11. Old Thang #2
“Yeah.” Toni smiled. “Kind of crazy. He’s the kind of parent I always wished I had.
Even in the last week. Once I talked to Bull, and he green lit everything, Sudan has been super attentive.
I talk to him every day. He wants me to meet his wife and my brother and sister too.
I’m actually a middle fucking child in their dynamic.
Which is crazy considering how I grew up.
Bull told me not to expect too much, though. ”
“He’s right, but it would be awesome if after all these years, you get to experience being someone’s sister. I mean, I kind of consider you mine already—”
“Aww, Lo! I love you too!” Toni threw her arm around her and pulled their faces together in an embrace. “You are the best friend and sister I always wished for.”
“We should probably check out before I have Eazy cursing me out over his credit card bill. He said get whatever, though.”
“Then best believe he meant it. How are things going?”
“I don’t know.” Lotus shrugged then sighed.
“One minute it feels like we’re making some kind of headway, and the next, he’s still walking out the door every night.
He’s making sure I’m good, comfortable, and protected, especially in the new house.
It just doesn’t feel like home without him there, you know? ”
“Girl, yes, I do. Bull drove Brenda up to rehab, and he was gone two days. I couldn’t even sleep in our bed. I kept calling him and getting up, checking doors. I even made his ass stay up with me on FaceTime and watched him sleep. The attachment is real.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure how this is going to work. He’s still mad, and I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Tuh, men are easy,” Toni jested. “No pun intended. Eazy is your man, Lotus. Trust me. You’re carrying his baby.
You just have to remind him of what he’s missing, and don’t be scared to fight for it.
I get not putting in the work for a muhfucka that ain’t doing the same, but he’s actively showing he still cares.
He’s just mad. Trust me. Bull and I were not always on the same page.
Sometimes it didn’t even feel like we were in the same book, and look at us now. ”
“From your lips, T. ’Cause I don’t know what else to do.”
After paying for their items, they ducked out of the store and back into the mall to continue their day.
Lotus was already a little tired, irritable, and hungry.
She craved some of Eazy’s salmon and grits with buttery shrimp on the side, so she went in her phone to text him, even though she knew he was working.
Surprisingly she found a text from him checking on her, and it brought a smile to her lips.
She typed back but fell in stride with Toni until they were standing in front of Victoria’s Secret together.
“Let’s go in here and find something sexy for you,” Toni encouraged. “Hell, me too. After everything we’ve been through over the last few weeks, Bull and I need some time together too.”
Lotus shot Eazy a text letting him know she was out shopping with Toni and was craving his cooking when a familiar voice struck her eardrums, and she lifted her gaze.
“Girl, Midas is going to lose his mind when he sees me in this.” Essence tittered.
“Hmm, well, good luck with that. Looks like I’m going to have to be a little more creative in my measures against Eazy,” Niva muttered just in time for Lotus to hear and flare her nostrils.
She’d given Eazy time and patience with this bitch, given the situation, but she was tired of her popping up all over the damn place. Her mom even mentioned that Taci told her she’d been showing up at their house, too, and that was where Eazy was staying sometimes when he wasn’t with her.
“Lotus.” Essence was surprised to see her and Toni as she gripped her bag tighter in her hand. “Hey.” Her dark eyes swept over Lotus’s expanding frame.
Although they weren’t exactly friends, she respected her and was happy for her and Eazy, despite her relationship with Niva.
“Hi.”
“Still running with the opps, I see,” Toni observed, which only made Niva laugh.
“Says the woman who’s got babies by two brothers and married one of them before the other was even cold in the ground,” Niva spoke up, wiping the smile off her face.
“You should make better choices.” Toni ignored Niva and focused on Essence. “I understand feeling a way about me and Bull—”
“No, you don’t understand shit.” Essence shook her head. “You got the good man. You got the kids. Hell, you got the fucking ring, but don’t ever get it fucked up and think we’re friends or that I would take any advice from you.”
“Essence, Toni isn’t even like that.” Lotus stepped in to defend her friend. “And we’re all worried about you.”
“Worry about your man. ’Cause your man is my man, and my man is your man, or however that song goes,” Niva jested. “Did Eazy tell you I paid him a visit today?” Niva taunted, and Lotus’s gaze swept over her in the super tight and short dress.
