Nickoi stays silent, jaw tight. Mi know him nuh like wah wi a seh, enuh. That night, leaving his father’s party, my mind was heavy with questions. First, Juaqína, because I overheard his mom saying she was his first baby mother. That lingered, the way it felt like a shadow over him. Plus, I saw them arguing outside. I decided to tuck it away, I didn’t bring it up again. But what weighed heavier was Nickoi’s mood before and during the party. I knew why he was so restless, so desperate for me, to hold onto something that could distract him.
That’s why I gave in.Yuh love jook too, the voice in my head teases.
When we got home that night, I asked him what was wrong until he told me his drugs were missing. The next day, he went underground, checked cameras, found out it was Wayne. Me? Glad a never none a him close friends. Nickoi wanted to kill him, but I begged for the man’s life. That’s the only reason he’s alive. Wayne’s story made sense, he said Lennox had a gun to his headand took the drugs. Nickoi searched for Lennox after, but they didn’t find him. So for now, things are calm.
I guess…
“Him good man,” Nickoi says. One thing about him, when Nickoi say suh’m good, he usually means the opposite.
I touch him gently. “Okay, take your mind off that. What’s done is done. And after all, we have a special moment coming up. I want you happy there.”
“Mi a go happy deh, man,” he says.
“Good,” I smile. He catches my eyes in the rearview mirror before looking back at the road. I sip the milkshake again, sweetness grounding me. Pulling up to the house, I spot a red Audi in the yard. I glance at him with a question, and he squeezes my hand, steadying me as I step out.
“Who is it, yuh Aunty?” I ask, and he nods. Gutta and Anna step out behind us. Nickoi opens the door, and my heart kicks faster. I’m about to find out the baby’s gender and I don’t know if I’m ready. Jesus, why mi heart a beat so fast!?
Inside, I see Gavin, Mama, and Nickoi’s Aunt sitting together, voices low, smiles warm. Nickoi walks in ahead of me.
“Welcome!” Doctor Jacobs greets warmly. Everyone answers back.
“Watch har with har cute self,” Gavin says, making me smile.
“Mi nervous,” I admit sheepishly. Laughter spills around the room.
“But must a yuh first baby, enuh,” Gutta says, and Anna gently pulls him back.
“Hey, good day,” Anna greets again, and they respond.
“Hi, good day,” Gavin says, sneaking a glance at Gutta. I know he’s thinking about Sash. I smile quietly, looking away.
“No need fi yuh be nervous, mi gyal. Yuh mother deh pan the phone,” Mama says, holding up the phone with a grin, and I smile too.
“Hey, mi one gyal,” my mom’s voice comes soft and sweet.
“Hey mommy,” I say, sliding my hands around Nickoi’s waist, resting my head on him.Awww… so sweet.
“Mi nuh care what kind of baby enuh. Mi just well wah know mi grand baby so mi can start shop,” mommy admits.
“Yes, me too,” Mama agrees.
Nickoi is quiet. I can’t tell if he’s nervous.
He’s not.
“I want a girl, and Nickoi wants a son,” I say, smiling at him.You love him, enuh girl.He looks back with a small smile, wrapping his arms around me, his hand gentle on my belly.
“Soo it’s time to see the gender,” Doctor Jacobs says, and the room buzzes with anticipation.
“Cyaa wait,” Mama says. I squeeze Nickoi’s hand tighter, nerves twisting inside me. Mi nuh bother wah know the gender right now.“How we doing it?” I ask.
“Well, you know Mari always likes to be different. I told him he could get the black balloon, put the powder inside, and you burst it, but he came up with something even better,” she says, eyes twinkling, and excitement fills the room.
“Wah the G come up wid now?” Gutta asks, grinning. Nickoi laughs.
“Mi nervous,” I chuckle, following them outside. Gavin and Mama walk beside me, while Nickoi, Gutta, and Dr. Jacobs lead ahead. Gavin already has his phone out, videoing.
“Hey, mi affi ketch this yah moment yah.” I laugh.
