Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
“You sure you don’t want me to lay her down?” my mother asked me for the third time.
“No. She’s fine.”
I didn’t want to let Emorey out of my sight.
Her presence was bringing me the small amount of peace that I’d be getting for a while.
I’d experienced so much in the last few months that something deep in my bones was telling me it had come to an end.
It wouldn’t be much longer before all hell broke loose.
My thoughts drifted toward Luca. The disappointment that flashed across his face as I spoke to him stuck with me.
I’d been rude and disrespectful to the man who had been nothing but a blessing to me.
Instead of running into his arms for the safety and protection I knew he could provide, I lashed out at him and ran in the opposite direction.
“Okay, well can you at least tell me what’s going on?”
“A lot, Mom. A lot.”
“Okay, well you’re here so you must feel like I should know.”
She was right. That’s exactly how I felt. When there was no place else I felt welcomed, it was in my mother’s arms. It was her I ran to, which was why I’d come as soon as I picked up Essence from school.
“I saw Scar.”
“Okay, who is Scar and why is seeing him important?”
“Scar is Dewayne’s best friend.”
There was a brief moment of silence before she continued.
“And what did he say?”
“Nothing really. I rushed past him and told him that my flight would be leaving in an hour. You know how much I hate lying, but I had to think of something in case he goes back to tell Dewayne. I know he will.”
“Is he here alone?”
“That’s something I don’t know either and what’s killing me. Because what if it’s actually Dewayne that he’s in Channing with? He travels often so his presence in another city isn’t unusual but Channing of all places? What are the odds?”
“Have you talked to Luca about this?”
My mother was in love with Luca. She’d met him on several occasions and even managed drop-offs and pickups for the girls with him.
She had never seen a man treat her daughter with so much respect and love me so openly until she met Luca.
While she was praying for our union, I was making a mess of it.
“That’s another thing. I fought with him instead of confiding in him. Now, I’m hurt that I probably hurt him.”
“How? Ever, what have you done?”
My eyes pricked as I leaned my head back on the pillow of the couch. I was so ashamed of my actions that I didn’t even want to share what I’d done with my mother. However, I knew she wouldn’t judge me. She’d only tell me how to move forward and learn from my mistakes.
“I yelled at him and was really rude.”
“What? YOU? ” appalled, she asked. It was so out of character for me, but I only had my misplaced emotions to blame.
“Yes, and outside of Emorey’s school at that.”
“Ever. Come on now, baby.”
“Mom, I know.”
“Tell me what happened?”
“It was right around the time I’d seen Scar that I got the call from the school saying that Emorey had fallen.
I rushed over to get her and when I got in her class, I didn’t see her.
I asked her teacher where she was and she said that her daddy had already gotten her.
The first person that came to mind was Dewayne! Luca never even crossed my mind.”
“But, don’t you have it in the paperwork to not let him get either of them?”
“Yes, but that didn’t cross my mind either.
All I was thinking was that Dewayne had come and took my baby.
I was paralyzed immediately. I couldn’t speak and I couldn’t move.
When I finally came to, I rushed back outside to get my cell and call Luca.
Before I could, he was calling my name in the parking lot.
When I turned around to tell him what was happening, I saw Emorey beside him, and I just flipped out. ”
“What did you say?”
“He needed my permission to take her anywhere and some other stuff I don’t even remember. All I know is that I was mean to him, and I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“Well, it’s a good thing that Emorey is OK.
I know you are going through it right now but before the night is over, you have to apologize to that man and tell him what’s going on.
He will understand why you reacted that way.
Hell, even I understand but he won’t know unless you tell him.
Now, I have to go put my cornbread in the oven. ”
My mother stood from the other end of the couch and stretched. There was something else I had to share with her, though. I didn’t want her to leave so soon.
“But, there’s more.”
“More?” She sighed, sitting back down. “What else is it, Ever?”
“I’m pregnant,” I revealed.
“You’re what?”
“Pregnant.”
“I’d say you move fast, but I’ve seen Luca and I don’t blame you, honey. I would’ve been pregnant day one. That man is a gift from God, him and that brother of his. I’d swear they were twins if I didn’t know any better.”
“No. Seriously. They’re two years apart and look identical. It’s insane.”
“No, it’s not. Have you seen your children?”
“Well, you do have a point there.”
