Prologue
Elise Marshay Hunter
NINE MONTHS AGO
My Instagram account had been popping more than ever since I posted pictures of my beautiful niece, Nova Victoria Hunter.
I replied to the few comments from some distant friends I met in college, and the handful of women I got along with from my parents’ church.
Every one of my twenty followers on my Instagram account was someone I could call, and they’d pick up.
I was never into posting on social media because my parents were strict when I was younger, and I had to sneak on to lurk in the shadows. That continued into college as well.
Unfortunately, their overbearing nature didn’t end when I went to college.
After sending Rashawn away from my dorm room that day, my parents took me home for the weekend.
We went to church, and my parents forced me to repent for my sins and make a promise to be a better role model for the younger children that looked up to me.
Apparently, everyone felt entitled to dissect my new wardrobe, my association with Victoria, and the fact that I was seen with Essex again.
My father turned my life into his Sunday sermon and made sure I was in the front row to hear about being led astray.
Oh, but my parents were sure to omit the sinful act that was my indiscretion with Rashawn when telling my business to anyone that would listen.
They didn’t want anyone to know about that.
It would shatter their image. Although Rashawn and I didn’t go all the way, my parents didn’t believe that, and I didn’t bother to argue after giving them the honest truth.
“Do you think I’m stupid? I know boys like Rashawn! They are takers. And they definitely aren’t giving and not receiving anything,” was my father’s response to the truth.
That weekend lit a rage in me I didn’t know existed.
When I got back to campus, I made an appointment with a financial aid counselor to see if my father was being honest, and to my dismay, he was correct.
I didn’t meet the qualifications to be an independent student, therefore I would require my parents’ signature and tax documents for my financial aid application every year.
The only way around it would possibly be direct, unsubsidized loans.
Without any other options, I sucked it up and did what was necessary to obtain my degree.
I went home for the holidays, answered when they called, and pretended like I was an exemplary child.
After obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I went straight to graduate school while my parents’ wallet was open.
Essex and Rashawn offered to cover my college expenses when they were in a position to do so during my junior year, but I couldn’t accept that when I learned more about how they earned their money.
The time I spent with Victoria and Essex wasn’t as public until after I finished grad school.
Against my parents’ wishes, I relocated to Tampa and secured a job closer to my brother.
That was the reprieve I desperately needed.
I paid my own way, and they no longer controlled every aspect of my life.
We were able to maintain a semi-healthy parent-child relationship after that.
Although our budding summer romance ended, I saw Rashawn all the time.
After punching my father in the face, Rashawn openly flirted with me, letting the world know he had a thing for me.
I can be honest and admit that I backslid a few times over the years and let Rashawn give me head, but that was it.
At least until Victoria was murdered, and I had to check Essex into a six week inpatient mental health program in Lake Park.
Essex wasn’t allowed visitors during the initial stabilization phase, which took a few days.
As soon as Essex was allowed visitors, Rashawn and I started spending more time together.
It was summer freshman year all over again.
Every weekend, we drove three and a half hours to Lake Park to visit Essex.
The facility allowed two visitation time slots on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and we were there for at least the evening slot on Friday and both slots on Saturday and Sunday.
We rented the same Airbnb every weekend and slept in separate rooms, but old feelings quickly resurfaced, and I ended up giving in to temptation, intertwining my soul with Rashawn.
For a fleeting moment, I felt like we were entering the next phase of our lives together.
Before I could get used to the idea of forever with Rashawn, things went awry again, and I was forced to put our budding relationship on ice.
That year changed Essex, but it changed me, too.
I grew even closer to God and had not missed a Sunday service since.
I stopped drinking altogether and reverted to only letting Rashawn give me oral pleasure here and there.
“Elise, who got you smiling at your phone like that? I know it better not be a nigga,” Rashawn’s voice serenaded me.
Every time Rashawn spoke, it felt like a siren’s call, and I had to fight tooth and nail to keep the lust from dragging me under his spell.
Quick jabs were the best way for me to mask the fact that I fought to keep my feelings at bay over the years.
