Chapter 9
9
Weston
I laid in the hotel bed, staring at the ceiling. Since Taja booked the hotel room for me two days ago, I’d been locked away. The words that she said to me played over and over in my head, yet I didn’t know what to do to approach it. It was now Sunday, and I debated on whether I wanted to drive to the hospital. I didn’t want to go alone. Keezy was out of town for work, and I had yet to tell him about what had happened. The only person who knew about my mama and her condition was Taja.
That night with her was different. I watched how Taja made it her business to remove the bottle of liquor from my office. She interacted with Rae as if she had known her all her life. I couldn’t help but notice how Rae did the same. She made sure that I was protected the entire night. It had been a while since I felt protected and seen, yet Taja did all that in one night. The moment was right, and I couldn’t control myself. The kiss was wanted. She sent me a text message yesterday afternoon, checking in on me, but I didn’t reply. I didn’t want to text. I wanted her near me. I wanted her lying in the bed beside me. I just wanted to feel and smell her. In my many years of living, I hadn’t felt like that about a woman, especially one with a man at home. However, with the way I was feeling, it was fuck him and his bum ass ways.
I pulled out my phone and called Taja. The phone rang for a few seconds before her perky voice answered.
“Hello! Are you okay, Weston?” she quickly probed on the phone.
I smiled at the urgency in her tone. “Yeah, I’m good.”
She sucked her teeth. “Then why haven’t you texted me back? I was so worried that I almost came to the hotel and beat down your door.”
I smiled even bigger. “No need for all that. I appreciate it, though.”
“You’re welcome.” Her tone had softened. “But really, how are you? Have you thought about what I said? Have you been back to the hospital?”
“That’s why I called. Are you busy? Are you able to accompany me this afternoon?”
The phone went quiet, and it felt as if my soul had left my body. I did not know what I was thinking when I called and asked her to come with me to the hospital. I immediately regretted even asking her.
“Weston, do you feel like that is appropriate? This is family business. The other day was different. I didn’t know what I was walking into. However, now that I know, I’m not sure if it would be right for me to be there.”
There was no way I was taking no for an answer. I knew I needed Taja to be there because I couldn’t do it without her. She was the balance I didn’t realize I needed ’til that day.
“Taja, I’ve never told a single person I needed them for anything. This time is different. I need you. Please.”
The phone went silent again. I could feel my heart pounding out of my chest. Taja was bringing a lot of unfamiliarity out of me. It was a foreign feeling.
“Okay, I’ll go...for support. What time are you trying to go?”
I tried to contain the excitement in my voice but failed. “Now!”
“Damn it!” she cursed. “My boyfriend has my car. He’s DoorDashing right now.”
I rolled my eyes. “Give me an hour. I’ll come get you.”
“Weston—”
“Be ready in an hour, Taja.”
She sighed. “Okay, see you in an hour.”
I jumped, shooting Ms. Leslie a text to let her know I needed a ride home to pick up my car. Any other time, I would’ve had Ms. Leslie drive us, but I didn’t want her there for such an intimate moment. It felt better just being Taja and me.
* * *
I was particular about time, and I was right when I told Taja I was going to be at her house in an hour. When I called her phone, I could tell she was rushing because she was out of breath.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!”
“Hmm, I’m out front in the white Mercedes,” I told her.
“Walking out the door now!” She hung up the phone.
I knew she was lying because of how much she was moving in the background. She came rushing out of her apartment five minutes later. She wore light-colored, wide-leg jeans that hugged her thighs. She had on a strapless white shirt with a jean jacket that was the same color as her jeans. She had her braids pulled back in a high ponytail with a colorful headband. She wore no makeup besides shiny lip gloss. She wore platform shoes, giving her a little bit of a height bump. She rushed toward the car, throwing her body into the seat.
“Sorry for my tardiness,” Taja said.
I didn’t acknowledge what she said because the scent of her sweet perfume had me too hypnotized. It was as if she released a pheromone as soon as she sat down.
“What?” she asked, looking at me weird.
I didn’t even realize I was staring. “Nothing. Are you ready?”
Taja nodded as she reached for her seatbelt, and I started toward the hospital.
“This is my dream car,” she stated, rubbing the side door panel.
“TRU is paying you a hefty salary. Why not buy you one?”
Taja paused. “I told you, we are saving. One car is enough for now.”
I glanced over at her, and by the look on her face, I could tell she didn’t believe her own lie any longer. Instead of pressing the issue, I focused back on the road. We didn’t talk the rest of the ride. I sat comfortably as I listened to Taja hum to the music playing on the radio. Whether she could hold a tune, it was calming. It calmed the nerves that I felt driving to the hospital.
* * *
We finally arrived at the hospital. I sat in the car for a few minutes before shutting off the car.
