Chapter 19
Pernelle
Six months later
I was trying to stay in good spirits today because it was my birthday, and because we were that much closer to finishing the house. I had my baby on my hip as I walked through the living room, where the last touches were being added to the floors.
“Does everything look good to you?” The head contractor asked.
“Of course it does. I love it. I’m going to have to tell Scotty y’all are highly recommended.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Scotty’s uncle pressed his hands together with a proud smile on his face.
This whole renovation went smoother than I imagined.
It was mostly thanks to them and to Ciara, who helped me find a vision I didn’t even realize I had.
Buying this house turned out to be the best thing that could’ve happened to me at that point in my life.
It gave me something to keep busy and focus on.
When Crew got sentenced and left, I spiraled fast. Depression, anger, and loneliness hit all at once.
It felt like everything we’d been building was wasted like it had never been real at all, because it all crashed down together.
His father’s actions weren’t right, and I can only hope karma finds him someday.
He took away a father from his child, a protector from his girl. A son from his mother.
Crew left all his money and assets to Amira and me, but I wasn’t reckless with it.
In fifteen years, when he gets out, I know he’ll want money waiting on him, so I check with him before making any big purchases.
Recently, I asked if I could invest in Ciara’s plant shop, hoping to double our money.
Ciara left the center in good hands with Mindy; chasing her real dream which was more important to her.
She loves nature, and I truly believe the coffee and plant shop idea is a good investment.
Ciara's design is unique, and no where in New York is like it. I am excited to see it grow.
I visited Crew as often as I could and always brought the baby.
Amira knew her daddy and her face lit up every time he appeared around the corner in that all-white suit.
Even behind bars, he was still handsome, still smooth and happy-go-lucky.
During visits, I saw guards laughing with him and talking to him like he was just another regular guy, which always put me at ease.
At least my baby wasn’t in there feeling like he let us down, because he didn’t.
He followed his heart, and I can’t be mad at that.
Honestly, I’m with one of the realest niggas there is.
After talking with the contractor, I stepped outside to find Ciara in her garden by the porch, surrounded by flowers almost as tall as she was.
I could still picture her watering the plants every day back in that tiny Castle Hill apartment, calling them Envouge.
Now, she referred to the ones out here as Destiny’s Child and had a favorite plant she called Beyoncé.
“Hey, my best birthday bitch!”
She waved from across the street, arm swinging side to side.
My baby got excited instantly.
“Cici, Cici,” she squealed, bouncing on my hip.
Seeing Ciara always lifted my heart, but the sight of her glowing with that baby made it even better. After all the heartbreak, she and Hov were finally blessed with a baby, and she was now eight months along. It filled me with joy just to witness her happiness blooming in front of me.
Ciara and I met in the middle of the street, and I reached out, rubbing her stomach.
“Why are you out here working in this heat. Where is your husband at?”
“Girl, that man is not sitting me down or the boss of me. But, he took his grandma to the store. That’s why I snuck out here.”
“Yeah, I knew he wasn't here.”
I laughed at her trying to play tough.
“How is everything coming along on the inside? It looks really good from out here. You have to take me through there one day.”
“You know I can’t wait to show you what they’ve done so far, but only when everything is put away, and there are no loose boards or screws anywhere. I don’t need you tripping and falling and Hov killing the construction crew because of you.”
“Girl, you already know, but regardless of how it looks on the inside, I’m just happy to have you and my baby across the street. I know our girls are going to be just as close as we are.”
“Yes, or they are going to catch many whippings until they are.”
“So, what are you doing for your birthday tonight?”
“I don’t know. Probably drop her off at my mom’s. Go get dinner. Have a drink.”
“By yourself?”
“Yeah, I don’t mind being alone these days, and you out of commission, so.”
“Girl, I am not on bedrest anymore. I have officially made it past the scary part. So, I can join you. I could really use getting out of the house myself anyway. How about we go somewhere tonight? We can both throw on pretty dresses, hop in my car, and make tonight a girl’s night.”
“That sounds fun, but are you sure about going out? I’d hate for somebody to bump into you or”
“Listen, I’m okay. Like I told Hov, I’m good.
