by La Jill Hunt
“No, can you just get out?” She tried in vain to cover herself.
“Come on, Day. Let’s give Mommy some privacy.” He giggled as he turned and left the steamy bathroom. “Are these her clothes?”
“Naw, they belong to the other baby in there. What you think?” Kayla answered as she wrapped a fluffy towel around herself and stepped out of the tub. She let the water out and cut the radio off. Geno was sprinkling powder on Day’s bottom when she entered the room.
“I thought I told you to be ready in an hour,” he said without even looking up. Kayla grabbed her clothes off the bed and returned to the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her.
“You’re early,” she said.
“It’s twelve fifteen,” he informed her.
I must’ve talked to Tia longer than I thought.
“Well, you know I have to get me and Day ready. I can’t do that in an hour. You did call at the last minute. I still have to pack her diaper bag.”
“Well, I already got her dressed. You just hurry up.”
“I am. Did you brush her hair? And did you put lotion on her face?”
“Get dressed, Kayla. We’re going to pack the bag,” she heard him call out.
Kayla made sure he was out of the room and completed getting dressed. She was finishing up her makeup when she heard him talking to someone. She looked at the ‘In Use’ indicator on her phone and it wasn’t lit. Must be his cell phone, she thought.
“I don’t want to discuss it right now. Forget it. Look, Janice, I have to go,” he said as Day began to whimper. “None of your business. I will call you later tonight. No, because I got stuff to do. Bye. You ready, Kayla? Day, your Mama is s-l-o-w, you know that?”
“I heard you, Geno. I’m dressed, if that’s what you mean. I still have to pack the diaper bag,” Kayla told him. She went into Day’s room and grabbed the big diaper bag. Looking at the smaller, more compact one she asked, “Where are we going, anyway?”
“Just pack the bag and come on. You got a stroller?”
“We need a stroller? It’s in the hall closet.” She heard him fumbling and then the closet door closed.
“This is more like a baby limo. Day, you’re gonna be riding in style, huh, boo? I bet you picked this big thing out, huh, Kayla?” He unfolded the monstrosity and then realized he didn’t know how to fold it back up. Kayla came in carrying a huge, pink diaper bag. “We are just gonna be gone until tonight, Kayla, not the entire weekend.”
“Shut up. I don’t know what I’m gonna need and I want to be prepared.” She went into the kitchen and grabbed bottles of prepared formula and extra cans, just in case. She picked up Day’s extra pacifier off the table and then remembered to get the ice pack out of the freezer and put it in the bag. She looked at her watch and saw that it was now after one o’clock.
“How do you fold this thing back down?” Geno asked, still struggling with the stroller.
Kayla flicked a button with her foot and it collapsed instantly. “Ooh, that was so hard.”
“Bring your smart mouth on before Day and I leave you here,” he said as he grabbed the handle of the stroller with one hand and the diaper bag with the other one.
Kayla, Day, and Geno spent the entire afternoon shopping. They walked the mall, buying Christmas gifts and enjoying the hustle and bustle of the season. Kayla and Geno had always loved Christmas shopping together. Actually, they loved all shopping together—Christmas, birthday, grocery, whatever the occasion. The mall was where they had their best times. It felt like old times, only now Geno was pushing Day in the stroller in front of them. A few people stopped and told them they had a beautiful baby and how precious their family was. Geno didn’t correct anyone; he just smiled and thanked them.
“I am starving. What do you feel like eating?”
“I don’t know. How about Chinese?”
“Red Dragon?”
“You really are trying to make this a tradition aren’t you?” Kayla laughed as they arrived at their favorite post-shopping restaurant.
“No doubt,” he said. He picked the baby up out of the stroller and put her on his shoulder as they waited to be seated. The doors opened and both Geno and Kayla were shocked when Avis, Craig, and a small boy stepped out, arms full of bags. Craig was so busy talking on his cell phone that he didn’t notice them.
“Oh, Craig, look at that pretty baby,” Avis squealed as she paused in front of Geno. “How old is she?”
