Chapter 10
My eyes fluttered open, and a smile touched my lips.
The way Jamari held me made me feel so protected.
It had been a while since I had slept in a man's arms, but it had never felt as good as sleeping with Jamari.
His arm was wrapped tightly around me as he held me from behind.
I didn't want to leave this spot. Last night, he made love to me so tenderly.
It had me wanting to shout about how he made me feel.
Jamari was one of a kind, and I was happy to be in his life.
Every now and then, he'd have this far-off look that had me kissing him every chance I got.
When I did that, he'd put a smile on his face.
The only thing I wanted him to do was to smile.
I was about to turn around and peck his lip when I heard laughter coming from the living room.
Even with the door closed, the joy of the laughter was heard.
I didn't want to leave Jamari, but I wanted to see what his siblings were up to.
As quietly as I could, I slipped from Jamari's arms and reached for my clothes that were on the floor.
Once I had them on, I retrieved my overnight bag from the corner of his bedroom.
I then retrieved my phone and glasses from the dresser.
I looked back at Mari before I slipped out of the bedroom, closing the door behind me.
I ran my fingers through my hair before I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face.
I stared at myself in the mirror and shook my head.
A smile spread on my full lips as I touched my brown cheeks. I had a glow and could see it clearly.
After a quick shower, I made my way into the living room. Rylie and Zach were on the couch watching cartoons. Tom and Jerry played on the TV screen. The look on their faces was pure joy. They didn't have a care in the world and were so lucky to have a man like Jamari in their lives.
"Good morning," I greeted with a smile.
Both of their heads turned when they heard my voice. Rylie smiled while Zach looked at Rylie before he smiled too.
"Good morning," Rylie greeted back.
Zach waved before he turned his attention back to the TV.
"Are you guys hungry?"
I knew it probably would take a lot for them to warm up to me, but I was okay with that since they didn't know me like that.
I had to be patient with them since they only had Jamari in their life.
If Jamari had me, I'd be in their life too.
With the way their brother was, who knew if we'd continue to be together?
The only thing I could do was hold out hope.
Rylie turned to me with a bright smile on her face. "Yes! What are you going to make? Mari usually only gives us cereal."
I smiled. "If you have eggs and bacon, I can whip something up."
Rylie nodded and stood up from the couch. "Yes. We have everything in the kitchen. Mari isn't big on cooking, but when he does, he throws down."
I chuckled. "I can see that. Just show me where everything is, and I'll handle it from there."
Once she did, she left the kitchen, and I got busy preparing breakfast for them. The only person I usually cooked for was myself. In this moment, I felt like I belonged there with them. With a smile on my face, I cooked breakfast for Jamari and his siblings.
In the middle of fixing their plates, my cellphone rang, so I put the spatula down and went to get it.
I saw my mother's name on the screen and cringed.
My gut feeling told me this wasn't about to be a pleasant call.
I almost didn't want to answer since I knew why she had called.
Still, it was best to get it over with while I could.
“Hello?” I answered, a little scared of what was about to take place.
“Good morning, Chy. Do you want to tell me what happened at your father’s house yesterday?” She didn’t beat around the bush with this call.
I didn’t know how to feel about it, but I wouldn’t lie to my mother. I gave her a rundown of what happened, not leaving anything out.
“That bitch got me fucked up,” she exploded.
The only thing I could do was shake my head.
“Then, your father got the nerve to downplay what her ass said about me. She called me a bitch, looking like a drag queen ass bitch. I should go to their house and beat her ass,” she spat.
I didn’t know what to do or say in this situation. I was glad I wasn’t the one that had to feel her wrath. My mother could be a force to be reckoned with.
“You did right by punching her in her shit. You should’ve hit her ass two more times.”
I burst out laughing. My mother was a damn fool when she wanted to be. I was glad she wasn’t mad at me about what happened. Sometimes, my mother chose the wrong side. This time she took my side, and I was forever grateful. It had me wanting to cry tears of joy.
“I’m glad you approve of me hitting her. I didn’t like that she talked about you. She had no right calling you out your name like that.”
“I bet her ass won’t say it to my face. She’s good to talk about me behind my back. If I see her half-dead looking ass in the streets, I’m going to beat her ass. No talking either.”
I laughed as if it was no tomorrow. “Mama, you a fool.”
“No, your mama just don’t give a fuck. She’s about to fuck around and find out how I get down. That’s all I’m calling for. You did good by me, Daughter. Love you.”
I smiled. “I love you too, Mama.” When the call ended, the only thing I could do was laugh until tears rolled down my face.
Jamari came into the kitchen, seeing me wiping my eyes. "What happened?" He came toward me and caught my chin before it dropped to my chest, and held it in his palm.
I gave him a rundown of what happened. “I wasn’t crying for real. My mother can be a comedian when she wants to be. Just when I thought she was about to get on me for hitting Brenda, she didn’t. I was glad about that.”
He chuckled. “Your mama sounds like someone who doesn’t play.”
I scoffed. “Hell no. She doesn’t play. My mother is old school and don’t mind fighting anybody.”
I could remember when I was younger, my father’s mother got smart with my mama. That was her first and last time getting smart with her. My mother told my grandma off so bad, I felt sorry for her. My mother had no filter whatsoever.
Jamari pecked my lips and hugged me close to him. “Yeah, I bet you used to get a lot of beatings.”
"Whatever," I mumbled and pulled out of his arms. "Are you ready to eat?"
Jamari observed the kitchen until his eyes landed on the food. "Hell yeah. Thanks, baby."
I beamed. "No, thank you for the talk. I'm still not ready to talk to my mother yet. She needs to cool off."
He chuckled. "That sounds like a smart idea. Since you cooked, I'll fix the food."
I stared at him in surprise. "Really? I was going to do it."
Jamari shook his head. "Nah, I got it. You can call the kids, and we can sit at the table and eat."
While he fixed the plates, I went to get his siblings. They were happy to be called to the table to eat. While Jamari put the food on the table, I went to get the orange and apple juice from the refrigerator. When we sat down to eat, Jamari blessed the food, and we dug in.
If I weren't careful with my heart, I could see myself falling in love with Jamari.
Truthfully, I was almost there. I didn't know how to feel about that, but I'd welcome it.
He was a great, caring man. That was something I needed in my life.
I was glad that I could talk to him about my problems. Maybe I shouldn't complain about my mother or my problems when he didn't have either of his parents in his life.
Maybe one day, I could erase the pain I saw in his eyes.
I knew it would probably take time, but I was in his life.
One day at a time, I vowed to keep a smile on his handsome face.