Chapter 19
Kellon’s mom had just left, and the plan was pretty much laid out. Kellon had his Picsgram post scheduled. Our first official couple outing was less than twenty-four hours away, and everything felt official and real. Like, I was dating a professional football player. Wow!
“My parents,” I muttered, staring at my phone.
As strained as our relationship was, I still needed to tell them I was having a child. Hell, I hadn’t even told them I had skipped town to film a talk show segment. I was going to wait until the show aired and surprise them, but seeing how fast the blogs had picked up on our relationship, it was only a matter of time before all my business was out there.
“You don’t have to tell them today,” Kellon said gently, rubbing my back as I sat on the couch. “But I wouldn’t wait too long, even with us keeping it private. The pregnancy could still leak.”
I knew that, and that was what I was afraid of. They’d already traced back and posted some footage of us at Disney. Hell, for all I knew, footage of us at Dr. Gaines’s office was next.
“I know…” I trailed off, trying to find the right words. “My mom believes in marriage before a baby. She wanted me to do it right. And look at me. I’m calling her from another state, pregnant, and a single mom.”
“You’re not a single mom. I’m here, and she’ll come around.”
He brushed my shoulder with a sweet kiss that made me feel less alone. I appreciated his support more than he knew. Taking a deep breath, I hit the video call button on my phone, and after four rings, the screen lit up, and my mother’s face appeared.
“I hope you’re calling to tell me you’re outside. We’re still waiting on your visit,” she answered.
I took in her background, making sure she wasn’t out and about before I dropped this bombshell on her. It looked like she was sitting in the kitchen. Her hair was wrapped, and she had tea in her hand, which meant she definitely wasn’t entertaining any visitors. My dad leaned into the frame beside her, grinning widely.
“There’s my girl! Tell me, baby girl, are you with KB?” he teased, and my eyes rolled.
My father never showed any interest in me or my life. I guess all I had to do was date a professional athlete to get his attention.
“Hello to you guys too,” I said sarcastically.
“Are you on your way, honey?” my mom asked again. I guess they hadn’t seen the tea room post yet. That’s one benefit of having old parents.
“No… um. I’m actually in New York… I got an opportunity to be on The Brittani Shepard Show .”
“New York! The Brittani Shepard Show? For what?” Her voice was laced with excitement and confusion.
“I’m giving out haircut tips and tricks. The show will air in a couple of weeks.” I told them that hoping maybe my television appearance would overshadow the next part.
“That’s so good, Phileigh! I guess cutting hair is getting you somewhere after all. I’m so proud of you, baby.” She smiled at the screen, and my head dropped, knowing that pride was about to be short lived.
“You got this,” Kellon whispered as he squeezed my hand for moral support.
“Um, I… uh… I have something to tell you.” I swallowed down my nerves.
“Yes?”
“I’m p-pre-gnant.” My voice trembled, and the line fell silent. Their smiles flattened.
“Pregnant!” my mom shouted.
“By Kellon Barnes?” That was my dad. Of course, that was all he cared about.
“Well… um no?—”
“Yes, sir.” Kellon spoke over me, cutting me off.
My eyes darted to him. I didn’t know he was going to do that. We’d told his mom the truth. I thought that had applied to my parents as well. I guess not. My father slapped the table.
“My grandbaby gonna have an MVP for a daddy! Baby girl, you did well.”
“Really?” my mom snapped, setting her tea down. “Phileigh, are you serious? You’re telling me you’re pregnant with no ring on your finger? And I had to find out over the phone? Is this how we raised you?”
I swallowed hard. “I know, Mama. I didn’t plan for it to happen this way.”
“Well, of course, you didn’t plan it. That’s the whole problem. If you planned it, you’d be somebody’s wife, not a damn baby mama!”
“Mama—” I started, but my dad cut in.
“Bea, come on. She’s grown. Didn’t you just say you wanted grandchildren?”
“I do, after she’s married like a proper woman of God. Not becoming someone’s baby mother. It’s a disgrace.”
“Mrs. Read?” Kellon slid the phone out of my hand. His jaw was tight. “With all due respect,” he said politely. “I’m here. I care about your daughter, and I care about this baby. We ain’t doing this by the textbook, but that doesn’t garner disrespect. I am a stable man and capable of taking care of my responsibilities. I’d appreciate it if you respected that.”
My dad nodded, visibly as impressed as I was, though I was sure Kellon couldn’t do anything wrong in his eyes. My mom stared for a long time with her face twisted up before finally responding.
“I appreciate you saying that, Kellon. I apologize this is a lot to take in,” she said quietly.
My mouth dropped. Did Kellon just check my mom? Damn, this man is everything. I leaned into the camera. My eyes bounced from Kellon to my parents.
“I know this a lot,” I agreed. “But the baby is coming no matter what you think about it. We can’t turn back time. I hope you still want to be a part of the process even if you’re mad at the order.”
“I’m not mad, Phileigh. I’m just… worried. I’ve always wanted better for you. I just want you to have the best in this life,” she said, her voice cracking a little. “But if you think for a second I’m not going to be there for you and love on my grandbaby, I’m doing a bad job as a mom.”
My eyes watered, and Kellon pulled me into a side hug. I’d never heard my mother say anything to me that wasn’t judgmental.
“We love you, kid. We ain’t always got it right. Mainly me. My infidelity got in the way of our parenting, and I’m not proud of that, but never get it twisted. We love you. So, we naturally love that baby you’re carrying.” My father spoke up, and the water works fell from my eyes. What was happening?