When Craig looked up and realized whom she was talking to, the look on his face became sheer panic. He quickly closed his phone as Kayla stared at him, not saying a word.
“Three weeks,” Geno answered, shaking his head at Craig.
“Oh, she is so cute. What’s her name?” the woman directed at Kayla.
“Ask her father,” Kayla smirked. Craig’s eyes widened in shock and he could not believe what Kayla was doing. She turned and looked at Geno, wrapping her arm in his and rubbing Day’s head.
“Jenesis, but we call her Day,” Geno replied.
“Day, that is nice, ain’t it, Craig?” She smiled at her dazed husband. He stood, not moving, too shocked to do anything.
“Are you gonna have me a baby sister, Mommy?”
“One day, Nigel. He been asking for a little sister for years,” she informed them.
The waiter called Geno’s last name and he placed Day back into the stroller.
“That’s us,” he said.
“Bye, Day,” Avis gushed as they maneuvered past her. Kayla’s eyes never left Craig’s. It took all of her mental restraint to keep from saying what she was feeling. He was still with her. All this time he was telling Kayla that they were no longer together and they were. She was beyond furious.
“Man, that was weird,” Geno said as they sat down.
“I can’t believe his lying ass.” Kayla shook her head. She looked at her sleeping daughter and took a deep breath. “I am gonna kick his ass.”
“For what, Kay? I don’t understand why you’re so mad. You knew he was married.” Geno shrugged. “I mean, I can understand you being uncomfortable, but mad?”
“He told me he was leaving her. He said they were no longer together,” she responded. She couldn’t believe Geno’s nonchalance at the situation.
“So what if they’re still together? As long as he takes care of Day, it shouldn’t matter,” he said.
“It does matter. He lied to me.” She sat back and frowned. She was no longer hungry.
“Are you feeling this nigga, Kayla? Is that why you mad?” He looked over at her and lay the menu down.
“No.”
His cell phone began buzzing and he looked at the caller ID. Ignoring the call, he put it back in his pocket. Kayla could tell he was getting frustrated. “Then you shouldn’t care who he’s wit’ then. You don’t need that nigga and neither does Day.”
“Why not, G? Because we got you?”
“Yep.”
“Really, did you forget you have a girlfriend? What? You think every time you get mad at her you can run to me? I don’t think so. Neither my house nor my heart has a revolving door. I’m ready to leave,” she told him.
“Fine. Let’s go.” They left the restaurant without eating. The ride home was quiet, neither one saying anything. He carried the stroller and bags into the house, kissed Day goodnight and left, locking the door behind him.
It was after eleven when Kayla heard a knock at the door.
“Can I come in?”
“Hell, no! I know you have got to be out of your mind!” Kayla yelled back.
“It wasn’t what it looked like, Kayla. We were just taking Nigel out Christmas shopping, that’s all. I still have to be a part of my son’s life,” he told her.
“I didn’t say you didn’t, Craig. I can’t believe you lied to me!”
“Lied about what? I am not with her anymore.”
“I can’t tell the way she was hugging up on you. And you trying to have another baby? I don’t think she’d
be feeling that way if she knew the baby she was cooing all over was yours, would she?”
“She didn’t say we were trying to have another baby. She said Nigel wanted a little sister. Shit, he does! You’re jumping to conclusions, dammit!”
Kayla thought about what he was saying and cracked the door open. She tried to remember what Avis said, verbatim, but couldn’t.
“Let me in, Kayla. Please.” He looked at her with that intense stare and she obliged. He followed her into the living room. “Where’s Day?”
“Don’t start with the small talk. It’s after eleven. Where you think she is?” She sat on the sofa and he sat next to her. He began rubbing her back. She tried to shrug his hands off, but he kept on running his fingers across her shoulders. She had to admit it felt good.
“I’m sorry. But seriously, Kayla, I had to come over here and talk to you. I knew you wouldn’t answer the phone if I called. I wanted to squash this shit before you blew it out of proportion.”
“You know I was pissed when I saw you with her ass.” She turned to look him in the face.
