Three Is A Crowd

by Chenell Parker

  “Did your mother-in-law come?” Cat asked as she looked around.

  “Hell no and I’m not mad. Old miserable bitch claimed she was sick. She was fine when he talked to her yesterday though. I guess she got mad because I wouldn’t let her come to the hospital last week when we found out the gender of the baby. My own mama didn’t even come. It was only me and my husband. We told everybody once we found out though. I don’t know what made her think that she was special. They must think it’s a game. I keep telling them that I gives no fucks about nobody else’s mama, especially when I don’t even fuck with my own. If it ain’t Dena, they can kiss my smooth chocolate ass,” Jersi ranted, making Cat laugh at how serious she looked.

  “When’s the last time you heard from Tabby and your sister?” Cat asked.

  “I haven’t. Tabby called herself calling to check me about beating Talena’s ass and we got into it. That was the last I’ve heard from her. Me and Memphis saw her in Walmart a few weeks ago and I pretended like she was invisible. She looked a hot ass mess with Mariah’s clothes on,” Jersi said.

  “Bitch! How do you know that the clothes belonged to Mariah?” Cat questioned.

  “Come on now Cat. Tabby don’t know a damn thing about Fendi. She had on the shirt with the matching leggings. Mariah wore the same outfit when me and Ariel saw her in the ice cream parlor a while ago. Besides, Mariah was smaller than Tabby and the shit was too tight,” Jersi said as she and Cat laughed.

  “She out here flexing with too tight clothes that belonged to a dead woman,” Cat snickered.

  “Yep but I’m not surprised by anything that she does. What’s up with you and your boo?” Jersi asked.

  “Everything is going good. He’s such a sweetheart. He’s been staying over some nights since he’s met Tre. My baby loves him and that’s all the validation I need,” Cat replied.

  “Look at you blushing and shit,” Jersi smiled right as she spotted the men walking back over.

  Memphis handed Jersi her food as he and Phil walked away again. Jersi smiled when she saw his friends pull out a chair and sit him down in the middle of the dance floor. They serenaded him with their frat song right before they broke out into a step show. People were recording on their phones and Dena had the photographers working overtime. Jersi had seen them do the same thing at Max’s wedding, so she wasn’t surprised. Max was there with his wife but Jersi saw him sneaking peeks of Dray and his date. Once the show was over, people went back to enjoying themselves.

  The reception was in full swing and the dance floor was packed. Once she ate again, Jersi and Memphis joined their guests. Dray was there with his female companion but he pulled Jersi onto the floor to dance with him for a little while. Since her two older brothers were there, they got on the floor and joined them. Dena was going crazy making sure the photographers got the special moment between the siblings. She even had her cell phone out recording as they danced together. When Sassy joined them, the party really got live. Sassy had moves like Beyoncé and he did it all wearing six inch heels. Eva looked disgusted by her son’s behavior but he didn’t give a damn. He had learned to ignore her just like she always did him. When the reception was nearing the end. Jersi stood on the spiraled staircase to throw the bouquet.

  “Right here cousin. Make sure you throw it to me,” Ariel yelled.

  “No friend, throw it to me,” Cat yelled as he stuck her tongue out at Ariel.

  “On the count of three!” Jersi yelled as she turned her back.

  Everyone counted with her right before Jersi threw the flowers behind her. She turned around as soon as she did so she could see who was going to catch it. Dray’s date had both her hands in the air as the bouquet came right at her. Suddenly, the two women who were closest to her almost fell and she lost her balance too. It was like a domino effect but thankfully, no one fell. As a result, a lady who was right next to her caught the bouquet instead. Jersi narrowed her eyes at Dray when she saw that he was the one who was behind the incident. The entire room erupted in laughter after that. Dray swore that it was an accident but Jersi knew better. He pretended that he was trying to tie his shoe but she wasn’t buying it.

  “Why did you do that Dray?” Jersi asked as she walked over and punched her brother on the arm.

  “I was trying to tie my shoe and almost fell. It really was an accident,” he shrugged.

  “Yeah, I bet it was,” Sassy laughed.

  “Fuck that. I don’t need these hoes to be getting no ideas. Unless she’s okay with her husband having a boyfriend, she can’t be my wife,” Dray replied seriously.

  “When are you gonna settle down Dray? Don’t you want kids one day?” Jersi asked.

  “Yes and in five more months you and Memphis are giving me a daughter. I’ll be happy with spoiling my nieces and nephews. My world is too complicated to bring kids into it. I’m not stable enough for that right now. I get to choose whether or not I want to entertain a man or a woman. I can’t wake up one morning and decide that I don’t want to be a father,” Dray pointed out.