There was no denying the woman was beautiful. Something ugly rested in her spirit now though. Envy. Jealousy.
“And yes, I wore this. He seemed to appreciate it.” Niva peered down at herself.
“Niva, let’s go.” Grabbing her arm, Essence tried to nudge her along.
“Can’t compete with history! Not even with a baby!” Niva yelled as Essence shoved her forward so they could get away without starting some more shit.
“Girl, don’t even pay them no mind. Two birds sharing one brain at this point. I hate to say it, but Essence might be a lost cause.”
“Yeah.” Lotus followed her into the store, but now her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Eazy and his ex.
“Don’t let that get to you.” Toni leaned in as they strutted inside. “She’s just trying to get a rise out of you.”
“Yeah, but I told Eazy if he wasn’t sure and he needed time, to take it and see. Maybe that’s what he’s doing.”
“Lotus, I have seen the way that man looks at you, girl. Trust me, Niva might be his past, but you and that baby boy are his future. She needs to go seek some fucking help. Her choices led to her losing him, so she has to accept that. That ain’t your fault.
Now, let’s find you something cute and sexy to dress up in tonight. ”
“What’s the point? He’s not going to stay. He’s going to come over, cook, ask me about my appointments and how I’m feeling, and be gone before I can even shower and get in bed.” Lotus sifted through a rack of negligées.
“See, you gotta change your attitude. Don’t be going around all sad and shit.
When we leave here, let’s go grab some lunch and talk about these upcoming meetings with city officials.
We gotta make sure all our shit is in order so we can get our funding and accreditations.
If you can’t not feel bad about the shit with Eazy, at least put the focus somewhere useful. ”
“You’re right.” Lotus sighed. “What we’re doing is important, and it’s going to benefit so many people.”
“Exactly, and that’s what we want. I decided to make Uma my first project. She needs some fucking guidance after her whole life being influenced by Urso and Chai.”
“How is she doing after everything?”
“Still a hot mess and thinks the world owes her something. Now, she’s mad she’s stuck with a baby.
She didn’t know any of Onika or Urso’s contacts in that little underground world they were involved in.
Poor child would probably be better off being adopted.
She’s addicted to those damn percs they gave her after the c-section, too.
I have to go check on her every other day to make sure she’s alive.
I even had Bull put one of his guys on the apartment for now until I get her transitional situation set up. She’s fighting me at every turn, too.”
“She’s lucky you even give a damn,” Lotus countered. “You’re like a fucking saint, T. No cap.”
“I know what it’s like to be alone. Even if she isn’t grateful now, maybe one day she will be. If she doesn’t do right by that baby, though, I’ll gladly report her and make sure she ends up in a nice home.”
“What do you think about this?” Lotus faced her with a silk and satin teal colored nightgown with a matching robe and G-string.
“I love that! Get more than one color.”
After lunch, Lotus and Toni went their separate ways.
Lotus had the day off since Bull was working from home, and now all she wanted to do was take a much-needed nap.
Hopping into her whip, she started her car and headed toward home.
Eazy called, which was unexpected considering he’d been texting her to death.
Lotus stared at the screen, not sure if she wanted to talk to him after her run in with Niva.
Taking a breath, she finally swiped to pick up.
“Hello.”
“How much of my money you spend?” Eazy sounded like he was in a good mood, which only further irritated her.
“You said get whatever I needed,” she replied dryly.
“I’m working until about five. I’ll run to Freshway and pick up what I need for dinner.”
“Okay.”
“What’s wrong witchu?” Eazy sensed her mood through the phone.
“I’m tired. It’s been a long day, and I need a nap. Is there anything else?” Lotus glanced at traffic through her rearview mirror but kept steering.
“You mad at me now?”
“I’m entitled to feel however the fuck I want to feel, Eazy! You’re not the only one dealing with shit!”
“Calm the fuck down—”
“Go to hell.”
She ended the call and tossed her phone in the seat.
He called back. Twice. Instead of answering, she drove home in silence.
She really didn’t want to deal with him or his shit right now.
The minute she was inside, Lotus locked up, tossed her bags at the door, and stomped up the steps to the bedroom.
She kicked off her shoes, slipped into something more comfortable, and crawled into the comfy pillow top mattress.
It didn’t require much for her to fall asleep these days.
Eventually, she drifted off with disturbing thoughts plaguing her.