Chapter 30 #2
East processed what she was saying, and another round of anger pushed through him. “You didn’t have to put up with that shit. You didn’t have to stay.”
Priscilla shook her head and laughed sarcastically. “And what was I supposed to do? I didn’t have anything but him. It wasn’t about me. I had to think about you. I was already ruined. I wanted you to at least have a normal life. Your father loved you, even if he hated me.”
East gritted his teeth again. “He’s a gotdamn rapist. That’s how I got here. That shit isn’t love, Ma, fuck that.” East’s tone was low but harsh, causing his mother’s chest to tighten.
“He loved you, baby. Regardless of how you got here. You are loved.” Priscilla placed her hand on her son’s arm, and when their eyes met, hers were pleading while his were filled with anger.
“I don’t blame you but don’t you ever in your fucking life fix your face to defend him to me. I can accept a lot of things, but not that.”
Nodding, she agreed and East inhaled, releasing it slow. “Ma, I love you. I just need you to be okay. Let that shit go. Be honest and let them really help you this time. I can’t think straight if I’m worried about you and Kelsey. Promise me that you’re gonna think about that.”
“I am and I also promise you that I’m gonna be okay. I just need some time to figure things out. Don’t give up on me.”
East smirked and closed his eyes before he leaned her way and kissed her cheek. “You know I can’t do that. I love you.”
“I know and I love you too.” Priscilla smiled at her son, feeling a peace she hadn’t felt in a long time. Not since before he was born. The only other time she had felt it was the first time she held him in her arms. No matter how he was conceived, she never regretted having him.
“I’m gonna be out of town for a few days. You think you’re gonna be alright?”
“Boy?” She grinned. “I’m grown. I might have my issues but I’m gonna be fine. I don’t need you babysitting me.” She rolled her eyes at her son who snorted through a cocky laugh.
“You sure about that?”
“Eastland,” she warned, causing him to shrug.
“He been back?” East wanted to be sure his mother’s boyfriend wasn’t back in the picture. She needed to get her life together and Melton being around wouldn’t help.
“No, and he won’t. I had no business being with him in the first place, but after Kelsey’s father, I just wanted someone, anyone.”
East groaned at the thought. Kelsey’s father had only been around a few times and East didn’t like him.
He was glad that he didn’t want anything to do with his mother or his sister.
East had planned on being the only male representative his sister needed.
He loved her enough for her not to miss her punk ass daddy.
“I don’t want to hear that shit. Just make sure he don’t step up in here anymore.”
“He won’t.”
“Call me if you need anything. Numbers can come through if you do.”
Priscilla grinned at the mention of her son’s friend. Before Joi, he was the only constant in East’s life. East didn’t form bonds, so to see him with Joi gave her hope. “If I need anything, which I won’t, I’ll let you know and you can send Noel. How is he?”
“Pissed right now if he could hear you calling him Noel.” East chuckled at his mother using his government name. She refused to address him as Numbers.
“It’s his name.”
“Yeah it is, and he hates that shit.”
“Well too bad.”
“We have to go. We need to pack so we can catch our flight.” East pushed out a short breath. He wasn’t happy about leaving his mother but felt she would be okay.
“I like her, Eastland. Don’t mess this up, and keep those other women out of your life so they don’t mess it up.”
East smirked at his mother and stood, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Mind your business,” was all he said, and she narrowed her eyes at him, causing East to laugh.
“Aight, I got you. I like her too.” He winked at his mother, leaving her there. So much had changed but it was all necessary. No matter how complicated or stressful it was, neither of them would argue differently.
“I can’t get any love?” East leaned over his little sister, lifting her into his arms. She flew in the air, squealing before he brought her down against his chest. Grinning in a way that took up her entire face, Kelsey hugged her brother’s neck so tightly he was at risk of losing air, but East didn’t complain.
His baby girl could get all his love and every bit of oxygen she shut him off from.
“You don’t like pink, but Joi does. See. She looks pretty.” Kelsey beamed, pointing at Joi who wore a pink boa, plastic pink jewels on her arms and fingers, and a matching tiara sat on top of her head.
“She’s aight.” East scrunched his face playfully and kissed his sister’s cheeks.
“She’s pretty.” Kelsey pouted, causing him to laugh and Joi to stick her tongue out teasingly. East felt a reaction below the waist from the motion and shot her a warning look.
“Yeah she is. But not as pretty as you.” He gushed over his sister, kissing her again before running his hand over her wild, messy ponytail.
Unlike him, she was every bit of her mother.
A miniature version that emulated every one of their mother’s features from her big round eyes, long thin nose, and tight, heart-shaped lips.
East would kill for both of them without a single regret.
“You’re pretty too,” Kelsey stated with certainty, causing Joi to snicker and East to frown.
“Men are handsome, baby girl. Not pretty. That’s ga—”
“You better not,” Joi warned, already knowing what was coming next.
“Your big brother is handsome as hell, Kels. It’s why Joi keeps looking at me like that.” He winked at Joi who rolled her eyes while Kelsey frowned, not understanding what was going on between the two of them. She let the thought go and moved on.
“Mommy’s pretty.”
“She sure is and you look just like her. You’re both beautiful and smart. Don’t you let anybody tell you different.”
“I won’t.” Kelsey beamed before turning to Joi. “Are you smart too?”
Joi’s smile stretched wide but before she could answer, East did. “Yeah she’s real smart because she’s with me.”
When Joi’s eyes rolled, he smirked and kissed Kelsey again. “I’m heading out. Be good, okay, and I’ll see you when I get back.”
“I will. Mommy said we can go to the park.” Kelsey was out of her brother’s arms and bouncing in place which had him and Joi laughing at her reaction.
“Word? Then you better go get dressed. Come give me a hug first.” East lowered again to meet her, and after he let her go, she ran right to Joi and hugged her too.
“Bye, you can come back and play another time,” Kelsey informed Joi before she left them there, taking off down the hall.
“I guess she likes you,” Priscilla stated, joining the two as Joi removed her pink accessories.
“Well I like her too, so that’s a good thing.”
Priscilla walked the two of them to the door, stopping Joi with a tight hug. “Thank you for everything. I appreciate you.”
“You’re welcome but you don’t have to thank me.”
Priscilla chuckled and looked up at her son. “I raised him so I might need to be apologizing to you as well as thanking you. My son is a lot.”
East groaned and shook his head. “She already knows that, trust me.” East smirked at Joi. “You go, I’ma call you later.”
“Okay, baby, have fun.”
That was exactly what East planned on doing after he handled his situation with Patterson, so for now that was where his mind was.