Chapter 9 Jahmir
NINE
JAHMIR
I didn't want to let her go. As we stood in my doorway, I leaned down and kissed her on her nose.
“I already know you’re going to act funny with me, but can you at least text me when you make it home?” I asked her.
“I’m not going to act funny.” Tatiyonna gave me a nervous laugh.
I lifted her chin and gave a passionate kiss. When she wrapped her arms around me, I knew she didn’t want to leave either. We both knew what we agreed to, but I wasn’t letting her go until she let me go.
“I’ll let you know when I make it home.”
“You do that,” I told her, watching her walk to her car.
I made sure I charged her car last night so she wouldn’t have to worry about it later. She had already told me she was off and was going to bed rot and read a book all day. I had to relieve Lonni so she could go do her womanly maintenance.
After I showered, brushed my teeth, and moisturized, it hit me that Tatiyonna’s hair was a mess when she left. She didn't arrive that way, but after making love to her, her hair was sitting on top of her head. Picking up my phone, I hit her with an Apple Pay.
Tatiyonna: I’m home, but why did you send me money? I am not a prostitute .
Me: I fucked up your hair and wanted to pay for it.
Tatiyonna: Since you put it that way, thank you. It doesn't cost a thousand dollars, though, Jah.
Me: I love toes. I noticed you love a Frenchie, and I love that too. Pamper yourself on me. Next time I see you, I want them in my mouth.
Tatiyonna:
I left our messages at that and finished getting dressed to head to Lonni’s. As soon as I walked in, Reign was all over me. You would think that I hadn’t seen them in days. It had only been one day. Granted, they were used to seeing me daily.
“Well, hey stranger,” Lonni spoke.
“Shut up and go do whatever it is you want to do. I’m taking them out of this house and doing some shopping. We’ll probably end up at the trampoline park or something. I feel like being a big ass kid,” I told her.
Lonni was a little different than me when it came to the kids.
She really couldn’t handle them out in public that much.
I, on the other hand, loved taking them out.
It’s where I really got to see their personalities.
Reign kept her brother in line most of the time.
I also knew how to have fun with them and discipline at the same time.
Lonni was better at nurturing and structure.
“I’ll have my phone on. My first stop is my lash appointment, so that’s the only time I won’t be able to answer while I’m on the table. Other than that, you can call me. Dream didn’t eat breakfast, so he’s going to be fussing about being hungry.”
“I got my niece and nephew. Please just go.” I pushed her out the door.
My phone went off as Lonni was pulling off.
It was an email from Tatiyonna rescheduling the twins’ appointment for this coming Wednesday.
Placing my phone back in my pocket, I went to get the kids’ bookbag ready and get Dream a few snacks so his ass wouldn’t be whining before I could buy them something to eat.
Our first stop was to get them some underclothes and a few outfits.
The twins were growing so fast that I was buying clothes and shoes every month.
Dream had grown a few inches taller, and his pants were high waters.
As much as Reign laughed at his pajama pants, I had to get my boy right.
After that, we grabbed a few pairs of shoes and then headed to eat.
The kids and I sat down at their favorite hot wing spot.
As they enjoyed their lemon pepper wings, I answered a few emails and sent Lonni a text letting her know we’ll be home after we leave the trampoline park.
Two hours later, I was carrying the twins into the house. I hated to wake them, but they both needed to use the bathroom and clean up for bed. I let them have whatever they wanted, and I just knew my sister was about to give it to me.
“Why does Reign have cotton candy stuck to her hands? And she got it all over your shirt,” Lonni complained as she grabbed Reign out of my arms so I could adjust Dream.
“They’re kids, Lonni. It took work to even get her to try the damn cotton candy. Now move so I can put this boy down.”
Once the twins got cleaned up and in bed, I went and joined Lonni in the den. She was busy smiling at her damn phone. Whoever the nigga was, he had her head gone. And I can’t lie, I loved that for her. Maybe he could take her off my hands, and I can cut down on her expenses.
“What nigga got you grinning like that?”
“It’s not that serious.”
“When is it ever going to be that serious for you?”
“Jah, neither of us can afford to settle down with two kids stuck to our hip. I don’t know about you, but this is not how I planned my life. A man is not going to want to be with me, and I come with baggage. Rather they are mine or not.”
“You look at the twins as baggage?” I asked her.
“Jah, not like that. I love them and will lay down my life for them. You know that. Do I want a life outside of them? Hell yeah. It’s just that this guy is single with no kids. And here I am with two that aren’t mine biologically.”
