“Officially what?”
Amari paused.
“Officially, my friend with the possibility of unlimited benefits.”
Amari’s words stirred me.
“Do you think a public party would be the right place to share info about us? We only slept together.” I spoke the last sentence softly as if I were in a library and someone could hear my every word.
“We didn’t sleep much, now did we?” Amari asked the question with the nasty little laugh that turned me on.
Something about his mischievous mind brought out the same things in me. He made me want to explore what other parts of me were dormant or hidden by my trauma.
“Seriously, let’s discuss our interpretations of what happened the next time we meet. I don’t play about what I want.”
“Hmm, . . . speaking of next time, when the roads are clear, I’m going to the pharmacy and picking up some condoms. Just in case,” I added quickly, suddenly feeling self-conscious about assuming that Amari and I were going to have sex again.
“As soon as you get them, give big daddy a call. He needs to see his lil mama again.”
“Is that my nickname now?”
“Naw, baby, I was talking about that kitty between your legs. By faith, I’m daddy and you’re mama.” Amari’s voice turned serious. “I believe that one day you’ll be recompensed for everything you lost. No baby can replace LaRue, but our Father will give you double and triple for your trouble. That’s what happens to good people if they wait long enough for the manifestation of their blessings. I’m here now.”
I wanted to fall on the floor in giddiness at Amari’s declaration. Never had a man made me so wet, warm, and tender at the same time. When I gathered myself, I took a deep breath.
“I have a confession.” I spoke the words softly.
“Another one? What is it this time?”
There it was again, the mixture of humor and tenderness that made me want to hop in my car and slide over the slick roads to get up in Amari’s space right now.
“I thought about what it might mean if I got pregnant last night.”
“And?”
“At first, I thought about how I’m a role model for young people who need to learn how to become responsible adults. I try to practice what I preach so my kids can be upstanding citizens.” I paused.
“What are you saying? Make it plain, sweetheart.”
“That I wouldn’t mind being pregnant with your child. In fact, I’d like it a lot. Does that make me irresponsible? Or a hypocrite?” I word vomited and shut my eyes tightly, awaiting Amari’s response.
“Not at all. It means that we’re on the same page. If it hadn’t been for the storm, we might not have ever sat down tofigure this out. Everything happened as it was supposed to, even us having unprotected sex. If we made a baby last night, that baby is supposed to be our Christmas miracle. We’ll love them together and flow with what happens after that.”
“I’m kind of scared about all this.”
“I get it, but I’ve got you. No matter what you choose, I’ll be by your side.”
“Thank you.” I held back tears as the reality of Amari’s words settled in me.
“Ruby?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t wait to see you again.”
“It feels good to be seen.”
Chapter
