Chapter 6 #2
“I hate to agree because sometimes y’all be on some wild shit, but Mickey, Hollis is right.
Nothing was wrong here, just the lack of protection during that week.
But even that can happen to anyone who isn’t used to the pill method.
Hell, I swear it took me six months to remember half of Quincey’s likes and dislikes and eight months to remember the names of all his friends and family.
We didn’t meet parents until around that time too. ”
“Heffa, you and Quincey literally dated back in high school, the shit ain’t even the same thing.” Hollis chimed back in, causing Johnni to clear her throat.
I sipped on my hot chocolate, letting their words settle my mind that had been running through every single possible moment trying to find a hint that Harlan would pull out on me like this.
“Okay, enough of this. Let’s move on to how you’re going to tell Chris and Kat. You’re approaching your second trimester mark, right?” Johnni asked.
I groaned as I rubbed my temple to soothe the slow throb.
“Yes, I just hit eleven weeks, I’m officially down to two left until I hit the next milestone in this pregnancy.
I have my appointment coming up this week too.
Hollis, are you still coming with me?” Since I went to my first one by myself, and was now on the verge of being a single mother, Hollis and Johnni had both agreed to never let me go to any more alone. I loved my village.
“Girl, what type of question is that? Of course I am. You’re not keeping me out of my baby’s life at all.” We laughed because Hollis was serious about playing daddy to the baby and I loved it.
“And yes, we’re shopping after. I feel like a negligent parent since I haven’t bought my baby anything all week.” I kissed my teeth while Johnni laughed again.
“Please stop spending money. We agreed that you would wait until we find out what I’m having.” Two weeks ago, when we were all out shopping, Hollis bought all girly items, including headbands and all.
“Shh… Mickey, you’re trying to ruin the magic of my manifestation right now. The more girl things I buy for my baby, the better the chances. Watch; you’ll see.” I squinted at her while I pressed my lips tight, holding in my laugh. Hollis was seriously a fool.
“Anyway, enough about that, where is the food, Johnni? You can’t host girls’ night with a pregnant woman in attendance and not feed me. It’s borderline disrespectful.” I rubbed my growling stomach.
“Calm down, you know I’ma feed y’all. Quincey should be back with the food.
I got pizza from Leonardo’s. And yes, I got more than pizza, wings too.
” The sound of the back door opening came shortly after Johnni ended her sentence with Quincey standing in the door calling out, letting us know the food was back and he’d set the table for us.
“He’s a good man, Johnni. He still caters and sets tables,” Hollis gushed as we headed inside. He had another bottle of wine for her and Hollis and even sparkling white grape juice for me.
“I know, right? I think I’ma marry his ass.” She smiled at Quincey who stood by, smirking at her words before he leaned down and kissed her as if Hollis and I weren’t even here, taking turns washing our hands.
“Woman, you act like we haven’t done that shit,” he said before tapping her ass.
“Enjoy dinner, ladies.” Hollis and I stood there snickering together, watching Johnni’s stuck ass eye fuck her man.
“Well damn, should we head out or what?” Hollis asked while she fanned herself with her hand.
“Oh shut up. Let’s eat and finish planning Chris and Kat’s baby announcement.”
After Harlan’s, I didn’t plan on doing anything but saying the words. But at the rate I was going, they would know before my mouth even got them out since my bump was all they would see.
“Hey, McKay, how have you and the baby been?” She waltzed into the room and headed straight for the sink to wash her hands. This was my first official appointment since finding out I was pregnant, thankful that I had Hollis here with me.
“Things have been good. The nausea officially arrived sometime last week. And it seems like my energy level has drastically dropped. I wanted to blame it on my lack of caffeine as of late, but something tells me it’s the peanut’s fault. Please tell me you can give me something to help.”
Dr. Compton snickered but I didn’t see anything funny.
“Unfortunately I can’t help with your energy level other than to encourage you to take more naps throughout the day.
Growing a baby takes a lot of work, energy in this case.
As for your nausea, I can prescribe something to help or you can try the natural route.
Peppermint tea, eating ginger, or good old fashioned ginger ale will help.
And not the soda kind. Also keep in mind that this is only the beginning and we have about twenty-eight more weeks. ”
My eyes grew wide at that number, but of course Hollis spoke up, making me remember that she was in the room. She had been quiet, typing on her phone, waiting for the show to start.
“Twenty-eight! Damn, Mickey, when she says it like that it sounds like we’ve got forever to go.”
“Thank you for reminding me, Hollis. Dr. Compton, this is my best friend, Hollis. You’ll see her or my other friend Johnni on my visits.”
