Pressure

The club was filled with people. Gyrating bodies grinding together blocked Tasha Williams’ path as she searched through the crowd. The dance floor was filled with teenagers who managed to sneak in and adults who didn’t know they were teenagers. Tasha couldn’t help but want to start arresting people but she couldn’t sway from her task, find her niece.

Sure enough she found said niece downing a shot with her two friends and a group of sleezy older guys. Tasha stomped toward the drunk teen angrily as one of the guys handed her a joint.

"Mikah Ann Williams!" Tasha yelled.

Mikah jumped in surprise and looked absolutely terrified when she saw Tasha. A layer of sweat formed on her mocha-colored forehead as she hastily returned the joint to the guy and dropped her shot glass. "Auntie Tasha!"

Tasha gripped her wrist roughly and yanked her forward. She focused her angry glare at Mikah’s friends and said, "Samantha, Tanika, I will be calling your parents and telling them about this."

Samantha and Tanika showed absolute panic on their faces, "no Ms. Williams please!"

Tasha pointed towards the exit, "march!"

Samantha and Tanika walked hurriedly to the door as Tasha pulled Mikah forward.

"I’m sorry Auntie," Mikah said.

"Sorry? SORRY?" Tasha yelled as they walked onto the parking lot, "have you forgotten that your father was a drunk and a drug addict?"

"I’m not gonna become an addict," Mikah scoffed.

Tasha turned towards her, "that’s what he said and now he’s dead!"

Mikah’s eyes filled with tears, "yeah remind me I never met him."

"No I’m reminding you that he destroyed himself because of that crap," Tasha snapped, "I stood around and watched my brother die, and I’m not gonna do that with you. Now get in the car your mother is waiting for you."

Mikah gulped nervously she already knew what her mother would say. Tasha opened the passenger-side door and gently pushed Mikah inside. She shut the door then got in the backseat. "Hey Tina, I found her taking shots and passing around a joint."

The blonde gave Mikah a look of disappointment and Mikah dropped her head.

"Mom I’m sorry," Mikah squeaked.

"Shut up," Tina snapped. "Do you know how much your father used to say that to me?"