“Are you ready?” Taja asked.
I shrugged. “Nah, but I know this is something I have to do.”
“You can do this, Weston. Just remember what I said. It’s not about the money. Don’t go in there ranting about what you can do financially.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “You got this.” She smiled softly, which helped ease the nerves that I was feeling.
Taja opened her door, and I followed. We walked at the same pace to the front of the hospital. She took charge again, telling them the unit and floor we needed to go on. When we made it to the elevator, my mind raced. I wasn’t sure how Rae was going to take seeing me again. I kept repeating over and over in my head not to mention money as my mind ran a mile a minute.
“Hey,” Taja softly spoke. She grabbed my hand and held it tight. “Breath, you got this, Weston.”
I knew she meant what she said because she looked me in the eyes.
“I got this,” I reassured myself, staring Taja back in the eye.
I leaned in to kiss her again. I told myself that the feel of her lips would help with nervousness, but I stopped when the elevator dinged. Taja let my hand go, making my body feel cold. We made our way into the unit, and it was busier than the last time. You could hear families. Some were crying, some laughed, and others seemed to have serious conversations. We made it to my mother’s room, and Rae sat on the side of her bed in a chair, her head in my mother’s lap.
“She looks to be sleeping. We should come back later,” I stated.
Taja sucked her teeth. “That’s even more reason for you to go in there and relieve her. She’s probably exhausted. Go ahead and walk in. I’ll stay out here.”
I quickly glanced at her. “No, come in with me. Please.”
Taja sighed. “Okay, Weston, but I’m going to stand in the corner.”
I nodded, thankful she would not leave me alone. I opened the door softly, careful not to wake Rae, but failed when she slowly raised her head. She rubbed her eyes and blinked to clear her vision. When she made eye contact with me, she rolled her eyes, and a mean mug covered her face.
“I thought you were the doctor,” she dryly noted. She looked over at Taja and smiled softly. “Hi, nice to see you again.”
“Nice to see you too, Rae.” I could tell she was smiling just by the air in her voice.
Rae looked back at me. We locked eyes, but neither one of us said anything. She seemed to be trying to figure out what sort of time I was on today.
“May I?” I asked, pointing my head at the extra chair near our mother’s bed.
“She’s your mother too, Wes. Of course, you can sit there.”
I looked at Taja, and she smiled. I slowly walked over and sat near Rae. She softly stroked my mother’s hand. My eyes made their way upward toward my mother. The tubes that ran through and out of her body hid her beautiful face. Her hair was all over her head, and her eyes were shut. The machine near her bed displayed her vitals, beeping every few seconds. I’ve never seen my mother so defeated. My throat tightened, and my eyes watered. My soul and heart began to fill with regret from the many years that I’d mistreated my mama. If I had listened to her that day, then I would’ve been able to save her, yet my many years of walking around with a chip on my shoulder had me feeling like the worst person on this earth.
“Rae—”
She held her hand up, stopping me. “Wes, if this is about money—”
“Nah, Rae. I was going to suggest that if you want to go home, get a change of clothes, or have something decent to eat, go ahead. I can stay here with Mama.”
“Huh?” She placed her hand on my forehead as if she were checking my temperature. “Are you sick?”
I playfully slapped her hand. “Chill, but nah, go ahead. I can keep her company.”
“Weston, are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m positive.”
Rae’s eyes watered, and she wrapped her arms around me, giving me a tight hug. I returned it, hugging her even tighter.
“Thank you, baby brother.”
My heart swelled, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold the tears, so I playfully pushed her off.
“Wow, you do smell,” I joked.
Rae playfully slapped my arm. “Shut up, Tank Head.” She wiped at her tears and stood from the chair. She placed a soft kiss on my mother’s forehead and gathered her items. As soon as she placed her purse on her shoulder, she dropped her head and shook it.
“I just realized I rode with mama to the hospital. I need to get an Uber.” She began scrolling on her phone.
“Um...I can take you,” Taja softly offered from the corner.
“You sure?” Rae asked Taja.
“Yeah, I’m sure you’re exhausted, and driving a car while sleepy is not a good idea. I don’t mind at all, as long as Tank Head is okay with me driving his car,” Taja teased.
I huffed. Annoyed that Taja heard Rae call me by my childhood nickname. However, I didn’t mind at all. Actually, I was appreciative that Taja would volunteer her time to help my sister while she was also helping me. I dug in my pocket and handed the keys to Rae.
“Don’t be joy riding in my shit,” I warned, looking at both of them.
“Oh, we will!” Taja squealed as she walked out of the room.
Rae looked over at me with a smile. “I like her.”
I said nothing as she walked out of the room to catch up with Taja. There was nothing for me to say because Rae wasn’t the only one that felt that way.