Chapter 12 #2
“His name is Arion Greek. I found him my birthday night at Kira’s club. If I’m pregnant, it’s 100 percent his. Me being pregnant is a longshot though.”
“Castina take her to figure this shit out and call me when you done. Cedees, if you pregnant, you and that nigga better arrange a time and place to see me. I’m not playing ‘bout my blood.
I want an answer ‘bout my grandchild within the next couple of hours and that date by the end of the week.” He walked away not giving me a chance to say shit else.
“Mama, why did you do that knowing how he is? Dammit!” I shouted slamming the door.
“I meant no harm baby girl, and you know it. Me and Ryan are in a good place right now and keeping this from him would change that. This is also something that you need to handle as soon as possible. If you don’t want it, you need to get rid of it, and if you do, you need to mentally prepare yourself.
A child isn’t something to be indecisive about.
I prayed for a successful pregnancy every time and failed.
I think that’s what really drew a wedge between us.
The cheating was something I could’ve got over because he only did it once.
You are the daughter I never had. Let’s go find out what’s going on and make some decisions,” she advised.
I loved my mother and even though I wasn’t biologically hers, you couldn’t tell me shit ‘bout her and vice versa. Castina was all I knew. I never knew her and my father went through so much, but it quickly made me realize why he was so attached to her. They created life together whether it survived or not. Adjusting to them seemed a lil’ easier now.
“Fine Mama. Let me freshen up and then we can go. I didn’t come over here for all this,” I said annoyingly.
Opening the door, I walked out heading for my bedroom upstairs.
I bypassed my bed and went straight for the shower.
Twenty-minutes flew by, and I was wrapped in a plush towel drying off.
I grabbed a simple two piece set out the closet and got dressed after moisturizing up.
I was back downstairs to my mother in another fifteen.
Nothing was said as we left out the front door.
She decided to drive, and I was glad of it.
I had too much on my mind to even think straight at the moment.
I didn’t need Akira in my ear saying off the wall shit, so she wasn’t getting a call until I was ready.
Knowing my father, he was probably on the phone with my Uncle Senior telling all my business.
I had no choice but to call Bentley. I grabbed my cell from my purse and called him up.
He was the only one that seemed to support all my crazy shit without the extra lip.
He answered on the first ring with, “Wassup Cedees.”
“A lot actually. Are you busy?”
“Nah. I just put the kids down for a nap while Heidi finish cooking. What’s going on?”
Sighing deeply, I asked, “Can you meet me at Nurturing You? It’s a women’s clinic. I, uhm, I think I got into some shit and need you.”
“I’m on the way.”
“Thank you. Oh, and don’t tell anybody what’s up. I’m already nervous as fuck.”
“You know I got you. Give me twenty, and I’ll be there.”
The call ended just as fast as it began. Bentley and my father had a lot in common, if I was being honest. They only spoke when spoken to and when it was necessary. You wouldn’t know they were there if it they didn’t let their presence be known.
“Is there a reason why you want Bentley there? I thought you would’ve called Royce, Heidi, or Striker. Shit, maybe even Akira. Why him?” she inquired.
“Bentley doesn’t run his mouth the way everyone else does. I just need a minute, Mama. He’ll give me that.”
Nodding, she continued to drive us through the city until we were at our destination.
The entire ride over, all I thought about was what kind of mother I would be.
Castina was the epitome of a woman who bodied motherhood.
I wanted to be just as fierce in my role as she was.
She didn’t drop the ball even after her and my father split up.
Whenever I called, she answered. Every graduation, recital, competition, and neighborhood event my mama was in the crowd.
All I wanted to do was mirror that kind of love and support.
There was no indecisiveness about this. If a bitch was knocked up, I was keeping it and all that wild shit I participated in had to stop. I was free the way I was because I didn’t have anyone to worry about. If I was carrying that nigga baby, I was turning a new leaf.
Entering the lot, she found an available spot.
As I climbed out the car, my nerves bounced off the charts.
I was beyond anxious to know the results.
To get married in Vegas, come home, realize me and the nigga share a birthday, just to wind up pregnant was some shit you read in a book.
A bitch was just resting to live her life in a carefree manner.
Walking inside with my mother on my heels, I stopped at the receptionist desk. “Hi, is Dr. Bloom available? My name is Mercedees Atkins.”
