“Girl, I was the same way when I was pregnant with this big-headed boy,” Mama said.
“Why my head gotta be big though?” I asked, approaching and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Because it is. I’m not lying,” Mama sassed. Kairi found it funny, but I had something for her.
“Laugh, but did you forget thatyou’rethe one pregnant with my baby now,” I said. Kairi’s face instantly dropped at the realization.
“So, you better hope his or her head isn’t big like mine too.”
That made her shut up, but I laughed when tears sparkled in her eyes.
“I was joking!” I said. Mama slapped the hell out of me for making this crybaby ass girl cry.
“But it’s not funny. Why would you say something like that to me?” Kairi wailed, getting me in trouble and shit.
“Oh, baby, I’m sorry.”
I tried to kiss her, but she just mushed me in the face.
But my mama offering some more food make that ass stop crying though.
At this rate, the baby might be too fucking fat because of her eating,I thought, but knew better than to say out loud!
After my mom handed Kairi more food that she didn’t need, she turned to look at me.
“You good?” I asked.
No matter what, I always wanted my mama to be good. That was why I didn’t like her with Orlando because he didn’t mean her well. To him, she was something to play with and useto control me. I knew he never truly loved or cared about my mama, and I just didn’t want that for her.
“I’m good,” she responded with a bright smile on her face. She squeezed my hand, and I smiled back at her, loving her growth.
It warmed my heart because it had been a long time since I saw my mother’s smile that genuine. Over the years, I knew she kept a fake smile on her face to comfort me, but today, this one was different. It was real, warm, and reached her eyes how she used to smile when I was younger.
And finally, I had my mama back.
I was pissed when I found out that Orlando had left town; however, now, looking at the joy in my mother’s eyes, I realized it was the best thing he could have ever done for her.
I still hadn’t heard from him, and I didn’t expect to. To Orlando, I was never truly his son, and I was okay with that. Wherever he was, I just hoped he found true peace and got on with his life.
My mom stepped around me, and I took a seat at the table next to Kairi. As I stared at her, I wondered what our child would look like and what it would be like being a father. The thought made me feel good.
“Don’t be stressing out my baby, Kairi,” I whispered. She elbowed me and continued putting grapes into her mouth.
My mom turned my way with a plate of food, and I reached out to grab it.
“It’s not for you!” Mama said, pulling the plate back from my reach.
I frowned.
“Well, who’s it for?”
There were only three of us in the kitchen. They already had their food, so who the fuck was that piled plate for, if not for me?
“Good morning, everyone.” I turned my head back when I heard Lennox’s voice.
“Good morning,” my mama rushed to answer him, making my neck snap back in her direction because she sounded a little too sweet for my liking.
“I, uh, made you some breakfast. Please join us,” Mama said, setting the plate down for Lennox.
