“And what about the girls?” she says, verbalizing the one thing that plagues me.
My babies. My heartbeats. My world.
My mom never paraded different men around me. In my entire life, I only met two and both of them were long-term relationships that didn’t happen until I was in junior high. I’ve done the same with my girls, and since I’ve been single, it hasn’t been an issue. Technically, I’m still single but Xai and I are building a relationship. I want him around and being around means meeting my girls. They’ve already been hurt by their father; I refuse to introduce another man who might leave and hurt them again.Hell, even hurt me.
“I’m scared,” I blurt, putting words to my fear.
“That’s natural, friend. They’re your babies. I get it. But you can’t let fear block your happiness. From what I already know, Xai is nothing like Rush.”
Nothing.
“He’s employed, has his own everything, and is sweet as hell to you. I’ve been married four years and bae doesn’t bring me lunch every day.”
“Don’t do Chad like that. He worships you.”
“You’re missing the damn point. Xai does that for you; men don’t do that unless they are all in. Hell, didn’t he even buy them the pizzas they like from Leonardo’s?”
“Yes. He ordered them last Friday when I got off after I told him I was too tired to cook.”
“See. He’s a keeper and you like him. Let that man meet them. But that’s just my two cents. The decision is truly yours. I got your back either way.”
“I know you do. That’s why I love you.”
“I love you too. Now drink that damn Coochie Juice.”
“I finished that jar and I’m closing the lid on the last batch for the morning. I swear it better work.”
“It will.”
“Music Fest,” she says out of nowhere.
“What bitch?” I question, confused as hell.
“Music Fest,” she repeats with a titter. “I was on Skroll. There’s a music festival happening the last Saturday of this month. We can go on a couples’ date.”
“And who’s going to keep the girls? All three of them?”
“My momma. She would love to.”
“Aww. They would love to see her too. Maybe. I can’t ask him about a couples’ date and we aren’t a couple.”
“Bitch, please. Giving up the coochie means you are a couple,” she says and I hear loud, healthy lungs in the background.
“Is that my baby?” I ask.
“Screaming like that? Yes, and you can have her,” she jokes. “Let me grab my pooh. Call me after tomorrow,” she says.
“I will. Good night.”
“Good night.”
While placing the jar in the fridge, I grab a mini bottle of water and the rest of the fresh pineapple chunks. I sprinkle a little cinnamon on them then walk out of the kitchen. I give my spotless living room a final look and head to my room. Today, after dinner, I cleaned like a maniac. In reality, my house isalways spotless but my nerves had me vacuuming, scrubbing, and dusting.
On the way to my room, I check on the girls. They are both knocked out but their silent, rotating mermaid nightlight has another eight minutes on the timer. I leave it set then head to my room.
I’m tired but anxious and excited about tomorrow. Sleep is the last thing on my mind. I power on the TV, pop a pineapple chunk into my mouth, then look up the Music Festival. It’s being held at the amphitheater, sponsored by Sound Beatz. It looks like a good time. Yara and Sol are performing and it’s headlined by my favorite rapper, A’so. I definitely wouldn’t mind going.
In the midst of looking at the festival info, a text comes from Xai.
