Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
KARIMA
“I can’t believe you didn’t want to do a gender reveal party,” Milana said.
“You know I don’t need that much attention. The other day was more than enough. How’s Yendi?”
“She’s doing good. JJ is being spoiled and whiny, but no one expected anything less. Jakari getting more gray headed by the day fooling with that lil boy. I don’t know how they do it.”
I giggled as I sat on Aunt Tiffany’s back porch, rocking in a rocking chair. When I got back from the doctor’s office, everyone was waiting to find out what I was having. I was a little in my feelings, though, so I’d gone home first. I needed to calm down from my interaction with Rhodes. I was feeling way too sensitive with him. He misread that as a green light. Had he kissed me in that office, he would have had me in his bed later, bucking and sucking. I was so damn horny that feat wouldn’t have been hard to accomplish.
I had to decline lunch, and it looked like it broke him. However, I tried to give him hope and tell him maybe we could go next time. My appointment for next month was at ten, so we would finish right around lunchtime. I could tell he was disappointed, but I just couldn’t. We would have to have a serious conversation between now and then. My heart was still healing from what he’d done to it. So it was off-limits right now. It was too weak concerning him. I couldn’t allow him to make a fool of me again.
“Well, Cassie is having a boy, you’re having a girl, and we’re waiting to see what Mekayla is having. I think the appointment is later next week. I still can’t believe you’re having a baby.”
“It’s unbelievable to me too sometimes. It’s been an adjustment, that’s for sure.”
She gave me a tight smile. “Well, have you thought of names yet?”
Before I could respond, I heard Aunt Tiff yelling. “Lana! Why I don’t see that horse running?”
When she stepped out on the porch and saw me, her frown turned into a smile. “I guess I’ll excuse you this time.”
Milana chuckled and rolled her eyes then stood to go saddle her horse. I hated Aunt Tiff interrupted us, because I needed to talk to her about this ratchet ass bullshit I heard about her sleeping with her boyfriend’s brother. Jacob had mentioned it to me because he knew how close we were. I wished she would have told me, but she hadn’t. It had been over five months since that had happened, so she had plenty opportunity to say something by now, whether that had been in person or by phone.
Aunt Tiff sat next to me and asked, “So how did it go?”
“The appointment went well.”
She slightly twisted her lips, causing me to laugh. I knew she wasn’t talking about the appointment. “Heifer, you good and got damn well know what the fuck I’m talking about.”
“Damn, Auntie. I was just picking with you.” She chuckled as I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. “He’s trying so hard. He almost made me slip. I was feeling so sensitive. I love my baby, and that is the mindset I was in because of the appointment. That love nearly spilled over to him. I was nice, maybe too nice, so he thought I would be comfortable with him being in my space for an extended amount of time.”
“The problem is that you are comfortable, and you don’t want to be. Why you playing games with him? I did that same shit with Ryder. The man has been without you for four months. If you still love him, give him a chance to prove how much he loves you and how sorry he is. There is nothing he can do about this shit now. It’s done, and a baby will be here in a few short months. Quit being so hard concerning love.”
She slowly shook her head and closed her eyes. “You remind me so much of myself. After fucking around with Reggie, niggas made my skin crawl. Ryder nearly broke my fucking back when he threw me against the wall for trying to run him.”
My eyebrows lifted. She glanced at me and chuckled. “Not in an abusive way, Karima.”
I rolled my eyes and turned my lip up. The last thing I wanted to get a mental picture of was them having sex against the wall. She continued. “I was so guarded. I walked in on what I thought was some fuck shit and beat the shit out of this ho he used to fuck around with and didn’t talk to him for nearly a week because of what I thought had happened. He had to show me the camera footage so I could see exactly what happened for myself. I didn’t trust that he was telling me the truth.”
She grabbed my hand as I rocked slowly, my left hand resting on my belly. “He fucked up. He’s admitted that and apologized repeatedly for it. If you love him and believe he’s being sincere, give him a little leeway. Let him wine and dine you, spend them bands on you. Make that nigga pay for that shit, but don’t turn him away because you’re scared.”
I nodded, hoping I could allow myself to do what she was suggesting as we watched Milana warm her horse up. When a truck turned in the driveway, I looked closer to see it was Uncle Storm. A one-sided smile made its way to my lips. “Your brother is here.”
Aunt Tiff peeked around me and saw Uncle Storm getting out of his truck. “Aww shit. Let’s see what kind of foolishness his ass finna be on today.”
She rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair. When I turned back to him and saw the frown on his face, I knew he’d either saw her or heard her. Unc didn’t miss a thing. I chuckled as he approached. “Tiff, fix yo’ damn face. That nigga Z-Ro already got me feeling hostile. Don’t be sitting here acting like I ain’t ‘him.’”
I wanted to laugh so bad, but I knew he was serious as hell. Aunt Tiff frowned. “First of all, you always feeling hostile. Don’t let Z-Ro get yo’ ass fucked up, nigga. You know I ain’t never been one to pacify yo’ ass. You want that, you better go see Chrissy or Jen. Fuck you thought.”
