“She said rest is how you grow strong enough to chase your dreams. You can’t bloom if you never stop moving baby. Don’t you want to grow taller and stronger?” I smiled at her.
“Yes mommy.” She grinned sleepily.
“Okay good, GG will sing you to sleep. I’ll be back to sleep with you soon.” I kissed her cheek then forehead.
“Love youuu.” I cooed.
Slowly, I slipped from out of the bed. Gratitude bloomed in my chest; I was so overwhelmed and consumed with happiness it made my heart ache. Having my daughter here, truly here, safe and present felt like a gift I’d been quietly praying for.
I didn’t need to know the ins and outs of how Bleu brought Aubry around to apologize, didn’t care for the tangled explanation. All I knew was that Bleu had helped open a door, and now my little girl was back where she belonged.
I was thankful for Bleu’s kindness, but more than anything, I was just happy, happy to have my daughter close, where I could tuck her in each night and watch her drift toward dreams in the warmth of my presence. Aubry hadn’t given me any problems, I was surprised by the mature accountability he took for all of the problems he caused.
“Go on girl, I’ll be in here with her until she falls all the way to sleep.” My mom lifted her head slightly and winked at me.
“Thank you, momma.” I felt myself getting emotional.
“No thank you. That Bleu is a blessing; you got a good man Savannah!” She shot me the peace sign with her fingers.
I laughed and shook my head. Bleu was very smooth, fine and everything positive above. He sure knew how to score brownie points with my parents. In fact, he was the first man that I entertained that they actually approved of.
It was almost unbelievable how seamlessly Bleu fit into our lives, like a missing puzzle piece finally found. My parents hadn’t warmed up to Aubry not even when he was treating me half decent. Bleu would come to see me every day when he finished at his office. My dad let him join us for dinner then he’d wait patiently for me to get Lo Lo to bed.
He hadn’t pressed me for sex; it was him just wanting to be around me before he went home. Bleu claimed seeing me was better than talking on the phone, and that was true as hell, because I loved spending time with him.
The other day, he and my dad were in the kitchen along with my mom. My dad claimed he was trying to teach Bleu and my mom how to bake since Thanksgiving was right around the corner. Seeing my parents’ genuine affection towards Bleu made me feel even more secure in my choices. I couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, everything was falling into place.
I stood outside my door with the tip of my fingers pressed against the cool wood. My mom hummed lowly to Lo Lo, it sounded soothing. I walked down the hallway with a smile on my face. Soon as I turned the corner to jog down the steps, Calissi bumped right into me.
“Damn bitch, watch where the fuck you walking.” She spat.
Here we go…
Lately, I’d been avoiding Calissi. Her energy towards me since I came home with a new car was weird as hell. Since Lolani was back here with me, I didn’t want to whoop Calissi ass and bring that energy around my baby. My online sales from my herbs had been doing good, so I focused on that and doing hair and facials to hurry and get my money up.
Although my relationship with my mom had improved since my date with Bleu, I didn’t want to live here anymore under the same roof with Calissi. I wanted to love my big sister from a distance. It was clear that she was hateful and pissed with me about everything that went wrong in her life.
“Calissi, please.” I grilled her hard.
She looked immaculate as always. She was dressed to perfection like she was getting ready to go out on a date. Her high ponytail was sleek, the diamond stud earrings she had on flashed perfectly against her dark smooth complexion. Calissi had on a short bodycon, dark brown dress the color of her skin with her long legs out and oiled.
Her eyes skimmed over me hatefully as she looked down at my short frame.
“I just don’t fucking get it.” She spat bitterly.
I calmly placed my hands behind my back and locked them. This would prevent me from slapping the fuck out of Calissi. I didn’t offer her any words, her top lip curled up in disgust as she squinted her eyes at me.
“Dead beat ass momma, out of shape, sloppy as fuck, no job?—”
“Bitch, pleasssseee,” I shook my head. “Shut yo hating ass up!” I said gravely.
I took a step close to her and looked up into her dark eyes.
“You know I won’t whoop your ass because of Lolani now being here with me full-time.” I cocked my head to the side daring her to even blink wrong at me.
“My baby really loves you and you barely even speak to her. I love you but I refuse to kiss your uppity hating ass. I don’t owe you shit but an ass whooping for constantly talking to me crazy and ignoring my baby. You barely done said two words to her and I can tell it’s starting to get to her.” I stabbed her chest with my finger.
“Don’t fucking touch me!” She yelled.
