Chapter 8
Adora
“You have a collect call from an inmate in Diamond Falls Correctional Ce—”
I end the call before the annoying ass recording can finish.
As soon as I end it, I block the number just like I’ve blocked the other two numbers.
I don’t know how many numbers there are but I’ll block them all.
I said what I needed to say to Rushmore’s goofy ass when I visited him and those were my last words to him.
He doesn’t deserve anymore and he definitely doesn’t deserve my time or my daughters’.
“Was that him?” Kandi asks with a slight frown.
“Yes and I’m so sick of his ass,” I scoff.
“Already! Why?” she exclaims, sounding disappointed and throwing me the hell off.
“Why? You know why!”
After sitting all the way up on my sofa, she places my godbaby in her carrier. “Wait, who was that on the phone?” she questions with peaked eyebrows.
“Rushmore.”
“Oh, bitch. I thought that was Xai,” she says, then dramatically sighs. “Had me scared.” She laughs and so do I.
“No, that definitely wasn’t Xai. I didn’t smile once and he makes me smile,” I admit.
“I know. That’s why I was worried.”
Xai and I have been texting all week and I have to admit he’s likeable.
He pursues me. I actually get “good morning” and “how’s your day going” texts.
We even text at night after I get the girls in bed, and this Thursday, he had lunch delivered to my job after I texted him that my day was swamped.
He’s different, intentional, and I like it.
“Girl, no, that was definitely Rushmore. He keeps trying to call and I keep blocking his dumb ass.”
“I can’t with him.”
“Me either. I even had to block his momma. I tried not to because she’s the only grandmother my girls have now, but…” I sigh, then shake my head. “I just can’t. She doesn’t add anything to their lives and her cursing me out about giving her son money proves it.”
“Fuck Erleen’s evil ass; they have my mother and MeeMee anyway. You know they love them,” she says, referring to her mom and grandmother. “MeeMee’s cooking us breakfast tomorrow.”
“You’re not making her cook, are you?” I ask.
“You do know that woman, right? She doesn’t need anyone to make her cook anything. You know February is a big month at Seasonal Sweets because of her special recipes. We are just celebrating a great month.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t go.”
“Oh, you’re going. You should have checked in this morning. You deserve this staycation.”
“I can just stay here,” I insist.
Kandi has been pushing me to take a staycation since I got my check.
In her mind, I’ve been too responsible and need to treat myself.
After paying off my credit cards, my Impala, and paying the girls’ tuition for the remainder of this year and next year, I set up trust accounts, one for Averi and one for Romi.
I took the girls to Princess Closet and let them pick out several outfits, and today, I skipped work and they skipped school.
We spent the morning and afternoon at the fun center, Blast!
I finally gave in to her and booked a suite at The Metropolitan until Sunday. Tomorrow, I’m scheduled to have the total spa treatment—facial, mani, pedi, and full body massage. And even though she’s agreed to keep the girls for me, I’m really considering changing my mind.
“You are not staying here,” she says sternly. “When I leave here, the girls are going with me and you are taking your ass to that damn hotel. Hell, call that man and let him meet you there. A staycation with dick will really be a good ass time.”
“Bitch, no,” I say with a grin. “We have only texted and I’ve only known him for a week. I’m not inviting him anywhere.”
“Well, you should and you can. He texts every day and is already sending lunch at your job, enjoy that man. Hell, mommas need fun too. The go-karts and water boats were for the girls today. Xai and dick are for Mommie tonight. Go add some sexy shit to your bag for that man and let’s go. ’Cause you are going.”
“I swear you are crazy as hell.”
“Crazy and serious as hell. I know you, Adora. You’ve entertained him for more than two days and you smile any time you mention him. You really like that man and I love that for you. Embrace that and go with how you feel. After years with a fuck boy, you deserve a nice guy.”
“Definitely too many years with a fuck boy,” I admit. She’s right about that and Xai. I really do like him. Although we have only been texting, our vibe is so natural and I love that. Plus, he makes me smile and I truly appreciate that.
“Are the girls’ bags packed?” she asks.
“Yes. All of our bags are packed.”
“A’ight then, let’s go.”
Reluctantly, I ease off my couch and trek to the kitchen and grab their snack bags. Kandi is definitely going to curse me out but this isn’t a compromise.
Once the bags are on the table, I journey to their room. Romi is on the floor asleep and Averi is actually asleep on her bed. The fun center wore their little butts out. After getting them both up, I usher them into the bathroom to brush their teeth and wash their faces.