I swore, the older they got, the worse they behaved. “Tiff, quit showing off in front of Karima. ’Cause what the fuck you talkin’ ’bout, I ain’t him? I been him-athan.”
If this fool quoted “HIM” by Z-Ro and CeeLo Green one more damn time. The song was the shit, but Uncle Storm was gonna have me not liking it anymore. He quoted Kendrick’s “They Not Like Us” so much I was sick of it, and I was the patient Henderson. Everyone else was ready to punch him in his mouth whenever he said something about popping out and showing niggas.
I chuckled as I listened to them go back and forth. He finally turned his attention to me and gave me a slight smile. “Hey, Rima. How you feeling?”
“I’m good, Unc. I found out today I’m having a girl.”
“You ain’t been having problems with that nigga, huh?”
“No. He came to the appointment with me. I’m thinking about giving him another chance to get it right, so I’m gonna need you to chill if he starts coming around.”
He frowned again. “When have you ever known me to chill? I only do that at the family smoke sessions.” He looked at his watch and said, “In a couple of hours.”
I slowly shook my head. “Well, I just wanted you to know that you didn’t have to be in ‘go mode’ when he’s around.”
“Girl, I’m always in go mode. The fuck? I think that lil time you spent in Nashville caused you to forget who I am. You better ask Tiff for a refresher course.”
I chuckled and slowly shook my head as Uncle Jasper passed by and honked his horn. Uncle Storm followed his truck with his eyes like Uncle Jasper could see him. “I can’t believe that nigga didn’t stop. I guess I need to go remind him of who the fuck I am around here.” He looked at Aunt Tiff and shot her the finger then kissed my cheek. “See you later, Rima.”
“Get yo’ long-headed ass off my fucking porch, nigga.”
“Kiss my ass, Tiff.”
I swore, if I kept hanging around Aunt Tiff, my baby was gonna come out the womb cussing people out. I stood from my seat and said, “I’m gonna go too, Auntie. I wanna go see Yendi and the baby before I go home.”
“Okay, baby. Remember what I said, okay?”
“Okay.”
She stood and kissed my cheek, and I went to my car as Uncle Storm drove off. I waved then got in my car. I had to pass by my house to get to Jakari’s, so when I saw a van in my driveway, I turned in. It read Happily Ever After Floral Shop on the side. I got out of my car and saw a lady standing at my front door with a huge bouquet.
She set it on the ground and looked at something on her tablet. Doing my best not to startle her, I spoke before I got close. “Hello! Are those for me?”
She turned and smiled at me. “Hi! If you’re Karima Henderson, they are definitely yours.”
“I am she.” When I got closer, I said, “They are so beautiful.”
She glanced down at my belly. “I’ll bring them in for you. It’s kind of heavy.”
“Thank you.”
I unlocked the door, and she brought them inside, setting them on my bar top. I signed her tablet and thanked her.
“Do you know Mekayla Henderson? I think she lives down the street.”
“Yes. She’s married to my cousin.”
“Okay. Her sister works for me. Jerzey.”
“Oh, yes! I met her once or twice. She’s sweet.”
“That she is. Well, enjoy your view.”
She chuckled, and I did too. “I will! Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. Have a great day.”
“You too.”
I closed the door once she left and immediately went to the card. This bouquet of roses was so gorgeous. They were all different colors. I’d never seen a green rose, but they were so beautiful. There was red, purple, green, and orange ones. There were even some that were multi-colored. I stared at it a little longer then pulled my phone from my pocket and took a picture of them. Setting my phone on the bar top, I pulled the card from the stem.
After opening it, I knew he would have me in my feelings.
Karima,
I hope these bring a smile to your beautiful face. Seeing our daughter on that screen was so special to me. Thank you for carrying my baby, despite the way it happened. I love you so much, baby, and I’m not going to stop trying to be in your space. I know what I did was horrible, but I can only hope that you can eventually forgive me. I need yo’ pretty ass in my life. You a good girl, and I know that shit. That’s why I need you. You so far from what I knew growing up. You snatched my heart like you had caught an interception. Please, give me a chance to prove how much you mean to me, baby. I love you. ~Rosewood
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. One thing he was always going to do was say how beautiful I was. Yo’ pretty ass. I smiled as I imagined how he sounded when he said it. Grabbing my phone, I sent him a picture of the bouquet and thanked him. Staring at my screen, I sent another message. How did you know my address?
He answered immediately. I saw it on your paperwork. You’re welcome, baby.
Meet me here in two hours.
He sent the wide eye emojis. For real?
I chuckled. Yeah. We need to talk.
I hoped I wasn’t making a mistake. I grabbed my keys to head to Jakari’s to fight for my life. JJ was gonna have me praying over my baby, begging the Lord for a real-life angel. That lil boy was a terror on wheels. I stared at my bouquet a little longer as another text came through from Rhodes.
I’ll be there at seven, baby. I’m a little nervous, but any moment in your presence is worth it. See you soon.
I closed my eyes and nodded, knowing I was indeed making the right decision.