“Does Luca know about the pregnancy?”
“Yes. Well, we’ve both suspected it for some time now we just haven’t confirmed it. But I know my body and there’s nothing a test can tell me I don’t already know.”
“How far along are you?”
“I’ve only missed one period so somewhere between six and eight weeks I’m assuming. Last month, my period was extremely light and late. It only lasted two and a half days, which could’ve been my first sign of pregnancy. I don’t know.”
“Well, again, I don’t blame you. Not one bit. And, I’m very, very happy for you, Ever.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Try having a boy this time. I love my girls, but James needs a buddy now. He’s tired of us women crowding his space. He’s been secretly wishing for a boy from you for years.”
“Tell him he might just get his wish, then, because I have a strong feeling that this one is indeed a boy. Luca wants a son, too.”
“I’m sure going to pray on it. You staying for dinner?”
“Yes. I’m staying until I feel a little better. Right now I’m a wreck. I don’t want to be home alone.”
“You don’t have to be but you’re being stubborn right now.”
“I know, but we both need time to cool off right now. Things got a little heated earlier.”
“Alright. Whatever you say. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”
This time, I allowed my mother to leave my presence and head into the kitchen.
The smell of her smothered liver, brown rice, and corn on the cob made my stomach growl.
I was hungry just thinking about the food I was going to pile on my plate.
It had been years since I’d eaten liver, but I had every intention of making up for lost time. It used to be one of my favorites.
Between dinner and comfort, I was unable to fight the sleep that kept knocking for me to answer. I laid out on the couch in the living room watching television with James and the next thing I knew, I was waking up to a chiming phone and darkness surrounding me.
“Hello?” I answered, recognizing Luca’s contact almost instantly.
“What you doing?” My heart ached as I heard the sadness in his voice. Just like I missed him, he missed me too.
“Laying down.”
“Where? Because I’m at your apartment and you’re not here.”
I melted. Luca was at my place, and I was miles away on my mother’s couch. He’d come to me even after our spat, ready to love me through my bullshit. My eyes blurred as I thought of the words to say to him.
“I’m on my mother’s couch.”
“And I’m in your bed. Get the girls ready. I’m coming to get y’all.”
“No. It’s fine. I can drive.”
“You’re crying and it’s late.”
“Because I’m pregnant,” I confessed.
“I know, baby.” Luca responded in his usual, calm manner.
“And I was so mean to you.”
“It’s aight. I’m not laying down, pissed, so you’re not allowed to either. Bring your ass home so that we can talk about this shit. There’s more to the story than you being pissed about me taking my baby to get ice cream, Ever.”
“There is.”
“Okay and you’ve got all night to explain that. Come ’ere.”
“I love you, Luca,” I admitted for the very first time, wiping the tears that constantly fell from my eyes.
“Forever,” he responded before hanging up the phone.
I lifted my shirt from around my waist and wiped my face with it. Before I hit the road, it was imperative that I cleaned up my act. Otherwise, I’d be putting the girls’ lives in danger as well as my own. I couldn’t have that. Luca would not approve and neither did I.
“Essence. Emorey?”
Though I couldn’t see them, I could hear their little voices coming from the kitchen. I followed them until I reached my unofficial twins. They were up eating ice cream with my mom and James.
“Really? It’s nine o’clock. Why does everyone have ice cream in their hands?”
No one said anything. They all just looked at me like I was the crazy one. With a shake of my head, I opened the fridge and grabbed a dipped cone, too. I wasn’t going to be the only one missing out on the fun.
“Alright, girls. It’s time to go home. Go grab your things and let’s get out of here.”
They both took off down the hallway laughing.
“Hey, Ever. Your mom tells me it’s a possibility that clown might be aware of your whereabouts,” James said to me, the concern obvious on his aging skin.
“It’s possible, but I’m not sure yet. If he does, he will surface soon. I just hope that isn’t the case.”
“Me either but if he come fucking with us, I’m going to gladly put a bullet in his ass like I’ve always wanted to.”
“I don’t condone violence, but please do. He has no business even near y’all’s house.”
“I was thinking that we should all get restraining orders against him.”
“That ain’t shit but a piece of paper. I got something to restrain his ass.”
“Oh Lord,” my mother complained.
“What? I’m just telling it like it is.”