Gently #2
Tina had always taken extreme measures to keep the family under her thumb. Growing up, Hussein, Toy and Boom had to take things even further to avoid her surveillance. They covered for one another, remained silent when caught and took the ass whippings together. They weren’t kids anymore.
The blind trust he had in Tina faded a long time ago.
He believed that she was always moving with their best interest at heart but that the moves she made would benefit her as well.
It worked until it didn’t. Trying to force him to marry Prissy, putting him on the graveyard shift to keep him away from his Jah was forcing his hand.
He was done talking. Now, it was time to show her.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS (VA)| 2:08 P.M.
“Rollins, come on back,” the petite nurse, Aaron, called out.
Even with all the time passed, she hated the last name. When it was being yelled out by someone in uniform it reminded her of all the things that sent her there. The year changed, but the past stayed the same. Not a detail was forgotten.
“Right here,” Jakia responded, standing.
“How you doing this morning?”
“I’m well.”
“That’s good. Step onto the scale for me. I want to note your weight before we head back.”
When Jakia saw 192 on the scale she stepped down, not giving a fuck if Aaron was able to catch the numbers or not.
She’d never been more than 170. It wasn’t surprising that she gained weight.
Her leggings fit snugger and that the top of her jeans were rubbing against her stomach. The pace is what threw her for a loop.
“You’re coming in before your regularly scheduled appointment. Is everything, ard?” Nurse Aaron checked her pressure.
“I’m pregnant.” She sighed. “I need something new to manage my pain. Something non harmful to my baby.”
“Have you been to a doctor, yet?”
“No. I need to know how we go about managing my pain before I commit to keeping it. I mean her…him…this baby,” she said frustrated. “This is day one without weed and the drive over proved to be the most difficult drive of my life. I can’t do this without something for the pain.”
“We’ll do what we can.” Aaron smiled. “Doctor will be in shortly.”
The second the door shut, Jakia’s thoughts took off a mile a minute. She considered what it would mean if the doctor didn’t have anything to offer her. She was strong but carrying a baby while dealing with intense pain would be selfish. She’d wake up every day regretting the life in her stomach.
She’d been avoiding motherhood like Covid.
The universe was dropping babies in her lap, nonetheless.
It was an honor to raise her nephews. So long as she did the best she could, she did Keyona justice.
As long as she never abandoned or hurt the boys, she did right by them. But her jit? That wasn’t enough.
Her future depended solely on the doctor providing a solution. If she had something to manage Jakia’s pain, she’d be a mommy. If the doctor couldn’t do anything for her pain, then she’d only be an auntie. She ran out of time to decide what outcome she was rooting for.
“Good afternoon, Rollins. I hear that you’re expecting. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. What can we do for pain that doesn’t involve pills?” Jakia asked immediately.
“I remember a few years back, I asked if you’d like to experiment with a different route first and you insisted we go straight to pills. It’s going to be hell to wean yourself off of the narcotics. I suggest we start eliminating that slowly first and in the –”
“I’m already off the percs. I have been for a while.”
“Oh.” The doctor was taken aback. “Well, what have you been using to manage the pain?”
“Weed. But pregnant.” Jakia pointed to her stomach.
“I see. You have it all figured out. Makes my job easier. I’m going to start you on Lidocaine patches.
You’ll peel the patch from the plastic and place it directly on the pain area.
The skin must be unbroken. Twelve hours on, twelve hours off.
You can wear up to three at a time. I’m also recommending physical therapy, massages and switching between heat and ice for relief.
I’m going to get you a referral for Medical Massage Therapy and get you started on the Lidocaine patches today.
Give me five minutes and I’ll meet you at the pickup window. ”
Jakia would give the patches a real try.
She was still unsure if she wanted them to work or not.
A newborn was a lot of work, especially as a single mother.
Who knew how long Hussein would be locked up and if she never saw Twon again it would be too soon.
She’d be doing it by herself and while she was used to that, she was tired of it at the same time.
Hussein showed her what it was like to be a team with your partner.
She didn’t want to do anything alone, anymore.
“Ard, Rollins. Here’s your first thirty-day supply of patches.
If they are successful, which I think they will be, they’ll be sent out every thirty days.
Here’s a referral for the massage therapy, and I also have a referral to an OB that I’ve known for years.
” She beamed a smile that touched her eyes.
