Chapter 3 #2
“Yea…a few days after everything happened she asked me to book an appointment for Zee and I just started telling her everything. That’s how I know I was in a fucked up head space because if I was thinking straight I would’ve never given her the satisfaction.
She never liked you and I gave her a reason to feel vindicated. ”
“Well I’m sure she spread the word to your whole family.”
“I started all this shit by talking too much, so I’ma get it under control.”
“You would want to because my mama said she’s slapping your mama for all that shit she's been talking on Facebook,” she smirked.
“That would be funny to you?”
“You want my honest answer?”
I shook my head. “I don’t find that type of dysfunction funny when we have some serious shit coming our way. Everybody needs to be one accord.”
“I don’t find drama funny either, but if a bitch gets slapped for talking shit about me then so be it.
I understand I was wrong and I’m not even mad at you for venting to people.
Had you did fuck shit I would’ve vented to my mama, my cousins, and my friends.
The difference is they wouldn’t have taken it to the internet nor would they have come at you crazy on my behalf.
But your mama and your lil girlfriend obviously want smoke with me.
I’m in no position to fuss or fight right now, which is why I decided it was best for me to do my pregnancy alone. You should just respect my space.”
I was quiet for a few seconds to think about what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it.
She had me in the first half but she lost me in the end.
I wanted to tell her she had me fucked up, but that approach would get me no where.
She literally just said that she was trying to avoid drama and confusion, so I had to show her that I was on her side and wanted the same thing.
“Your feelings are valid, Lourdes. I already checked Naz, so she won’t be an issue for you.
As far as my mama goes, she owes you an apology and I’ll make sure you get one.
But if that’s not enough for you and you don’t want to deal with her then you don’t have to.
I understand that you need to be at peace right now and I don’t want to disrupt that in any way. I just want to do my part.”
“What does doing your part look like in your eyes?”
“Coming with you to doctor's appointments, bringing you food, giving you money every week for whatever you may need, paying for the baby shower, and anything else you want or need. I’d just be one call away if you unblock me.”
“You blocked me first.” She cracked a smile. Sensing that her guard was down, I went in for the kill.
“When’s your next doctor's appointment?”
“Tomorrow.”
“You serious?”
“Yup, but you really don’t have to come.”
“Oh, I’m coming…and while we’re at we can get a DNA test.”
She copped an attitude immediately. “Nigga, just stay home.”
“Lourdes, I’m looking out for the both of us. Like I told you before, deep down I know what it is. I don’t want nobody else questioning it. You should want to get the shit on paper, too, since you claim you have a lying ex.”
She shot daggers at me.“ That nigga really was lying on me.”
“Okay, so why give him space to lie about something else?”
“Whatever, you can have your stupid ass DNA test.”
“You really mad about that?”
She sighed. “No, not really. I mean, I’m a little offended because you were cumming in me for breakfast, lunch, and dinner while asking me to have your baby.” My dick jumped because her words gave me flashbacks.
“I just feel like you should know what it is. But after everything that’s happened I guess that is a little delusional on my end. And keep it real, I was bracing myself for you to question paternity before I even called you. I wish I would’ve braced myself for you to flat out deny it.”
“I’m sorry, Lourdes. I was being an asshole.”
“You were,” she nodded.
“I want to be a part of your pregnancy though. My daughter deserves to look back at pictures and videos and see that her daddy was around from the beginning.”
“You better chill on the my daughters until you get that DNA test.”
“You claim you want peace but you saying shit to make a nigga flash…okay.”
“You’ll be alright,” she tittered, before standing up. “I gotta go, Armias. I have a client early in the morning.”
“Where’s your new suite?”
“It’s been hard to get into another one because I was kicked out my last one, so I’ve been doing house calls.”
“That’s fucked up…I’m sorry.”
“I don’t blame you for that, Armias. You didn’t come to my place of business to start problems. That was Kenny who came up there on some bullshit.”
“You done with him completely, right?”
“Why does it matter? You and me not together no more,” she smoothly used my words against me.
I couldn’t even respond how I wanted to because she held all the power.
I’d have her location at all times because of the air tag I put on her car, but that wouldn’t grant me access inside her house or to doctor’s appointments.
She could say fuck me at anytime if I said or did something she didn’t like.
“You got that,” I stood up. I was ready to get the fuck away from her duck ass. “What time is your doctor’s appointment tomorrow?”
“It’s at 12 and it’s at University Medical Center.”
“Alright, I’ll meet you up there.”
“Okay, and I’ll be more than happy to take Zee back on as a client. I know his hair misses me.”
“Nah, my lil brother is good,” I lied just to fuck with her.
Zee was back to rocking an afro or puffs because Rahesha only ever had patience to wash and comb his shit out.
I tried to cut his hair off, but as soon as I turned on the clippers he was wilding out.
Then I attempted to have one of my older cousins lock his hair up but he refused to sit still.
The only person he allowed to style his hair was Lourdes.
I was definitely going to get my brother back in her chair, but she didn’t need to know how much we really needed her in that area.
“I don’t believe that, but okay.”
The sound of the front door opening made us both turn around. There stood an older version of Lucia.
“Invite this man inside, Lo-Lo Pop.”
“Granny, he’s leaving and so I am,” she replied with her face turned up.
“Girl, stop being mean,” she fussed before looking at me. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m Ms. Nadine but you can call me Granny.”
“Nice to meet you, Granny. I’m Armias,” I held out my hand to shake hers.
“Armiasss? Okay, so you’re my great grand-baby’s father which means your family. Give me a hug, baby,” she stepped towards me and wrapped her arms around me. It felt like I was being hugged by my own grandma as I found it easy to relax in her embrace and hug her back.
“I’m so glad I could finally meet you.”
“Like wise, Granny.”
“I don’t know what you and Lo-Lo got going on but you’re always welcomed here. As long as you don’t mistreat or disrespect her.”
“That’ll never happen, Granny. You have my word.”
“I’m holding you to that, baby. Would you like a plate of food to-go?”
“I sure would.”
“You don’t even know what she cooked!”
“Oh Lourdes, stop being like that,” Granny snarled.
“I’m about to go home.”
“Alright, let me walk you to your car,” I said.
“My car is parked right there in the driveway. Bye,” she sped walked off the porch and over to her car. I kept my eyes trained on her until she pulled out of the driveway.
“You still want that plate, Armias? I have collard greens, corn bread, macaroni, and fried chicken.”
I hadn’t even tasted the food and it was already hitting the spot.
“Yes, m’am.”
“Well come on in here and talk to us while I fix it for you,” she said before leading the way into her house.
I was happy to hear that Granny wanted to pick my brain and get to know me better.
I wanted Lourdes’ family to know that I wasn’t the enemy who was trying to complicate her life.
She also couldn’t exclude me from her pregnancy if I had her family on my side.