UnEditied: The Interview With Tala!

Well as you know I am writing a book about Karah Avayah and her life. In her life there are a lot of people. I’ve interviewed Karah and Denille, her boyfriend, but I had the pleasure to interview Karah’s cousin Talaiyah Sumas or Tala she affectionately called. Tala is a very outspoken teenager. She’s young but she’s very strong in her views and how she sees people. She did not want to do this at first but then she was persuaded my Karah to sit down with me and talk a while. Now, instead of our interview being held in a quiet warm place Tala chose the Court which is the local basketball court the kids hang out at every night when everything else has shut down. I pull up and park beside Ashton’s Mercedes. I got out and heard voices echo from the blacktop across the street. The sound of sneakers streaking the court’s floor and the ball’s bouncing got louder as I approached the fence. I walk in and The Court looks like a huge stadium. There are areas with metal bench seating and then the other seating areas are made up of cement. There are four guys on the court. I spot Ashton and then as he goes for a shot Tala screams from the cement seating. She glances over and sees me. She waves for me to come up and I make my way up the cold steps.


Tala sits with a black and ivory Louis Vuitton scully. Her dark brown hair is long along her shoulders. She has on an ivory Cashmere sweater, blue denim jeans and black Nike Air Max sneakers. As I approached her she again yelled at Ashton to ‘take the f-ing basket’. I laugh at this because I know what this interview was going to be like. Crazy.



She looks at me and laughs. Her Hershey brown eyes and smile are amazing. Her teeth made me think that their dentist makes a good penny with this family. She has even teeth but her canines are slightly pointy which is cute on her. They gave a beautiful contrast with her lovely bronze-brown complexion.



“So, you found the place eh?” She asked.

I nod. “Yep.”

She takes a deep breath. “Okay, I guess we can do this now.”

I narrow my stare and incline my head, “You sure? I mean cause I can leave.”

“Hold up. You requested this so this viewy is all on you chica.”

“Oh, you speak Spanish?”

She fumbles, “No. Do you?”

I laugh, “Touche’.”

“You fence?”

“Nope but I’ve watched. But I hear that you do.”

“State champion.” She says with pride.

“Wow, that’s good.”

I stood waiting to see if she still wanted to—

“You gonna sit or what?”

Grinning a bit, I sit down on the cold surface, which I was sure was not healthy for my little butt, and prepared for the interview.

“Why the pen and paper and the recorder?” She eyes my tools and takes a sip of her drink.

I laugh faintly while I date and note the interview. “Well, the pen and paper are to note specific responses, questions and replies. And the recorder, it’s to capture the entire interview.”

“Ah, okay—yeah.” She clapped her hands and rapidly rubs them together and bubbles with excitement.

“Ready?”

“Go.” She chuckles and notices Ashton on the court, then turns back to me.



NF: So you’re Karah’s cousin right?

She tilts her head and straightens her smile.

TS: Really, that’s your first question?

She collects herself.

TS: Yes, I am Karah’s cousin.

NF: How do you deal with all the people in your family and the “special” circumstances?

TS: I love them but they can be pains in the ass.

She hesitates.

TS: I can say that right?

Laughing , I answer.

NF: It’s your interview. You can say whatever you want.

As soon as I said that there was a gleam in her eye making me re-think what I had just said.

She continues.

TS: Okay, but I love them it’s just sometimes I wished they’d let Karah be. I think that’s the reason she’s so on edge. And about the “special” circumstances? They’re not my circumstances. So I’m outta that one.

NF: You sound—

TS: Don’t you dare say jealous or bitter or I’ll scream.

She gave a darken stare.

TS: I love the fact that I don’t have that responsibility. So much work.

She shudders at the thought.

NF: And you don’t care for any? At all?

TS: Hell no.

She laughs a bit louder and takes another sip of her drink.

TS: To have everyone constantly watching my back?

She thumbs behind her.

TS: I love not being a part of that.

NF: Do you think that’s why Karah’s so distant?

TS: I don’t think I should answer that but I will say that she’s not so distant anymore.

She grins as if she knows something I don’t.

TS: I’ll leave it at that.

NF: How about your parents, I mean I know about your mom’s animosity, well, what I’ve been told anyway. And your dad? How is it with them and their ‘disagreements’?

Tala scoffs and looks as if she’s not going to answer the question we sit in silence for almost five long minutes then she answers.

TS: My mom…she’s very irritable at times. I’ve heard bits and pieces of their arguments. My dad, well…(she smiles and begins to glow), he’s my dad. He’s always been there for me, or I should say us. Karah and I. And even though he and my mom barely speak they do their best to take care of me.

NF: Have youever asked why your mom doesn’t care for Crystal or Karah? I understand that there maybe something unfinished with Crystal but what about Karah? She’s just a kid.

Tala huffs, rubs her palms on her knees.

TS: My mom and Aunt Crystal went through some things when they were close to my age and well with Karah? (she shrugged) I have no damn idea—

She quickly glares at the court.

TS: WHAT THE HELL ASH! YOU COULDA MADE THAT FU-FRIGGIN SHOT!

Quickly she calms after Ashton smiles and gives her a sharp nod.

TS: Sorry, (she smiles). Sometimes he can make me so, uuuggh!

I started to ask her to finish her statement about Karah but I let it go.

Save it for the book.

NF: So tell me about him.

I motioned to Ashton running up the court.