“Unfortunately, he’s only available in the daytime on Tuesdays.
He’s willing to meet with you today, but you’ll have to head straight there. ”
“I can do that. Thanks for all your help. This couldn’t have gone any easier.”
“You’re very welcome. I did the courtesy of cutting the first patch open for you. Damn things don’t open without scissors. I hope they work. Have a good day Rollins and Good luck.”
“Thank you.”
Jakia didn’t hesitate to put a patch on her back.
The pain in her legs was always worse when her back was hurting.
As she headed to the west side of Baltimore her phone rang.
She rolled her eyes when she saw it was Henni calling.
They’d been building a friendship, but Jakia didn’t want to hear from anyone but Hussein.
She could front like she wasn’t thinking about him, but part of her pain was coming from him being snatched out of her life just as he was choosing her.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Jah. How you and the baby?”
“Girl, fuck you.”
“What I say?” Henni sucked her teeth. “I’m just trying to check on you.”
“You’re trying to get on my fucking nerves.”
“Well, before you hang up on me, Carmell’s birthday is coming. What we doing?”
“Cake and ice cream. He’s one, Henni. What? Do you want to have a fucking carnival in the backyard?”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking. It’s his first birthday. His parents ain’t here and you have that custody hearing coming up, we can get some good pictures that you can bring in to court.”
“Cake and ice cream at home with just us and the boys will give them a better glimpse into who I am. It’s more intimate and personal.”
“Fine. You’re boring as fuck.” Henni hung up the phone.
Jakia snickered to herself as she pulled into Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Inside, she found her way to the suite listed on the referral form.
“Hi, excuse me.” She walked to the counter, getting the receptionist’s attention. “I have a referral and I’m supposed to meet with my doctor today. It’s my first time here.”
“Ok, who is the doctor?”
Jakia scanned the paperwork. “Dr. Theodore Johnson.” She showed the document.
“Oh, yes. Jakia Rollins. Your doctor at the VA sent over your entire medical history along with your basic information. I’m going to take you straight back to see Dr. Johnson because he’s scheduled to leave for the day shortly.
I’ll personally fill out your documents and whatever information is missing you can complete after your visit.
” The receptionist scooted her chair backwards. “Follow me.”
Jakia snatched scissors from the lady’s desk, cutting open another lidocaine patch. For the first time in years, she didn’t have a single ache in her back. It was numb and she immediately needed one on her hip. She’d been doing more sitting than walking and the day wasn’t over.
It was decided. She was having a baby. Now whose baby was another question and some shit she’d worry about on another day.
TINA’S HOUSE | 3:24 P.M.
“What does he want to see her for?” Tina asked Nyelle.
“He didn’t say. Just that he needed to see her and it couldn’t wait,” she answered.
“He didn’t say or you didn’t ask?” Tina raised her eyebrows, twisting her lips up.
“I didn’t ask because quite frankly, I don’t give a fuck, Tina. I’m a lawyer. I’m not a mediator, a warden or your fuck boy,” Nyelle spoke with a clenched jaw, fed up with Tina’s disrespect.
“It would do you some good to remember that you work for me.” Tina sipped from her glass.
“And it would do you some good to remember that I don’t have to.” Nyelle walked to the front door, just as Nisha was coming downstairs from her nap.
“Oh, is this the maid?” Nisha glanced at Tina from the steps making her snicker. “My curtains need to be ironed. And the carpet could use a good cleaning.”
“Bitch, do I look like I get my hands dirty?” Nyelle snapped at Nisha before slamming Tina’s door.
“Ooh, her attitude was stank.” Nisha locked the door behind her. “Who was that?”
Tina: Go visit Hussein. Today. And tell me everything he says to you.
Tina hit send on the message to Prissy before acknowledging Nisha’s question.
“Before you get to asking questions about my visitors, who the fuck are you?”
Nisha scrunched her face, knowing she hadn’t been made but also not understanding what Tina was getting at.
“I mean all I know about you is that your name is Nene, you’re from Potomac and that Boom stuck his dick in you.
” Tina shrugged. “I couldn’t trust him when he was alive and, in his death, I find him to be a rat.
Which makes you one, too because only a rat can love a rat.
So, I’m going to need more, a whole lot more if you want to open your eyes the next time you lay down to go to sleep in my shit. ”