Well, it’s Saturday. Are things gonna get any better for Jay? Let’s find out…

Saturday morning.

I stirred, sat up in my bed and checked my phone.

7:19 am.

I stretched and yawned.

Yep, done with my first night in the Brown’s residence.

Didn’t exactly get off to the lovely start I had wanted. Matter of fact, it was super awkward, with the hostile vibes from Robin’s parents, as well as the presence of her ex. And the dinner, too. I mean, I know Robin’s parents seriously pissed her off and all, but… the way she shut them down. That really rubbed me the wrong way…

But hey, maybe we all got off on the wrong foot. Maybe this morning, I’d be able to get it right with them and break the ice.

“It’s definitely possible,” I said to myself as I got out of my bed. “It’s all about trying. Let’s get it done!”

***

Ten minutes later, after freshening up, I walked into the living room.

There sat Mr. Brown, still dressed in his pyjamas, busily flipping through channels on the TV.

“Good morning, sir,” I greeted.

He looked in my direction, eyed me up and down and grunted an unintelligible response.

Not the response I wanted, but not exactly the worst reaction.

“Ummm… may I take a seat, please?”

He grunted again and slightly nodded.

Perfect! A sign of progress, right?

I took a seat and watched as he continued to flick through the numerous channels, just waiting for an opportunity to strike up a civil conversation with the father of my baby girl. Hopefully, it would be a good one.

As he landed on one channel to see what was on, the music video for ‘X’ appeared on the screen.

X? 21 Savage and Metro Boomin featuring my main man Future? Oh, you can bet I was happy to see that on TV! I couldn’t help but silently rap along to it for the few seconds Mr. Brown paused.

As the channel was changed, I noticed Mr. Brown staring at me. I turned to see a look of contempt on his face.

“So… you listen to those artists, eh?”

I didn’t know my sing-along had been that loud. I nodded slowly. “Uh… yeah. I do.”

His face scrunched up in disgust. “I see. So you like those new-age boys with those useless lyrics, stupid topics and all that senseless display of opulence, right?”

Ugh. God, the stigma I get for liking the likes of Kodak Black and Lil Uzi Vert is so annoying.

“Uhh… it’s-it’s just music to me,” I stated.

“Oh, really? It’s just music to you? So all the filth they talk about in their music: smoking weed, raping women, all that disgusting debauchery they promote, to you it’s just music? That’s what you think? You think it doesn’t have any impact on the youth of today when these foolish boys rap about killing people and treating women like trash? Really? I see.”

Christ, this man was one of those types. Those type of peeps that swear music is the reason kids get up and misbehave. I seriously hate those kinda conversations, I really do.

This was not starting well. At all.

Before I give any response, he then asked, “What work do you do?”

Oh, thank goodness! A change of subject. That was most welcoming. Maybe that would be the launchpad for a good convo.

“Oh, uh, I’m a remote software architect with an online business,” I responded confidently. “Comfit. That popular technology platform.”

His face scrunched up again. “Remote? What does that mean?”

“It means I don’t work in an office. It’s more of a work-from-home situation I have,” I explained.

The look of disgust returned. “Gentleman, I know you’re just trying to give a nice name to that 419 thing you lazy young boys do these days. I’m not stupid.”

“WHAT?!”

I honestly didn’t mean to react that way, but bro, what in tarnation?!

This man was actually saying I’m into fraud? Just because my work is based online? What the actual fuck?

“You think we don’t know these things? Look, spare me the fake surprise. Instead of getting an actual job to do, one where you go out to an actual office with actual colleagues, you’re telling me you work from home. And you expect me to believe it’s authentic work? Really?”

My jaw hung open. Was this dude for real?

“But… but-but, Comfit is one of the biggest technology platforms in the world-,” I blurted out.

He snorted. “Whatever,” and turned his gaze to the TV.

“Honestly, Mr. Brown, Comfit is a major technology platform, recognized worldwide…”

He dismissively waved me away without even turning to me, the look on his face making it clear he was done with the conversation, and nothing I said was gonna change his mind.

Bro, I know I already said it, but what in tarnation?! Who doesn’t know about Comfit in this part of the world? How did this man just tell me to my face that I’m into fraud just coz my work is remote?