  “That’s so true,” Sassy agreed with a nod of his head.

  “Well, we don’t mind sharing Montana with you,” Jersi smiled as she looped her arm in his.

  She was so happy that her oldest brothers were there because they worked so much. They never got a chance to unwind but they were having a good time. They invited her and Dray out to dinner the following day and they happily agreed. It had been a while since they’d all been together and that made Jersi’s day even more special. Now, as her reception came to an end, she was happy that she had two days to relax before she and Memphis went to Miami for a few days.

  “Ready?” Memphis asked her once he saw the last of his family members off.

  “Yes, I’m so happy that this is over with,” Jersi replied.

  Her parents were the only ones there and they were talking to the lady who owned the venue. Jersi let them know that she and Memphis were leaving and they were on their way soon after. JJ had parked Memphis’ truck there earlier so they wouldn’t have to find a ride home.

  “Five more months?” Memphis smiled as he rubbed Jersi’s stomach.

  “I can’t wait to meet her,” Jersi smiled.

  “Me too,” Memphis agreed. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

  “Are you ready for the long nights, early mornings and diaper changes? Things are going to be very different now since it won’t just be the two of us,” Jersi noted.

  “I’m prepared for it all. Three will never be a crowd when it comes to her,” Memphis replied, making her smile.

  1 Year Later

  “ Are you ready to eat baby?” Jersi asked when she opened the door to the sitting room and looked at Memphis.

  He was relaxing on the sofa and seven month old Montana was comfortable on his chest. She had her pacifier in her mouth and she looked like she was falling asleep. As spoiled as she was, Montana was one of the best babies ever. She rarely woke them up at night and they sometimes got up before she did. She was a cute chocolate colored replica of Jersi with a head full of the same curly black hair. Memphis’ eyes lit up every time he saw her, the same as it did when he saw his wife. He didn’t think it was possible but he fell in love with Jersi more and more each day. Even though he was pissed with her at the moment, she was still his heart.

  “Get out of our face. Me and my baby ain’t fucking with you right now,” Memphis frowned, not even bothering to look up at her.

  “You can miss me with the attitude, Either you’re ready to eat or you’re not. If I go lay down, I’m not getting back up until I’m good and ready,” Jersi replied as she wobbled away.

  When Montana was only three months old, Jersi found out that she was pregnant again. Memphis was ecstatic when they found out two days ago that they were having a boy. His family was coming along nicely but he still wanted more. He and Jersi agreed to have four but she sometimes changed her mind. She had a rough labor with Montana and she wasn’t looking
forward to that pain again.

  “You seriously got the nerve to get mad? That was real fucked up with you did Jersi. And you’re standing here acting like you don’t care,” Memphis argued as he walked into the kitchen carrying their daughter.

  “I’m not acting,” Jersi said as she took Montana from him and put her in her high chair.

  She had a small bowl of mashed potatoes to feed her and then she would put her down for a nap. She wasn’t worried nor did she care about what Memphis was saying.

  “That’s real fucked up,” Memphis said as he opened the fridge and pulled out some juice.

  “You better not,” Jersi warned when she saw him turn the bottle up to his mouth.

  “Disgusting ass,” he mumbled as he grabbed a plastic cup.

  “I don’t know what you’re mad about. Today is a beautiful day. It’s not hot or cold and there is a nice breeze blowing,” Jersi pointed out.

  “I don’t give a damn Jersi. That’s still no reason for you to leave my mama out on the porch like you did,” Memphis replied.

  He was pissed when him and his daughter pulled up and he saw Valerie sitting on the porch. She told him that she had been out there for about twenty minutes because Jersi told her that he wasn’t home. He had to pick up a few things from the store and he took Montana along for the ride. Jersi had finally rented out her condo since Dray moved and he had to deposit the rent check into their account as well. Valerie only wanted to see the baby and Jersi had her waiting on the porch like she was a stranger. Since his wife and mother didn’t have the best relationship, he used to bring Montana to Valerie’s house every Sunday for her to spend time with her only grandchild. Jersi put a stop to that quick and he had to respect his wife’s wishes.

  Jersi had never said that Valerie wasn’t welcome in their home. His mother was just stubborn and his wife refused to give in to her childish ways. Jersi didn’t feel like they had to go out of their way to bring their baby to see Valerie. In her opinion, Valerie should have been the one coming to their house to see her. Memphis was doing exactly what she wanted him to do but she had Jersi fucked up. She wasn’t about to kiss her ass or bend over backward for her. Dena and Jacob came to see Montana just about every day and Valerie wasn’t exempt.

