I leaned my head sideways. “Because I know you. I would’ve expressed how I felt, and you would’ve claimed you heard me. But those insecurities would’ve gone into overdrive. Then you would’ve gone right back to constantly questioning me, worrying if I’m entertaining a nigga, because I wasn’t happy. Nothing would’ve gotten resolved. And you still would’ve gotten out, and went back to the streets, Too Low.”
He slowly shook his head. “You saying that because you don’t understand the power you have over me. Like you said, you never pressured me to quit. But had you’d ever wagered losing you, then I would’ve done whatever to keep you. I put that on everything I love.”
I sighed, believing him. Maybe I had underestimated some things, but that was water under the bridge now. I was having Face’s babies, and there was no turning back.
“Look, at the end of the day, I hate how things turned out for us. But I never plan to turn my back on you. That’s why I kept the apartment, so that you’ll have somewhere to lay your head. The rent is paid up. All the bills are handled. So, you can stay there absolutely for free. Your Escalade is still in tiptop condition, waiting for you. All of your clothes are intact. And I have twenty racks, waiting for you the minute that you touch down. I know that you might not feel like that’s enough to stay out of the streets, but I want you to consider this. You’ll have somewhere to live and won’t
have to pay bills. So, you can take your time and find a real job. Work. Stack your bread up. And in a year’s time you can have about sixty or seventy put up. That’s a downpayment on a new life. Invest in something, so that you never have to come back to this jail.”
“Damn, you really thought this shit through, huh? “I did.”
“Just mapped out a whole scenario without putting yourself in the picture.”
I gulped. “Honestly…I’m just taking everything day by day. I still love you…and I know that you love me. So, I can’t just say that we can be friends. Maybe one day, when everybody has truly accepted what this is.”
Henodded.“So,it’sreallyover,Babi?”
I sighed,andnodded.“It’sover,TooLow.”
Face
“Yoo?” I answered my phone, while I was lounging in my lazy boy in my man cave, smoking a blunt.
“What’s the deal, my nigga?” Dice questioned. “Nothing much, man. Just at the house, chilling.” “On a Saturday, nigga? You didn’t wanna go outside?”
“I mean, its still early. Me and Babi probably step out later this evening. Go miniature golfing or some shit. After she gets back from brunch.”
“Brunch, huh?”
“Hell, yeah.”
He sighed. “Look, man. I’m just finna come out and say it. I called to see if you knew where ya gal was at. Now, I see that you clearly don’t.”
I paused, and sat up in my seat. “What chu talking about?”
“I’m talking about Babi. You know Gary is locked up with that nigga Too Low,” he referred to his cousin.
“Yeah,yeah.”
“Okay. Well, Gary’s BM came to visit him today and he saw Babi in visitation with Too Low. He even mentioned that she was pregnant, when I never told that nigga nothing about her being pregnant.”
Suddenly,therewasabittertasteinmymouth.“Yeah?
Alright, dog. Appreciate the information. Let me hit you back.” “Alright, my nigga. Don’t do nothing crazy. I know how you
feel about that girl. So, you remember that the girls need you.” “Oh, nah, man. I aint finna go there. Cause if nothing else, I
gotta consider the twins too. So, I’d never put my hands on her.” “Well, alright.”
“Yeah,” I said into the phone, before ending the call.
Then I hopped o" the recliner and stomped through the upper level of the house. Heatedly, I shoved the door open in our bedroom, and marched right into the closet.
Pissed wasn’t even the word I felt, as I snatched Babi’s clothes o" the racks. Eventually there was a pile in the middle of the bedroom. Then I went into the drawers.
“Daddy,” Shi uttered, as she carefully stepped into the room. “What are you doing?”
I turned around to completely face her, holding some nighties. “I’m packing Babi’s stuff.”