“It’s a boy,” I said. “The baby’s a boy.”
“What?” my parents shouted in unison.
“How far along are you, Phileigh?” my mom questioned.
“Almost thirteen weeks,” I said. “The doctor confirmed the sex today.”
“Thirteen weeks?” she blurted. “A boy… Oh my God!”
“Yeah, I only confirmed my pregnancy a few weeks ago. I had a lot going on, and I was scared and in denial.”
“We’re having a grandson, Bea!” my father shouted. I’d never seen him this happy.
“Oh my goodness. There’s so much to do.” My mother stood from the table. “I gotta plan a baby shower, go shopping, tell the pastor so we can bless your bell?—”
“Ma!” I called out, halting her rambling. “You can’t tell anybody just yet. Kellon and I are waiting for the right time to roll this out to the public. We have to be delicate about it for his image.”
“Take the fun out of it, why don’t you?” My mom sat down. Her mouth was open.
“Your secret is safe with us, baby girl. I get it. You’re having a baby by a professional athlete,” my dad said, rubbing my mother on the back just as my other line began to beep.
Curious, I looked at the screen. It was a New York area code.
“Um, Mom and Dad, I have to take this call. I’ll be home in a few days, though, and I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay. We love you. Tell that baby boy we love him too.” They both blew a kiss toward the phone.
“Love you too.”
I disconnected the call, and Kellon immediately wrapped me in his arms. I smiled. The tears that were building finally rolled down my cheeks as I swiped the answer button on the call waiting.
“See? That went better than you thought.”
“It did,” I whispered before taking a deep breath and saying, “Hello?”
“Hi. Is this Phileigh?” The voice on the other end came through. “This is Rebecca. I’m a producer with CBA Networks, the same network that produces The Brittani Shepard Show …”
I straightened up. My eyes widened, and my heart beat out of my chest. “Yes?” I said slowly.
“I absolutely loved your energy and your work. We’re starting a new television series here in New York set around a barbershop, and we’re putting together a glam team. We need real talent to produce the work for the fake talent. After seeing you today, we just have to have you be a part of it. Would you be interested? We film here in New York. Production time for this season is about six months.”
I blinked. My hand gripped the couch cushion as Kellon stared at me, probably wondering what the heck was going on.
“Oh my God… yes… I’m definitely interested.”
“Great. We would like you to come in for an interview and go over the details—pay, nondisclosures, all the legal things. It’s all just formalities. However, the job is yours.”
“Okay, um… When do you need me to come in?”
“Next week. I’ll send all the details to your email. Is that okay?”
“Yes, of course.” I nodded as if she could see me.
“Great. Look for the email by the end of the day. I look forward to speaking with you soon.” Rebecca disconnected the call, leaving me sitting there staring at my phone in utter disbelief.
“You look like you just won the lottery. Care to tell me what that was about?” Kellon was staring at me with a big, curious smile on his face.
“That was a producer from CBA. They want me on their glam team for a television series set in a barbershop. They’re filming it right here in New York!” I shared, letting my excitement spill out.
“You’re joking!”
“Nope.” I laughed. “I’m going to be part of a television show!”
He stood and pulled me into his big, tattooed arms with that proud, handsome smile of his. “That’s huge, Phileigh Cheese. I’m so fucking proud of you.”
He kissed me. I was so giddy that my cheeks hurt from smiling.
“So what I’m hearing is you’ll be staying in New York?”
I paused. I guess that did mean I would be staying here in New York.
“I guess so. I don’t have to stay here. I can get a place. I…”
“Don’t disrespect me.” Kellon kissed my lips before pulling back and staring me in the eyes.
“Why would you find a place when your man has a perfectly nice one right here?”
“I don’t want to impose. We’ve only known each other for a few weeks.”
“The best few weeks of my life. You’re already my girl. We’re already expecting a child. Why wouldn’t you stay here?”
He kissed me again, and I stood still, letting the silence wrap around us before asking the question clawing at the back of my throat.
“Kellon… are you sure about this? About me? Taking on my baby… all of it? You’re stepping into something messy and life changing, and you’ve only known me for a short time.”
His brows furrowed like I’d offended him.
“Phileigh…” His voice was low and firm. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, and that includes football. I don’t care how complicated this shit is or how complicated it’ll get. I want this. I want you . I want the baby and everything that comes with that. I’m not some nigga that needs time to figure out if you’re the one. I know you are, so why waste time?”
My chest tightened, and I reached for him, kissing him like I needed to feel his words, like I needed to feel him.
“I’m all in, Phileigh Cheese. Are you?”
“Yes.” I didn’t need to think about it further or consult with anyone. It felt right. “I’m all in.”
“I’ll call Dr. Gaines in the morning,” he said, brushing his thumb over my lower back. “She can get you started with care.”
“That’ll be great.” I nodded. I couldn’t believe all that had happened today. From my parents to this life-changing job offer. I stepped back to grab my phone off the couch.
“Where you going?”
“I have to tell Lolo the good news. She’s going to lose her mind.” I exhaled a laugh, and Kellon chuckled.
“Go ahead, baby. Tell the world. I’ll arrange to get some of your things from your apartment back home.”
I nodded as I ran off to call my best friend, and for the first time in a long time, I was actually proud of the news I had to share.