Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
KARIMA
“I knew your ass was riding a horse!”
I rolled my eyes. The twins had FaceTimed Maui, and I was over their asses already. I’d been at home for nearly a week, and I felt like I was dying. The baby was kicking my ass, like she missed her daddy or something. I missed his ass too. Everyone and their mamas had been checking on me, but the one person I wanted in my space had been on a temporary hiatus. I hadn’t been answering his calls, because fuck talking to him. I wanted to see him, touch him, kiss him, hold him, fuck him…
Milana was on the couch with me, flipping through channels and slightly leaning on me. It seemed I wasn’t the only one in a funk, and I could only hope my mood wasn’t rubbing off on her. She’d been here every day, skipping practice, and enduring Aunt Tiff’s scolding. I leaned over and kissed her cheek. She turned to me and smiled slightly.
“What was that for?”
“It looks like you need it.”
She leaned over and kissed my forehead. “In that case, you needed it too.” She huffed. “I’ve been trying to keep my business to myself, but you are the one I talk to that helps give me clarity. Ashanni roots on my foolishness. Then when I engage in the ratchetry, I feel bad afterwards.”
I grabbed her hand, thankful for the distraction from my own issues. “You can always talk to me. What’s going on?”
“I found out Julius was cheating on me some months back. In retaliation, I slept with his brother.”
I frowned slightly, and she said, “I know, I know. I fucked up. They can’t stand each other. They don’t have the same mother, so they didn’t grow up in the same household, but what I did made things worse between them. They keep pulling me in the middle of whatever argument they have, and I just want to be done with both of them. How do I get out of this? I just want peace. I’m tired.”
I put my arm around her, and she placed her hand on my belly. Everyone in the family did that. “You need to get them together and apologize. Be honest about where the breakdown happened that caused you to snap and do something crazy like that. Let them know you no longer want to be a part of what they have going on. I love you, and I hate you’re in this turmoil. Just make sure you don’t go alone. Who knows about this?”
“Ashanni, Jacob, and Jess. Jess knows because Jacob told her.”
“Oh, Lawd. I already know she was hype about it. She strung poor lil Nate along for a while. He was so in love with Jess. I have to admit, I had a slight crush on him. I was too young though. He never even saw me.”
I chuckled then said, “But anyway. Take Jacob and Ashanni with you. Jacob to keep Julius and his brother in pocket and Ashanni to keep Jacob in pocket.”
“Okay.”
She lifted her head and asked me, “What are you gonna do about your dilemma with Rhodes?”
“He’s making all the decisions. There’s nothing I can do about it. If he thinks it’s best that I stay away from him, what am I supposed to do?” I huffed. “I miss him so much. I hate this. When my brothers see me upset, then they’re on go. King said no one talked to him that night at the meeting except Uncle Jasper and Uncle Philly. Daddy and Ali went to his house, though, to discuss some things. Daddy tried to tell me everything, but I don’t want to know. He pushed me away, so let me stay out of the loop.”
She gently rubbed my hand as Angel came and sat next to me. She had a worried expression on her face, and I knew it was because of our facial expressions. I smiled at her. “Hey, Angel. How are you?”
“I’m okay. I’m glad we all could come over and keep you company. You still don’t look happy though. What can we do to make you happy?”
“Happiness is within. I’m happy… I’m just a little down about being away from Rhodes. Apparently, Roselynn is too, because she’s been moving nonstop.”
Angel giggled and placed her hand on my belly just as the baby kicked. Her eyebrows lifted. “Oh my goodness! That’s gonna hurt when she gets bigger!”
“Right!”
I giggled. Angel was good for my soul. Her innocent, childlike demeanor was just what I needed. It was probably what Milana needed, too, because she was giggling right along with me. This was most likely the reason the girls stuck to her like glue. Well, I said girls, but they were in their early twenties now. The twins were probably twenty-four or twenty-five now. They were almost done with medical school and would be interning by the end of the year, since they got their bachelor’s degrees early.
