Chapter 7 #2
“You been sick a lot?” he asked, leaning against the counter.
“Only in the first trimester,” I replied as I chewed. “I couldn’t keep much down.”
“Any cravings?”
“Nothing specific really. But whatever I have a taste for, I have to satisfy the craving right then and there.”
He nodded slowly, like he was taking mental notes. “How bout your prenatal vitamins? You taking those?”
A small smile tugged at my lips for the first time since he’d been in my house. “What you know about prenatal vitamins?”
“I know you should be taking them.”
“Yeah. I am. I’m doing really well, Pryce. I’m taking care of myself,” I assured him.
He watched me take another bite of the sandwich before asking quietly, “How long you have your hair like that?”
Reaching up instinctively, I pulled at one of my curly red strands. “A few months now. Wanted to switch it up.”
“Why?”
I shrugged. “Felt like I needed to change my look along with the new scenery.”
“You wanted to feel single?”
The question landed heavy and unexpected. I hadn’t thought about it like that. Sure, I was single when I made the decision, but I definitely didn’t feel that way.
“No. It was just something I wanted to do.”
He studied my face, eyes unwavering, like he was trying to figure out if I was telling the truth.
“How’s business?” I switched the subject to avoid him overthinking my response.
“It’s running. Some days are longer than others.”
I nodded. “Have you been sleeping?”
He scoffed softly and turned to remove the kettle from the stove. “Since when you start asking questions you already know the answer to?” Pouring the water over the chamomile teabag, he added a little honey and brought it over to me.
“I figured since you had someone, they’d be helping you out with that.”
He smirked. “Nah. You figured you’d try to covertly ask me if I was with someone. The answer is no. I don’t sleep when I link Alexis. I get my nut, then I go about my business.”
His straight admission stung. I could’ve gone without him telling me that he was fucking someone else. And I felt stupid for even opening the door to his honesty. I shifted in my chair uncomfortably, wanting him to give me space. Then, he spoke again.
“The only person that can help me get the rest my body needs is you.”
His words landed in a place that distance or time refused to close to him — my heart. I wanted to respond, but my emotions got the best of me, and before I knew it, I was crying again.
“We got a lot to figure out, Dai,” he continued honestly.
“Everything in me wants to be your comfort again. Hold you again. Go back to life as normal.” There was a pause, then he dragged his hand over his face.
“But the reality is you fucked a nigga head up with this. And I need to process so that I know my next move. I’m here though.
That you’ll never have to worry about, aight? ”
I wiped my face and nodded. “Okay,” I said softly.
“I’ma go.” He leaned over and pressed his lips against my forehead then turned the chair so that he could kiss my belly. “Eat the sandwich for me. I’ma call you to check on you. You call me if you need something. Lock the door behind me. I love you.”
“Okay. I love you too.”
I listened to the door close and didn’t move immediately to lock it. I stayed put, processing that this wasn’t Pryce stepping back, but this was him taking space to think without breaking us in the process… again.
After sitting with my thoughts for about twenty minutes after Pryce had left, I texted Kyiris that I was getting ready.
The silence he left behind lingered throughout my condo.
Maybe because I felt that things were left open ended.
Or maybe I was stuck on the way he’d handled things better than I expected.
Either way, I needed to do something to reset the morning while convincing myself that everything would be back to normal… eventually.
Heading upstairs to my bedroom, I showered and brushed my teeth again before going through my closet to find something to wear.
My mother had taken the liberty of unpacking my suitcase when I got home, making it easy for me to find something comfortable and fitting for the bump.
I didn’t know what Key had in store for us today, so I wanted to keep it simple but very cute.
Grabbing a pair of sage colored cargo pants, I paired it with a cream racerback tee that had the words BIG MAMA written across it.
I reached for my sandals and quickly remembered that being out with Key, I could expect a walk, so I opted for my Saucony’s instead.
I hoped that once she saw my condition, she’d want to do more driving than anything else.
Finishing off my outfit with my favorite Lorvae shades, I sprayed an Arabian scent combo I’d saved on Tik Tok and gave myself a quick look in the mirror.
I didn’t look like my ex/baby daddy had shown up at my house in the wee hours of the night, held me hostage, and told me that my life was no longer my own so long as I was carrying his child.
I looked like somebody’s fine mama, so fine that I blew myself a kiss and slapped my own ass.
I went to grab a light jacket, in case the weather changed, and my wristlet when I heard the doorbell ring.
Putting some extra pep in my step, I headed downstairs. I felt the baby kick on my way to the door, and I giggled.
“I know, baby. Mommy need to stop moving so fast. I got you.” The doorbell rang again. “I’m coming,” I called out. “Who is it?” I sang.
“Who you invited,” Key sang back.
I made it to the door and pulled it open to Kyiris standing on the other side with her arms outstretched.
“My muthafuckin’ gir…” She froze mid-sentence with her mouth open.
