Chapter 6 #2
We all moved about the kitchen, preparing to eat. Once they headed to the dining room, I fixed Jahsir a plate and handed it to him. After making mine, I joined them at the table. “Ms. Jemma, you have outdone yourself, as always. This looks so good.”
“When Jahsir told me he was bringing you by, I knew I had to make your favorite! There's a strawberry crunch cake in there, too. But you look like you had enough cake, baby.”
“Mama!” Zahara scolded her.
“What?! Was that mean?” Ms. Jemma asked, biting into a buttery garlic roll.
“No, Ms. Jemma, it wasn't mean,” I laughed, seriously not taking offense to her observation.
“Well, good. Because I think you look amazing. You've always been a cute girl, but you were a skinny mini all these years. For the life of me, I couldn't tell where all the food you'd gobble down was going. That baby weight filled you out nicely.”
“Very nicely,” Jahsir added as he squeezed my thigh under the table.
I caught Zahara and Ms. Jemma up on my year. Mending our bridges was effortless. After a plate of food, a slice of cake, and a very fulfilling conversation with the three of them, I realized time and distance mean so little when someone means so much.
After dinner, Jahsir and his mother dipped off somewhere down the hall.
He claimed he needed to fix the ceiling fan in her bedroom, amongst other things.
But Jahsir was dripping in jewelry and his finest clothes.
I knew good and well he wasn’t about to get dirty.
I knew it was more of a strategic exit than anything.
While Ms. Jemma and Zahara played nice with me at dinner, Zahara and I had more to discuss.
Once they disappeared, it was just me and her alone for the first time in a long time.
Settling into the living room, Zahara seated herself comfortably on the floor, her legs stretched out in front of her.
Jahsir was gone so long that I forgot how much he and Zahara favored each other.
Their eyes, skin, and curly hair were identical.
I admired her beauty, watching her wavy hair fall to her face as she leaned over Scarlett.
She tucked her hair behind her ears, scooped up one of Scarlett's chubby feet, removed the sock, and pretended to chomp down on her toes.
“Mmh, such a tasty foot!” she said in a goofy voice.
Scarlett squealed, her laugh loud and full of joy, her tiny hands flailing in excitement.
With nearly a year apart, we had lost too much time.
Seeing Zahara love on Scarlett reminded me of how sweet and gentle a soul she was.
The time I spent in isolation dealing with my postpartum issues could have been spent in laughter and safety.
In a sea of missed calls, guilt, unread messages, and my pride, we had much to discuss.
It was my fault, and I planned to take full responsibility.
Guilt washed over me almost immediately.
Zahara sensed it, because before long she said,
“Crimson Nicole Woods. You had a baby. You went through the pregnancy and delivery alone. That had to be hard for you, I understand that. But it hurt my feelings so bad, Crim, to not be a part of your life. How could you?”
“Zahara, I was wrong, I’m so sorry. You and I leaned on each other a lot in his absence. I just felt like I cheated on him. Hell, like I cheated on y’all. I couldn't bring another man's baby around you. Not after crying on your shoulder for 3 years solid about missing your brother.”
“I hear you, but it's never like that with us.” She turned her attention from Scarlett and settled on me.
“I told you before, no matter what you and Jahsir go through, we need to stay connected.
And besides, you stayed loyal to a ghost for 3 fucking years.
Deciding to have some fun was expected. You are my girl, Crim.
I'm always on your team. Whether you two are together or not.”
"I know. I just couldn't get out of my head."
"It really hurt me to find out about my niece through social media. No baby shower invite, gender reveal, or nothing."
"Girl, I didn't even have any of those things. They had a diaper raffle for me at the bank, for which I’m super grateful. But no baby shower.”
“Whew,” She sighed, turning her gaze back to Scarlett. “I thought I missed the over-the-top balloon arch and royal throne chairs.” She laughed and I joined her. “But then again, I know that flashy shit isn’t your style.”
“Exactly. Venus bought some stuff though, and I bought the rest. That's it."
"Speak of the Devil,” she sneered. “How is she? Uh oh, somebody needs a diaper change," she added.
I began fishing around for the baby wipes and a diaper. Handing them to her, I muttered, "She's Venus."
"Still a snake then, huh?"
"Zahara!"
"Just saying! The girl stole Rashad from me and tried to steal my bestie. Started calling you BFF and everything. Ugh,” she gagged. “I’m not messing with ole girl. They're still going strong now that he's out?"
“Yeah they are, he got paroled to her house. Is that the right term? He is under house arrest over there.” I babbled.
“And I bet they’re sooo in love. The man blew my phone down damn near every day before he got out.”
“You spoke to him?
“Sure did.” I was getting ready to raise hell, but Zahara cut me off before I could. “Aht aht!” Zahara raised her always perfectly manicured nail and said, “And before you get in your feelings, had you answered even one of my thousands of calls or texts, you would’ve known the moment I found out.”
“True. So, Rashad wants that old thang back, huh?”
“As he should, but I'm not thinking about his ass no more. That ship has sailed. The Jezebel got him, and he made his choice.”
“Not Jezebel.” I laughed hysterically.
“Yes. Him and his little princess can drift right on into the sunset for all I care.”
“Especially Venus, I'm not fooling with her ass right now.”
“What did she do?” Zahara asked.
“Lying by omission. Once you lie to me, I question everything you say from there on out. Period.”
“Period.” She replied in her baby voice, continuing to play with Scarlett.
“And, now Jah is forcing me to go over to her house and play cards in a lil bit.”
“Oohhh, can the baby stay? Pleasseee!! Please!”
“Girl. Scarlett isn't a walk in the park.”
“Yes, her is. I am an easy-peasy baby mommy. I'll be safe with TT Zahara. Yes, I will,” she spoke to Scarlett in a baby voice.
“Zahara, stop, that's creepy.” We both laughed. “You sure you want her to stay?”
“She’s been awake ever since y’all got here. She’ll probably sleep the entire time anyway. “
“I don't mind; we'll only be gone for about 2-3 hours.”
“Yes, please!!” She begged.
“Okay, don't say I didn't warn you.”
“Good thing Jahsir came home when he did! I was one post away from breaking into your auntie’s house and snatching y’all up out of there.”
“You're crazy, girl. I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Crim, so much.”