36. Blessing
FOUR MONTHS LATER…
I ran my hand across the cold headstone before sitting on the blanket I’d laid across the grass.
“Hey, Mommy. Hey, Daddy,” I greeted. heart full of something I couldn’t explain.
“Y’all babygirl is going to prom tonight..
I wish y’all could see the young woman she’s grown into.
She’s so pretty. Looks just like you, Mommy.
” I sniffed, wiping a stray tear. “Can’t believe she’s going off to college in a few months.
I feel like you just bought her home from this hospital.
I’m sorry it’s been a minute since I’ve come to see y’all.. life has just been so good to me.”
These past few months have been amazing.
When we returned from Turks, we officially moved into Saint’s house.
I kept mine and planned on renting it out instead of selling it.
Our home was still under construction, but it was almost finished.
Blessed Hands Sports Medicine was set to open in two weeks.
After the ups and downs of the hiring process, we were finally fully staffed.
To celebrate, Saint took me on a weekend trip to Barbados, and for my birthday, we went to Paris.
My passport was racking up stamps. Dru finished his mixtape and was hosting a listening party next weekend.
As Messiah promised, he sat down with Adonis and reached an agreement.
To keep the peace, he offered him a higher spot on his team.
In my opinion, it was a stupid move, but everything had been going perfectly, almost too perfectly.
I couldn’t shake the feeling of a disaster waiting to happen.
“I met a man. I fell in love. And it’s real this time.
Y’all would’ve loved Saint. Sage loves him so much.
I plan on bringing him to meet y’all really soon.
Granny loves him too. Got him over there every Sunday, helping her in that garden.
He doesn’t even complain. I love him so much.
He’s the one. I know he is. My facility is opening soon.
Y’all would be so proud of me.” I explained.
A small smile spread across my lips as a cool breeze flowed throughout the cemetery.
I spent a few more minutes updating my parents on my life before heading home to prepare for this prom send-off.
When I walked into the house, Saint was asleep on the couch with Sage sprawled across his chest. The sight warmed my heart.
I pulled my phone from my purse and snapped a few pictures of them before gently lifting Sage.
After placing her in her crib, I took her place on Saint’s chest. He stirred in his sleep, wrapping his arms securely around my waist. I repeatedly pecked his lips in an attempt to wake him up.
His eyes popped open when I sucked his bottom lip into my mouth.
“Mm. When did you get back?” He asked, caressing my waist.
“Not too long ago. Y’all were in here knocked out.”
“Man, she wore me out. I had to put her ass to bed. Took her ass to the park at the rec center and had to chase her around the entire playground when it was time to leave.”
I snickered and shook my head, “I told you. But that’s your baby so you gone stick beside her, right?”
“Exactly. The decorator is supposed to be here in a few. What time is Chanel bringing the girls back?” He asked.
“She said she should be finished soon. Your mom went to grab the food and drinks. Messiah went to get the rental. How did the meeting go?” Due to a lack of funding, the rec center was set to close soon. So, Saint, Dru, Rome, and Messiah made an offer to buy the building to keep it open.
“It went great. The offer was accepted. We’re going to keep all the employees, but some of the building will need renovations.
A lot of the technology is outdated. This shit means everything to me, Bless.
When me and Dru were kids, we went to the rec every day after school.
Our mamas couldn’t afford the Boys and Girls Club.
After I beat cancer, they threw me a big ass party.
I swear the whole hood popped out.” He laughed.
“See I told you it would work out. I’m so proud of y’all. Especially Dru. I just wish Messiah would do the same thing and leave that shit behind. I can’t see my brother behind bars or in a grave.”
“He gone walk away when the time is right. That shit was easier for Dru because he’s not the head of the shit. Siah damn near runs the whole city. It’s not as simple as just walking away. Give him some grace.”
I nodded and climbed off of him. “You’re right.
I’m about to make sure the girls have everything for tonight.
” I didn’t wait for him to respond before I made my way to Journey’s room.
Her dress was already laid across the bed in a garment bag.
I couldn’t help but tear up. The little bright-eyed baby I watched grow up was about to go to prom, then graduate from high school.
Not only was she top of her class, but she’d received a scholarship.
My mind drifted off to the kiss I saw Journey and Serenity share.
Even though I told Saint I would mind my business, I couldn’t.
I needed to know what the fuck they had going on.
Journey told me they snuck into the liquor cabinet and took a few shots.
They decided to experiment, but it didn’t go past kissing.
I couldn’t be mad about the drinking because they were 18, the legal drinking age in that country.
Shit, I was doing the same thing at her age.
Deep down inside, I knew it was more than experimenting, but I was going to let her come to me on her own. She knew we’d love her regardless.
Music flowed throughout the backyard as Journey and Serenity stood in front of the backdrop, taking pictures. I couldn’t help but admire how beautiful they looked.
“She looks just like Eden.” My grandma said, referring to our mother.
I rubbed her back and smiled, “Yeah, she does. I said the same thing earlier when I went to visit their graves.”
“My baby being gone will never sit right with me. My only child is gone. A parent should never have to bury their child.” I could tell her mood had been clipped, and she was about to start her rage ranting.
I understood her feelings. We shared the same frustrations, but I had to nip the conversation and stabilize her mood.
