“Hey, Mr. Grinch.”
“Stop playin’ so much witcho big ass head. Can you get to the pharmacy? It’s important.”
“I can. But I don’t think it’s necessary to test someone who’s already pregnant, and I just know you’re not bold enough to ask me to get a pregnancy test for the next bitch. I know Aunty Jess raised you better than that.”
“You done?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool. Listen.”
I told her about Alexis and what had gone down at the doctor’s office. I then proceeded to tell her that since I’d never put my hands on a woman, I needed her to be there in case she refused to take the test. Key listened on the other line, not saying a word until I was done.
“You got me?”
“I’ma get the Clear Blue and the First Response tests,”she said. “Meet me at my house so I can ride witchu.”
“Bet.”
I ended the call knowing two things. Key was going to come through like she always did, and Alexis was gon’ wish she’d just held it down. Hopping in my car, I headed in the direction of Key’s house. I knew the back and forth was going to take me out of my way but fuck it. It was worth it.
On the drive there, I sent a text to Adai to check on her. She responded back that she was home, going over inventory and eating. I took a chance and asked her to send me a picture. I wanted to know if she really went to her house or was just saying that. I set the phone down and focused on the road until it chimed. The picture came up, and she was standing on business.
She sat back against her grey headboard in a pajama shirt that she couldn’t fully button due to her belly, her hair in flexi rods and under eye patches. I couldn’t do nothing but shake my head. Not wanting to show I was mad, I texted her back to get some rest and not work too hard. Closing out of the thread, I sent a text to Key to let her know that I was turning in on her block.
I pulled up to her house, and she was standing outside, dressed in a pair of black jeans, a black hoodie, and a pair of Air Max 95s. She held a Walgreens’ shopping bag in her hand. Walking over to the car, she got in and put the bag on the floor.
“I got my stomp a bitch 95s on. Let’s go,” she said, strapping her seatbelt.
“You gotta let her take the test before anything, Key,” I advised as we pulled out of her development.
“I got that. Test first. Ass whoopin’ immediately after. Fine by me. I hope she not pregnant cause then I gotta wait.”
“You ain’t gotta hope. I know she ain’t pregnant. I strapped up the three times we fucked.”
“She could’ve poked a hole in the condom.”
“I brought my own shit. And I put it on myself.”
She nodded. “Condoms do break though.”
“Aye, pick a side. Cause it sound like you tryna convince yourself she is pregnant.”
“Yours of course. It just works for me to think the worst so that the best-case scenario works in my favor.”
“You ain’t even gotta do all that. She ain’t pregnant. I just want her to take these tests, so I can show Dai the proof.”
“Okay, cool.”
We made it to Alexis’ apartment in thirty-five minutes. Key grabbed the Walgreens’ bag, and we stepped out at the same time. She didn’t have a doorman, but you did need to be buzzed in to get upstairs. I rang the bell.
“Who is it?” She answered quickly, like she’d been waiting by it.
“It’s Pryce,” I replied, and she buzzed the door.
I looked over at Key, who shook her head. “I don’t know who sillier. Her for just buzzing you up or you for fucking a bitch who don’t care about her safety. But I digress.”
Pushing the door open, I let her walk in first. We took the steps to Alexis’ apartment, and I didn’t get to knock twice before she pulled the door open.