“I feel what you’re saying. You know you can move on, and I’ll take them off your hands. They’ll be in school soon, and then I’ll hire a nanny.”
“No, I will not leave this solely on you.”
“Lonni, if you want to move on with your life, you can. Without feeling guilty. I get it. I’m ready to settle down, too, but I need to make sure that whoever it is knows that family means the world to me.”
“I feel the same way. I want my own kids, though. I feel like I may be burned out before I can get to do so.”
“I tell you what. I'll take the kids for the week. I don't have to be back on site for a while, so you take some time with your little friend and enjoy yourself. The kids will be fine.”
“Jah, I can't do that. It's appointments and shit that have to go on. I would never stop what you got going on, and you provide for us.”
“Lonni, I’m good. Go before I change my mind for real.”
She thought about it for a minute and snatched the phone before rushing to her room. Twenty minutes later, Lonni was walking back into the den with two bags of luggage.
“Jah, if you need me, you promise to call,” Lonni said.
“Lonni, bye. And be safe. If you need anything, call me.”
My sister kissed me on the jaw and rushed out the door.
I ended up sending her some money. I didn’t know who her nigga was, but I liked for her to have her own money just in case she needed to leave.
I locked the house up and went to shower so I could get in bed and watch a little television.
I was trying not to think about Tatiyonna, but it was hard.
The more we spent time together, the more I craved her presence around me.
It was more than just sexual, even though when we were together, it was hard to keep my hands off of her.
No one could deny the sexual tension between us.
Wednesday
I opened the door for Tatiyonna and helped her with her bags. This time, she let me help her. Usually, she would pop up to the appointments with at least three bags on her arm.
“How you been?” I asked as I looked her up and down.
“I’ve been good. How about you?”
“Better now.” I winked at her.
I followed behind her as she led the way to the den with the twins.
Once I set her bag down, I gave them privacy.
The twins had about five weeks before school started, and they were doing great.
I also knew that services with Tatiyonna were about to slow down.
She was only going to see them once a month.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but I respected what she did for a living and had to realize that the twins weren’t the only ones who needed her.
As Tatiyonna wrapped up the appointment, I was in the kitchen getting their snacks ready.
Keeping them on schedule helped, and when we deviated from it, it took forever to get them back on track.
I could see from the kitchen that Reign was rubbing her eyes.
For the last ten minutes of the session, she had blocked out everything Tatiyonna was saying because she was sleepy.
Honestly, Reign needed the least therapy, and Tatiyonna noticed that.
Which is why she had her doing other things like sight words and learning to write and say her full name correctly.
“You need help while I’m here?” Tatiyonna asked when she entered the kitchen. “I know with Lonni being gone, you could use a hand.”
I looked up at her, surprised that she wasn’t trying to keep it professional in front of the kids. This wouldn’t be the first time she stayed over. I mean, it was that one time her car fucked up, and she ate dinner with us. They loved her, and it wouldn’t be strange to them.
“I got it. If you want to stick around, though, you can.” I looked at her.
“My next appointment is in a few hours. I can help you get them settled before I leave.”
“I appreciate it.”
“You know, after the next appointment, I won’t see them but once a month. They are doing amazing. Dream has come a long way, and you should be proud.”
“I am proud. Which reminds me that I should apologize for how mean I was during our second encounter. You did work a miracle, and you got my boy talking a little too damn good.”
Tatiyonna laughed, “I told you I was that girl.”
“That you are.” I bit my bottom lip.
“Umm, no, we are not going there today.”
“What? I’m not going there with you today either,” I told her. “You don’t have the time for what I want to do to you. You’ll have to pencil me when Lonni gets back.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Once I got the kids down for their nap, Tatiyonna was putting her shoes on to leave.
Seems like I never had enough time with her.
I wanted her for at least two or three days by myself.
It was so much about her that I still wanted to know.
I pulled her towards me and walked her back into the living room.
“I know all you do is work and try to figure shit out between you and your husband, but I want to spend some time with you. Can you get away for a few days? No work. No phones. Just us.”
“Jah, I can’t do that. My schedule is busy. Especially with school about to start back. A few days is stretching it.”
“Aight, when school starts back, I know your schedule is going to slow down. You owe me a few days, and I’m not taking no for an answer. This is my treat to you for helping my niece and nephew.”
“Owe you?” She raised her eyebrow.
“Yes, owe me.” I leaned in to kiss her neck.
It was something when we touched. Fire would spark between us, and neither of us could deny it when we locked eyes.
“Have a good day, Mr. Grant.”