Andrew almost choked on his swig of water. Emani snapped her head toward, Jahlil who dropped his head.
“I told you,” Emani mouthed.
“We weren’t kissin’,” Jahlil stated. “We were moving the bed.”
“Well, you can move the bed without all of that noise,” Sanaa muttered. “Mani, are you going to be here when I get home from school?”
“I will. Remember you said we’re making ghettis and meatballs?” Emani asked, using Sanaa’s words.
“I have to make sure. You come trying to trick me,” Sanaa stated with her hand on her waist. “I don’t like being tricked. My old mommy tricked me. Said she was coming back and never came back. So no tricks.”
Emani moved over and squatted down to her level. “I promise, no tricks. And if you have a great first day, we’ll go get ice cream before your dad’s game tomorrow.”
“Oh yeah,” she buzzed, dancing and wiggling past Emani. “Come on niggas, I got good things to do.”
“Naa,” Jahlil called, making her stop and huff.
“I mean come on daddy and butthole,” Sanaa corrected, cutting Andrew a look.
Andrew pretended to run after her, making Sanaa take off toward the garage. “See you, E.”
Emani hugged him. “Good choices today?”
“Always,” Andrew promised before he was out the door behind Sanaa, picking her up and putting her inside the car. His laughter fusing with Sanaa’s fit of giggles.
“You’re good at this,” Jahlil encouraged, kissing her lips. “Relax, aight?”
“I’ll try. See you.”
“Not if I see you first, Rose.”
33 /EMANI
“In how manyways has that man folded you up that your hair is matted like this?” Derrick asked detangling Emani’s tresses.
Emani sat in the plush chair of her new beauty room in need of organizing, with her eyes closed and body relaxed. The candle that the masseuse left to calm her mind was still burning in the corner and she welcomed the aroma in her nostrils.
“Between fighting and getting folded, the hair was the last thing on my mind. Plus, my first night, I didn’t have a bonnet. It was a lot.”
“I understand. How are you feeling? Malik has been so quiet online, Sandi and Joanna too. Even Janet has shut the fuck up,” Derrick stated, filling her in. “I’m just mad you cut that check for that little boy.”
“It’s not his fault his parents are trash ass human beings. I made a promise and I don’t go back on my word. If she wants to have another kid by a man that can’t pay rent or anything else, that’s on her.”
Derrick cackled. “You know I’m still gagged that you were paying yourself your lease. How you keep that from him?”
“Like I kept everything else, can’t be stupid and settle. I’ve done both before.”
Derrick hummed. “Well, now you got your man back. Outside of the massage and aroma therapy, you feel lighter. You haven’t felt like this ever and how long have I known you? You’re home.”
Emani smiled and then it faded. “I just hope I can stay home and not have to be made an example of.”
“Oh, girl!” Donnée blew as she walked into the room dropping her bag down on the dresser across from where Emani sat. “Jahlil is being cheap and not having anyone put this room together?”
“No, he wanted it all done up and I told him I’d do it. I’m not doing anything but sitting here, I can hang some clothes up. What’s up, you look good.”
Donnée smiled. “I know. I just left court for your preliminary hearing.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Emani huffed, covering her face. “They’re going to send me to jail aren’t they?”