God has been blessing us with the new business ventures and the baby, and I believe wholeheartedly that he is going to keep blessing us.
I am claiming that this pregnancy is going to be easy from here on out.
I feel her kicking every hour on the hour.
She's strong, and I’m strong so if you want to go out, I’m down.
I miss you, friend, and just us talking and laughing will bring back feelings of the old days. The good days, though.”
“Yes, you and I have for sure come a long way from those bad days.”
“Right? Sitting on those stoops in Castle Hill broke, walking to Sylvia’s together to share a bag of cheddar Ruffles and an orange Fanta. Now we are renovating houses across from each other, and about to raise daughters together. We made it, my girl.”
Her and I shared a long hug.
“What time do you want to go?”
“Let’s say like 7:00 PM. Go back to your condo and get dressed, and I’ll get dressed as slow as my big self can bend, and then I’ll come pick you up. Sound good?”
“Everything except you picking me up. Why can’t I pick you up instead?”
“Because it’s your birthday, and you need to be able to get as drunk as you want. Hell, I can’t drink so I’m automatically the designated driver.”
“Whatever you say, friend. But let me get back inside. I’ll see you at seven tonight.”
“Seven sis. Bye, Auntie Mir Mir.” Ciara pinched on Amira’s cheeks, and we started back across the road.
After leaving Ciara, I went back inside to check if the workers needed any more approvals before we returned to the condo for now.
After Crew went to jail, he insisted we stay somewhere else besides his place just to be cautious with him gone.
We moved into a nice Brooklyn building with a doorman and garage security.
Hov checked in often, always bringing his uncle's baby donuts—Amira’s weakness.
His mom and sister, Jas, visited a lot, too.
Honestly, Amira was the only thing keeping Ms. Debbie sane after what Gio did.
She blamed herself at first, feeling she should’ve let Gio die that day instead of saving him.
We all knew Crew was wrong for shooting Gio, yet he was justified—especially now.
Part of me can’t wait to hear that someone else shot Gio again, since he put Crew behind bars.
Once we settled in at the condo, I called my mom to babysit Amira because I didn’t want to disturb Ms. Debbie tonight, even though I knew she would’ve jumped up the second I called her.
Once my mom showed up, she greeted Amira the same way she always did, kissing her on the cheeks and across her forehead, as she always did to say hello.
I got dressed in peace since Amira wasn’t crying and wanting to be on my hip, and took my time straightening out my hair and putting on makeup, which I rarely wear these days.
Once I was done, I stepped out of the restroom fully dressed and feeling good.
“Okay, Mama, she ate like two hours ago, so don’t let her convince you that she's hungry again because her little greedy self just lies sometimes. The most she can have is a snack, and I mean fruit snacks. No chips.”
“Why can’t my baby have chips?” she joked.
“Because that’s all she wants to eat, just like her damn daddy.”
“But grandma loves how chunky these legs are. Princeton has been calling her piglet. He loves this baby.”
I laughed at his dumb ass nickname.
“Honestly, if he didn’t have a nickname for her, I would be concerned. I have been chicken head for years. Where is he at tonight?”
“Took his little girlfriend to the movie’s child. He’s been spending every weekend with her.”
“That’s cute, I just hope he’s not working on any babies.”
“You and me both. I only have enough room for one grand love right now.” My mama started tickling in Amira’s stomach.
As evening set in, Ciara called and said that she was outside, so I kissed Amira on her lips and walked out of the condo, locking the door behind me.
“Ooouu, girlfriend, you look amazing.” Ciara was hyping me up out of the window.
“Thank you, friend. I do feel kind of cute today.” I strolled up to the passenger door.
“Hold on, P, can I ask you something?” She asked once I climbed in the car.
“Of course, what’s up?”
“Do you mind driving so I can get a little nap in on the way?”
“See, Ciara. That is exactly why I told you not to come. I would’ve been fine at home, and you need your rest.”
She started to laugh so hard before waving her hand.
“It’s a joke, it’s a joke.”
“Stop playing with me about my niece, you tramp.”
“I’m sorry. She pinched my cheeks.”
“Now let’s roll, friend. Time to paint the city red.”
“Okay, let’s do it.” I snapped my fingers, turning up the song playing on the radio.