Chapter 6 Brion
brION
My heart ached when I walked into my parents’ living room and saw that Sky had fallen asleep.
Serenity and Star were engrossed in a television show.
My babies didn’t even realize that they’d been waiting for two hours, and their bitch of a father still hadn’t shown up.
Josie tossed a knowing look my way because she knew I wanted to go off.
I was absolutely beginning to despise Corey.
This was the second time he stood my daughters up, and he wasn’t about to keep playing in their faces.
I wanted so badly to go to his shop and curse him out that there were tears in my eyes, but I refused to give him the energy.
“Pool party,” Josie mouthed.
It was always up to me to clean up Corey’s messes.
The last time I’d done London’s makeup, she invited me and the girls to Isaac’s niece’s party at their home.
I told her that the girls were supposed to go with their father.
For that reason, I didn’t even mention the party to the girls, but it looked like once again, I would have to save the day.
“Girls, I’m not sure daddy is going to make it. He may have gotten caught up at work, but I can take you to a pool party if you want to go,” my tone was hopeful. I wouldn’t be able to take the tears and tantrums. I wanted to have my own little tantrum.
Serenity’s beads clanked as her head whipped in my direction. “Pool party? Yes, I want to go,” her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Meanwhile, Star’s bottom lip poked out. “Why does daddy always have to work? Why can’t we all just go home and wait for him to get off?
” her face contorted with a frown. My child was pissed and per usual, she was pissed at the wrong one.
It was my fault for not taking them home but not Corey’s fault for being a cheating, lying, irresponsible, bitch boy.
Thank God for Josie because she took over for me.
“Star, remember your mommy told you that her and daddy didn’t want to live together anymore?
And that’s okay. They both still love you, and you can spend time with them both even if they don’t live together.
Your mommy can’t control that your daddy has to work all the time.
Maybe that’s something you can talk to him about.
Let him know you miss him and want him to pick you up more.
Okay?” her tone was extremely loving and patient, and I wanted to hug her.
Star was still pouting, but she nodded.
“I’m going to go pack your bathing suits. You guys can swim and have cake. It’ll be super fun, I promise.”
“Yayyyyy,” Serenity shouted waking Sky up.
“Is daddy here?” she looked around confused.
“No, daddy had to work,” Serenity answered. “But mommy is taking us to a pool party with cake, and we’re going to have fun!” she squealed clearly excited.
“Okay,” Sky yawned and laid her head on the couch drowsily.
With a sigh of relief, I went to gather the girls’ things.
London told me since I wasn’t sure if we could make it, I could come even if I didn’t RSVP.
The more I was in her presence, the more I liked her.
I didn’t know much about her and Isaac’s marriage, but I really hoped it was as good as they made it look.
Seeing them together made me kind of sad but not in a jealous way.
I still loved love even if it didn’t work out for me.
Josie entered the room. “All three kids are officially excited about the pool party. You’re welcome.”
“Thank you so much. I love you to pieces. You’re coming with me, right?”
“Um, I didn’t know I was invited.”
“You and London are cool, right? I’ll text her just to be sure.”
I texted London and prayed that she would say yes. I knew her husband was in the NFL, and they had to be careful who they invited into their space but hopefully, she knew Josie wasn’t like that. It took two minutes for London to text me back.
“She said of course you can come,” I smiled.
“Lord, I didn’t expect to go to an NFL player’s house today. Let me go lay these edges.”
Honestly, I really didn’t care how I looked.
Until it hit me that Isaac had some fine ass friends.
Would they be at a party for children? I didn’t want any of them, but that didn’t mean I wanted to keep being around them looking homeless.
With a sigh, I went over to the closet and started looking for something decent to put on.
It didn’t take long for me to decide on baggy, camo print cargo shorts, a red tube top, and red, black, and white sneakers.
I didn’t look homeless, but I for sure wasn’t trying to be sexy.
There was no way my curls would hold up in the heat, so I ran a brush through my hair and slicked it back into a low bun. When Josie came back into the room, she eyed me appreciatively. “Okay sister, that’s how we switch it up.”
