Chapter 5
five
. . .
Jahsir
“Tell me, exactly what was your plan? Were you planning to spend weeks in that dirty ass room or were you going to call me like I asked you to?” I asked, walking over to her and retrieving the plastic bags and Scarlett's baby bag from her.
She sighed but still said nothing. Crimson had built her wall up so high that even she didn’t know how to bring it down. But it was coming down tonight, even if we had to do it brick by brick. She said nothing, absolutely nothing. If she thought I was letting this go, she was sorely mistaken.
“I legit want to know your plan. Suffering when you got a nigga willing to take care of you is insanity.”
“I didn’t need a plan,” she retorted. “I had it handled.”
“True, because staying in a rundown motel with Scarlett was your best option, I see.”
“We were fine.”
I stood before her, backing her into the brick wall by the door. Her chest heaved up and down, and she avoided my gaze. I turned her head to me, giving her no choice but to look me in my eyes. She held her breath as I spoke.
“If sleeping a few feet away from hypes and prostitutes is what you call fine, then I guess you were. Don’t let your anger for me put your life in jeopardy.”
Finally, she took a deep breath, her voice quieter than I expected. "I wasn’t going to stay at that motel forever." She glanced up at me, her eyes softened but she was still guarded. "I just needed a second, Jah. And at the moment, I was fine.”
“Problem is, fine isn’t good enough for me, you, and it damn sure ain’t good enough for lil mama.
So this is how this will go. Tomorrow we can run out and get a crib and whatever else babies need.
You gon stay here until you get completely on your feet.
You will accept my help, you won’t give me any push back, and you will stop fighting. Am I clear? You got any questions?”
She said nothing. Instead, she nodded her head. I gave her her space back and walked away.
“Cool. You and lil mama take the bed.”
“I’m not putting you out of your bed, Jahsir. You can sleep with us.”
“Hell naw, I can’t risk rolling over on Scarlett. I'm good on the couch.”
“Okay.”
“What do you want to eat?”
“Nothing, I'm good.”
“Aye, what did I just say about push back and fighting? I know you’re hungry because you thought I was your food order back at that roach motel. Now, what do you want to eat? I can run out and grab you something, or lemme see what I got in the freezer.”
“Can you make me some noodles?” She asked shyly.
“Yoooo, you want the Jahsir Special, huh?” I asked proudly, rubbing my hands together.
“Don’t start flexing now.” She joked.
“I got you, Red. Why don’t you get cleaned up and settled? Gimme twenty minutes.”
Crimson smiled and nodded. For a moment, it felt like old times.
The fact that she’d rather eat my noodles instead of eating something from her favorite restaurant warmed my heart.
It was our go-to meal in the past. Crimson headed to the shower, and by the time she got out, Scarlett was waking up.
Crimson gave her a quick wipe-down with a warm towel, oiled her body, and then changed her into a white sleeper with pink and yellow flowers.
Crimson was sure she’d be back to sleep after her bottle, which she was.
Once the baby was settled, Crimson joined me on the couch.
I tried my best to keep my eyes off of her.
I didn’t want her to be more uncomfortable than she already was.
But her nipples were pointing at me from underneath her Lilo and Stitch night shirt.
Her hair was wrapped in her scarf with a couple of rebellious red strands caressing her neck.
I wanted to suck her neck into a kiss, and trail the kisses down to her smooth, caramel legs.
But we weren't there yet, she wasn’t there yet.
I handed her a bowl, and she thanked me.
Her favorite was jumbo shrimp, fresh garlic, and fresh green onions set atop a pack of ramen chicken noodles.
She ate the food so quickly that I felt bad for her.
She declined when I asked her if she wanted more.
Instead, she chose to call it a night. She moved from the couch to my bed, which was upstairs. Within moments, she was fast asleep.
I’d normally throw on a movie or something, but didn’t want to risk waking them. Instead, I took a shower, texted Rashad to let him know Crimson was good, then passed out.