I felt stupid. It showed that I didn’t know Jah after all. What we had was sexual, and we still had a lot to learn about each other. Once I cleared the room, I went downstairs and rushed to get the decorations down and in the outside trash can. I looked at the breakfast that I had set up and started throwing it away.
“Tatiyonna,” Jah said softly behind me.
“Yes?” I said as I continued to wash the dishes.
“Thank you.”
“Jah, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” I kept my back to him.
“Turn around and look at me, Tatiyonna.”
I couldn’t for the life of me look at that man. Letting the dish water out, I attempted to clean the sink when he forced me to turn around.
“You didn’t know, and it’s my fault for not telling you. I see that birthdays are important to you. They were important to my mama, too. If she were here and met you, this whole house would look like a damn parade,” we shared a laugh. “I usually just take this time and go give her some fresh flowers and clean her and my sister’s gravesite off. You want to come with me? Then we can grab something to eat since you threw my damn food away.”
“Yes, I’ll go with you.”
I hadn't been to a graveyard since we buried my mama. It was hard going to see her because I was young when she was taken from me. Jah grabbed my hand as we walked up to his mama and sister’s burial site. I stood back as he kneeled and placed the flowers down. He then placed the other flowers on his sister’s grave.
“Happy birthday, ma,” Jah said. “This is her, ma, and Miranda. This is Tatiyonna. I know if y’all were here, you would love her just as much as I do. And man, the twins,” he stopped and sniffled. “The twins love her. I get a little jealous sometimes because they’re always asking for her when she’s not around. Miranda, she has taught the twins so much. They would talk your ears off if you were here. I’ll never let them forget you, sis. I love you both.”
Standing here listening to Jah broke my heart. The love he had for his family was refreshing. I wrapped my arms around him and laid my head on his back to let him know I was here.
“This is how I spend my birthdays, but for you, I’m willing to change it. I’ll be better next year, I promise.”
“No, if this is what you do, then I respect it.”
“Tatiyonna, I said, for you I’ll change. Now come on, I’m hungry.”
We made it in time to enjoy brunch. I was in need of a mimosa after how my day started.
“How are you feeling about sitting down with him tomorrow? Do you feel like he’s going to agree and sign?” Jah asked.
“I believe he will. I was actually nicer than I wanted to be.”
I agree to let him have what he took out of our shared accounts. The house was out of the question, and he had to pay me for all the valuables removed from my house. I didn’t care about the money, because he was going to need it. The house that he and Siya lived in was in his name and I used that in the case as well. I requested that it be turned over to me since it was purchased during our marriage. The only thing he could argue about is the damn house, but if his lawyer was smart, he would tell him to let it go.
“You’re leaving that nigga with nothing but some money. I hope he uses it wisely.”
“He still has his business firm,” replied.
“Yeah, he does, but when he can’t do business with me, he’s going to spend a lot more money hauling in concrete from another company. As a matter of fact, who was he using before me?”
“I honestly don’t know. I didn’t get in his business like he used to be in mine. He was always trying to clock what I was bringing in. It wasn’t my business what he was doing. I was confident he was handling his shit. But from his financials that were submitted, his company isn’t doing that great. If he gets the right contract, he’ll be okay.”
“I don’t give a fuck either way. Just come home after this shit as a divorced woman so I can kiss all on my wife’s pussy.”
“I got you, baby.” I blew him a kiss.
The next day, I woke up to Jah planting kisses all over my face.
“Good morning, beautiful. I want you to get your fine ass up, eat this breakfast I cooked, and put your best fucking business suit on. I want you to look so muthafuckin’ that you turn everybody’s head at the courthouse. Let that fuck nigga know he lost a real diamond. Because you’re the one, baby. You are the fucking prize, my love.”
Two hours later, my lawyer and I walked in the conference room where Kileen and his lawyer were waiting. My lawyer pulled my chair out for me, and I took a seat. Yes, Jah told me to make sure I looked good as fuck when I walked in. He wanted Kileen to see what he lost. Not going to lie, I was really feeling down in the dumps until Jah spoke life into me this morning.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Good morning, Mrs. McGhee,” Kileen’s lawyer spoke.
