I thought about sending Dreaux another thank-you message, but quickly decided against it. Instead, I headed back into the living room to see what Promise was up to. I smiled when I saw her holding a curtain while she stood next to Ciyani. My baby girl loved to help, even though she was too small to do anything. It warmed my heart that Ciyani included her, even though she was probably in the way.
After all the furniture was put together, the men grabbed the boxes and trash and left for the day. I felt bad that I didn’t have any money to tip them, but Ciyani assured me that they had been compensated for their time. The moment they finished, Promise raced into her room, like a bat out of hell.
Her room was absolutely perfect, and that was the only word that I could use to describe it. Not only did she have a Trolls theme bed, but she also had furniture to match. There was a little troll’s couch in front of a big screen TV, with a little troll’ssnack tray beside it. Her dressers and nightstands were also pink, matching the room’s theme. There was a giant troll’s rug in front of her bed and a troll’s toy chest that was filled to the brim with all types of toys that she didn’t need. You would have thought it was Christmas, and Promise was living her best life as she opened every single toy.
Instead of being a hater, I let her enjoy her new room while I got to know more about Ciyani & Janae. I had never been around many women, but they seemed really cool. We talked for hours, and it felt like I had known them my whole life. I didn’t realize how much I needed someone to talk to until they came.
“What’s up, bro? What’s in the bag?” Janae got up from her seat to greet Dreaux as he walked through the door. He handed her the bags as he chuckled.
“I told Wisdom that your greedy ass would be the first person to meet me at the door. He’s the one who told me where to go,” he replied.
“My man knows the keys to my heart, and it’s a seafood boil. And you got extra sauce!” Janae squealed with delight as she sat down at my new kitchen table to eat. Ciyani got up and hugged Dreaux, then joined Janae at the table. I sat on the couch awkwardly, trying to figure out what to do next.
“I bought one of those jugs from the daiquiri store. I wasn’t sure what flavor to get, but the lady told me that the hurricane was the best one.” Dreaux stated as he set the jug on the table along with some plastic red cups.
“I’m so glad my mom and dad are keeping the twins tonight because I’m about to get fucked up and then go home and fuck my man into a coma.” Janae danced in her chair with her tongue out. I could tell that she was always the life of the party because her energy was unmatched.
“Eww. I don’t wanna hear that shit.” Dreaux’s face frowned in disgust.
“Doe!” Promise screamed as she raced into his arms. He lifted her and hugged her tightly as she rested her head on his shoulder.
“What’s up, pretty girl? Do you like your new room?”
“Yes! It’s pwetty. Come on! I show you.” Promise slid out of his arms and then grabbed hold of his hand. I giggled as she pulled him down the hall and into her room. Dreaux may have been an asshole at times, but he was so good with her.
“Umm, miss ma’am. I know you’re enjoying watching your daughter and her new stepdaddy but bring your ass over here and eat this food with us.” Janae shouted. My mouth dropped open, in this belief as I shuffled over to the table.
“I’ve only been around you for one day, and I know that you’re not the person that I could ever have on speakerphone. I’m not even going to address the comment because you’re ridiculous.”
“No, boo. You don’t want to address the comment because you know I’m right, and that’s okay. We’ve all been delusional once or twice in our lives.” Janae wasn’t wrong, so I decided to wave the white flag for the moment.
We talked and laughed as we ate at the table. My old friends and I used to hang out all the time, but I don’t recall it ever being this intimate. They made me feel safe even though they barely knew me. They shared details about their lives, which made me comfortable sharing mine. After what I went through with Samara, I told myself I would never trust another woman, but maybe this was God’s way of replacing what I thought I lost.
“I’m outta here. I left you some money in your room. If you need something else, just let me know.” Dreaux interrupted our conversation as he stepped into the kitchen. Promise was on his hip with a backpack on her shoulders.
“Umm, where are you taking her? I thought you had somewhere to go tonight?”
“I’m taking her to the house. The girls miss their baby, so I’m bringing her to them. Since you have to work in the morning, it makes more sense for her to stay with us,” he reasoned as if he had it all figured out.
“I’m beginning to think y’all are trying to kidnap my child.”
“It’s too late for that. Dana bought her some new clothes, Danae got her favorite snacks and some new movies to watch, and Dominique bought a whole bunch of hair supplies and Bobo’s so she can braid her hair. You won’t be seeing much of her this weekend.” He informed me. I joked about it, but it made me happy to know that Promise was so loved.
“You are creating a monster. You know that, right?”
“Good thing I have the money to give her everything she could ever want. Ain’t that right, pretty girl?” Promise nodded her head even though she had no idea what he was talking about. Dreaux’s eyes lingered on me as if there was more he wanted to say. It lasted for a minute until he finally walked out. The nerves in my lower belly left me unsettled as I tried my best to keep my emotions in check. Dreaux was only there to help me. Nothing more, nothing less.
dreaux davis
. . .
a week later
When we pulledup to the house, I could tell Peace was nervous. I told her I would take her to have Sunday dinner with my family. It was partially the truth. Except I left out the part about them being her biological family. She seemed to hit it off so well with Ciyani and Janae that I thought it would be good for her to see the Grahams in their element.
We filled Messiah, Rule, and Wisdom in on what was going on, and they were all just as shocked as I was. Rule and Messiah were Peace’s alleged brothers, so I figured it would be better if we did the DNA test with them before we told the whole family. Messiah agreed, but I could tell he had a lot of questions about how it all happened. He and Knowledge didn’t always have the best relationship, but he still loved and respected him.
I told them I would be bringing her, but we all agreed not to tell the girls until we were certain. Dana decided to spend the weekend with her friends and her boyfriend. Dominique and Danae wanted to go see a movie and hang out at the mall, so I dropped them off before we made it to Granny Lula’s house.