“You wanna go sit over there with Miss Macie? She got her Kindle with her. Y’all can read together.” Like always, Saint’s nana was sitting underneath the shade with her Kindle and a glass of sweet tea.
She huffed. “I guess. But Blessing, you need to be safe out here. I’ve been praying for you and your brother.
Send Dru over here so I can pray over him, too.
This world ain’t right, and you better do whatever to protect you and your family.
” Her small hand brushed against my flat stomach before she stood with her cane and made her way over to Miss Macie.
“Big brotherrrr.” I sang as I walked over to the men. Messiah was standing by the grill, sipping a beer.
“Whatever you want, ask yo’ nigga for it.” He said, waving me off.
“And whatever you want, you know I got it Bless baby. That nigga act like he ain’t got more money than me.” Saint chuckled.
“I wasn’t even about to ask for shit.” I rolled my eyes, “Dru, my granny said she wanna pray over you before you leave.”
“Aight, Bless. Where’s Chanel?” He asked, glancing around the backyard.
I shrugged, trying to spot her. “Last time I saw her, she was by the food table with Kaia.”
Messiah choked and frantically looked around the yard. I shot him a questioning look. He waved me off again before walking away. I wasn’t sure what that was about, but I was actually going to mind my business this time.
An hour later, the girls were pulling out of the driveway, headed to prom. Saint had his driver chauffeuring them around for the night.
“You okay?” I asked Chanel as she plopped down on the couch next to me. She nodded her head and assured me she was fine, but the look on her face told me otherwise. “Nah, tell me what the fuck is up, Chanel. You’ve been in a mood for the past hour.”
She sucked her teeth and folded her arms across her chest. “My fucking period is late,” she whispered.
My eyes widened. “How late?”
“Late enough for me to need a pregnancy test.” She looked up at the ceiling, blinking away tears.
“What the fuck am I going to do with a baby, Bless? I just bought a space for my salon, and my hairline is doing amazing. I’m selling out every restock.
Dru has been so busy, I barely see him most days. I can’t do it.”
I reached over and pulled her into me. “I’m sure your period is just trippin’, and if that’s not the case, then you know there are other options. Whatever you wanna do, we can do it.”
“Bless, come here!” I heard Saint yell from the garage.
“Hold on, girl,” I said before standing from the couch. A sudden wave of dizziness caused me to stumble back onto the couch. “Oh shit,” I snickered and stood again.
“Girl, what the hell?” Chanel laughed.
I waved her off and made my way into the garage. “Yes, Papa?”
“Look.” He waved me over. I gasped at the small kitten snuggled in a corner.
“Oh my gosh. Where’s the mom?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, bae. I’m about to call a vet and see if we can bring him in and find a home for him.”
Shaking my head, I squatted down to get a closer look. “Nooo,” I whined. “I wanna keep him.”
“He looks too young to survive without his mom,” Dru said. Messiah nodded in agreement.
“First of all, y’all don’t know shit about animals. And why the fuck are y’all out here in the garage?” I squinted, looking around at them.
“You worried about the wrong shit, Bless. Call that vet clinic on 98th and see if they take walk-ins.”
My eyes watered as I stood. “Fuck you, Messiah. Call yourself!” I snapped and walked out of the garage. I could hear footsteps following behind me. I knew it was Saint because his scent invaded my nostrils.
“Baby, chill.” He pulled me into him and spun me around to face him. “Why are you crying?” He asked, wiping my face.
I shrugged and sniffled, “That was mean, and he needs to leave.”
“It’s not that deep, Bless. You’re probably just tired. You wanna go lie down? I’ll make sure everything gets cleaned up.”
I removed his arms from around me and walked away without responding. “Come on, Chanel. We’re leaving.” I snatched my keys from the coffee table.
She looked up from her phone, confused. “Where we goin’?”
“Away from those three idiots.”
“Let’s go to the pharmacy.” She whispered and slipped her shoes on.
“Relax, girl. Just pee on the stick and walk away.” I rubbed Chanel’s back as we stood outside her bathroom door. After leaving the pharmacy, we decided to go to her place. Sage was with Miss Jackie, and we still had a few hours before prom was over.
“Take one with me.”
“For what?” My face twisted.
“Please Bless. I’m scared.”
“Fine. I’ll go first.” I took one of the tests from her and went into the bathroom to take it. Once I was finished, she did the same.
“What are you gonna do if it’s positive?” She asked, sitting on a barstool next to me.
“Nothing because I know I’m not pregnant.”
She sucked her teeth. “Why are you so sure you’re not?”
“‘Cause I’ve been pregnant before. I know my body.”
“Whatever you say, Bless. What’s up with your friend, though? She was being weird earlier.”
“Who? Taryn?”
“No, Kaia. She acted like she didn’t want to be there. Like Messiah forced her ass to come.”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I didn’t see her much, and she was gone by the time everything slowed down. Ever since she’s been dealing with Messiah, we don’t talk much.”
“Mm. Let’s go check these tests I probably wasted my money on.”
As soon as I picked the test up, my stomach dropped. Two lines, clear as day. “This has to be yours, Chanel,” I said, quickly setting it back down.
“Huh? Girl, that’s your shit! Mine is negative.” She burst into laughter before squealing. “Ahh! Saint is going to be so happy.”
“Fuuuuck!” I groaned, looking up at the ceiling. This cannot be happening.