“I’m not sure who will be there, but I can’t keep going around rich people looking like London found me on the side of the road.
Isaac has some handsome friends. It’s not like I’m looking and even if I was, I wouldn’t be looking at any of them, but I still want to look decent.
Also, London has friends that look like video vixens. ”
“I know it’s going to take time because you were with Corey for seven years. That’s a super long time, bae. But when you’re ready, don’t try to keep yourself from being open to dating.”
Fishing through my purse for some lip gloss, I let out a snort. “Date?” I chuckled sarcastically. “Yeah, ‘cus men are standing in line to date a woman with three kids.”
“I know like hell you don’t think you can’t find a man because you have three kids.”
“Okay let me rephrase that. There are a lot of men out there that I could get, but does that mean, I would want them? And between work and the girls, when would I have time to date?”
“Um when their bitch ass father gets them on the weekends. And if he doesn’t get them like he’s supposed to, you have me, mom, dad, and Alisa just to name a few.
And don’t you feel guilty about needing or wanting me time.
Yes, you have kids, but so does Corey. You deserve breaks and time to yourself too.
You didn’t have those kids by yourself.”
That all sounded nice, but I didn’t have the energy or the courage to daydream.
I didn’t regret my kids. I didn’t even regret having them out of wedlock because a ring wouldn’t have stopped Corey from cheating, and it damn sure wouldn’t have stopped me from leaving.
I had kids with a man that I had been with for two years.
I loved him. He loved me, and our kids were planned.
Now here it was five years later, and he was free to live and move how he wanted, but I had to be the responsible parent holding down the girls.
I could bitch about it not being fair, but that wouldn’t change my reality.
Life was unfair at times, and that was as real as it got.
By the time I walked into the living room, I had to stop the girls from bickering.
We made it to the car, and I had been driving for five minutes when they started bickering again.
I really hoped there was alcohol at the party.
I’d never drive drunk while my kids were in the car, but two shots wouldn’t hurt while they played and ate cake.
By the time the party was over, I’d be sober.
London and Isaacs grand estate was about thirty minutes from my parents’ home. Seeing as how I had to run in a store and get a gift, it took us almost an hour to arrive. When I arrived, there were ten or more cars in the driveway.
“This house is huge!” Serenity gasped.
“Yes, it is, and I really need you guys to behave. I work for Ms. London. I don’t want her thinking my kids are bad as hell. Got it?”
“We’re going to be so good, mommy. I promise!” Sky declared.
“That would make me so happy,” I smiled and prayed she meant it.
I rang the bell and less than a minute later, it was opening. “Hey boo,” London squealed when she opened the door. “Oh my God, they are adorable,” she eyed the girls with stars in her eyes. “What are your names?”
“Sky.”
“Serenity.”
“Star.”
London placed one hand on her chest. “I’m in love.”
“Remember, all three were in my stomach at the same time,” I reminded London making her laugh.
“I will keep that it mind, but they almost make it look like it would be worth it. Hey Josie, boo. Since the season started, I’ve been slacking with class. How has it been?”
We followed London inside the house. “I’ve been slacking myself. I haven’t been in three weeks, but I’m going back next week. Most of the same cackling hens. You aren’t missing much.”
London led us through her den and over to the sliding glass doors.
I could see children running around in the yard.
There were a few in the pool, and there was also a large bouncy house in the yard along with a funnel cake stand and candy apple stand.
There was a lady sitting under a tent painting the kids’ faces, and Isaac was standing in front of a large grill.
“Oh, this is nice,” I marveled. The girls were going to have the time of their lives and forget all about Corey for the rest of the day at least.
My heart fell into my ass when I saw the guy with the cornrows standing beside Isaac.
They were engrossed in conversation, and he was holding a beer.
There were about five men spread throughout the yard and five women.
There were more kids than adults and everyone seemed to be doing their own thing.
London showed me where the pool house was, so I went to help the girls change into their bathing suits.
I was super comfortable with them getting in the pool because there was a lifeguard present and an instructor helping the kids that couldn’t swim.
There were little life jackets and floatation devices as well.