“How is everything going with your dad being back at the company?”
The day after I beat Deontay’s ass, he never came back. Instead, my dad was informed about the charges brought against Dennis. The arresting officer and my dad’s former lawyer were also facing charges. Aside from that, my dad was suing the department. In the meantime, he’d gone to the shop to do damage control and let everyone know what was going on. He started looking through the books and found out Dennis had been pocketing way more than his share. It took a few weeks for my dad to investigate everything, but it was revealed that Dennis had a big gambling addiction. He owed two loan sharks damn near a million dollars. He also owed the IRS a hefty amount. With the money my mother had been collecting from Dennisover the years and a stash my dad kept hidden from us, he was able to put a large lump sum on what was owed to the IRS.
The gambling debts had nothing to do with him. He already let it be known that he wouldn’t be putting a penny toward anything that had to do with Dennis. It would take him a while to get the store back on track, but he already had it going in a good direction. He changed the rule of only having older clients and he’d changed a few requirements for home visits. Since switching up the marketing and demographics, I’d sent a few artists his way and business had been increasing. To keep herself busy, my mother had also been spending time getting the back of the shop in order. According to her, she’d be doing that until her grandbaby came.
“He’s been cool. Spending a lot of time there, but everything is good. The business was his idea in the first place. To run it and officially be the sole owner was something he’s happy about. Aside from Dennis’s shortcomings, he took care of the upkeep of the store and made sure all federal rules and guidelines were followed. But that’s where the appreciation ends. I’ll never look at that nigga the same.”
“It seems like disloyalty runs on their end of the family. Dennis betrayed your dad and Deontay betrayed you. I never would’ve thought Mia got an abortion because she was really pregnant by him. Another man, maybe, but not him,” Celeste responded.
“Me either. I knew there was a reason, but I didn’t think of that shit either. The two of them did a good ass job keeping the shit from me. I’m just glad I walked away in the first place. I couldn’t imagine giving her ass a second chance just to find out the truth later down the line.”
When Deontay confessed to being Mia’s side nigga, I took all my anger out on him. All the anger I had for Mia, him, and Dennis came out on his face. Had it not been for Celeste cryingout to me, I would’ve kept beating his ass. The nigga was the replica of his daddy when it came to that hating ass spirit.
The parking lot of the studio only had one car parked there when we arrived. When we made it inside, the lights shone brightly on the first background we’d be posing in front of. Aaron was the photographer’s name and I’d gone through his social media pages when Celeste let me know she’d booked with him. I wanted to see his work and I had to admit he had an eye. We were now posing for the last background and Celeste looked so damn good. She’d done her makeup before we left the house and her hair was in a sew-in with big, jet-black curls. The puffy white dress she wore fit her perfectly. I stood behind her shirtless, with my arms wrapped around her belly. In the midst of flashes, I turned my head and kissed her neck and cheek.
“I love you, girl.”
“I love you more.”
“That’s a wrap. I got everything,” Aaron said as he lowered his camera.
“How long will it take to get the proofs?” I questioned as I released Celeste from my hold.
“As of right now, I’m looking at about a week or so. It’s still wedding season so I’m just a little backed up.”
I opened my mouth to respond but sudden movement from Celeste pulled my attention her way.
“What’s wrong? You good?”
“I just had a sharp pain. Maybe I’m doing too much moving.”
Celeste’s eyes shot down her body, making me do the same. When I noticed clear liquid coming down her leg, I knew her water had broken.
“Shane, call the ambulance. I need to get to the hospital.”
“I’ll drive you. We’re less than ten minutes away.”
Doing my best to remain calm, I put my shirt back on and gathered our things. Once I had everything in the truck, I pulledcloser to the door and grabbed Celeste. Aaron helped me get her down the flight of stairs before wishing her a safe delivery. Honestly, I thought she’d be freaking out at this point, but she wasn’t. She focused on her breathing while I placed a call to my mother.
“Hey, son. How are you?”
“Hey, Momma, I’m good. I need you to come to the hospital. Celeste’s water just broke and we’re on the way now,” I informed her.
“Robert, baby, we gotta go to the hospital. Celeste’s water broke,” she repeated to my father.
We ended the call after she let me know they were leaving the house. Silently, I said a prayer for all of this to go smoothly. I didn’t know much about pregnancy, but I knew Black women were more at risk for shit to go left during or after childbirth. I’d turn that damn hospital upside down if I felt Celeste was neglected or getting mediocre care.
“Talk to me, baby. How you feelin’ over there?” I asked with my eyes still on the road.
“I’m okay. Having frequent contractions. I’m mad as hell I won’t be able to get any JJ’s.”
“Girl, I’m trying to keep our son from being born on the side of the road and all your ass can think about is a chicken and fish dinner.”
“I know but I’m serious. I was looking forward to it.”
“I’ll get it for you once you have the baby. If the doctor says it’s okay, I’ll get whatever you want.”
Pulling into the emergency department, I parked at the entrance and ran inside.
