“Thought ya ass was drownin’ in that bitch or some shit.” He chuckled, handing me the items in his hands. “The shit was good as fuck, but I know I’m gon’ regret that greasy shit later,” he held his stomach.
“You’re disgusting,” I laughed. “Thank you though. I’m starving.”
“You good. Everything aight though?”
I nodded. “Thank you for everything today.”
We held eye contact for a few seconds, my emotions stirring inside of me. Makhai was ridiculously handsome and very sweet contrary to the asshole he’d been and what I’d seen from him online, but still very muchnotwhat I needed.
“I hope you don’t think I owe you anything after this.” I said and he frowned.
“Fuck you mean? How you gon’ say thank you then follow it up with that?”
I shrugged. “I know how niggas do things for women with hopes of some kind of compensation afterward. I just don’t want there to be any expectations of pussy or money for accepting your help.”
“I look like some kind of bitch ass nigga to you?” His frown deepened.
“No, Makhai.”
“Aight then. I don’t work as hard as I have today for pussy, love. I did all this shit because it was the right thing to do, and because I fucking wanted to. I ain’t no hoe ass nigga that be holding shit over a woman’s head, and trust, I collect my shit on the front end, so if I was expecting any kind of compensation, whether that be fetti or some pussy, I would have gotten the shit already.”
Well, get me together then!
He got ready to walk off, but I stopped him. I was in my feelings with all that I was dealing with, but I didn’t want to be a bitch or seem ungrateful.
“Wait, Makhai, I’m sorry,” I dropped my head. “I am very appreciative of everything you and your mom have done for me and Keona. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“You good, baby girl. You gon’ eat now or you ready to ride?”
His words weren’t harsh, but he was kind of cold. I felt bad as fuck, but I wasn’t going to press him or the issue. I let him know that I’d just take the food with me because I needed to get backto the hospital. He nodded, taking my bag from me and leading me down the hall to my living room where his mother was waiting and on the phone. He let her know that we were ready, so she ended her call and we all left after I locked up.
When we made it to the hospital, Makhai pulled right up to the door. I knew then he had no plans on getting out. I didn’t dwell on it; I just got out with all of my things. His mom got out to hug me, and I thanked her for everything. I even thanked Makhai who was too busy on his phone to bother looking back. He just nodded and mumbled “you’re welcome.” His coldness stung because I knew I was wrong and said some things that I shouldn’t have. Still, I didn’t press, I just thanked them once more before I went inside.
When I got upstairs, Andrea was there talking with the social worker that I met days prior. I’d already taken the drug test, and they initiated a background check which all came back clear.
“Hey, I was just asking where you were, Diamond.” Sheree, the social worker, said.
“Hey, I’m sorry, I left for a few hours to get her room together.”
“No, it’s fine,” she smiled. “I just wanted to go over some specifics with you for when you guys get discharged. Sit?” she took a seat and pointed to the chair next to her.
Andrea excused herself so that she could give us some privacy.
“Okay, after getting the results for your drug test and background check back, we’re going to grant you temporary custody of baby Keona. I know you said you went to get her room together, so we’ll send a case worker out in the next couple of days to check everything out. You will need to make sure you attendallof her scheduled appointments as well as cooperate with the case workers when they come out. After the initial visit, someone will come out once a month.”
I pulled my phone out and started to take notes just so I could make sure I knew everything that I needed to.
“Also, we’re trying to locate your sister. If we’re unable to, we’ll have something put in the newspaper in case she or someone else reads it and knows where she is. In the meantime, she cannot visit the baby unsupervised.”
“Okay.” I replied softly.
“Also, Diamond, you cannot transfer custody of Keona to anyone else. If you decide that you no longer want the responsibility, it’s imperative that you let us know. We’ll have to send someone out to get her.”
I nodded and let her know that I understood. I was doing my best to fight back my tears. I would never let her go into the state’s custody, but I was still in total disbelief that my sister had done this.
“Do you have any questions?”
I shook my head. “I think I understand everything.”