  “You and Montana weren’t here anyway. She don’t like me so I was sure that she wouldn’t have wanted to be in here with me alone,” Jersi shrugged.

  “That’s a lame ass excuse if I’ve ever heard one,” Memphis fussed.

  “It’s not an excuse and I’m tired of talking about it. I’ve never done anything to your mother and I’m not about to pacify her ass,” Jersi snapped.

  “I never asked you to. It wouldn’t have killed you to let her in until we came back though. She apologized to you a long time ago and I though the shit was over with. You have a problem with forgiving people,” Memphis said.

  “No, I forgive easily but I never forget. That fake ass apology was only to appease you. It was cool with me though because I accepted it for the exact same reason. Being in her company when you or Montana are not around ain’t happening though. She should have called before she just popped up and she wouldn’t have been sitting on the porch. That’s her problem now. She still don’t listen,” Jersi said as she got up from her chair. Montana had fallen asleep in the middle of her meal and she wanted to put her in the bed.

  “It sounds like you’re the one with the problem to me,” Memphis said, making her upset.

  “The only problem I have right now is my husband defending his mother like he’s fucking her every night instead of me. Your mother will not be a problem in our marriage because I won’t allow her to be. I’ll pack me and my daughter up and let you be with her before I let that happen,” Jersi fumed as she grabbed Montana and walked away.

  “The fuck!” Memphis yelled as he followed behind her ready to go off. Jersi pissed him off when she said shit like that and she knew it.

  “Be quiet before you wake her up,” Jersi ordered as she laid their daughter down in her crib. She grabbed the baby monitor and walked away.

  “You better stop saying that stupid shit every time you get mad,” Memphis fumed as he followed her to the front room. Jersi sat on the sofa but he was too upset to sit still.

  “Then you better remember who the fuck your wife is!” She snapped, making him regret his earlier words.

  Memphis knew how his wife was and he knew that he had to choose his words carefully. He didn’t want Jersi to feel like she was in competition with Valerie because there was nothing to compare. Nobody, not even his mother, came before Jersi and his daughter and she knew that. He didn’t expect his wife and mother to be best friends but he at least wanted them to be cordial. Valerie even tucked her tail and apologized but Jersi still kept her at arm’s length. She accepted the apology but she still didn’t fuck with her like that. Memphis wasn’t worried about being pulled in two different directions. He had his wife’s back no matter what. He just hated that things had to be that way. There were kids involved and he wanted them to know both side of their family.

  Sadly, his kids would never know his father since he was serving a twenty-five year sentence in jail. Juan was given forty years and they were both charged with Lila’s murder since it happened when they were trying to commit a crime. Jonah never got out of the car and that kind of helped with his sentence. Still, he would probably die in prison because he was already over fifty years old when he went.

  “Listen,” Memphis sighed as he pulled Jersi up and sat down in her spot. He sat her on his lap and stroked her belly.

  “I’m listening,” Jersi said as she folded her arms defiantly.

  “Stop being so mean,” Memphis said as he kissed her neck.

  “I’m not being mean but I’m not for the bullshit either,” Jersi replied.

  “You’re right baby and I apologize. She should always call before she comes and I’ll be sure to tell her that. I don’t expect you and my mama to be best friends because that’s unrealistic. I just want all of us to be in the same room without all the tension. We should be able to spend holidays together without wanting to kill one another,” Memphis said.

  “You’re right. It shouldn’t be that way. I’m not even trying to keep bringing up who started what and why. Our kids should know your family and mine. And all holidays don’t have to be spent with my parents either. We can alternate or you can invite your mama to spend the day with us. My mama won’t mind,” Jersi noted.

  “That’s all I want. But, more than anything, I want you to be happy,” Memphis said as he pulled her in for a hug.

  “I am happy,” Jersi replied with a smile.

  “That’s all that matters to me,” he noted.

  “But don’t let my mama fool you. One wrong move and Valerie will catch her hands. You know my mama don’t play behind me,” Jersi said seriously.

  “I already know and neither do I,” Memphis laughed as he kissed her lips.

  It was crazy how one quick trip to the grocery store ended with him meeting the love of his life. He never gave up on falling in love again after his wife died but he didn’t go out there looking for it. It turned out that he didn’t even have to look at all. Jersi fell into his arms that day at the grocery store and he never let go since then. He was the happiest that he’d ever been and he was grateful. In just five more months, their family of three would be four and it didn’t get any more perfect than that.