Her eyes dropped to the bump, then back up to my face, then to the bump again. There was an awkward silence as I stood there trying to figure out what to say. Before I could wrap my thoughts around words, she turned and started walking back to the street.
“Key,” I yelled out to her back, but she kept walking. “Kyiris!” I yelled out again, sounding crazy as hell.
She whipped her head around dramatically. “Girl, gimme a minute. I gotta find something.”
I watched as she continued to her car, opened the passenger door, and looked around. I just knew whatever she was doing was for dramatic effect. When she walked back over to me emptyhanded, my brow raised in confusion.
“Well, did you find it?” I asked sarcastically.
“Girl, no. I just noticed I wasn’t the one who lost it.”
“Lost what?”
“My damn mind! Why would you not tell me you was pregnant, Dai?”
“Oh, my God.” I threw my hand up. “You did all those theatrics just to say that? You get on my nerves.”
I pulled her in for a hug that she acted like she didn’t want.
“Hug me back, ho.” I laughed.
When she did, she squeezed me lightly then stepped back to look at me. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant. Lemme come inside so I can cuss yo’ ass out without any witnesses.”
“I’m extra sensitive now, so watch what you say.”
“Oh, no, bitch. Not you tryna pull a pregnancy draw two already and I just got here. Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?” She bent down and hugged my belly.
“I was going to,” I said.
“When?” she asked, standing up straight and pointing to the bump. “After the moving up ceremony for pre-k?”
I giggled. “You draggin’ it. But honestly, I didn’t want to tell you before Pryce knew. You know I never wanted to put you in the middle of us.”
“Ahhh, shit,” she said, craning her neck to scan the house. “Where he at? Upstairs?” She started for the steps.
“He left not too long before you came.”
Turning back to me with her hand in her purse, she cocked her head to the side. “Left like momentarily and he’s coming back? Or left left?”
“Key, what the hell is left left? He said he was leaving and to call him if I needed anything.”
“Oh, okay. I brought this just in case,” she said, casually pulling out a blinged out stun gun.
“Bitch, for what?” I couldn’t stop laughing.
“In case he was still here with that same energy he had on the phone.”
“Yo’ ass is insane. He would’ve whooped our ass.”
She snickered. “We would’ve been good,” she assured, dropping the stun gun back in her purse. “I would’ve told my uncle. You know how he comin’ bout me.”
I knew she was referring to Pryce’s dad, Princeton. He was overly protective of the women in the family. That protection was extended to me too once me and Pryce locked in.
“But forreal though. How did he take the news? Was he hurt? Mad? Did all hell break loose?”
“Everything you said except for the last part.”
She nodded. “I figured since all your shit was intact that he didn’t flip. You know Mr. Grinch don’t play.”
“I mean, he flipped, but I’m sure he held back due to my current state.”
“Yeah. Well, let’s get in the car so you can give me the short version while we drive.”
“Okay. It’ll just be me and you. I was too caught up with Pryce to text Ebone.”
“That’s cool. Come on.”
I locked up the house, and we hopped in her car.
On the way to the destination she had yet to disclose to me, I gave her a brief synopsis that included Pryce coming over, me confirming I was pregnant, his reaction, and some things in between.
Key listened the whole time without interrupting.
That let me know she was paying attention and taking in what I was saying.
When I stopped speaking, she nodded slowly.
“Damn. Now I feel bad for wanting to tase him. I see both sides though.”
“I was wrong, Key. In hindsight, I could’ve handled this better. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so broken.”
“Yes, you were wrong,” she agreed. “But what happened happened. And you can’t expect to be forgiven if you keep hanging what you did over your own head. What matters now is that you’re here and he knows now.”
“Dammit, Key. Don’t make me cry.” Looking up, I fanned my eyes.
“Uhn uhn. We don’t have time for all that. We got a food tasting to go to, and I don’t need them thinking that they can play on your pregnant emotions. Get your shit together, boo. Everything gon’ be fine.”
Hearing food, I perked up a little despite myself. “I’m okay.”
“Okay, good. Tomorrow is the party. Let’s table the situation with you and Pryce until after. Cool?”
“Ummm. Honestly, Key, I don’t mind helping you out today, but I think it’s best that I stay out of Pryce’s way for now.”
“Oh, bitch, please. Just like I told him he can’t miss the party, neither can you. Plus, you’re carrying a special guest.” She reached over and rubbed my belly. “You gotta be there. It’s a family affair, and you family. End of story.”
I sighed and shook my head. While I enjoyed a Sullivan gathering just as much as the next person, I didn’t want my sudden resurgence to be the topic of conversation.
I didn’t want six months of silence sitting between us, stifling the air, and killing the vibes.
However, Key had made a valid point — I was family.
This child I carried was family. And I knew stepping into Grandma Lettie’s party would be me reentering a life I never stopped belonging to.
I didn’t know what that meant for me and Pryce.