She sighed because she knew she had no wins in this argument, so she gave in.
“Okay,” she complied.
“I’ve got this thing tonight,” he said.“A company Christmas thing. It’s kind of a big deal. We do it every year. I’ve got to be upfront with you about something.”
She tensed, and he leaned into her.“Thisain’t no bullshit, E, you don’t got to brace yourself. I’m bringing it to you because I want you to tell me how you’re comfortable with me handling it. If I was on some bullshit, I wouldn’t even tell you.”
“Why am I not liking how this is starting?” she asked.
“I invited Tisa to my company Christmas party before I met you. I can uninvite her, but I think it would land a lot better if I handled her with some grace. For the sake of us, my son, and her, I think honoring the invitation is better than pulling the rug from under her feet. I can tell her it’s over tonight, after the event.”
“You’re telling me you’re going on a date with your baby mama?” she asked.
“I’m asking you to let me keep my word so that I can keep a civil relationship with the woman I raise a child with,” he stated.“I’lllet her know before I drop her off that it’s over, but I want to handle this as respectfully as possible.”
“Okay,” she whispered unsurely. She didn’t love it, but what could she say? He was raising a whole human with this woman. His intentions seemed pure, but she wondered if she was playing the fool.
He could see her overthinking, and he feathered her arm with one finger.“Why don’t you and your homegirls get dressed up and come? I can put you on the list at your own table. Cassidy’s supposed to pull up.”
“Yeah, okay,” she said, forcing a smile. She didn’t want to start a situation with him with insecurity in her heart.If he was on bullshit, he just wouldn’t have told you. Girl, relax,she thought.“Why not?” she answered aloud. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and removed a platinum American Express.“For whatever you and your girls need to get ready. The keys to my Benz are hanging by the door. I’llhave a driver arrange to pick you up for the party. I take it you’re leaving from Bishop’s?” he asked.
“Yeah, probably so,” she answered.
“It starts at eight o’clock. I’llhave the car come at around 7:30,” he said.
Already she was forcing smiles and going along with shit she wasn’t comfortable with. She didn’t want to be the woman who let her past relationship influence her present one, but she had trust issues. She didn’t expect a man Loyal’s age to be completely available. A man with kids just came with the territory after you hit 35, but it was never easy to handle. She knew that seeing him with Tisa tonight would tell her all she needed to know about what she was dealing with.
“What are you doing here, Dr. Martin? I thought you were out on vacation?”
Sloan looked up from her desk and gave a polite smile because her nurses were used to her being polite.
“I’m just catching up on some work. That’s all,” she replied. All Sloan knew was work. It was how she coped with everything. Science was something that had never failed her. It was predictable. It was dependable. It was black and white. When the world confused her. When stress wore her down. When her emotions were out of control, she indulged in the beauty of science, her work, and her life’s mission. She was working on her next medical trial. She wanted to eradicate fibroids in women, especially Black women, and she knew it would take hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of research. It was the perfect distraction from the pain she felt. It didn’t cure the loneliness, but it left little room to dwell on it. Her job was the one area in her life where she excelled. It was the one thing that no one could sabotage. Her accomplishments were vast, and when the world went to hell around her, she found solace in helping other women. Whether she was delivering babies, counseling, and educating young girls, or contributing to the evolution of reproductive medicine, it all made her feel like she had a purpose. People failed her every time. Science never did.
“Any big Christmas plans?” her nurse asked.
“No, no plans. Just work,” Sloan answered.“Can you close the door, please?”
Friendsmas break was supposed to be fun. It was supposed to be a reunion filled with love and laughter. She hadn’t foreseen the heartbreak that had come along with it. She didn’t know if Cassidy had tried to call or not because she had blocked him. She knew it was for the best. She just couldn’t understand why she couldn’t stop herself from aching inside. She knew that she would have to come clean to Ellie one day. There was no way she could keep this a secret from her now that Courtney and Shy knew. She prayed that Ellie didn’t overreact. The last thing she wanted to do was fall out with her best friend. Ellie had always had a“don’t even think about it” mentality when it came to Cassidy. Sloan had broken that rule, and she knew that it would come to light eventually.
Her phone rang, and a foreign number popped up on her phone. She didn’t want any distractions, so she silenced it and continued working. When the same number called her right back, she frowned in irritation. She hated when people called her back-to-back like that, and she answered it with every intention to put someone in their place. Whoever it was didn’t respect the boundary of voicemail; they were imposing themselves on her time, and it pissed Sloan clean off.
“Dr. Martin; how can I help you?” Sloan answered while scrolling down the laptop as she read the article in front of her.
“Auntie Sloan, can you come get me, please?”
Sloan gave the phone her full attention as she picked it up and took it off speakerphone.
“Brooklyn? Is everything okay? Where are you?” Sloan asked. It wasn’t uncharacteristic for Brooklyn to call Sloan. Sloan was her Godmother. Despite their physical distance, Sloan made sure to impact her life in a positive way. They spoke every week, twice a week, no matter what, and it was a ritual they had done ever since she was born. Before Brooklyn could even talk, Sloan would be cooing to Ellie over the phone and flying in once a month for visits. Their bond was strong, but this phone call felt odd, considering she was supposed to be spending time with her dad.
“I’m at my dad’s, but I really want to come home,” Brooklyn said.“I want to call my mom, but he won’t let me.”
“What do you mean he won’t let you?” Sloan asked, her voice elevating as instant anger built in her chest.
“He took my phone because he says I’m ungrateful, and when I asked to go home, he said no. My mom must have his number blocked because my calls won’t go through from his phone. This is his phone I’m calling you from.”
“And you have to sneak to call me?” Sloan asked. She was already gathering her things.
“I just want to come home, Auntie. He hasn’t even spent any time with me. He works all day and leaves me here with his girlfriend. She doesn’t say two words to me. I don’t even think she wants me here. I feel uncomfortable, Auntie Sloan. Plus, there’s no room. I’m sleeping on the couch because her brother is staying here, and he was in the guest room first, and the other room is being used for storage. She said it didn’t make sense for him to give up his room for someone who is only staying a week. Can you please just call my mom for me?”
