Accidentally #3
Rashida’s mouth dropped as tears filled the brim of her eyes. “Oh my God.” Rashida’s hands went to her mouth. “Can I feel?” she asked.
Nisha nodded. While this was all part of a ploy to put Tina in cuffs, this moment was real for her.
She’d love to have a relationship with the woman that birth the man she loved.
Boom didn’t have the nicest shit to say about her, but that’s only because Tina was in his ear.
Nisha always knew that it was a lie. Tina would’ve told him whatever to be the only woman that he loved because then she’d be the only woman that he trusted.
“It’s a girl,” Nisha told her.
“Oh, my.” Rashida gasped overwhelmed with joy. “I would just love to be there for you the rest of the way.”
“We’ll exchange numbers before you leave,” Nisha assured her.
“I would love that.” Rashida smiled. Upon laying eyes on Tina, it immediately turned into a frown. “I can’t imagine you called me here for a special moment like that.” She sighed, taking a seat. “You want something. What is it?”
“We both want the same thing,” Tina hinted.
“I highly doubt that because you’re a self-serving bitch,” Rashida didn’t hold back.
Tina shrugged. “Be that as it may, what I want kills two birds with one stone. My bird and yours. I want to help you get custody of the boys, but only if you agree to allow them to know us. We love them, too.”
“What makes you think I need your help? I can win and have both boys with me far off in Grand Onyx after some time, Khyell will forget who you are. Kind of like what you tried to do with my son, remember?”
“Nyelle please talk some sense into this bitch before I stain my carpet with her blood.” Tina got up pouring herself another drink.
“When it comes to cases like this one, money is not enough.”
“Since when?” Rashida scoffed.
“Since Jakia has money, too. It doesn’t help that her money comes from serving this country.
Take into account the history and how she went through fire and came out better, and you have yourself a fight.
The support system she has gets her closer to the finish line than you.
You need more than what being a Grand Onyx resident can get you,” Nyelle warned her.
“And I have exactly what you need, but you can’t have it unless you agree to my terms first.”
“Tina,” Rashida sighed, “you called this meeting. Please, stop acting like you have the upper hand. You don’t even have a seat in the courtroom because your last name alone is going to get you denied. So, get on with it, say what you want but it better be reasonable.”
“All I ask is that we split the boys. Khyell will prove to be more difficult because he’s in school. Grand Onyx absolutely has the better schools, so I’ll give you that, but I want him for the summers. And Carmell we can swap every two weeks or so.”
“That’s fair. I don’t have an issue with that.”
“Good. Nyelle is going to need that in writing.” Rashida rolled her eyes taking the pen from Nyelle’s hands. “Check your phone. I just sent you a video from Carmell’s birthday.”
“An invite would’ve been better,” Rashida said under her breath while reading the contract in front of her.
“Nothing we can do about the past. But what I sent you is gold. Jakia is threatening my life. No judge in his right mind will give her custody of those boys if you push on her mental stability. It ain’t there.”
A knock at the door made the five of them whip their heads towards the door.
“I’ll get it.” Nisha stood.
“No, Nene, sit.” Tina stopped her. “I’m not expecting anyone.
” Tina pulled her gun from her purse that sat on the deep freezer.
She peeked out the window, not recognizing who was standing on her porch but knowing enough to know that they weren’t a threat.
She sat her gun down on the end table. Opening the door, she said nothing.
“Good morning, I’m Slyvia Hopkins. I am a social worker at Sheppard Pratt. I’m looking for a Keyona Rollins.”
“She passed.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“What happened to her?” the woman next to her asked.
“Suicide,” Tina answered plainly.
“You’s a motherfucking lie.” The woman pointed her finger in Tina’s face. “Keyona wouldn’t do no motherfucking shit like that.” She mushed her.
Tina was too shocked to respond with violence.
“Ma’am I am so sorry. This is her mother. I’m trying to place her with family. She’s been released yet not rehabilitated.” She pursed her lips.
“Bitch, don’t do no apologizing for me.” Stephanie sucked her teeth. “She’s a motherfucking liar!”
“I tried calling the number on file, but I’m only getting a voicemail. No one has returned a call. Now I know why. This is the address on file in case of emergencies and—well I guess it doesn’t matter. Would you happen to know where I can reach her other daughter.”
“I’ll do you one better, I’ll give you her address.” Tina smiled.
The wheels were turning. She got the address written out on a piece of paper. The second the door closed behind them, she called the new station to announce that Stephanie Rollins was released from her psych stay and would be reuniting with her daughter. It was a moment no one would want to miss.