Page 88 of A Don & His Doll

Side to side they swayed on beat, getting lost in each other. Jazira boldly stepped to G, and started dancing. No words needed, just high, seductive energy exuded from her making it impossible for G to resist. Truth handed the phone to Amor, then started dancing with Rae. Mitch, on the other hand, sat off to the left side of the room and started shuffling cards. Vera set his whisky up beside him, kissed his lips, then danced in front of him, giving him something to watch until the other men made it to the table.

Future’s Everyday Hustle played next, and all the women made their way over to embrace Promise, while G and Mekhi transitioned to the left side of the living room to join Mitch at the table.

“I love y’all so much. Thanks for coming all the way here to see me,” Promise said, giving Amor a tight hug. “How you been doing, girl? We gotta do better with our communication.

“I know, girl. These kids be giving me a run for my money. We never have a dull moment,” Amor said, smiling.

“Are you planning to come to Syn’s family and friends day? It’s coming up soon,” Promise inquired.

“I don’t know, Promise. He got a lot of shit with him, and I don’t know if I really feel like being bothered,” Amor dismissed. “I mean if I don’t come I’m sure he can find another woman to come.”

“I ain’t gone hold you, sis. You right, and I can’t knock you for the way you feel,” Promise agreed. “But, out of all the women he can spend time with… You’re the one he wants to be there. Just consider it. Give him some hope and a reason to keep fighting,” she reasoned.

Amor sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

Promise smiled. “I’ll take it.”

“Let me feel my nephew,” Rae interrupted, reaching forward. “Oh my God, sis. I can’t believe this. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank youuu,” Promise replied, smiling. “Where’s my babies at?”

“Girl, you know how TJ and My’Dymond is. They probably eating snacks and watching a movie right now,” Rae answered.

“He’s so good with her,” Promise stated, loving their bond.

“He is,” Rae agreed as Jazira crossed the room looking like she’d hit the jackpot.

“Bitchh, let me find out you checkin’ for G,” Promise said, side-eyeing her best friend.

“Tuh! Babyyyy, did you see how fine that muthafucka is,” Jazira said, bending to hug her friend.

“This hoe,” Rae said, laughing at Jazira’s theatrics.

“Yes ma’am. I’ma be a good hoe tonight. Please believe me,” Jazira stuck her tongue out, laughing.

“Y’all are a mess,” Promise and Rae’s mom stated, already knowing how bold Jazira was, but loved her no different than she always had. Everybody had a story.

While the ladies got caught up, Truth and Monroe chopped it up at the in-home bar.

“Aye bruh, I noticed your house was put up for sale last week,” Truth stated, well acquainted with the real estate market. He had been licensed in every state for a little over three years. “What made you decide that?”

“Mama took her last breath at the bottom of my staircase. Nigga couldn’t stay there after that. Shit just ain’t feel right, so I’m moving into somethin’ bigger and better,” Monroe revealed.

“You-”

“Nah… Sienna,” Monroe cut in, already knowing what Truth was about to say. “Shit got crazy as fuck that night, but wasn’t shit I could do to prevent it. Can’t do shit now but accept it and move forward.”

Truth had felt the weight of what his mans’ told him because he too had lost his mother to lupus, so out of respect he didn’t respond right away. Macie had done some unforgivable things to her son, but despite her offenses, Monroe would have done all he could to handle her another way. That was the thing about karma though, people didn’t get to choose the way they reaped the shit that had sown.

“Damn, bruh. You good?” Truth asked.

“Yea, I’m straight. Just focused on livin’, makin’ my woman happy, and being the best father I can be to my kids.”

“I’m fuckin’ with that thought process, fam.” Truth nodded. “That shit still crazy how yo’ ass went from havin’ no kids to now ‘bout to have two overnight.”

Monroe chuckled. “Hell yea. Let’s go get some of this good ass food Promise put together. I’m hungry as hell.”

Sitting poolside, absently swinging her feet softly in the water, Sienna stared up at the stars and made a wish. When she opened her eyes, the same lingering question haunted her. How could he feel all that love, and just walk away like it was nothing? Sienna couldn’t understand it to save her life. How had they served the same twelve years apart together, yet ended up on separate sides of pain. Monroe had been her first love. First kiss. First everything. She didn’t know how to open herself to another man. She couldn’t fathom the thought of opening her heart to love another man, and giving her body to another man made her soul tremble.