“Is Auntie here?” Romi asks.
“Yes,” I tell her.
“And our baby?” Averi asks excitedly. They both are crazy about Jazzmyn.
“She’s in the living room too,” I say and they bolt out of the room.
I grab their backpacks and take them into the kitchen. My bag is already planted by the door. Their snacks are in labeled, gallon seal-lock bags so I place them in their respective bags and join them in the living room.
“Your snack bags are in your backpacks. Take them out as soon as you reach your auntie’s house. Don’t try to eat them all tonight,” I say.
“Yes, ma’am,” they sing.
“I have more if you do,” Kandi whispers but I hear her and just shake my head. Then she turns back to me. “Did you get something for Mommie time with Xai?”
“No, I’m not calling that man.”
“Well, you should.” She smirks, then focuses back on the girls. After scooping Jazzmyn’s carrier on her arm, she says, “Go ahead and tell your momma bye. We’ll see her Sunday and hopefully there’s a big, relaxed smile on her face.”
“Bye, Mommie,” Romi says as she hugs me.
“Bye, baby. Be good and don’t drive your auntie crazy,” I say and she giggles.
“I won’t.”
Averi hugs me next, and when she squeezes a little longer than usual, I lean in and lightly grab her chin. “You alright, baby?” I ask.
“You not going to see daddy again, are you?” she asks, catching me off guard.
“No. I’m not going back. Okay?”
“Okay, ’cause he’s mean to you,” she says and I feel a jolt in my chest.
I put up with his shit for too long.
“And that’s why I’m not going back. Nobody should be mean, and when they are mean to you, you don’t have to be around them anymore. Okay?”
“Okay, Mommie. Then, get relaxed,” she says and I kiss her forehead.
When I try to follow them out, Kandi stops me. “Stay in here. They can see that look on your face. They are good. You deserve this. Go, for real, and have fun. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Then love me enough not to call,” she says.
“I can’t promise that,” I say right before they walk out of the house.
When Kandi’s Infiniti pulls off, I take a deep breath to draw my emotions and Averi’s words in.
Then I rush down the hall into my bedroom.
Quickly, I pull my hair back into a pony, undress, and hop into the shower.
Fresh out, I brush, gargle, moisturize my face and body, then throw on a thin sweater dress.
It’s early March but a little cool out. It’s barely fifty-five degrees.
After locking up the house, I grab my rolling bag, my small snack bag, and tote then walk out into the garage. I’m splurging this weekend and ordering room service but I can’t pay ten dollars for a bag of chips from the not-free snacks in the room.
Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling up to the valet at the exclusive hotel, and ten minutes after that, I open one side of the double-door entrance and walk into a breathtaking Italian marble foyer.
This suite has it all. I could actually live here.
There’s a L-shaped plush sofa, oversized coffee table and ottoman, flat screens in the living room, bedroom, and bath, remote-controlled Roman shades and curtains, four-seater dining table, and a small office area.
After making a quick walkthrough video, I take my bag into the bedroom and unpack.
No matter how long or short my stay, I’m not comfortable living out of a suitcase.
Once my toiletries are in the bathroom, my clothes in the closet, and snacks on the table by the bed, I fall back on it and cry.
My emotions hit me out of the blue, and because I’m all alone, away from my girls, I don’t stop them.
I’m in the executive suite of the most prestigious hotel in the city.
My bills are paid. Money is put up for my girls.
I have the title to my car and the house me and my girls are in is ours and there’s no mortgage.
My life is good, well as good as it can be, because I had to lose my heart, my mother, to have this life.
“Damn, Momma,” I utter through cries. “Damn.”
Out of habit, I open my phone. Just as I’m about to press my mom’s contact, my phone rings.
It’s my babies’ ringtone. Right on time.
I activate mommie-mode and quickly sit up, wipe my face, inhale and exhale deeply before answering.
Both of their pretty little faces fill my screen, and in concert, they greet me.
“Hey, Mommie,” they sing.
“Hey, babies. You miss me already?”
“Yes,” Romi says.
“No,” Averi answers honestly. “It’s only been ’bout thirty minutes.”
“Well, I miss you but I’ll see you Sunday. What are y’all doing?”
“’Bout to eat crab legs. Auntie got us some. I’m ’bout to melt the butter,” Averi says.
“Crab legs! Ohh, that sounds good. I’m jealous.”
“I’ll save you one,” Romi says.
“Aw, baby, thank you but you don’t have to. I’m going to eat dinner here.”
“Okay. Whatcha gon’ eat?” Romi asks.