Food drove away any ill feelings she had at the moment. Whatever she was mad about got overlooked until she finished her meal. The saying of “don’t mess with a pregnant woman’s food” held weight.
Journei pulled up to me ten minutes later with an attitude straight from the pits. The strut in her walk said somethin’ or someone ticked her off. A hug, kiss, or even a wave would’ve been better than what she did once reaching me.
Wiping the blood from my lip, I spit out what seeped into my mouth. I wanted her to explain to me why I deserved to be punched in the face like I did somethin’ to her.
“You can get off however you choose, but don’t put your hands on me no more, mama. Now, what’s the problem?”
“Tell Diego and Kégo I’m sorry for their loss ’cause I’m guttin’ Galleria like a fish when I see her!” she screamed then threw a piece of paper at my chest.
An audience was gained, and that made me vexed. The only time I wanted eyes on me was while I stood in the pulpit, not while my lady yelled and disrespected me in a public setting. I found that embarrassing on so many levels.
“Mama, calm down, and te–”
“Fuck calmin’ down. What? You tryna save the bitch or somethin’? Let me find out that hoe’s life is more valuable than me and your son!” Her words were still being yelled, and I was over the shout fest she wanted to have.
I stepped around her and proceeded to walk off, leaving her standing to herself. I could put up with a lot of things, but that wasn’t one of them. I didn’t appreciate her coming at me like a child because I was far from one.
Each step I took, she matched with one of her own. I was exasperated, and her best bet was to leave me be. Journei was still learning me, but even the dumbest person knew when to back off.
Finally reaching my car, I opened it and threw the words, “Go feed my son,” over my shoulder as I got in. She was perturbed, and for some reason, it felt like I was the cause of it.
Her words were ignored from the second my door shut. I cranked my Tesla up, then pulled out the space I occupied temporarily, making sure not to run over her feet.
I refused to stay around that type of energy. Hades would show his head quicker than I wanted if I did.
That made the tenth call I screened from Journei and the third voicemail she had left since I pulled away from Chips.
The first two messages, she had yet to calm down, so I dreaded on hearing what her words were this go-round.
I had no clue as to why she was so upset. All that yelling she did, she still failed to explain what Galleria said to her. Calling Galleria was an option, but then again, that probably would cause more problems.
A few hours had passed by since the incident between me and mama. I didn’t like being at odds with anyone, especially those I loved. Time alone was all I needed.
I knew Journei was goin’ back to my condo. She probably thought that was where I was goin’ when I left her at Chips. Truth was, I went to my parents’ gravesite.
Their presence was wanted now more than ever. My father was levelheaded, so he would understand my frustration, while my mother would probably have her foot on my neck ’bout leaving mama alone and pregnant.
I sat on the bench in the cemetery and watched the mother of my son cry in the middle of the bed we shared. There were cameras in my condo, so I had access to her for now.
I contemplated on whether goin’ home was the move. Her actions earlier were immature, but forgiving, however, I didn’t think I was ready for. Sometimes we had to shut up to hear others speak, and she gave me no room to do so.
Maybe we were movin’ too fast, and time apart could do us some good. I booked a hotel a few buildings down from my crib, so I was in close range if she needed me.
I loved mama, but what happened today couldn’t happen again. I was a firm believer in keepin’ personal issues hidden. What was happenin’ between us wasn’t for the world to see. That was how rumors got started.
Pullin’ out my phone, I sent a text to Journei for her to feed my son.
Mama: Fuck you. You want him to eat so bad, you feed him.
Me: Apple Pay $100.
Mama: Wow. He ain’t even here yet and this how you do him. Feed him when you get here, smartass.
Me: Get some rest and don’t stress my son out.
With that, I ended the conversation. Whatever she had to say would go unread. She was twenty-six with a child on the way and was goin’ to start acting like it whether she wanted to or not.
I gave my parents another hour of my time, replacing their flowers before I parted ways. I found the most peace being there. The dead might’ve made some uneasy, but they soothed me.
