"I ain't got nothing to say to you. You got JJ, and that's all that matters."
He stepped closer, blocking the doorway so I couldn't leave. "You got a new nigga or something? That why you acting all funny?"
"Jamie, move."
"Answer the question. You fucking with somebody?"
My heart was beating fast now, that old fear creeping up. But I wasn't that same girl no more. I wasn't gon' let him intimidate me. "That ain't none of your business. Now move before I call the police."
He laughed, but it wasn't a real laugh. It was that crazy laugh he used to do right before he put his hands on me.
"You always threatening me with the police. You know I ain't worried about them."
"Jamie, I swear—"
He grabbed my arm, pulling me closer. "You just gon’ leave me and move on like we ain't have shit togethere? Like I ain't give up everything for you?"
"You ain't give me shit but black eyes and bruises!" I tried to pull away but his grip was too tight. "Let me go!"
"Daddy?" JJ voice came from inside the apartment, small and scared. "Why you grabbing Mommy?"
Jamie let go of me real quick, his face softening when he looked at JJ. "It's okay, lil man. Daddy and Mommy just talking."
I took that chance to step back, my arm throbbing where he grabbed me. "You got him until tomorrow. If you put your hands on me again, I swear I'ma get a restraining order and you won't see him at all. Don’t fuck with me."
Jamie just stared at me, his jaw still clenched. "Whatever, Zurie. Go ahead and leave then."
I wanted to cuss his ass out so bad, wanted to tell him about himself, but JJ was standing right there looking confused and scared.
So I just bent down and kissed my son forehead. "Be good for Daddy, okay? I love you."
"I love you too, Mommy."
I walked away before I started crying, my hands shaking as I got back in my car. I sat there for a minute, trying to calm down, trying to get my thoughts together. I hated Jamie so much. I hated that he still had this effect on me, that he could still make me feel small and scared.
But I wasn't gon' let him ruin my day. I had a dinner to get to.
* * *
By the time I pulled up to my mama house in Chatham, I was already thirty minutes late. I sat in the car for a minute, fixing my makeup in the mirror, making sure my eyes weren't red fromcrying earlier. I had on a cute burnt orange sweater dress, my locs were curly from the flexi rods I had put in them, my makeup was done up nice. I looked good, even if I ain't feel good.
I grabbed the sweet potato pies I made last night and got out the car, walking up to the front door. I could hear music and voices inside, people laughing and talking. I took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Look who finally decided to show up," my mama voice cut through the noise soon as I stepped in.
I looked over and saw her in the kitchen, standing by the stove with her hands on her hips. My mother was the most sarcastic, pettiest woman I ever met in my life. We looked alike, same brown skin, same full lips, same thick build. But that's where the similarities ended.
"Hey, Ma. Sorry I'm late." I walked over and set the pies on the counter.
"Mm-hmm. I bet you are." She looked me up and down. "Where you been at? Dinner been ready."
"I had to drop JJ off with Jamie."
"Oh Lord." She rolled her eyes. "You still dealing with that fool?"
"He’s JJ’s father, Ma. I ain't got a choice."
"You got a choice. You just make dumb ones."
