Chapter 6 #2
“There is, but most women are too nosy to ignore a handwritten letter. If she does, we’ll go back to the drawing board.”
“Okay. I’ll write her a letter and have it delivered to her on Friday afternoon.”
“Lay it all out, Phy. This might be your only chance.”
“All right. I’ll see you at Ma’s house tonight.”
“Bye. Love you.”
“Thank you. Love you too.”
For the rest of the afternoon, I thought about everything I wanted to include in my letter to Ginae.
There was so much I could say, and even though Phoenix said to lay it all out, I wondered if I could.
When the workday ended, I wanted to skip dinner at my parents’ house and head home to get started on the letter, but since I’d promised her, I kept my word.
My sister and her husband were already there when I arrived. Since my father and I hadn’t been on good terms for over a decade, she only invited me over when he was out of town. Unfortunately, that meant I didn’t get to see my mother as often, but it was what it was.
She greeted me at the door with her arms outstretched. We shared a warm embrace before I stepped completely inside.
“I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind,” she said.
“I’m a man of my word, Ma. What’s for dinner?”
“I made salad, lasagna soup, and garlic sticks.”
“You cooked?” I questioned with surprise.
“Yes, I cooked. Don’t sound so shocked. Linda is on vacation.”
“You don’t cook often, so I’m a little surprised. It smells good.”
“It tastes good too. I’m not sure how I feel about you questioning my culinary skills.”
We made it to the dining room, and I stopped in my tracks when I saw Kavia.
“What the fuck are you doing here!” I spat.
“Phyre, watch your mouth. That’s not how we talk to guests.”
“This ain’t my house, so she’s not my guest. I’m out.”
I headed toward the front door with my mother a few steps behind me.
“Son, wait. Please don’t leave.”
“Ma, I refuse to break bread with her. Hit me up this weekend, and I’ll take you out.”
“Phyre, you promised,” my mother pleaded.
“I wouldn’t have promised if I’d known we would have company. You weren’t transparent.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but please don’t leave. I saw her downtown and mentioned we were having dinner. She kind of invited herself.”
I was pissed and prepared to be on my way, but the pleading in my mother’s eyes weakened my resolve.
“Fine.”
I followed her back to the dining room, and when my eyes landed on Kavia, I felt disgusted, and I was sure my expression showed it.
“Phoenix and Kevin, since you’ve already washed your hands, would you mind helping me bring the food from the kitchen? Phyre, you and Kavia can go wash up.”
My sister looked at me apologetically, while Kevin held no expression. He knew where I stood with his sister, and there were no hard feelings between us. As soon as Kavia and I were alone, she spoke.
“Still holding a grudge, I see.”
“Until the day I die.”
I went to the powder room to wash my hands, and unfortunately, her messy ass followed me.
“You’re so tense.” Her tone was almost teasing.
“I’m doing my best not to say something disrespectful, so please get the fuck away from me.”
I brushed past her, intentionally bumping her with my shoulder.
When I returned to the dining room, my mother, sister, and brother-in-law had returned with the food.
I wanted this meal to be over and done with as quickly as possible and planned to inhale my food.
After my mother said a quick blessing, we served ourselves.
“So, what’s new with everyone? How’s everything at the office, Phyre?”
“Good.”
“Did you find someone to replace the nurse who had to take a leave of absence?”
“I did.”
“Good. What’s new with you two?” Ma asked Phoenix and Kevin.
“I’m pregnant,” Phoenix announced.
“You’re what?” my mother and I asked simultaneously.
“I’m finally pregnant.”
My mother left her seat and rushed over to embrace Phoenix and Kevin, while I sat in awe. My baby sister is having a baby.
“Congratulations, Phee,” I said when my mother returned to her seat.
“Thank you. I can’t get a hug.”
“My baby sister just told me she’s carrying my first niece or nephew. I’m still in shock. Give me a minute to process.”
“I was shocked too,” Kevin said, speaking for the first time. “We’ve been trying for a while and were close to going to a fertility clinic.”
His words reminded me of what Ginae had said to me earlier. I had no idea my sister was having a hard time conceiving. She and Kevin had been married for seven years, and I assumed they wanted to wait a while before having children.
I stood and went to my sister, pulling her from her seat to give her a hug. She became very emotional while we embraced, making me get a little choked up. When I released her, she took my hands and looked up at me.
“Phy, I know this might be weird, but we want you to deliver our baby.”
“You do? Are you sure?”
“I’m positive, but only if you're comfortable.”
I shrugged. “I mean, it could be awkward, but I could have my nurse practitioners do most of your prenatal care.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I’d be honored to deliver my niece or nephew.”
“This is wonderful. I can’t wait to tell your father,” Ma said.
I’d just realized our father wasn’t present to hear this exciting news.
When things went south between my father and me, his relationship with Phoenix suffered as well.
He expected her to cut ties with me, and she refused.
My mother had to get involved to try to smooth things over, but Bradley was stubborn as could be, and things never returned to normal between them.
“Congratulations, Kevin. Are you excited?” my mother asked.
“As hell—excuse my language, Mama Clem.”
“Have you told your parents yet?” I asked as I returned to my seat.
“Not yet. My father had a grand opening in Seattle this week, so we’re gonna wait until he returns. Mama Clem, please don’t mention this to my mother. Kavia, please do the same.”
“Your secret is safe with me. I guess Mr. Jordan doesn’t get the same consideration,” Kavia said snidely.
“Mind your business,” Kevin warned.
She snickered. “How does it feel to have your baby sister living her happily ever after while you hold grudges and wallow in loneliness, Phyre?”
“There’s so much I could say in response, but I don’t want to disrespect my mother or make your brother feel like he has to come to your defense. I suggest you shut the fuck up talking to me, though, because I only have so much restraint. Excuse my language, Ma.”
“Please, let’s not start that. We are celebrating the upcoming birth of my first grandbaby,” Ma said.
“Mama Clem, did you know you could’ve been a grandmother years ago? Unfortunately, abortion was the chosen option.”
My mother and sister gasped while Kevin glared angrily at his sister.
“Oh my God. Is that true, Phyre? Why would you make Kavia abort your child?”
“If you aborted a baby, it was because you had no idea who the father was. I never entered you unprotected, so the likelihood of any baby you were carrying being mine was slim to none. Go tell that shit to somebody else’s mama.
Phee, make your first prenatal appointment as soon as possible. I’m out.”
“Who said I was talking about me?” Kavia asked with a smug expression as I stood.
“What did you say?” I questioned, annoyed as hell that I was forced to engage with her.
“Nothing. Have a great night, Phyre,” she responded with a smirk.
I had to remove myself from Kavia’s presence before I did something I wouldn’t regret. I was still baffled as to why she invited herself over, because she knew I hated being in her presence. I wouldn’t waste my time trying to figure out her motive.