Chapter 13
The excitement I felt as we cruised down the highway had me on an emotional high.
I wanted to cry, smile, yell, and jump for joy all at the same time, but I got a hold of myself so I could save all of that for when I finally put eyes on my mom and sister.
I could just imagine how they were going to react to seeing me, and that alone made me appreciate Truce for coming to Muskegon and making things happen for me.
This had to be God answering all of those prayers I prayed over the past year.
The only downside to all of this was taking my baby away from her father, and him missing her first birthday.
But then again, we never talked about plans for her turning one.
Although she wouldn’t remember her first birthday, I was still going to celebrate her making it through her first year of life.
My baby deserved the world, and I was going to give it to her no matter what it took.
At some point during the three-hour drive, I fell asleep. When I awoke, I saw the “Welcome to Detroit” sign and damn near passed out from excitement.
“Oh my God! I can't believe I’m back here. This feels so unreal, Truce.”
“Are you excited?” Truce asked me with a smirk.
“You can't tell?” I laughed, and he joined in.
“Oh, I can tell. I’m happy I could make this happen for you, Jela. I was going to do it anyway, but I was trying to wait till after baby girl’s birthday.”
“Why?”
“Just in case you needed me to mediate him seeing her on her special day. Now that I know he’s operating with malicious intent, I wouldn’t want you or her to be anywhere near him right now.”
“I’m so sorry, Truce. I wish you never saw me cry that day. Seems like you made it your mission from that day forward to protect me from the boogeyman. Now, you and the boogeyman are at war because he won’t let me go.”
“Whether it were you or someone else, I’d do the same thing. Don’t worry yourself about this. The only thing I want to see is that pretty-ass smile and tears of joy when you reunite with your family.”
A smile lifted on my face, and I pushed thoughts of Damien out of my mind.
Fifteen minutes later, we were pulling in front of the colonial-style home in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
I couldn’t contain myself as I opened the door before the car even pulled all the way into the driveway.
There was an unfamiliar car in the driveway, but I assumed my mama had gotten a new ride.
“Slow down, shorty.” Truce chuckled, putting the car in park.
“Sorry, I just need to see them.”
“Go ahead. I got Chunks.”
“Okay!”
I got out of the car and hurried up the walkway just as an unknown man was coming out of the attached garage. I frowned at his unfamiliar face as his mirrored mine.
“Hello. Can I help you?” he asked.
“Hi. I’m looking for Draya Jackson. Does she still live here?”
“I’m sorry, who’s asking?”
“I’m her daughter, Jela.”
His eyes expanded, and he held his hand out for me to take. “Jela, I’m Al, well… Alex. I’m your mom’s husband.”
“Husband?”
“Yes. We got married four months ago. It’s so good to meet you. She talks about you all the time.”
“Oh… Wow. Is she inside?”
“No. She’s, um, in the hospital.”
“Hospital? Why?” I asked, feeling myself about to panic, just as Truce came and stood next to me with Scottlyn in his arms.
“She caught pneumonia a few weeks ago and has been in there since then. I was just stopping by the house to get her more clothes. I can take you to her.”
“Can you please?”
“Of course. Follow me.”
Truce and I got back inside his truck and followed Alex to the hospital.
“I hope she’ll be okay,” I voiced, rubbing my hands down my thighs to settle my racing nerves.
“I’m sure she will be.”
“And she got married. I’ve only been gone a year, and already she’s married? She wasn’t even dating when I was here.”
“Maybe she was keeping him a secret.”
“We never keep secrets from each other. She would have told me. And she used to be a whole doctor. How the heck did she catch pneumonia?”
Truce chuckled lightly. “Doctors get sick sometimes, too, love. Don’t stress yourself.”
I sighed and nodded, remaining quiet the rest of the ride to the hospital. We pulled into the hospital’s valet ten minutes later, and Truce put the car in park, getting comfortable in the driver’s seat.
“I’ll wait out here for you.”
“Would it be too much to ask… if you could come in with me?”
“It wouldn’t. I just thought you’d want a private moment with your moms.”
I shrugged. “I like having you around.”
Because you give me peace and comfort, I wanted to add, but felt I’d be overstepping my boundaries if I did.
“I like being around…”
We stared at each other for a long moment before we were interrupted by a tap on his window.
It was the valet ready to take care of his truck.
We got out of the truck and followed the Alex guy inside the hospital.
We took the elevator up to the fourth floor and walked down a few halls before approaching my mother’s room.
He opened the door, and the first person I saw was my sister sitting beside her bed, watching television.
“Draya, someone is here to see you,” Alex called into the room before we walked inside the standard-size room.
