Chapter 19
It was the end of the week, and this was one of the hardest but peaceful weeks I’d had at work in a while.
The unit was run with structure, and even Patrick was doing his job, yet we both avoided each other as much as possible.
I was ready to head home and relax, but Danita had already texted me to let me know that Gio had made it to town and wanted to have dinner tonight.
I was dreading it because I knew the topic of discussion would be his discussing our career paths.
All I wanted to do was go home and guzzle a bottle of wine.
My alarm went off, letting me know my lunch break was over.
A part of me was bummed that it was over, but I was happy because I knew I would see Gloria soon.
It had been a while since I had seen Gloria.
We would text here and there, but due to my being wrapped up in her son and being out of work, I hadn’t seen her in a while.
I quickly headed into the breakroom to place my items back in the locker just as Patrick walked in.
It was just him and me, but I moved as if I didn’t see him.
“It’s been a crazy week,” he stated.
I was shocked that he even said two words to me.
I nodded. “Yep. Sure has.”
“I’m ready for the weekend. A couple of us are going to happy hour afterward for some bonding. Would you like to join us?”
I spun on my heels, finally facing him. I had to make sure it was him who was talking to me.
“Me?”
He looked around. “Um, yeah, you. Who else? You’re the only one in here.” He chuckled.
I never would’ve thought Patrick would invite me to happy hour, especially for bonding.
“I would love to, but I have a family dinner. Raincheck?”
He smiled. “Sure. Have a great rest of your shift.”
He walked out of the break room, leaving me there stunned by the conversation. I still didn’t trust Patrick. I would take the invite as an olive branch, but I wasn’t ready to accept it yet. I grabbed my stethoscope and headed out to my patients.
I could hear Gloria’s laughter from down the hall. I couldn’t contain my smile because hearing her laugh meant she was in good spirits. I walked into the room, looking down at the paperwork in my hand.
“I’m glad to hear you’re in good spirits,” I expressed, looking up at her.
She had a bright pink scarf wrapped around her head. She wore a beautiful, mauve-colored jumpsuit with white buttons. She had on her usual makeup beat, and she looked just as beautiful as any other day.
“Even better now that I see you,” she replied.
“I can say the same.”
Hearing Jabari’s voice made me jump. I didn’t even see him standing there.
“Ja-Jabari, hey. I didn’t know you would be here today.”
“I bet. You’ve been barely checking my text messages.”
“I’m sorry. This week has been crazy, and I’ve just been trying to get back in the rhythm of things.”
He nodded. The room became awkward. Gloria’s eyes bounced back and forth between us. I could tell he was feeling some type of way, and I couldn’t help but feel bad.
“Mama, I’mma step out and let Amina do her thing.”
“Okay, son.”
Jabari walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. I didn’t realize how much I was holding my breath until I exhaled. Gloria shook her head as I prepped for her triage.
“What is it, Gloria?”
“Now, baby, you know I’m one to speak my mind, but I just wanted to let you know that Jabari really likes you, baby. I haven’t seen him this invested in anything since his career.”
“I can’t believe I’m talking to you about this, but it’s hard, you know? I have a lot going on and I don’t want him to take on all my problems when he has sh—stuff of his own.”
“Baby, Jabari is my son. He can handle anything, but he won’t know if you continue to crawl in this space of not wanting the support you finally deserve. Let my son love you.”
I felt myself tearing up, so instead of responding, I continued with the triaging procedures.
“Alright, the doctor will be in soon.”
“Okay. Don’t forget what I said, baby. Be open.” I smiled softly and walked out of the room.
Jabari stood in the hallway scrolling on his phone. He looked up once he saw me walk out of the room.
“Can we talk?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’ve got five minutes before my next patient, so we can chat.”
We walked to the other side of the unit, avoiding the nurses’ station. I opened the door to the stairwell where I knew no one would be. I nervously stood there waiting for him to speak.
“Is everything okay with us?”
I nodded.
“Don’t lie to me, Amina. I can’t help but feel like shit is weird between the two of us. Did I do something? Shit, are you unhappy with this?”
“No, you did nothing. It’s me. I’m in my head with everything.
Seeing Jakeem in the mall brought back unwanted memories that I thought I had gotten over.
I began to wonder if you can handle all of my problems when they come to the surface and not feel pushed to the side like him.
I’ve been putting a bit of distance between us because of that. I didn’t want to crowd your space.”
Jabari stood there, staring at me. I became nervous the longer he stared.
“Say something.”
“Why? When you seem to have everything else figured out for me.”
I felt that blow to the chest.
“Not once did any of that come out of my mouth. If there was anything that I didn’t like or couldn’t handle that you brought to me, then I’m less of a man. Don’t ever put me and that bitch ass motherfucker in the same category. I’ve never gone out sad and ain’t about to start.”
I nodded. “I hear you, Jabari, but?—”
“You can hear me all you want, but I want you to listen. I’m not repeating myself.” He moved closer. “I don’t give a damn what comes up in your life, I’m here to back you up and support you. That’s my job as your man. Stop playing with me, baby girl, and let me be that nigga for you.”
I nodded. “Okay. I apologize for trying to handle this shit on my own.”
Jabari was showing me, over and over, how he wanted to be there for me, yet I couldn’t bring myself to let him fully take on my woes.
“It’s cool. I get it. You ain’t ever fucked with a real one before, but you’re gonna see.”
I rolled my eyes and playfully slapped his chest. He grabbed my hand and kissed it.
“I missed you,” he admitted, seriousness all in his tone.
“I’ve missed you too.”
Jabari pecked my lips once and then again before he shoved his tongue down my throat, knocking the wind out of me but in a good way. He finally pulled away, having me longing for more.
“Damn, I missed them sweet ass lips.”
I giggled. “Boy, you’re so crazy. I have to get back to work.”
“I wanna see you tonight.”
I smiled, prepared to say yes, but I remembered I had dinner with Gio and Danita tonight.
“Raincheck? I have a family dinner, and if I’m not there, they’ll come looking for me.”
“Oh, we’re having a family dinner. What time should I pick you up?”
My brow raised. “We?”
“You thought I was playing? I meant every word I said. Don’t think I ain’t forget about how your brother feels about you dating and shit. Let me show him. Shit, I’m your man, ain’t I? So again, what time am I picking you up?”
“Six-thirty.”
“See you at six-thirty. No later.” He pecked my lips and opened the door for me. He held it open until I walked out back onto the unit.
“See you tonight, Jabari.”
“See you, baby.”
I walked down the hall with my heart racing and palms sweating. I pulled out my phone and shot Danita a text, letting her know that Jabari was joining us. She sent back a shocked GIF along with a worried GIF. Frightened was an understatement. I just hoped that things went well.