“Milana! That nigga outside!” Ashanni said as she ran to us.
I closed my eyes for a second then said, “Nobody go out there. Call Uncle Ryder and Ryder J.” Turning to Milana, I said, “You are going to have to tell them what’s going on so they can protect you. You did that shit, now own it.”
She turned away. “Karima, I can’t. Ashanni, call SS, Ace, and PJ.”
I frowned. This was going to get worse before it got better. “PJ? You know that nigga is just like Uncle Philly used to be. Why you wanna get him involved in that shit?”
“That’s my first cousin. He always got my back.”
I rolled my eyes. Philly, technically, wasn’t related to me. However, he was Milana’s dad’s brother. He was definitely kin to her. Aunt Tiff was gonna shit a brick when she found out about this. I stood from my seat.
“Okay, listen.”
Maui, Ashanni, Angel, and Milana gave me their undivided attention. I placed my hands under my belly, and Roselynn moved around. It felt like she was swimming laps through my uterus. “I have enough shit going on in my life. I appreciate y’all for keeping me company. I really do. But if you gon’ bring drama here, I would prefer you not. I’m too grown for bullshit.”
Milana stood from her seat and said, “I’m sorry, Rima.”
She hugged me tightly and was about to leave. “Naw, it’s too late to leave now. I don’t give a fuck who you said to call, but I’m calling your mama. Grow up, sis. It’s time to be woman enough to own up to that ratchet shit you did.”
I was steaming. It was bad enough Rhodes’s actions had me using more profanity, but now Milana had me sliding down that slope again. I was almost out of it, but her actions grabbed ahold of my foot and said, come back, bitch . Tears were streaming down Milana’s cheeks, but I didn’t give a fuck. She was gonna handle this whether she wanted to or not. They were so damned spoiled. I was spoiled, too, but I was responsible and used good sense mostly.
I went to the couch and called Aunt Tiff. She answered on the first ring. “Hey, Mommy. How are you?”
“I need you to come to my house. You and Uncle Ryder if he’s available. Bring yo’ heat.”
I ended the call, and she called right back. I side-eyed Milana as Angel tried to console her. “Hello?”
“Naw. What the fuck going on over there?” she asked.
I could hear her moving around and then cocking her gun. After I heard a door close, I said, “Julius is here, trying to get at Milana.”
“That nigga done lost his muthafucking mind. I’ll be there in a minute.”
She ended the call, and I swore I just wanted to go lie down and tune everybody out. These people were going to be the death of me. I had a headache from hell. Listening to Milana cry about a situation she mishandled was really blowing me. I walked over to her as she lay against Angel and said, “Get yo’ ass up, man.”
It got completely quiet in the house. I didn’t speak to them that way… ever. But my nerves were on edge. This pregnancy had my emotions going crazy. My baby was gonna come out angry fooling around with these rowdy ass Hendersons. She stood from the sofa and cowered in my presence.
“Accept responsibility for the shit you did! Quit whining and be a fucking woman!”
When I heard the gunshot, my heart dropped to my feet. After I heard Aunt Tiff yelling for them to get the fuck on, I knew it was probably just a warning shot. The talking got closer. It sounded like Uncle Jasper. Going to the door, I unlocked it and opened it. Aunt Tiff and Uncle Jasper walked in with their guns still in their hands. I slowly shook my head as Uncle Jasper said, “Man, what the fuck y’all got going on over here? Why y’all bringing bullshit to Karima’s doorstep? Y’all get the fuck out of here. Now!”
Aunt Tiff was just staring at Milana. She looked like she wanted to go up one side of her and come down the other. They all came to me and hugged me, apologizing for everything. The rest of them had nothing to do with it. It was Milana’s bullshit that caused all this. Angel remained seated. She knew Uncle Jasper wasn’t talking to her. As they were leaving, Decaurey walked in holding Renzo, Angel and Rylan’s baby boy. He was a year old now.
