Page 54 of More to Love

Sorimah and I were on the road shortly after. I could tell she wanted to ask questions about what was going on, but I had no answers. Amira didn’t give me anything to work with. I had no insight on a damn thing and most of all, she was feeding me with something that had me unbalanced. I truly didn’t have the same love I once had for Avi, but I wanted the best for her and my daughter.

“Don’t think irrationally, please. You’re flying down this highway, and I don’t feel completely safe right now.”

“Huh?”

“Your mind is on Akeera, and I get it but I’m carrying your daughter as well and I’d like to make it to see her beautiful face. Can you slow down?” Her voice was trembling, and when I glanced in her direction, her hand was placed on her stomach.

“That’s my fault. I zoned out for a minute. I got you though.”

I eased off the gas and allowed the vehicle to drop down to a decent speed. I wasn’t trying to lose my woman or child to nothing reckless on my behalf.

“Talk to me and stop harboring your feelings.”

“Not sure what to say right now. I can hardly focus let alone tell you what a nigga thinking. I’m really trying to keep my composure.”

“Get out of your head and stop coming up with negative scenarios. That’s not going to help. She said Akeera was fine so let’s trust her word. Don’t assume or think the worse because then you’ll make yourself upset and we don’t need that right now.”

I heard her but it was easier said than done. The entire ride to Reedsburg negative thoughts ran a mile a minute and disappointment for me began to set in. It was my duty to make sure everything in Princess’s life was always sunshine and blue skies, but I dropped the ball. I stepped out and this was the consequence of it.

As I pulled into my driveway, I shot a text to Amira giving her the okay to come by the house. I was worried but I was trying to keep it contained. Sorimah was also pregnant, and I didn’t want to stress her out more than she already was.

“Did you redecorate?” she questioned as we walked deeper inside the house.

“I hired someone to do it, but it was time. Avi had a lot of dealing with the last decor, so it had to go. I wanted a fresh start. I could’ve just moved but I put a lot of design into this house so that was a dub.”

“You did good. I like it. Will the baby have a room here?”

“Where else she gon’ sleep at Sorimah? My kids are to be under the same roof as me. I don’t know who told you different.”

“Hendrix that’s a conversation for another day because I don’t know what you’ve pictured in your head but that’s not it,” she threw back.

“It ain’t nothing else to talk about beautiful. I meant what I said so I suggest you tie up loose ends and all that bull before our daughter gets here because you’re not going back to Max Peeks other than to work. Hell, that might not be an option either.”

“What? You can’t tell me what to do Hendrix. I have a life in Max Peeks. I can’t just uproot and live here as if that didn’t exist.”

“Time is ticking baby. Handle your business.”

With that, I walked back outside and retrieved the items we picked up for the baby before the appointment. I wasn’t giving Sorimah the option to do a damn thing for real. She was mine and whether she liked it or not, her living anywhere other than here wasn’t going to happen. I refused to ask if she was available for me to spend time with my family when I could just come home to them. She had me messed up.

As I closed the trunk, I peeped Amira driving up. That quick my heart was beating out of my chest. I was nervous about this whole meeting. She kept things away from me on purpose, but this was the time to find out what the lack of details was about. She parked behind my whip and hopped out. You could see from her face that something was wrong, so I fired off question after question.

“What’s wrong with my baby Amira? Where is she? What did Aviana do? Is⁠—”

“Hendrix stop and listen… please.” She closed the gap between us, and I could see the tears in her eyes clearly. “As you know, Aviana cheated with a married man. Well, his wife and Avi got into it, and it led to Avi being in a wreck. She died last week, and the funeral was held a few days after. Because we didn’t really have any money to bury her, we chose cremation. I was granted custody of Akeera, but I want to give it to you. You’re the best option for her because me and Sway can’t handle another child. She loves you, and I know you’ll do everything in your power to make sure she lives a happy life.”

“Why ain’t nobody call me?” My words came out as more of a whisper because of the shock I was in.

I never wanted anything horrible to happen to Aviana. She was still a woman I once loved and cared for. Hell, I still had a certain kind of love for her because of her being Akeera’s mom. I was thankful for her family not shutting me out the same way she did. I prayed to be able to see my baby again, but I had no idea it would be like this.

“No one knew what she was up to bro’. All I know is, this little girl needs you. Avi told me about the whole deal with you and Sorimah and I want you to be happy. She can’t whoop my ass now that she’s gone but she aborted so many of your babies. I’m glad your new woman is giving you more depth in fatherhood.”

“’Preciate that Amira. I don’t want to seem like I’m pushing your feelings to the side or anything but where is my child?”

“She’s in the backseat sleeping and most of her clothes are in the trunk. I’ll bring the rest of her things by this week.”

“Don’t even sweat it. Keep it for your daughter. I’ll buy her whatever she needs. Thank you, Amira.” I brought her in for a hug before I went to retrieve my daughter from the car.

When I laid eyes on her, I almost broke down. This little girl had all of me and I was going through it emotionally and mentally without her. I felt like my world was coming full circle.