“You know I was pissed when I saw you wit’ his ass.” He raised his eyebrow at her. “And he was carrying my daughter. That’s why I couldn’t even say nothing.”
“I thought you were scared I was gonna call you out.”
“Shit, you almost did!” He laughed. “But I ain’t mad at you, Kayla. I need for you to understand that I ain’t tryin’ to disrespect you. I care about you and Day. I just wish you would cut a brotha some slack. I told you, I’ma do right by you. Have I not been doing that?”
“You have,” Kayla admitted. He would drop off diapers, wipes, and formula twice a week and he bought more shoes and outfits than Day could even wear. He had been doing right by them.
“So, truce?”
“Truce. But if I find out otherwise, you’d better believe it’s on,” she told him.
“I like when you talk like that. You know I love a woman wit’ spunk. I know she ’sleep, but can I at least see my daughter?”
“She’s in her crib.”
Craig went into the nursery for a few moments.
“I gotta go, but I’ll holla at you later, okay, beautiful?” he said when he came out.
“A’ight.” Kayla smiled at him. As mad as Craig made her, he still had a way of making her change her attitude toward him. He was definitely a smooth talker.
26
Day’s first Christmas was an eventful one. Kayla bought more dolls, clothes, and stuffed animals than she had planned, but Day was worth it. Her parents drove up to spend Christmas morning with her and then everyone was having dinner at Ms. Ernestine’s with Roni and her family.
“Merry Christmas!” Roni, Toby, and Terrell hugged and kissed as they came in, carrying arm loads of gifts. Kayla did the introductions and put the packages under the tree.
“How is my goddaughter enjoying her first Christmas?” Terrell asked, looking at Day swinging peacefully in her swing by the Christmas tree.
“I think she’s enjoying it. She’s been ’sleep most of the day,” Kayla told him. They laughed and exchanged gifts as Christmas carols played on Kayla’s stereo. Kayla was headed for the kitchen when the doorbell rang again.
“Merry Christmas, Kayla.”
Kayla’s mouth fell open when she saw Geno outside. They hadn’t talked since their falling out at Red Dragon two weeks prior.
“Merry Christmas,” she told him.
“I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to see Day and give her a gift.” He smiled sheepishly.
“No, I don’t mind at all. Come on in, Geno.” Although they had fought, Kayla really missed him.
“Merry Christmas, everyone,” he greeted as he followed Kayla into the living room.
“Geno. Merry Christmas.” Her mother stood and embraced him and her father shook his hand. They were happy to see him. Kayla knew that deep down they wanted her and Geno to resolve their issues and get back together.
“This is for Day,” he said, giving Kayla a large box.
“Thanks, G. But where’s mine?” she asked him jokingly.
“When you become a mother, you lose all gift privileges.” He grinned.
“I’m learning that the hard way,” she told him. She opened the box, which contained several DVDs. “Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast.” Kayla announced the titles as she opened the gift.
“She is a princess after all,” he told her. Day began whining in the swing and Kayla lifted her out.
“She needs to be changed,” Kayla said, nuzzling her beautiful daughter.
“I’ll do it,” her mother offered.
“No, you stay. I’ll take care of her.” Kayla took her into the nursery and began to change her.
“Long day for her?” Geno walked up behind her.
“Long day for me.” Kayla rubbed her whining baby’s head. Once again, the doorbell rang and Kayla shook her head. “Now who in the world could that be? Everybody’s been here to visit already.”
“Her father hasn’t,” Geno whispered.
“He’s not coming. He said he had to work.”
“Maybe he got off early,” Geno suggested. Kayla felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck when she realized the voice that was coming from the front of the house.
“God is punishing me. I know He is.” She folded her arms and began to shake her head. Geno stood frozen, not wanting to move.
“Kayla, come out here. And bring Day!” her father called.
“She fell back to sleep,” she told him.
“Just bring her for a few minutes, Kayla. She has a guest.”
“I’ll stay here,” Geno said quietly.
