He shrugged. “True, but Coach don’t know that yet. You had that man stressed for no reason.”
“Whatever. Speaking of Kilo, . . . a lot has changed in the past couple of months. Are you sure you’re good with everything?”
“Change is good, Ma. I’m excited.”
“You sure?”
“I’m positive. I’ve waited a long time to see you genuinely happy. Don’t worry about me.”
He kissed my cheek again and began cleaning up the small mess he’d made in the kitchen. I quietly left, pondering his last words. I didn’t think I’d been unhappy all this time, but maybe Nyeem saw something I didn’t see.
I thought about our conversation on the whole ride to campus, and when I started my workout, it was still on my mind. I put on my headphones, did a lap to warm up, and stretched in the middle of the endzone.
A few minutes later, after sprinting down and back a few times, I went to my bag to get my water bottle. As I squatted near my bag, I saw feet approaching me, and I knew who it was before he spoke.
“Nyomi, what the hell are you doing?” Kilo asked.
“What does it look like?”
“Should you be doing this? I don’t remember you clearing this with the doctor.”
I stood and put my hands on my hips.
“You think women stop working out because they’re pregnant?”
“Of course not, but do you have to work out like you’re training for the Olympics?”
“You’re exaggerating. I don’t know how many mornings I'll wake up and feel like myself, so I have to take advantage.”
He pulled out his phone, and his finger swiped over the screen. When the phone began ringing, he put it on speaker and held it so that we could both hear.
“Dr. Jordan’s office, Angie speaking,” the woman answered.
“Hello, Angie. Can I speak to Dr. Jordan?”
“He’s with a patient right now. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Is Nurse Jordan available?”
“Yes, sir. Hold please.”
As soon as she put us on hold, I began fussing.
“What are you doing?”
“I need to find out if it’s okay for you to be doing this.”
“Oh my God, Kilo. You’re ridiculous. You do realize I have a whole eighteen-year-old at home. I know what I’m doing.”
“This is Nurse Jordan. How can I help you?”
“Hi. I don’t know if you remember me, but this is Kilo. My lady and I were?—”
“You were with Miss Kurrie. I remember you. Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine, but I have a question.”
“I’m listening.”
