“Grandma isn’t feeling well, and she doesn’t think she can keep Kayla tonight,” she said somberly. She walked over to me and put her arms around my waist and lay her head on my chest.“I’m sorry,” she mumbled. Her voice was laced with sadness, and it made me feel sad.
I ran my hand up and down her back.
“It’s not your fault. I understand, and unfortunately, these are the types of things we have to go through when we have kids. Is Grandma going to be okay?”
I wasn’t mad that Janiyah couldn’t go with me, but I was a little sad about it. I wanted us to get out and have a good time. It had been a while since I was able to show my wife off in front of my colleagues. Not many people knew about our situation, but there were a few women who noticed she hadn’t been coming around lately. I had a few of them say some slick stuff to me, but I would shut it down immediately. None of those women was on my wife’s level, and I wasn’t jeopardizing my marriage for anyone. I did want them to see that we were still going strong so they would get any thoughts of me out of their minds.
“Yeah. I think Kayla and I will go by to check on her. I wanted to make sure she has everything she needs. I hate that I can’t go with you, especially after you paid for the tickets.”
Tonight’s event was a fundraiser, and the plates were a few hundred dollars each. The money wasn’t important to me, though, because either way, it was going to a good cause. Twice a year, the hospital held a fundraiser, and the money raised went to different types of patients in the community. The money for this event would go to single mothers. Mostly pregnant ones and ones with small children. We provided formula, diapers, and other essentials that babies needed. We also had free vaccine days, as well as free checkup days once a month. I didn’t really get involved with the free days since I was a surgeon, but I lent a hand whenever I could.
I squeezed Janiyah tightly and kissed the top of her head.
“Grandma’s health is more important. And the money isn’t going to be wasted since it’s going to a good cause. How aboutyou change your clothes so you two can go over there, and I’ll see you when I get back. I want to at least show my face. If you want me to come home earlier, just say the word, and I’ll be here.” I lifted her head so she could look at me. “Understand?”
“Yes.”
I pecked her lips. “Good. I’m going to go love on little mama while you change, then I’ll get out of here.”
I released her, and she went to the closet to change, while I went down the hall to Mikayla’s room. Like always, she got excited as soon as I entered the room.
“What were you doing in here?” I asked as I walked closer to the crib.
She laughed like she knew what I was talking about. Janiyah sometimes put an iPad in there with her for a little bit, to keep her occupied. She would only keep it in there for no more than an hour. I played with her for a couple of minutes until Janiyah came.
“You better get out of here,” Janiyah said as she entered the room.
She’d changed into sweatpants and a hoodie.
I kissed Mikayla’s cheek, then passed her to Janiyah.
“I am. If you need me, call me.” I bent down to kiss Janiyah’s lips. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you too.”
I gave Mikayla one more kiss on the forehead, then left. I couldn’t believe how much I loved that little girl already. It made me want one of our own even more.
A little while later, I was in the hotel ballroom where the fundraiser was being held. I would have rather stayed at home with my girls, but I needed to show my face. The ballroom was decorated in gold and black decorations. Waiters and waitresses walked around with champagne on trays. There was also some walking around with finger foods.
I spoke to a few people, then found my table. My shoulders slumped a little when I saw the card with Janiyah’s name on it. I pulled the chair out and sat down.
The chair next to me scraped against the floor. I looked to see who it was because it was the seat my wife was supposed to be in.
“Hey, Dr. Arsel. I didn’t see anyone sitting here.”
My jaw clenched when Claudia from the fifth floor spoke to me. She always called me by first name like we were friends. She was one of the women who didn’t care that I had a wife. She tried to talk to me on multiple occasions, but I always shut that down.
“I’m sure you saw my wife’s name on that card, so I’m not sure why you are sitting there.” She didn’t need to know that Janiyah wasn’t coming.
Claudia looked appalled by my tone, but I didn’t give a damn.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She looked around, then leaned a little closer. “I didn’t see her, so I wanted to say hi.”
“You said hi, so you can go. I don’t want any problems.”
Claudia sucked her teeth, but she got up. I shook my head and chuckled as she made her way to another married man.
I looked around the room to see if there was anybody I needed to talk to before I left. I only planned to eat then go home.
