“$525,000.”
Irish nodded, quickly calculating in her head if she could afford it. Her finances were great thanks to her clothing brand and Jovanis’ allowances, but she did have a little one on the way and wanted to make good financial decisions.
“Don't forget this is a gated community and you do have access to all the amenities like the pool, clubhouse, and fitness center,” the agent added.
“Is there an HOA fee?”
The tall woman nodded. “Yes, but it’s only $216 a month.”
“Please say yes, sis.” Ivory crossed her fingers. “It’s close to the university and the warehouse is like ten minutes away.”
“We have more to look at, Ivory, chill.” Irish tittered.
“I know but this one feels like home. I’ll even help pay the mortgage.”
“Girl.” Irish sucked her teeth. “You're not paying anything. I got it.”
“Uh oh, am I sensing a little sibling tussle coming on?” the agent joked.
“No, but can you give us a minute?”
“Sure, I’ll be outside.”
Her high heels echoed throughout the empty space until the door shut. Irish peered at Ivory and inhaled a deep breath.
“This is a big step for me. I’ve never lived without Jovanis. I can’t lie, a part of me is scared but then I’m looking forward to my future.”
That took much for Irish to reveal. Taking a leap of faith without her lifeguard, Jovanis, by her side was nerve wrecking. However, she had a man willing to catch her wherever she fell and Irish was relieved by that fact.
“But it’s time. You guys aren’t even in love anymore.” Ivory shrugged.
Irish envied her naïve nature. She had no clue of how complicated love was or how making hard decision sometimes was a guaranteed way to hurt someone.
“Oh, Mama called again. Said something about her needing some money, so I dropped off some. I got it from the emergency stash.”
Irish’s nose scrunched. “Don't give her anything. I don't need you trying to save her ass. She will be fine until next week. I give her more than enough to live off once a month.”
“But she said she ran out of her medicine,” Ivory explained.
“She ran out because she’s taking more than prescribed. I know how to handle her, and you don't. She’ll try to guilt you into doing what she wants so don't fall for her shit. Whatever she needs has to go through me. You got it?”
“Geez, when did you become so damn mean to me?” Ivory rolled her eyes and walked toward the window.
Irish’s grimace softened. Life was beating her ass right now. She was married to a gay man and in love with a king, who had gotten her pregnant. Irish didn’t have time to be in her soft nature at the moment. Too many occurrences were happening in her life to be meek.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come at you like that. It’s just… Daisy likes to play games, and I don't want her to do that to you.”
Ivory turned toward her. “Look, I know Mama left you to raise me after my father passed away. I know she didn’t offer any support to you, but why do you hate her?”
Irish cleared her throat, feeling nausea gather in her stomach. Ivory was only aware of the soft parts of her story. The kind that were able to be easily digested. She didn’t know how Daisy hadn’t protected her from Emanuel and how he had sold her out to turn a profit. Irish never wanted to bleed on Ivory so she shielded her from the truth.
“She didn’t offer me any assistance with you,” she halfway lied.
“I get that but it’s like you hate her and I don't think that warrants it. Like there has to be something else, Irish.”
There's so much that you're not aware of…
Irish wasn’t ready for that conversation. Between her woes with Jovanis and trying to figure out life after him, she didn’t have the emotional capacity to nurse Ivory. Irish’s story would indeed break her.
