Hopefully I'll know something by New Year's. A baby would be a great thing to toast to.
21
Raya
I don’t understand why I’m still spotting.
The day after New Year’s, I made an appointment with my OBGYN. I decided I'm gonna get a full std panel, because whenever your pussy gets to acting funny, it’s almost always because of foreign interference—either cancer or a man with a dirty dick.
I’m still not entirely sure whether or not Ace fucked that fabulous bitch, but I have bigger fish to fry at the moment.
I just registered for spring semester, then I emailed Professor Higgins about my grade. I’m not taking this shit lying down. I’m supposed to have an A in that class, and I’m gonna get one. I don’t care what I have to do.
The bitch better email me back soon, or she's next on my list.
22
Ace
Dayton’s nervous.
I guess that’s normal on your wedding day. Hell, I was nervous, too, although probably for very different reasons.
The groomsmen are all gathered in one of the hospitality suites at Dante's parents' church. Just waiting for the festivities to begin.
“Here you go, fellas.”
Dante, Dayton’s older brother and best man, hands all the groomsmen glasses of Jack Daniels. He said it’s a tradition in his family, starting with him, so we all have to do it.
“I’m proud of you, Day,” he begins. “You got a good one.”
We all agree, then we drink.
“Aye, why you so nervous?” Bron asks, which makes me laugh.
“Just jittery," Dayton explains. "I ain’t havin’ second thoughts, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Nah. You just seem like you on edge.”
“I am. Just the excitement of the day.”
“He’s fine,” Dante insists. “It’s normal. If y’all old ass niggas would get married and sit down somewhere, you might have some insight.”
Dayton laughs, then looks over at me.
“Yeah I agree,” I tell him. “Once you get out there and see her coming to you in that white dress, you’ll forget everything else.”
“I’ma give you my married man advice,” Dante says. “Fourteen years in, so that makes me an expert.”
“Here this nigga go,” Day says with an eyeroll.
“Nah, listen. This is good. I was just gonna say, to be a good husband, you gotta bring death to your ego. Cuz she gon’ be right sometimes. Actually, she gon’ be right most of the time. You gotta be mature enough to learn from her. It ain’t a contest. She’s your partner, not your opp.”
We raise a glass to that.
Dante’s battle-tested. He got a wife, a mortgage, kids, and a lawn he gotta mow. That’s what authority is made of.
“Ace, you up," he says.