“Rashawn, don’t you have some streets to run or something? You in here hogging the baby and minding my business,” I badgered, washing my hands in the sink because it was time for him to give up my Niecey Pooh.
“What? Are you jealous that she’s the apple of my eye now? She definitely knocked you down a few pegs, but there is room for both of y’all in my heart,” Rashawn teased, glancing over at me.
“Yeah, man, I told him that twice already. He has been holding my sister all day and needs to put her down. Nova better not come home spoiled either. I’mma have Essex drop her right off at your house if she does all that crying when we try to put her down,” Nash chimed in.
“Boy, please, you will go stay with Rashawn before the baby. I remember you used to keep me up with all that crying. I was so stressed out. You better hope she isn’t here to pay you back for what you put me through,” Nariyah snickered.
“Lil sis, you not here to terrorize me, are you?” Nash joked, rubbing Nova’s back.
I glanced over at Nariyah and noticed the low droop of her eyes and the fullness of her breasts beneath the hospital gown.
She looked absolutely ethereal, leaning her head on Essex’s shoulder with her knotless braids pulled into a high bun.
After pushing Nova out of her vagina au naturale, Nariyah was still talking and joking like she didn’t just bless us with the newest addition to our family a few hours prior.
Nariyah’s labor was swift. One minute we were walking around the school parking lot, waiting for Nash to get out of track practice, and the next thing I knew, Nariyah’s water broke, and I had to rush her to the hospital.
Nova almost came out before Essex arrived at the hospital, but he made it right as Nariyah started pushing.
“Come on, Rashawn. For real. I have to leave soon. Let me hold the baby,” I whined.
“I’m only giving Nova up because it’s you, beautiful, and I want to get on your good side,” Rashawn replied, slowly passing Nova to me.
Accepting Nova’s tiny body in my arms, I couldn’t fight the smile that crept on my face if I tried.
Nova was gorgeous, and the baby fever was instantaneous.
She looked just like our baby pictures, and I couldn’t get enough of her cute face.
Nova’s eyes were closed, but her lips gently smacked while her tongue thrust forward.
Niecey Pooh was hungry. I slowly stood from the couch and gently rocked Nova in my arms as she emitted low whimpers.
Even Nova’s cries were adorable. My phone vibrated in my back pocket, and I knew that was my ride.
“I know you’re hungry. I’m taking you to the source of your food. I have to get home because I have to be up early in the morning, but I will be back as soon as I get off work,” I cooed.
“You handling Nova like a pro,” Rashawn noted.
“Well, I used to work in the church nursery growing up. I guess it’s muscle memory,” I bubbled, leaning down to place Nova in Nariyah’s arms. “Nariyah, I left my purse in your truck during the pandemonium. I’ll text you and Essex when I get to your car so someone can unlock the doors for me.
Rashawn, where did you say you moved her truck to? ” I turned to face him.
“Third floor, right by the elevator,” he notified me, giving me an unreadable expression.
“How are you getting back to my house to grab your truck?” Essex inquired, placing the nursing cover over his wife. I’m sure that’s what Rashawn was wondering, but he wouldn’t dare ask in front of everyone.
“I have a ride that will get me back to my truck safely. Don’t worry,” I assured him before pecking his cheek.
“Who is picking you up, Ms. Thang?” Nariyah questioned while she focused on helping Nova latch.
“Oh goodness, you guys are nosey,” I chuckled.
I heard movement behind me, and Rashawn was off the couch and headed towards the door when I turned around. Ignoring his exit, I turned back around to face the new parents. “Are you guys sure you don’t want me to grab the hospital bag and bring it up here?”
“Nah, Rashawn is keeping Nash tonight, so he’s going to shoot him over to the crib to pack a bag, then he’ll bring it back before he heads home. We straight. Text me when you get home. I love you.”
“I love you all. Nariyah, make sure you get some good rest, and Essex, make sure you get her the best meal for dinner.”
“Oh fa sho. Her favorite lamb chops are already on the way,” he grinned.
“Thank you, mi amor,” Nariyah beamed.
“Of course, beautiful.”
Essex leaned in to peck Nariyah’s lips, and I turned to leave. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” I exited the hospital room and headed towards the elevator.