Honestly, I was just boiling at that moment. Really boiling. What sort of bullshit!

I just wanted to give him a piece of my mind right there and then. The words ‘you know what, Mr. Brown? Fuck you!’ were literally begging to jump off my lips.

But dissing the man of the house? Nah, not the wisest decision. So I simply kept mute, rose from the seat and walked to the dining table, where Robin had just emerged with a plate of breakfast for me.

I simply stared at her, nodded in gratitude, and took my seat as she placed the plate in front of me. As she walked back into the kitchen, Mrs. Brown walked out. Her gaze briefly falling upon me, I nodded and quietly said, “Thank you for the breakfast, ma’am.”

Her response? A blank, unfriendly look, as she walked away.

I shook my head. This was not what I had hoped for.

Barely a minute after I began eating, Vincent made his way to the living room. If you expected a loving welcome from Mr. Brown, you’re spot on.

“Heyyyy, Vincent! Good morning, sonny boy. How are you feeling?”

“Oh, I’m good, Mr. Brown. Had a good sleep.”

“Great, great. Take a seat, take a seat.”

I shook my head as I munched on my scrambled eggs. That should’ve been me, man. That should’ve been me! I should’ve been the one having that camaraderie with Mr. Brown. Not that bitter, butthurt fucker!

I kept my head down and kept eating as they chatted cordially, with Mr. Brown asking him what was going on in his life. I was barely paying attention to what they were saying, though; it was all like a big blur. But then I heard…

“So what work are you doing now, since you left the bank?”

“Oh, I applied for some tech jobs online recently. Pretty lucrative jobs, with an option to work remotely. I’m really hoping for the best.”

“Oh okay, that’s nice. Remote means you’ll be working from home, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’d really prefer that option, you know.”

“Oh, definitely. It’s definitely a good idea if you ask me. Considering how bad traffic gets, high fuel prices and all, I think it’s a wise decision you’re making.”

I was in the middle of wolfing down my bacon when I heard that.

What. The absolute. Fuck.

The man was actually commending and encouraging Vincent for going for a remote job?! What?!

After calling me a fraudster for literally finding myself in the same field?

Unbelievable! How the fuck did this man shift the goalposts for Vincent?!

I looked at them in absolute disbelief, as they continued conversing, oblivious to my reaction from the dining table.

I then looked down at my food for a few seconds, shook my head, and pushed the plate aside.

At that point, I was not hungry anymore.

***

“Oh, Lord, this is ridiculous!”

“Tell me about it, babe. When he said it, I just sat there in shock. Like, how the fuck is Vincent a wise dude for wanting a remote job, yet I’m apparently a fraudster for working remotely? How, babe, how?”

I was at the Nova Gale Mall as I spoke to Robin on the phone. I had stormed off to the room and just spent the rest of the morning, marinating in my rage. Somewhere around midday, I got up and made my way to the mall.

Of course, the initial plan was for spending time with Mr. Brown, getting to know him and all that. But since he’d rather be with that bitter twat, I decided I might as well meet a colleague who lives in Nova Gale, so we could work on some assignment for one of our bosses. I had initially told him I’d be around the next week, but with the bullshit going on, I figured it would be best to just get it done. At least, travelling to Nova Gale wouldn’t be a waste of time.

As I waited for Dean to show up, I was filling Robin in on the foolishness that happened that morning. As you can tell, she was not amused.

“Honestly, this is so disrespectful. Extremely disrespectful. I can’t believe they’re doing this to you. How could they? What sort of irrational behaviour is this?”

I sighed. “I wish I knew.”

“Hmmm. Well, Father’s still entertaining that piece of shit in the garden right now… can you imagine he came up to me, trying to remind me of the so-called good times we had together?”

I shook my head. “The little shitbag.”

“Seriously, babe. I did not wanna give him the time of day to be spewing his nonsense. Then he starts asking what it is you have that he doesn’t, and do you hit better than he does, and all typa foolishness. Babe, I gave that motherfucker the dirtiest of slaps! I’d like to see him try and approach me again.”

I snickered. Oh yeah, trust Robin to deal with fools when they come her way. “Good job, babe. Perfect job.”

“Oh, you know me. I deal with fools the way they oughta be dealt with. So honey, please stay safe, alright?”