“No! I don’t want to take her out there,” Kayla hissed.
“Kayla, did you hear what we said?” her mother said as she came into the room and reached for the baby.
“Mama, no. She just went to sleep. Leave her alone!” Kayla startled herself at the tone of her voice.
“Now, you listen here. I will not have you yelling at me like I am a child. It’s Christmas and this is a time for family. Now, pick Day up and bring her out right now.” Kayla knew her mother was not joking. She had never blatantly disobeyed her before and she wasn’t about to start. She carefully picked Day up and held her in her arms, making sure not to wake her. She could hear laughter as she made her way down the hallway.
“Kayla! Merry Christmas.” Anjelica held a fake smile on her face. Kayla just looked at her. “Geno! I didn’t expect to see you here. Merry Christmas.”
“Anjelica,” he said and quickly excused himself, politely.
“Is this my new niece? Can I hold her?”
“She’s asleep,” Kayla said as she cradled Day’s head and held her close.
“Well, I can see she looks just like her daddy. I can imagine your baby pictures looking just like her, huh, Geno? Oh, what was I thinking? You’re not her father, are you?”
“Anjelica, that is enough,” her father said.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that seeing Kayla and Geno together with the baby, they look so natural. I haven’t the slightest idea why they ever split up. They make such a nice couple,” she said maliciously. Geno couldn’t stay a minute longer. He quickly got up and got his coat.
“You’re leaving so soon, Geno?”
“Yes, I think that’s best,” he said, making sure not to look at the hateful woman.
“I’m quite sure you have a lot to celebrate today. I hear congratulations are in order. Have you set a date?”
“What are you talking about, Anjelica?” Roni asked. She had been watching Anjelica since she arrived and she knew she was up to no good.
“He’s engaged to my friend’s sister. Janice, Janice Miles.” She smiled knowingly. The entire room got quiet and waited for Geno’s response.
“What is she talking about, Geno?” Kayla rolled her eyes at Geno. “What the hell was that all about, G?”
“She w
as just tripping, Kay. That’s all. You know how Anjelica is.” He shrugged.
“You’re engaged to Janice, Geno? And you didn’t even tell me?”
“I’m not engaged, Kayla.”
“Is she wearing a ring?”
“Yeah.”
“Then you’re engaged, Geno.” Kayla was so hurt that she wanted everyone to clear out of her house so she could be by herself.
“Kayla, let me explain. It’s not what you think,” Geno began.
“There’s nothing to explain.” Kayla smiled. “Congratulations. Well, I know you must be going and I don’t want to keep you from your fiancée. Thank you so much for your gifts and I hope you have a Merry Christmas.”
“I guess I should leave now, huh?” Geno frowned.
“I think that would be best.”
“Kay, I’ll call you later.”
“Don’t bother,” she said dryly. She couldn’t even look at him.
“Merry Christmas, everyone,” he said as he departed.
“Mama, do you want to open your gifts now?” Anjelica turned and asked her mother.
“I don’t think so. I would like to see you in Kayla’s room though.” She motioned for Anjelica. Kayla’s sister rose and tossed her hair as she exited down the hallway.
She could hear her mother’s voice getting louder from the bedroom and she looked over at her father, who was sitting on the sofa. “Did you invite her here?”
“That’s your sister, Kayla. She don’t need an invitation to your house.” Her Dad looked at her like she was foolish. “It’s Christmas Day and the family is to be together. What is wrong with you?”
“I don’t care what day of the year it is, Daddy. Anjelica is still a conniving, mean, hateful dog, and I don’t want her in my house.”
“Kayla! Now I know you and her don’t get along, but she is still your sister.” Her Daddy frowned.
Kayla could not believe her father. Once again Anjelica had come into her house and disrespected her and yet her parents were still defending her. Kayla wouldn’t have cared if they were Siamese twins. She wanted Anjelica out of her house. She walked into the kitchen and leaned against the refrigerator.
“You a’ight, dawg?” Terrell asked her after a few moments. Kayla forgot he was still there.
