Karim laughed, rubbing my head resting on her abdomen. “You’re overthinking it, baby, I promise.”
“What do you mean?” I hugged her tighter, waiting for an answer.
“This is nothing a quick Amazoncart won’t knock out. You shouldn’t be worried about what you’re buying them but instead what you’re buying me. I already started my cart for Romance. I was just trying to see what else she was into. Nephews are easy, you just get them action figures, Legos, and anything that seems boyish.”
Her revelation that she had already started a cart for Romance made my heart heavy. I’d brought a child to our union and I knew how Karim was. From the moment she met my daughter, she had taken her on as hers, but the last thing I wanted was for her to feel obligated. I had thought about that a few times, but Karim wasn’t the obligated type. She did from her heart regardless. I could see the love she had for my daughter. It was the love Ro’s own mother didn’t even have for her.
“Stop overthinking, Reminisce. Christmas isn’t that close. We have time. Now tell me what you want for Christmas?”
“I’on want shit. I already have everything I need.” I kissed her abdomen through the T-shirt fabric before closing my eyes. “What do you want for Christmas?”
“Umm. I don’t know, surprise me, and you better make it good.”
“Make it good,” I repeated, feeling myself slipping into a much-needed sleep.
The next morning, when I opened my eyes, it was completely quiet. No Alexa in the kitchen, and most of all, no toddler’s feet running back and forth barefoot after being told several times to put some shoes on. It was quiet and still, something I was no longer used to.
Karim had something to do with her mother this morning, so she’d taken Romance with her, leaving me to overthink about this Christmas shit. At this point we were about three weeks from Christmas and I hadn’t bought shit, not even shit for Karim.
“Yo, you called me at the top of the fucking morning for what?” G asked, pushing one cart while I pushed the other. “How come you didn’t tell me this was why you called? I leave the shopping to Bey. I would’ve told your ass that and rolled back over to sleep.”
I laughed. “Well, we’re fucking here. Now what am I supposed to buy?”
G laughed. “Everything except a couple things. I’m tryna be uncle of the year, so leave some things in this aisle for me to get.”
I stared at the toys confused. I had a million fucking questions. Like was I supposed to buy the Vet Barbie or shorty who looked like she was missing some pieces? Then why in the fuck was the doll of color more expensive with less pieces? This shit was too much and I was seconds from calling Rim, but shit, I hadn’t even told her I was doing this, partially because I also intended on getting her gift too.
“Yo, isn’t she too young for this shit? It has small pieces and she’s three. Shouldn’t we be on the other side?
“You right, you right. Lemme just grab this.” I stepped forward and grabbed the doll with the big ass head before throwing it into the cart.
“Yo, get her the baby with the stroller too?” G pointed out.
“For what? She’s a fucking baby. I ain’t promoting that shit. You think she’ll fuck with this cooking set? She likes to help Rim in the kitchen.”
He didn’t respond right away, too busy laughing like I’d said something funny. “So, yeen tryna get her the baby and stroller,but you’ll buy this cooking set? Really, nigga. Make it make sense.”
“Damn, shit, you right. She’s about to get this Leap Frog shit.” I went for everything that seemed to promote learning. Of course, G’s goofy ass went for a bunch of pink shit, but I didn’t much mind. He was help.
We spent too much time in the store just grabbing shit, but I felt like I’d gotten everything. I had not only taken care of my child, but the host of nieces and nephews I had acquired through marriage and plain old immediate family. Unc went all out this year. Now it was up to Karim to wrap all this shit, ’cause nah I wasn’t up for that.
“You got the kids out of the way, but you’re missing a couple things, partner,” G said coolly as we pulled away from the store.
“Like what?” He had me fully confused.
“You got a tree? What did you get Karim?”
“Took care of that shit morning. Renny knows somebody who will come and decorate the tree and shit for me. One of those hoes that used to work at the club is now some type of holiday decorator. She did the club theme for him. She’s gonna meet me at Rim’s when I’m done here and handle that.”
G nodded. “And finally, what did you get your wife?”
I laughed. “We’re about to go see that right now. This is a win-win for both of us though.” I felt G’s eyes on me as I finished speaking.
“I’m waiting, nigga.”
“You know how long it’s been since I drove my own truck, like I mea—” The ringing of G’s phone and mine simultaneously broke my statement. That only meant one thing. Somebody was calling the family group chat. I hated that Jade had set that shit up, because though informative, it also annoying as fuck.
He answered because I was driving and felt no need since we were in the same damn car.