Both Jas and my mom looked over at me, and Jas jumped up from her seat, racing over to me. “Jelly Bean!”
I opened my arms and received her as we both cried audibly. We held each other so tight and for so long that hearing my mom’s voice reminded us that she was there also. I approached her bed and took her hand as tears flowed down both of our cheeks.
“My Jelly Bean.” She smiled, and I fell into her bosom.
“Mommy!” I cried.
She wrapped her arms around me while kissing my forehead and rubbing my hair. This moment seemed so surreal. I felt like I was in a dream I never wanted to wake up from.
“Baby, I’m so happy to see you. Why haven’t you called me?” she asked, holding my face in her palms.
“You would never imagine what I’ve been through, Mommy. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you and Jas. I’m so, so sorry!”
“It’s okay, my love. You’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”
“How are you, Mommy?” I asked, concerned.
“I’m doing so much better now. This pneumonia crap ain’t no joke. I felt like death was coming upon me.” She giggled. “Enough about me. Where is my Sweet Pea?”
I turned just as Truce walked over with Scottlyn in his arms.
“Oh my God! Look at her. Hi, Auntie baby… I’m your Auntie Jas.” When Jas went to reach for her, Scottie recoiled and held onto Truce’s neck tightly.
That broke my heart. Scottlyn was a friendly baby. She was always open to others holding her. Seeing her react to my sister like that made me regret my decision to leave them for Damien for the thousandth time.
Truce rubbed her back gently. “Chunks, you gon’ diss your auntie like that? Come on, baby girl. Be nice.” He tried handing her over again, but Scottie withdrew and began whining.
I sighed, rubbing my arms. “I’m so sorry, sis. She doesn’t usually act this way. She may be tired from the drive.”
“It’s okay. She doesn’t know me yet, so I expect it.” Jas had a smile on her face, but I knew her feelings were hurt.
My mom sat up in the hospital bed. “Bring her to me. She won't resist her Nammy.”
Truce moved over to the bed and handed her over. Scottie went with no problem or protest. Scottlyn lay her head on my mom's shoulder just as I had previously.
“Oh, for real, Scottlyn? That’s how you do me? I’m jealous!” Jas pouted.
“She’s so precious, Jela. I’m so glad to put eyes on you. It’s been a rough year without you, but God answered my prayers—he sent you back to me.” My mom held out her hand, and I took it, kissing it.
“I would ask if you were the father, but I know what that ho-ass nigga look like. I’m Jasmine, and you are?” I heard Jas say, and could see her checking Truce out.
I laughed inside, watching her size him up with lust dancing in her eyes.
“I’m Truce. Jela’s friend.”
“Friend, huh?”
I sniggered. “I’d sure hate if he was anything else to me with the way you’re eye-fucking him. Excuse my French, Mommy.”
Jas shrugged with a grin. “I mean… look at him. Like… God didn’t play about you, that’s for sure.”
“He still doesn’t,” Truce responded, licking his lips and tucking them, trying to suppress his smile.
“Whew, chile!” Jas said, fanning herself, and I giggled harder.
“Behave, Shanae,” my mom told her.
Pointing to Truce, I said, “Mommy, meet Truce Stone. Truce, this is my mother, Draya Jackson.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Draya. I see where your daughters get their looks from.”
My mom blushed, tucking her hand behind her ear.
“Aye, now. Not too much,” Alex said as we all laughed.
“Nice to meet you, Truce. Thank you for bringing my baby back to me.”
“It was my pleasure,” he replied. “I’m going to go grab something to eat. Did you want something? I think I saw a Burger King downstairs on the way in,” he asked me.
“Yes. I’ll take anything except their chicken,” I replied.
“Got you. Anyone else want anything?”
Jas shook her head. “Nah, we’re good.”
“All right. I’ll be right back.” He rubbed his thumb across my cheek and smiled at me.
I smiled back, trying not to hug and kiss him on his mouth for bringing me here to my family.
“I’m going to come with you to give them a moment,” Alex said, following Truce out of the door.
I watched him swagger out of the room, feeling shit I knew I shouldn’t be feeling for my baby daddy’s brother. When my eyes shifted to my mother, she was staring at me and smiling.
“He likes you.”
I smiled. “He does, but not like that.”
“Girl, please. The way he was looking at you before he walked out of here told me everything I needed to know.”
“He’s Damien’s brother.”
“What?” both my mom and Jas said simultaneously.
I nodded with slight shame across my face because I liked Truce, too, but it was wrong.
“Tell us what happened, Jelly. And don’t leave anything out,” Jas said.