“Hey, y’all. What’s going on?” he asked.
As I stared at him, it was like God spoke to me. I wasn’t even in the mood to hold a long conversation, but I refused to be disobedient. “Hey, Decaurey. Nothing and a lot at the same time,” I said as Angel stared at me with a confused look on her face. I wanted to chuckle, but I was able to keep it together. “How are you?”
“I’m cool. Baby boy was getting a little cranky, and Rylan is in Beaumont. I guess he’s tired of me.” He chuckled, but there was something sad about it. “Sorry I had to interrupt your alone time, baby girl.”
“It’s okay. I never get tired of my baby.”
“Okay. I’m gonna head back to the house. I’m gonna be building a she-shed for your mama and all her clothes and accessories.”
Angel giggled. “She’s gonna love that.”
My eyes wouldn’t leave Decaurey, and he noticed. Without me having to say a thing, he sat beside me and grabbed my hand. We remained quiet for a moment. Finally, I said, “Your spirit is heavy.”
He slid his free hand over his face as Angel looked on. He glanced over at her and said, “I feel like an outsider… ever since the stupid decision I made to keep Angel away from Rylan. I just feel like people only put up with me. They don’t really want me here. I can’t blame them. I caused Rylan and Angel a lot of unnecessary hurt.”
I rubbed his hand. “You know what I think?” I paused and closed my eyes. “I think you need to forgive yourself. What you see in other people is only a reflection of what’s in your heart. Because of that, you feel like you don’t belong. Rylan and Angel have moved on and have a beautiful family. God allows things to happen to sometimes make us better. Whoever that lesson was for, I’m pretty sure they got it. If they didn’t, shame on them.”
He smiled at me and squeezed my hand as Angel sat next to him. Renzo came to my lap and laid his head against my belly as Angel hugged Decaurey. Renzo lifted his head and pointed to my stomach. My eyebrows lifted. “There’s a baby in there. Her name is Roselynn. She’s gonna be your little cousin.”
He smiled at me. God, I saw so much of Rylan in him. He had his heart… and size! He was going to be extremely tall. He looked like a three-year-old already. He slid off my lap and went to his mama as she and Decaurey talked. I smiled at them, thankful God was still choosing to use me with all the turmoil I felt like I was in. I closed my eyes, wishing Rhodes was here. My soul was heavy, and I was just glad no one could pick up on it. I didn’t want them to be worried about me. Worry wasn’t good for me, but I was extremely worried about Rhodes.
Angel hugged Decaurey again then picked up Renzo. “Karima, we’re gonna go so you can rest,” Angel said. “I can tell you’re tired.”
“Thank you. I really am. I’m worried about Milana also. We all make mistakes and bad decisions, but it’s important to own up to them and deal with them instead of making them worse. She was about to make it worse by calling SS, PJ, and Ace.”
“I’m glad you called Aunt Tiffany.”
I smiled at her, and she kissed my cheek. Renzo leaned over to kiss me too. He was such a sweetheart. “See y’all later, Angel. For the record, you can come over whenever you want. Your spirit makes mine light. Thank you.”
She smiled big then said, “I love you, girl.”
“Love you too.”
Decaurey hugged me too. “Thank you for your words of wisdom. Now I need you to accept mine. Call him. You’re feeling heavy because your heart needs him. He’s only doing what he feels is best. He loves you so much.”
I didn’t know how he knew, but he was right on the money. “I’ll call him in a little bit. Thank you, Decaurey. Kiss Tyeis and the twins for me.”
“Will do, cuz.”
When they left, I immediately went to my room and lay in bed. Grabbing my phone, I stared at the picture of Rhodes on the lock screen. God, I loved him so much. I hated that I got so angry. I held the phone to my chest for a minute then pulled it away and called him, putting myself out of my misery.