Chapter 24
“Cheers to the best sister, the smartest sister, and the new charge nurse sister, Amina!” Danita shouted as we held our shot glasses in the air.
I laughed as we cheered and took the shot. Instead of going out to celebrate, I invited Danita over to the house for drinks and conversation. Not that I was against going out, but I was tired after having to be up earlier than usual. She ordered us Chinese food and brought over the tequila.
“Girl, you don’t know how excited I am. Like it’s been a long time coming. I’ve worked my ass off, and it showed in the end.”
“Yes, patience is key. I told you to stay the course, and things will fall into place for you. What did Jabari say? Is he coming to break you off with some reward dick?” Danita asked.
“Danita, please,” I commented, rolling my eyes.
“Okay. My bad, but what did he say? I’m sure he’s happy for you.”
I said nothing. I continued to look down at my plate of food. If I had looked Danita in the eye and tried lying to her, I would’ve failed miserably.
“Amina, you told him, right?” she asked. This time, her tone was more serious.
I sighed and finally looked up at her. “I texted and told him, but I’ve heard nothing back yet.”
She shrugged. “Okay. I’m sure he’s busy. Why are you acting weird?”
“He’s probably not texting me back because I ended things with him,” I blurted out.
Danita stared at me. “Say what? Can you oh so kindly repeat that?”
I sighed. “I ended things with Jabari. We both have so much going on. I didn’t want to have him try to juggle his restaurant and me.
On top of that, he is now splitting custody with JaBria’s mother, and on top of that, all the shit with me that I deal with.
I didn’t want to add that extra weight and burden on him and myself. ”
Danita picked up a pack of fortune cookies and tossed it at me. I dodged it. Before I could ask her what her problem was, she threw another one and then another one until she no longer had any fortune cookies to throw.
“Danita, stop! Why are you doing that?”
“Because damn it, I’m tired of you getting in your goddamn head and making all these irrational-ass decisions. Get out of your damn head, Amina, and I mean that shit. You possibly missed out on your future husband because of all these think pieces.”
“You weren’t there. Plus, he agreed to it. This happened a week ago. I haven’t heard from him since, so I’m sure he’s fine.”
Danita shook her head and stood from the table. “You may be book smart, but common sense is not there. All you had to do was ask him for a solution to the problems and work together as a couple. I know Jakeem wasn’t shit, but every man ain’t like him, especially Jabari.”
“And how do you know that?”
Before Danita could respond, the doorbell rang. I looked at her, and she looked at me.
“Are you expecting anybody?”
I shook my head. “Nah, unless it’s one of my packages being dropped off, but I checked the tracking today, and it told me in two days.”
“I’ll get it, but don’t think I’m done with you yet.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever, Danita.”
I went back to eating my food when I could hear Danita from the doorway.
“What the fuc?—”
“Delivery for Amina Anderson,” the voice announced.
“Yeah, I’ll sign for them.”
I placed the food down and stood up. By the time I reached the corner, Danita was making her way toward me, carrying a vase full of big red roses. They were beautiful. A lot similar to the ones Jabari had once brought me.
“Are those for me?” I asked.
She nodded. “Who else? This is your house, ain’t it?”
“Girl, stop playing. Who are they from?”
She placed them on the counter. “I don’t know. I didn’t open the card. It wouldn’t be right for me to do that since they’re for you.”
I looked at her sideways. “When has that ever stopped you?”
She laughed. “You’re right, but still. Open the card. The suspense is killing me.”
I shook my head. “You’re so damn nosey.” I was just as curious as she was.
I reached for the card and scanned the envelope that had my first and last name on it.
“Read it aloud,” Danita said.
I sucked my teeth but did as I was told.
“Congratulations on the new position. I’m happy and proud of you. You are the person who deserves everything in this world, and I’m glad it’s happening to you. Much love, Jabari.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. I read the card over and over until tears fell onto it. Danita came and wrapped her arms around me.
“See? I told you, sissy. Jabari is a different type of man. His actions and his words speak volumes. You know I’m always on your side, and I would let no one have you out here looking foolish, but I think you fucked up with this one. You need to make things right with him.”
“What...” I sniffed. “What if I’m too late? Fuck, Danita. What was I thinking?”
“You weren’t. You were thinking with that overthinking ass brain instead of your big heart. It’s never too late. You’re in your winning season now, baby girl. Continue to win.”
She wrapped me in her arms, hugged me, and allowed me to cry until I couldn’t cry anymore. I felt relieved after talking to Danita. It felt like a weight was lifted off me, yet I couldn’t help but think how in the hell I was going to convince Jabari that I had made a mistake.
“Listen, text him and tell him thank you for the flowers. That’s a start. Then maybe he will have side conversations, and things will blossom back up. You never know. He might just be waiting on you with open arms.”
“You think so?”
Danita nodded and smiled, wiping my tears.
“I know so. I saw the way Jabari looked at you and how he made sure you were always close to him. He couldn’t keep his hands off you.
Then, after that crazy stunt you pulled, he still found time out of his busy schedule to have flowers delivered to you.
Shit, I’m sure he’s standing there with open arms, legs, mouth, or whatever.
Just make sure you’re ready to receive. Okay? ”
I nodded. “Okay.”
She hugged me again. “Oh, my favorite Cancer. Y’all are moody, overthinkers, and slightly crazy. But when you love, you love hard and big. Make sure you get what you deserve.”