Chapter 20
“You look like hell,” my mother said when she entered my apartment.
“I feel like hell too. I barely made it through the past two days of work. Thank you for coming over.”
She followed me to my living room, where I resumed my position lying on the couch, and she sat in the sofa chair.
“You know when my babies need me, I’m coming. Thank goodness it’s Friday, and you can use the weekend to rest. What’s wrong?”
“I think I’m pregnant.”
I’d already cried about it, but there I was, crying again.
“Oh, Lani. That’s nothing to cry about. You’ll be twenty-nine in a few weeks. You’re a grown woman.”
She moved to the edge of the couch to comfort me.
“I know, but this is not how it was supposed to happen. Me and Rowdy haven’t even talked about kids or marriage or anything.”
“I guess it’s time you do.”
“We can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I haven’t talked to or seen him in almost two weeks.”
“Two weeks? What happened?”
“I told him to leave and not to come back until he’s ready to be honest with me.”
“I’m not gonna get into your business, but this must be serious.”
“Ma, I think he is or was a drug dealer, but doesn’t want to tell me.”
“Oh damn. This is serious, and that’s a strong accusation. I assume you have your reasons for drawing that conclusion and didn’t just pull that out of your ass.”
“I have my reasons, and they’re legit. Ramina refuses to tell me anything. She said she would only betray her brother if he was cheating on me. Anything else needs to come from him.”
My mother nodded. “She’s a smart girl. You can’t expect her to drop a dime on her brother, who, based on their age difference, probably raised her.”
“I know, and I shouldn’t have put her in that position.”
“Has he called?”
“He was calling to check on me, but I stopped answering after the third day because he didn’t want to tell me what I wanted to know. Now he only texts to make sure I’m good and to tell me he loves me.”
“I wish I had some answers for you, sweetheart. All I can say is give him time. If he loves you, he’ll come around. In the meantime, why haven’t you taken a pregnancy test?”
“Honestly, Ma, I’m embarrassed to say.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m too old to be this confused about my body.”
“Girl, a woman’s body confuses the most educated doctors in the world. Don’t be embarrassed.”
I’d been lying down while we talked but sat up and made room for my mother next to me. She scooted from the edge of the couch and wrapped her arm around my shoulder, letting me rest my head on her chest.
“Rowdy and I always use condoms, but about a month ago, we slipped up. I planned to take a Plan B, but I forgot.”
“Most women don’t have symptoms until after they’ve missed their cycle, but a lot of the early pregnancy signs are the same as the ones you experience leading up to your cycle. What symptoms have you had?”
“I’ve been vomiting the past two mornings. My boobs are super tender and feel like they’ve grown two sizes. My past two cycles were super light, but I didn’t think much of it because it always happens at the beginning of the school year when I’m stressed.”
“So, you think you could be a few months along?”
“It’s possible, but we’ve been using protection.”
“I know you know condoms aren’t 100 percent effective.”
“I do, but don’t you think I would’ve known, or at least suspected I was pregnant sooner than two days ago?”
“Not necessarily. I didn’t know I was pregnant with you or Indy until I was about four months along.”
“Really? That’s crazy.”
“Part of the reason was because I suffered from PCOS, and my cycle came when it wanted to. I didn’t experience any symptoms for the entirety of those pregnancies.
Some women know immediately, some don’t.
There’s no rhyme or reason to it all. Let’s find out if you’re actually pregnant so we can stop speculating. ”
“If I’m pregnant, you won’t be disappointed in me?”
“Of course not. I’ll always be proud of you. Why don’t I go pick up a test so we can be sure?”
“Will you, Ma? That would be so helpful. I’m just not feeling up to it.”
“The pharmacy is right down—”
My phone rang, and Ramina’s name flashed across the screen. I was immediately concerned because she usually only called me when Rowdy was with me and wasn’t answering his phone.
“Hey, Mina. Is everything—”
“Rowdy was shot!” she shouted.
“What?”
I was on my feet, frantically searching for my slides and purse. My mother could only hear my side of the conversation, but I could sense her concern.
“Rowdy was shot. Please come to the hospital.”
“Which one?”
“OC General.”
“I’m on my way. Ma, Rowdy was shot. We gotta get to OC General.”
She didn’t ask any questions, and we were out of my apartment in a flash. I was grateful she was with me because I was too nervous to drive. I should’ve asked Ramina for more details, but I’d know what I needed to know soon enough.
“What if—” I began before my mother cut me off.
“Stop right there. I know a million things are racing through your mind. All you know is he was shot. Don’t let your mind take you beyond that, and pray it’s nothing more.”
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and prayed until my mother tapped me on my shoulder. We quickly exited her car and rushed toward the emergency room entrance. Once inside, I spotted Rowdy’s mother right away, pacing back and forth.
“Ms. Dawn.”
She followed my voice, and we rushed toward each other. The three of us embraced for a moment, and when we separated, tears were in our eyes.
“Do you know what happened?” I asked.
“Only that he was shot, and he passed out because he lost so much blood.”
“Where’s Ramina?”
“She went to the bathroom. Let’s sit over there.”
We sat in a row of empty seats, and a few minutes later, Ramina returned.
“You came,” she said when she saw me.
I stood to hug her, and she began to sob.
“Rowdy’s a strong man. He’ll be fine,” I said in an effort to convince us both.
“They won’t tell us anything, so that means it’s bad,” she cried.
“Think positively, Mina,” her mother said.
“Dawn!” a male’s voice shouted, gaining our attention.
Ms. Dawn stood and rushed into the man’s arms. After they exchanged a few words, she introduced him as her brother, David.
“This is Rowdy’s girlfriend, Noelani, and her mother, Natavia.”
“It’s nice to meet you ladies, but I wish it were under different circumstances.”
We nodded in agreement. He sat on the other side of Ramina, and a little more than an hour passed before someone came out.
“The Noble Family.”
We all stood and rushed to the doctor.
“I’m Rowdy’s mother. Is he okay?”
“I’m Dr. Ray. Your son is doing well, ma’am.
I’m not sure how much you were told, so I’ll start from the beginning.
He was shot in the shoulder and lost a substantial amount of blood.
We were able to stop the bleeding, and a blood transfusion is in process now.
Based on what I’ve been able to see, the bullet entered the back of his shoulder and exited through the front.
Before we move forward, we must confirm there were no fragments left behind, so after the transfusion, X-rays will be done to determine the next steps. Does anyone have any questions?”
“Is he awake?” Ms. Dawn asked.
“He’s been in and out. Your son is a lucky man. From what I understand, after he was shot, he drove himself here, parked his car, and managed to walk to the entrance. He passed out just as he reached the desk. He was administered a low dose of pain meds, so he should be awake and alert soon.
After the transfusion and X-rays, he’ll be assigned to a room. Once that’s done, someone will notify you. Any more questions?”
No one responded, so the doctor nodded and disappeared through the double doors he’d entered. We returned to our seats, and although the news was positive and I felt better, I had a lot of questions.
“Did Rowdy happen to say where he was going?” I asked.
“No. He was gone when I got in from work. The only reason I knew he’d been shot was because one of my coworkers saw him being put on a gurney and recognized him from when he visited,” Dawn said.
I noticed Ramina’s leg shaking and her fiddling with her hands.
“What do you know, Ramina?”
She looked at me with tears in her eyes. “I don’t know anything. I swear I don’t. He doesn’t tell me where he’s going unless he’s coming to your place.”
Ramina may not have known Rowdy’s exact whereabouts, but I had a feeling she knew something. I’d bet my last dollar that whatever he was up to had everything to do with the phone call I overheard. What the hell are you up to, Rowdy?