Scoffing, I smiled. “You and me will never have the same dick. Not even if it’s on the same nigga. Please know that we are very different, Asia. The dick he gives you is not the same dick he gave me. We don’t share the same experience. Hopefully your bird ass brain can comprehend that concept.”
I straightened my spine.
“Furthermore, there’s nothing a man could ever say or do to have me at the door of a woman he’s fucking. This is beyond Ishmael and I. I have a job to do. Unfortunately, you and your drunk fetus are part of that job. Now, to the bathroom. I won’t ask again.”
Her feet began to move. Her mouth stopped moving. I followed her into the guest bathroom. She pulled the door closed behind her.
“Not today, love.”
I pushed the door open, handing her the test. With a roll of her eyes, she grabbed the stick and uncapped it. She laid it on the counter and pulled her pants down.
I admired my frame in the full-sized mirror as she followed instructions. The pain of my heart hadn’t reached my eyes. The lines in my forehead settled as I relaxed my facial muscles.
My mascara coated lashes were flourishing. The chocolate ends of the hair I wore matched perfectly with the chocolate leggings and top I’d traded my skirt and button down for. Clear gloss made my lips glisten.
Range’s features were so prominent on my face. Sometimes, I felt like it was her I favored most. Other days, it was Rather I felt I resembled most. Every so often, Roaman was the winner. But, Rhea and Richie were the true champions. They’d meshed well together, making seven versions of the same daughter.
The five foot stature pushed past me. Before she was able to cross the threshold, a hand was around her arm, pulling her back inside.
“Wash your hands,Ms. Bacteria.”
Asia squirted soap onto her hands from the dispenser. She twisted the knobs on the sink and ran her soapy hands underneath the water. She dried them with the hand towel on the wall.
I guess that wasn’t for decoration.
She tried smoothing the wrinkles. She managed to pull the towel from the rack in the process. Frustrated, she folded it up and tried replacing it.
Or. I tilted my head, trying to make sense of her misfortune.Maybe it is for decoration.
Baffled, I released the air from my lungs.
Asia disabled the water. She turned to leave. Her departure wouldn’t be allowed. I wanted eyes on her at all times until we got to the bottom of this situation.
Ishmael was days away from the biggest fight of his life. Strays were hitting him left and right. He needed a victory. I would ensure he received that before the biggest night of his life.
“One more minute.”
Her arms folded over her chest. She pressed her back against the wall. Her body was quivering. She couldn’t keep her hands steady. Her nervous system was under attack.
“Is there anything you care to tell me, Asia?”
Silence.
“Suits me.”
I smoothed the invisible wrinkles from my shirt. Asia’s foot tapped against the tile anxiously. Time was on my side. I was in no hurry.
Still, I was curious of the test results. I stepped closer to the sink, peering down at the window that would determine our fate.
Not Pregnant.
My suspicions were confirmed.
“A Black man is willing to carry Berkeley on his back and halt the destruction of a city that carries so much of Huffington’s history–” I paused, kissing the skin of my teeth.
“And, you’re willing to help destroy him, his credibility, and his chance at being Mayor for what, Asia?”
Silence.
