fiction

Sitting out in her fathers back yard, Tamika enjoyed the cool summer breeze. It was the middle of July and the was very pleasant for summer time in July. Tamika was having a few friends over to her fathers house to enjoy the beautiful evening and some good old fashion grilled food. She had worked hard all week and with one more day left in her work week she wanted to kick back. Tamika's father was away for the week but she had a key and he never minded his baby-girl coming over and using his house for entertaining guest. He lived in a spacious 3 bedroom and basement townhouse with a big back yard. Tamika never understood why he needed so much space when it was only him who stayed there. He and Tamika's mother had not been together since she was about 3 years old but, he was always in her life and always there for her when she needed him. And being an only child and a girl Tamika's parents spoiled her to no end. She was defiantly a "daddy's girl." After her parents split her mother moved from the county to the city and her father stayed in the county and moved into his townhouse. Tamika stayed and lived with her mother but she spent most weekends, holidays and all other free time with her father. Her father, who worked as a pharmacist spoiled Tamika relentlessly. She was somewhat of a daddy's girl. When she would come to his house for the weekends or the holidays he would buy her tons of toys that none of her friends had yet and buy her closets full of pretty clothes. They would go out on what they called "daddy/daughter" dates to fancy restaurants and wherever else she could think up in her young mind. Tamika's mother, a kindergarten teacher would make her daughter focus on more important things like school and being a "proper" young lady. School, getting good grades and good manners were more important to Tamika's mother than toys and clothes. So because of that Tamika was not only the most fashionable girl at school but, also one of the smartest. She was a straight A student all through school up into high school and college where she graduated class president and the top her class. Now working for the city as a social worker working with inner city youth Tamika was a very accomplished young lady. She lived by herself in a one bedroom apartment not too far from her her mother. Walking over to the grill where her childhood friend Kevin was working his magic on the grill she playfully punched him in the arm.
"You aint got nothing ready over here yet?" She said smiling at her friend.
"Oh, you know me." He said playfully."Slow and steady wins the race. I got to make sure I put my foot in this meal so y'all wont be talking about me behind my back when I leave from here."
"Well you just make sure that is good 'cause I am mighty hungry and I been thinking this bar-b-q all day at work." Tamika said smiling at her friend.
Walking back over to the small tented area where the rest of her guest and her best friend were engaged in conversation. Jessica and Tamika had been best since middle school when they met in Mrs. Jones homeroom.
"Girl I just seen Ty and like three of his homeboys walking towards this way when i was coming from the store a few minutes ago." Jessica said. " I think they were headed this way. Did he know that you were going to be here today?"
"i may have mentioned it to him" Tamika said.