“Uh uhn, that’s not my title while we’re in this room. I am the baby’s father. It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Compton.” That had her chuckling again as she got the gel, making her way over to me.
“Please excuse her. My friends have taken on extra roles in me and the baby’s life.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to all kinds of family dynamics. Now, let’s see how baby is doing in there and how much they’ve grown since your last time here. Remember, the gel is going to be chilly.” She squirted a healthy amount on my pudge, causing me to shiver slightly.
The heartbeat rang out in the room and Hollis instantly turned into mush.
“Oh my gosh, Mickey, there’s a baby in there for real.” I snorted as Dr. Compton turned the screen so we could see said baby.
“Aw, and there they are. I believe the last time you were here, the body wasn’t quite this formed. We’ve officially left the tadpole stage of the fetus.”
“Oh my gosh, look at its little body,” I said as I pointed to the screen. I looked over at Hollis who was wiping a few tears.
I knew my friend wasn’t always so hardcore, but I wasn’t used to this sensitive side of her.
“Hey, are you okay?”
She nodded. “Pshh, of course, but Mickey, you’re making a human.
That’s some magical shit. Who would ever want to miss out on experiencing this?
” I offered a weak smile as I put my attention back on the screen while I listened to my baby’s heartbeat, thinking about her question as I filled in the blanks she’d purposely left out.
Because why would Harlan not want to experience the life we created.
“Everything looks good on my end. I’m going to print these for you and get you set up for your appointment next month. Remember what I said about that diet. And if you go the tums route, no more than five in a day.”
After my appointment, instead of shopping, Hollis and I ended up back at my place.
Mackie called and requested a couple bottles of herbal remedy so I was headed there.
I was down to my last couple bottles and had to let my grandpa know I would have to shop around for him because with the baby now baking in my belly, I was officially out of commission for the next few months.
“Does Mackie know about the baby?” Hollis asked while she drove us to Golden Age.
“Girl, yes, he busted me out the day before my appointment. Viola came to him in a dream, spilling all my good tea before I even knew. I told him at the time that I wasn’t but by my next visit, I broke down and told him.
Of course, he’s another person holding my secret from my parents, but I’m sure once he sees me today he’s going to say something about telling them. ”
“I mean, I think it’s time. What’s the big deal? You don’t have a baby daddy, so what? It’s the new age of having and making babies and women understanding men aren’t always wanted nor technically necessary beyond the sperm.”
I shrugged. “I think I at least wanted my parents to meet the father even if he didn’t stick around to be with me. Then, I can say, hey, you met him and it won’t be on me being a complete fuck up, just a little bit of one.”
Hollis snorted. “Heffa, not a temporary baby dad. But I understand. You wanted to at least give them someone to bear the blame.”
“Not the blame, just someone they knew would be the father. Not me out here telling them and can’t give them a name because the damn muthafucka is spookier than Casper.”
“Well duh, he was friendly, heffa.” I kissed my teeth at her corny ass joke just as we pulled up.
“Are you coming in to see Mackie?”
“Hell yeah. I gotta see my favorite guy.”
We walked in and headed straight for Mackie’s room but he wasn’t there. Knowing our routine, I left the bottle along with a copy of the ultrasound in his top drawer while I got the cash. Hollis and I made our way to the rec room where he was at the table playing cards.
“Grandpa!” I called out, walking over to greet him with Hollis behind me.
“Ooh, I got two of my babies today. Hey, Hollis.” Mackie stood to hug me. After a few seconds, he broke our embrace, leaning back and smiling wide at me.
“Let me get a good look at you, namesake.” I moved away from him and pulled my jacket back.
I was sure Mackie wanted to see my stomach but not much had changed, so I didn’t know what he expected.
His smile only got bigger once he placed his hand on my belly, feeling the now forming hardness.
I watched his eyes and brows both stretch in amazement.
“Eugene, my grand is making me a great. Can you believe it?” he said to his friend who offered me a warm smile.
“Congratulations, young lady, and old man welcome to the club. My Wilde girl just had her second one, a boy this time.” I tucked my lip, doing my best to conceal my amusement at their conversation, wondering if they really sat around and talked about their kids and grandkids all day like badges of honor.
“Well, I won’t keep you from your game. I just came to say hi. I left a special present in your top drawer.” I kissed his cheek once more before he pulled me for a deep hug and whispered into my ear.
“Viola wanted me to tell you that things will work themselves out, stop stressing. Something about he’s coming for you two.
I love you, namesake.” I wanted to ask what he was talking about, but Mackie swore Viola visited him with messages for us.
So far, she hadn’t been wrong. His message pumped my chest, giving me hope that the P.I would have success finding Harlan or better…
He’s coming back to me.