Chapter 15 #5
Ro was slim, medium-brown, and toned with a low tapered haircut.
He smiled, and his perfect white teeth lit up his entire face.
I knew my best friend, and he was definitely Blayke’s type.
When I glanced over, I was right because her eyes were directly on him.
Instead of her saying something crazy, she bit into another wing.
“And this is my nigga, P.”
P had light-brown skin, maybe a shade or two darker than mine, with half his hair braided and the other half crinkled.
Still with a half-done head, he was very good-looking.
A beard with lined sideburns adorned his face, and his mustache looked as if he’d just grown it out recently.
He wasn’t as slim as Ro, but the weight fit his demeanor.
P had on a diamond necklace, and although Ro wore no jewelry, it didn’t take away from his handsomeness.
“Wassup, y’all.”
We all waved at P, who probably didn’t care about us speaking since his eyes were on Pearla. She had only looked up briefly before her face was back in her phone. My girl was zoned out, but I understood because while I appreciated everything, so was I.
She’s probably lovesick like me, I thought to myself.
“It’s Glee’s birthday. Let’s turn up for the one time, and then I can kick you niggas’ asses in the dice.”
“Shid, say less.” P rubbed his chin while keeping his eyes on Pearla.
“Baby, that wine got me on my ass. You need anything else?”
Blayke was standing over me, smiling. She was now in her pajamas after she’d helped me shower, change, and get into mine before she lowered me onto the La-Z-Boy.
My sister had the baby and was going to keep her all night, and my mommy said she was going to sleep downstairs tonight.
I’d pumped already and was prepared to pump a few more times, if needed.
If Glow didn’t bring Baby Leader in for her late-night feeding, I’d have to pump again in a few hours.
It was after midnight, and we’d spent the whole day with the crew next door.
After being there for five hours, we discover that there was a woman in the basement.
The details around her being there were still murky, and I was having too much fun to question further—as was Blayke.
I was going to have to enlighten my bestie on how secretive my sister was when it came to her friends since she would be living here.
It seemed that next door would be a hangout spot for us, too, so it was best she knew what I knew, which wasn’t much.
“You not sleeping in here? The bed is free. Mommy said she’s staying downstairs tonight.”
The bed was still covered in gift bags. I had opened them all and loved every single one.
I received clothes, shoes, makeup, and a new designer bag.
I even collected gifts from next door, with all of the guys giving me money.
They didn’t have to, but I was extremely grateful, letting everyone know so.
Today had shaped up to be a really good birthday for someone who just had a baby and almost lost her life in a car accident.
“Girl, didn’t I tell you I was drunk? And do you see how fine that nigga Ro was? I’m going to the guest room so I can put on some ebony porn and play with this cootie.” Blayke grinned with slanted eyes.
“Please spare me. When you done, wash your hands and come back.”
“Ummhmm. If my legs work…” Blayke was now hovering over the bed. “These flowers are so pretty.”
“Yeah. My sister’s husband got them. You’ll meet Tunan soon enough.”
“I still can’t believe she’s married. But how they were all over each other on that live in Memphis, I ain’t too surprised.”
Blayke picked up a blue bag that had been hidden behind the others.
“Look.” She held up the flowers. “These match this bag, and you haven’t opened it yet.”
She placed the flowers and the bag on my lap and began doing the pee dance. “Open it, friend. I gotta pee.”
Instead of going to the en suite bathroom, she ran out of the room, leaving the light on. Hopefully, she would come back because, if not, I would be sleeping with the light on.
Picking up the flowers again, I held them to my nose and inhaled.
The earthy scent mixed with the smell of crisp new bills was one I didn’t think I’d love.
Placing the flowers back on my lap, I removed the white tissue paper from the small gift bag.
Reaching my hand inside, I pulled out an envelope.
I’d been receiving money all day, and I was sure the money wrapped around the flowers, plus everything else, was close to five thousand dollars.
The weight of the envelope told me this was more money, and I was thanking God for the overflow.
Opening the sealed flap, my breath hitched as I pulled out index cards. There was ringing in my ear, and suddenly, the soreness in my body was replaced by numbness. Blinking rapidly, I took a deep breath as my eyes scanned the first card.
Happy birthday, Cali Glee. I’ve never been the type to receive gifts, but you gave me the best gift a nigga could ask for: the gift of dreaming and believing. So today, on your twentieth birthday, I want to do the same.
Here are twenty reasons for you to keep going.
My eyes burned as I read the four sentences too many times to count. I had to force myself to shuffle to the next card.
You smart as fuck
You ambitious as fuck
You better than any muthafucka in any room you walk into
You make everyone better, including me
You have a purpose in this world
Every day the world is brighter because you’re in it
It’s yo fucking world and everybody else just exists in it
It’s favor over your life
You are hope
You are joy
You are passion
You are love
You are light
You are resilient
You are brilliant (I know I already said you smart but I ain’t as good at this shit as you are)
You are the blueprint
You are the inspiration
You are the reason I open my eyes every day
You are my everything
You are the mother of my daughter. My legacy.
I love y’all, Calista Glee. Kiss my baby for me. I fucking love her name. We made a beautiful ass baby, and I can’t wait to make more, if that’s what you want. Enjoy your birthday, beautiful. Next birthday, we’re going to be on somebody’s island. Daddy coming home to y’all. That’s a promise.
Pressing the twenty cards to my chest, the tears flowed down my face.
He knew.
He fucking knew.