“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes.
“Good, I got y’all together.” Red said. “Y’all say cheese for the camera.” she snapped a picture.
“Cheese!”
Ten minutes later it was time to sing happy birthday to Jhyrah. Me and Jahrein continued to sit at the same table. Both of our companions ended up at different tables. Neither seemed too pleased about it but my kids had the biggest smiles on their faces and that’s all that mattered.
Every other second I heard, “Look mommy and daddy.” The kids wanted us to go do this with them and that with them. We had to put our differences aside for my baby’s day.
Jahrein was holding Jahlero while he watched me and Jhyrah try to ride on a virtual motorcycle game. “Jahrein baby, can I talk to you for a minute.” I heard Amber say.
“What’s up?” Jahrein asked as he continued to focus on us.
“I want to talk in private.” she hissed. That’s when they stepped out of earshot.
I was trying like hell to see what was going on at the corner of my eye. I could tell that the conversation was heated. Eventually, she stomped off towards the party area. Jahrein resumed observing me and Jhyrah with Jahlero in his arms.
“Look at your mommy and sister.” Jahrein told Jahlero.
I saw Khalil walk past us like five times. It was obvious that he spying on me. Every time I tried to get away from them Jhyrah would find something else for us to do. My daughter was the cleverest of them all.
By the end of the party Jhyrah had too many gifts. It took four people to load all of her shit in my new Navigator. I still had the Benz, and Khalil paid the notes for the Nav.
All the party goers were long gone and Jahrein was still hanging around my truck talking to the kids. His woman looked like she could spit nails as she sat in his truck with her arms folded. Hell, I was ready for his ass to go. I wanted to take my butt home.
Luckily, Khalil drove his Lexus truck there, so he had already drove off pissed.
“Jahrein, it’s time to go. Your friend is tired of waiting and I’m just tired.” I yawned.
“Daddy, are you coming over to Khalil’s house?” Jahrae asked Jahrein.
“Why? Y’all staying over there?” he asked with anger in his voice.
“Yeah, we just moved with him.” Jahrein Junior replied.
Jahrein gave me the upset stomach look. “You living with that nigga?!” he yelled.
“Jahrein, don’t start this in front of the kids.” I said trying to remain calm.
“Hell, naw! Answer my question so we can fix this shit right now. My kids aint staying under the same roof with that nigga one more night!”
“Jahrein, you tripping!”
“No, you tripping. Come on y’all get out.” he opened the door to my truck.
“Y’all stay y’all asses right there.” I said to my kids. “You aint taking them nowhere. You got somebody too. I don’t know her.” I pointed at his truck.
“Man, fuck her. She aint been to our house and aint gon never go. My kids aint gon be in the house with another man.”
“Jahrein, I’m ready to go.” Amber said as she raised her head out of his truck.
“Look, I’m busy. If you in so much of a hurry then call a ride.”
“Take that girl home.” I said.
“You shut your ass up.” he told me.
“Fuck this shit.” Amber spat as she hopped out of his truck and limped away in those uncomfortable heels.