“Sure, sure, I will… oh, there’s Dean’s car. Alright, baby, I’ll let you know I’m done, ayt?”

“Okay, baby. Later, then.”

***

Four hours later, I was back in House Number 16, Wetland Way.

Meeting Dean was a bit of a spirit-lifter. We got our work done, and the homie got me some good food at one of the restaurants around, so that was a positive.

Returning to the house, though? I was met with the same old stupid hostility. I entered the house, and there was Mrs. Brown in front of the living room entrance. She stared at me with the most intense looks of disgust on her face, and I swear to God, I was ready to scream in her face ‘Why are you doing this to me? You’re not even trying to get to know me!’

Robin popped up at the right time, though. So I just avoided her look and followed her daughter.

“My boss is gonna be pleased when I inform him about this,” I remarked as Robin walked with me to the room. “It wasn’t an urgent task, and if not for this crap ongoing, I would’ve picked another weekend to meet up with him so we get it done. But at least we’re through with it.”

“Yeah, that’s good to hear. So you don’t need anything to eat?”

“Nah, I’m good, babe. Thanks, though. Maybe some juice would be okay.”

“Alright, honey.”

We entered the room, where I made my way to the bed. Robin sighed and joined me, giving me a kiss on the forehead. “Baby, I’m so sorry about this. I’m gonna make it up to you, I promise. Let’s just prepare ourselves, then we’ll be out of here early tomorrow morning, okay?”

I looked at her and forced a smile. “Okay, baby.”

“I love you, Jay.”

“I love you too, Robin.”

She turned and walked out of the room. Just as she closed the door, I could hear extra footsteps stop outside the room. It was Robin’s mother, and she apparently had a lot to say to her daughter, right outside the room.

And considering how loudly she spoke, I can only believe that she had every intention of letting me hear just how she felt.

“So Robin, why are you doing this? Eh, why? What sort of behaviour is this?”

“Doing what? What behaviour? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Stop using that tone with me, young lady! You know exactly what I’m talking about. You have a fine gentleman in Vincent, yet you’re persisting with this one. Why? Why are you doing this to us?”

“First things first, Mother, ‘this one’ has a name, and it’s Jay. Jay Arthur. Secondly, the only fine gentleman I know is Jay, not that thing you call Vincent. And thirdly, Vincent and I have no business with each other. I’ve said this several times over and I’m getting sick and tired of the way you and Father wanna force him on me. I’m not interested, Mother. I am not!”

“Oh, stop this, Robin, stop this! Ah, there’s nothing wrong with Vincent-“

“Easy for you to say when you weren’t the one getting cheated on and gaslighted on a regular basis, Mother…”

“Please, please, spare me that gaslighting talk. At least, he’s a decent person. Don’t you know this guy you’ve brought home is a fraudster? That’s what your father told me this morning. The boy is into fraud!”

A scornful laugh followed. “Oh really? And how did he find out? Private investigator? Telekinesis? A prophet told him? Huh?”

“Robin, I don’t like the way you’re talking. You think your father doesn’t know what he’s talking about?”

“No, Mother, he doesn’t. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He barely knows him from Adam. He’s just making up stuff because he’s not Vincent. So obvious and so infantile.”

“Wow, so because of this… this ruffian you’ve brought to the house, you’re saying these rude and sarcastic things about your father? Ei, Robin, really? I’m disappointed. Honestly…”

“Mother, please! Please and please again, spare me this trash! You and Father are so in love with that manipulative dickhead that you’re just making up stuff to convince yourselves Jay is some evil psychopath when he’s a nice, respectful young man. You’re not even trying to get to know him! If there’s anyone who should be disappointed, it’s me, coz your hatred for my man is so illogical and unfounded, it’s sickening. Don’t talk to me about being disappointed, coz you’re the one that’s disappointing!”

“Robin! Robin! Will you stop moving away, I’m talking to you…”

The voices grew fainter as they moved away from the door.

I shook my head.

So much for hoping I would get them to like me. They were dead set on painting me black, just because I was the clear opponent of their favourite guy.

What a damn awful weekend this was shaping up to be.

Well, it’s certainly not getting better for Jay, is it? The Browns are really determined to be as nasty as they possibly can to him. What is wrong with them?