Then he adds, “Mi nuh know wah suh buzzy ‘bout the likkle mawga bad man dem. She never have a decent man yet, or even a decent-looking one. Har body just a jump fi the drumstick dem.” I burst out laughing.
“Yuh talk to her?” I ask, once the laughter fades.
“Who? Zara, mi nuh business ‘bout har. A dat life she wah live.” I sigh and move up slightly in the line. My nails tap against my rhinestone steering wheel.
“What time yuh think you’ll get through?” Gavin asks. I peer ahead, estimating.
“Maybe fifteen more minutes.”
He sighs. “The journey long… a St. Ann enuh. And a toll, too. Yuh go tek long fi ready, and mi nuh wah night catch wi.” I need to move fast. But this damn pizza…
The radio plays something catchy, and I sway slightly in my seat, dancing to the beat. A guy steps out of a black Axio, and I pause. He looks familiar. Tall, lean, sharp jawline, quiet confidence. Definitely a Jacobs. There’s a petite girl behind him.
A loud honk behind me snaps me out of my stare.
“Yow, gwope inna the line nuh!” a man shouts. I inch forward, muttering under my breath.Yeah, man, yuh love gaze.By the time I get to the window, it’s 1 PM. I’ve been here since just after 12. The things I do for food. I park at the side and check my phone. A message from Nickoi. He wants food from his aunt’s restaurant too? I call. He answers immediately.
“Mami?” His voice warms me. I hear giggles in the background, our babies.
My heart softens. “Aww, they’re playing?”
“Dem been a play,” he chuckles.
“So yeah, I just got the pizza, but then I see your message…” I trail off, hoping he could read my mind that I didn’t wanna do that.
“Wah dat mean? Mi still want the food.”
I groan. “Babe, I’ve been in the line for an hour. The sun hot. I’m drained. Now you want me go join a next line?”
He laughs. “Hear how she miserable.”
I lean back and watch the street. “Yuh nuh love me?” he teases.
“Of course… but this is too much.”
“How much yuh love me?”
“Like… I’d get pregnant for you again.” Silence. Then laughter.
“After dat labour? Nah. Mi nah do yuh dat.” I grin, even though I’m serious about the pills this time. Still, a part of me feels lucky they failed before. I wouldn’t have my babies otherwise. I start the car, ready to drive out. Then I spot the couple again. Jordane.
“Miss Williams,” he calls, raising his hand. He walks over, the girl right behind him. It’s the banker.
“Jordane,” I smile. “How long since we’ve seen each other?”
He laughs. “Bout three, four months.” He looks older. Still handsome, just more grown. Beard more full, hair longer. He’s light-skinned like milk.
“Ohh, it’s been a while,” I say to the girl.
She smiles. “Hi. I just craved some cheese pizza, and Jordy brought me.” Craved? Why she use that word? Is it giving pregnant? Maybe I’m overthinking.
“Well, nice seeing you both. I’ve gotta go.”
“Tell Nick mi soon link him… and kiss mi twin dem,” Jordane says. I nod, wave, and head out, my mind still circling around that“crave.”
When I get home, the house is too quiet. “Nickoi,” I call, tossing my bag onto the couch and placing the pizza on the island. Nothing. I head upstairs. I push open the bedroom door, and smile. He’s lying on the bed, phone in his hand, the babies snuggled beside him. Zahira tucked under his arm. Zahir half-stretched across his chest.
“They love you,” I blush. He glances up with a grin. I lean over and kiss his lips.