TS: Who, Ash?

She smiles affectionately at him. Eyes and smile beaming like the sun that would have out but there were clouds covering overhead.

NF: Yeah, what is it? Are you a couple or…?

TS: Let me stop you right there. I know what you’re getting at. Your thinking since I’ve dated so many I’mma—

NF: No, that’s not—

TS: Well, what then? Have you heard that I’m a slut, a tramp, or a boyfriend stealer?

Her brown cheeks flush red and she chokes out the words.

My eyes fluttered as she called out the horrible names and I shake my head.

NF: Uh-no. I ask because of how you look at him. That’s all.

Tala straightens her back.

TS: Oh, okay then. (she laughs nervously) Sorry bout that.

I noted the tantrum

NF: No problem.

I smiled.

NF: But why would they say those things about you?

TS: Shit (she mumbled but clearly she wanted me to hear it.) Okay, let me set the record straight, I’ve had a lot of boyfriends, but nothing real serous you know?

NF: Care to explain?

I eye her mannerisms.

She massages her temples under her lovely black and ivory cap and chuckles.

TS: Okay, I’ve had many boyfriends but I’ve only had sex with one.

She covers her smile with her hand and looks down at her shoes, that are in pristine condition. I figured probably new.

TS: Ash was the first guy to never try and force me into it.

NF: So Ash was not you—

TS: No, he wants to wait for when I’m ready.

NF: And you’re not?

I said in an unbelievable voice. I mean what teen isn’t hard up for sex?

She winced.

TS: No offense but it was horrible. And yeah, I know about the pain and shit, but even after that, it was still shitty.

She laughed.

TS: He had no type of rhythm nor could he kiss. (she made a face while she tried to explain.) It was like kissing a goldfish with a dick the size of a lil’ smokie.

We both laugh so loud it echoed off the brick building across the way.

TS: It was the most pathetic first time.

NF: So…?

TS: So. We wait. (she said proudly)

I agreed.

NF: Waiting is good.

Her expression changed.

TS: Yeah, but love is better.

NF: Do you want love?

TS: Yeahhhh, but I can wait for that too.

She shrugged.

TS: I’m sayin I’m only 18. I’m a teenager. I can wait, plus I don’t need any little me’s running around. Not yet anyway.

She takes another sip of her drink.

NF: I’m gonna ask this and I have permission to ask, so you have permission to answer.

She looks at me suspiciously.

TS: Alright.

NF; Do you think they’re in love? Karah and Denille? On the outside looking in, do you see love?

TS: Whoa. (her laugh is brief and faint) Uh-ummm, uhhh-yeah, wow. They really gave you permission to ask this?

I nodded.

NF: And your verdict?

TS: I mean maybe? (She winced) I think so, they fit well, and the fact that Dee’s the first guy to get her ass outta the house for something other than grocery or school, well, I’d call that somethin’.

She bit her thumb nail and laughs.

TS: Yeah, I can see that, that is if they do love each other. But Karah…

NF: Karah?

TS: Karah’s new to the opposite sex and not to mention she’s a real smart ass. Oops, that’s me. (she grins) No but honestly, she’s way too smart to fall for bullshit. She can sniff that out a mile away. So if she is in love you’ll see and you’re know it. Love is complicated.

She takes off her cap and runs her hands through her long straight hair.

TS: Love is…you have to be prepared for love. And I’m sure that when she’s prepared, we’ll know it. Same for me. You’ll know it.

NF: One more question.

She smiles.

TS: Really? Just one more?

NF: Yeah.

TS: Go.

NF: Are you ready for what this book reveals?

TS: Not f—friggin really. Are you?

NF: I’m ready for whatever.

TS: Ohhh shit. She’s gangsta.

Tala laughs.

TS: I’m ready for my future, hers, his (she points at Ashton) Even the sucky ass graduation but I leave that—

NF: For the book?

TS: Damn right. See you’re not the nosy..writer I heard you were.

NF: I’m not nosy. It’s my job to ask questions but not to giveaway you entire story. I’m tempting the audience.

Her right eyebrow lifts.

TS: You’re teasing the audience. Wow, you’re a tease. Holy. Shit!

She shouts in amazement and laughs.

NF: No,no it’s not that at all it’s just, this story is a good solid story and I want the world to know you all but still want to read about you. No teasing. Nothing. Just—

TS: Teasing?

I rolled my eyes.

NF: Whatever.

She laughs more at her win then stands up as Ashton sat on the bench with the other three guys. Then she looks back down at me and places er cap back onto her head.

TS: Well Miss Tease (she flashes her smile), I’mma go and scold this ass down here on how he let Preston beat him, but I look forward to reading the viewy and…the book.

I gathered my things and shove them into my bag.

NF: I’ll make sure that it’s posted. Every word.

TS: Good, cause I’d be highly pissed if it isn’t.

I nod.

NF: Sure you would be.

TS: Well, I’m out. Later.

NF: See ya.



Tala runs down and jumps the fence. Smacks Ashton on the shoulder. As I walk she begins to make moves, showing Ashton what he should have done. The guy,Preston, laughed as Tala critiqued the game.

As I walked down the bleachers and across the street I sense that Tala was holding back. There was something she didn’t say but that’ll be in the book too.

LOL





I want to that Ms Talaiyah Sumas for her time and thoughts during our session.



I hope that everyone enjoys this one!

-Nikki Frierson