“One moment.” She picked up her receiver and dialed a number. She spoke lowly to where I could barely pick it up. When she placed the receiver back down, she put on a smile saying, “She’ll be right out. Have a seat for me.”
“Thank you.”
Taking a seat, I allowed my head to fall back against the wall. When I went to my father's house, I just knew I was gon’ relax for a bit and get spoiled. To my surprise, I was doing shit that was severely irritating. I wasn’t supposed to be here.
There was a light tap on my thigh from my mama. When I lifted my head, she pointed toward the door. Bentley had come through like he said he would. I stood up and he noticed me instantly. Dr. Bloom walked through the side door calling for me in the same exact moment.
“Mercedees, right this way.” Nodding, I waved both Bentley and my mama to follow. Right now, they were my support system.
I was escorted back to her office where there was a private exam room attached to it.
She’d been the family ob/gyn for years. She knew my body better than I did.
If anything was wrong, she’d be the one to detect it first. I took a seat on the patient table while they took the two seats against the wall.
“Where’s the cup so we can get this over with?” I questioned holding my hand out.
She lightly laughed and replied with, “Is that what you’re here for?”
“My mama seems to think I pregnant. I low key think I am as well, but that cup of piss will solidify it.”
“So much for asking how you’ve been then. Mercedees, what have you gotten yourself into from the last time you were here? That was only… what? Six months ago,” she said shaking her head.
“A lot ‘cause I ain’t got nothing but time on my hands. Can I use your bathroom for this or what?”
“Mercedees you need to calm down and show her better respect. I know you’re anxious but get it together,” my mama scolded me.
“Yes ma’am. I’m sorry Dr. Bloom. I really ain’t trying to be disrespectful,” I apologized.
She offered another light laugh saying, “I know sweetheart. I’ve seen you grow, so I know when you’re unsettled. Go ahead inside the bathroom and use one of the cups on the counter. Once you’re done, bring it out and I’ll have one of my nurses take care of it,” she instructed.
Nodding, I hopped down and did like she asked.
I couldn’t focus long enough to get anything done.
I was jittery and my thoughts were running ragged.
I didn’t know Arion, yet I was married to him and carrying his child.
What were the fuckin’ odds of that shit?
While I thought I was living such a carefree life, God had already put plays into motion to sit my hot in the ass down.
Moments passed before I was walking back out to Dr. Bloom with a cup full of piss and unsure thoughts on a loop. I took a seat on the table once more and she exited the room for a brief minute. In the meantime, Bentley used that moment to ask his million and one questions.
“I’m curious, too, cuz. Who the hell was stupid enough to get you pregnant?” he asked with dipped brows.
“What the hell is that ‘spose to mean? If I would’ve known you was on the same bullshit as Royce, I wouldn’t have called you. Why he got to be stupid to fuck with me?” I countered.
“You talking to a nigga that know how many niggas you done slept with in a year’s time cuz.
You a hoe, everybody know that though. We don’t judge, and we don’t hold it against you.
We just let you do you. He only stupid ‘cause we all know how you feel about kids. As long as they ain’t yours, you cool.
That’s why I’m shocked we even here.” I hated how raw his mouth was at times.
While all my cousins spoke the truth, Bentley was the one that gave it to you the rawest. There was no sugarcoating or coddling. I guess that was why I respected him so much.
I loved my nieces and nephews. All of them referred to me as TT Benz and I loved every bit of it.
With them having their parents to play the most important roles, it was easier for me to swoop in, spend time with them here and there, then dip out accordingly.
It wasn’t a hassle. Having my own would change my life completely.
I was free without attachments. Arion took that free will from me.
“Royce thinks he’s stupid to marry me and now you with this pregnant shit. Look, I don’t think the nigga cares too much ‘bout none of that shit. He already threatening me to move in with him,” I said rolling my eyes and crossing my arms.
“Hold up. You found the nigga?” Bentley asked sitting up in his seat. For the umpteenth time of the day, I nodded in shame. “Well, when the fuck was somebody gon’ tell me?”
“I haven’t really told anybody anything. The only reason Kira know is because the heffa was with me when I ran into him. It’s been at least a few weeks since then.”
“What’s his name?” he questioned.
“Arion.”