”

Gab pretends not to hear me and continues copying the lesson on cell units.

Chapter 8

Will and Willow Meeting Notes

Between moving to Hartsdale with its limited diversity and attending an elite private school, Mom thought the best way for the Littles and me to connect with the black people in our area was to join Will and Willow Incorporated. The objective of Will and Willow as stated on their website: “to create a medium of contact for African American mothers to bring their children together in social and cultural environments to be strengthened through leadership development, volunteer service, and civic duty.”

My cousin says it’s for bougie black moms to show off their equally bougie black kids. And he isn’t exactly wrong.

There are chapters all over the country, divided into groupsby age. We, the Westchester Teen chapter, have a once-a-month meeting, directed by our teen government board:

Malika Evens:President

Sean Patrick Jr.:Vice President

Creighton Stevens:Treasurer

Aisha Woods:Secretary

Enchanted Jones:just a regular ol’ member

Shea Jones:her little sister, newest member of the teen Group Five.

We all live about ten miles from each other but these kids’ parents have money. Surgeons, lawyers, architects, politicians—one is even related to Denzel Washington. Meanwhile, my family is making it by the skin of our teeth, and it shows.

Our meetings go a little something like this:

Creighton:Where’s Emery?

Enchanted:Think he had to work.

Malika:Of course. OK, everyone, let’s get started. Now, as you all know, next month is the Eastern Regional Teen Cluster. Our room block at the Marriott has been confirmed. Creighton, has everyone paid their dues?

Creighton:Everyone except the Jones sisters.

Shea:Chant?

Enchanted:My mom is dropping the money off on Friday.

Malika:Right. Well, until then, we’ll assume you won’t be attending.

Enchanted:Or... you can assume wearegoing since I just told you my mom will drop off the money on Friday.

Malika:Which is six days away.

Sean:Damn girl, can’t you borrow some dough from... somebody? I was looking forward to us dancing.

Enchanted:Why borrow when we have it?

Malika:But you don’t.

Aisha:We can’t go too guy heavy. We need more girls!

Creighton:Hey, don’t worry about it, Enchanted. I’ve added y’all to the count and I’ll square up with your mom on Friday.

Shea:Thanks, Creighton.