“Exactly. What East wants you to understand is that he’s processing and dealing in a way that’s necessary for him. If you try to carry his load, you’re right back where we started. Trust him to be responsible for his feelings and actions.”
That was a tall order. For years, Priscilla lived with the darkness of her past and carried the guilt of hiding it from her son. Now that he knew, she carried the guilt of knowing that she allowed it to….
It’s not my fault. It was never my fault.
“I trust you.”
“Good. Keep doing so and you’ll be just fine.” Dr. Abbot smiled at Priscilla, knowing she was still battling her demons but also satisfied that she was in a much better place than she had been a year ago when the two first met.
“Well, that’s our time. Priscilla, I will see you next week, and Eastland, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
He stood along with his mother. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for her.”
“Doing. It’s a continuous process but she’s doing the work.” Abbot smiled, causing East to nod again. “And I would be happy to see you as well if needed.”
Priscilla glanced at her son, who only laughed arrogantly. “If I decide I can no longer control the urge to catch that flight, then I might take you up on that offer.”
Dr. Abbot tensed slightly at the thought but managed to force a smile and extend a hand to East.
“If that day comes, then I will be here.”
Priscilla set her next appointment and the two left her office. East was happy that his mother was in a much better place but was also ready to get back to his life. She had her coping methods and he had his.Joi.
“Damn,it’s packed in here. We need a bigger spot.” Chuck looked around the room, which was filled to capacity. Every table was crowded with men and women who were either up or down on their balances pending their skills.
“Nah, this is good like it is. You fuck up the history if you try to change it.” East tapped the table, signaling for the dealer to give him a card.
“Bad move.” Chuck was behind him and had seen the two cards East was holding. He smirked, waiting to see what the dealer would add to the right of diamonds and eight of spades East was sitting on.
“Same thing I was thinking but I’ve learned to trust him.” A smile stretched across East’s face as Chuck stepped out the way to leave. Joi eased into her man’s lap but she wasn’t alone. Their three month old son was in her arms, resting peacefully against her chest.
After greeting Joi with a kiss on the neck, East kissed the top of their son’s head.
“Why you just getting here?”
“My last appointment was at eight.”
East flexed his jaw, angling his head enough to meet Joi’s eyes. Her business had picked up a lot, and he was happy for her,but he wasn’t feeling the late appointments. Especially not when she had their son.
“Stop looking at me like that. It was a special request and we had eyes on us.”
“Cameras can’t do shit if someone runs up in there, Joi. What I tell you about that?”
“But I could. They were straight.” Vega walked up with Nyelle tucked under him and dapped East.
“I told Ny to wait, but we fly out in the morning and she had to get them damn Lamb Chops put on her eyes.” Vega chuckled and Nyelle rolled her eyes at the reference to her lashes.
“Don’t do me. Mine have a natural look and feel to them.”
“Keep talking about my work and watch what I do,” Joi added.
“Y’all heading out again? Didn’t you just get back?”
“It’s business. Nick’s with his sperm donor babysitter, so we’re about to make a quick trip to New York to check on my club.”
Nyelle rolled her eyes at Vega calling Reese a sperm donor babysitter, even if it was true. He had gotten better at spending time with Nick but lately Vega was more of a father to Nick than Reese. When Nick spent time with his father, Reese would just take him to do a bunch of stuff, trying to outdo the things he knew Vega was doing. It was childish but Nyelle was just happy Nick got to spend time with him.
“We’re trying to get in as many trips as we can before he gets here.” Nyelle rubbed her stomach, causing Vega’s smile to stretch wide. She was halfway there with her pregnancy and he couldn’t wait to meet his firstborn.
