An Unconventional Love: A Novella

by Warren, Alexandra

“Don’t push it.”

  jasmine.

  “You might as well move in with him, Jaz. I mean he’s got that state-of-the-art ass nursery all set up and everything. Only thing missing is baby, which you’re carrying, and baby mama, which is you.”

  Leave it to Ariel to be on #TeamRich once again.

  We were out shopping for baby clothes for Rich Jr. like he didn’t have a good two and a half to three months left before he made an appearance. But of course, it had quickly become our favorite, most expensive hobby since finding out he was a boy.

  “So just because he put together a nice nursery for our baby, I’m supposed to uproot my comfortable little apartment life and become a suburban mama? I think not.” Apparently, I looked a little too content shopping on a Tuesday afternoon while the streets were quiet and the stores were only filled with the stay-at-home types. Ariel and I were both in desperate need of a personal day, so we played hooky from work though I was the only one that had a boss to answer to later.

  “Don’t act like you aren’t tempted though. I mean, Mrs. Rich Robinson has a little ring to it, doesn’t it?”

  I could hear a little chime, similar to a call bell at a hotel; certainly not convincing enough.

  “Yeah, but Jasmine Monroe of Monroe and Associates sounds even better. I’m thinking about the future, Ariel.”

  She quickly brushed me off, “Oh whatever. Monroe and Associates, Robinson and Associates, they’re practically interchangeable.”

  “They are not. And how did talking about me moving in with him get to talking about me marrying him? Wait a minute...he talked to you, didn’t he?” I watched as she suddenly found a pair of baby basketball shorts interesting, “Ariel, you make shit so obvious. What did he say?”

  She let out a sigh, knowing she was busted as she replied, “He just asked if I would put a bug in your ear for him that’s all.”

  A bug in my ear?

  Ariel was an influence on my life sure, but she didn’t have that much pull.

  “Working for the enemy. And you call yourself a good friend.”

  “I am a good friend, who recognizes that Rich’s intentions are good. He likes you, Jasmine; like genuinely cares about you. I don’t know why you’re working so hard to push him away.” It wasn’t exactly that I was working hard to push him away, I just...wasn’t doing much to let him know that I wanted him around even though I did in fact want him. It was actually becoming strange to think about life without Rich which was a little scarier to me than giving birth.

  “I’m not trying, that’s just what keeps happening. It’s...all I know how to do. I mean, you know the house I grew up in. Wasn’t exactly the best example of a happy, healthy relationship. And who did I pick to take notes from? Not my sorry ass mama but my playa ass daddy.” Ariel knew all the fine details of my parental woes thanks to many late night chats over too much pizza and too much wine.

  Damn, I miss wine.

  “Yeah, I get it. But you can’t let that define who you’re gonna be in a relationship.” I knew exactly what Ariel meant though I wasn’t quite ready to admit that to her. I had always been too wrapped up in avoiding being like my mom in a relationship, and avoiding being in a relationship like my dad to really take the time to figure out my own character.

  Maybe it was time to do a little soul-searching.

  )~o~(

  “Jasmine, can you just come over and talk to her? For the first time in a long time, I’m at a loss. Maybe you’ll have better luck getting through to her.”

  I couldn’t believe I was getting summoned by Rich to help him out with Rae problems. Rae and I weren’t exactly friends, but we were cordial because we both knew Rich would be in our ears otherwise. I was already in route to his house for a just-because visit blaming it on my need to show him the clothes Ariel and I had picked out for baby Rich so it wasn’t a big deal. It was a big deal that my just-because visits were becoming more and more common.

  “I’ll talk to the brat but I can’t guarantee any results.”

  “Anything helps.”

  I didn’t know what I would say nor how she would take it, but for Rich, I would try.

  For Rich?

  What am I even talking about?

  My conversation with Ariel had been playing over and over in my head since I left her after we shared a late lunch so naturally my mind was in, “Rich is the man” mode. But I also couldn’t help thinking about what she had initially brought up.

  “Hey Rich, while I have you on the phone. Hypothetically speaking, if I were to move-in with you, where would I sleep?” I knew what I wanted him to say; I just needed to hear him say it. In this moment, I needed it to be clear that he wanted me how I kinda, sorta, in a weird way wanted him.

  “With me. I mean, unless you don’t want to. I guess you can sleep in the baby’s room. Though I’d love for you to sleep with me.”

  “Right. Just asking. I’ll umm...see you soon.”

  I was just getting ready to end the call when I heard, “Hey Jasmine?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I changed my mind. Baby’s room is not an option. You’d definitely be sleeping with me.”

  “What if I don’t wanna sleep with you?” I questioned in a teasing little girly voice that I hardly recognized.

  “No such thing, baby mama. You know that.”

  “Ugh, forever the arrogant one.”

  “Yep. Just how you like it.”

  rich.

  “This will be like your first test at motherhood.”

  I was grateful that Jasmine was willing to take on the challenge of Rae. After trying my hand at it, I knew it was something only another woman could handle.

  Boy problems.

  “No, it would’ve been like my first test at motherhood if you would’ve shot me with the right chromosome.” Of course, she had a smart ass response though it was actually a clever one.

  She gave a little knock on the door before making her way in and I made myself comfortable on the outside of the door, deciding against the cup I initially considered using to hear the conversation better.

  “Hey Rae, what’s up?”

  “Rich sent you, didn’t he?”

  “Umm...that’s not important. What’s important is figuring out why your eyes are bloodshot red like you’ve been crying.”

  “Because I have been crying.”

  “Is it Justin?” There wasn’t an out loud answer so I wasn’t sure if she said yes or no until Jasmine continued on, “Rae, you’re young and beautiful with your whole life ahead of you. You don’t really need to be getting so wrapped up in a boy, especially one that makes you cry.”

  “But I love him Jasmine. And I know he loves me. He’s just...immature.”

  “As he should be, but that doesn’t excuse his behavior. Was it another girl?”Again, the answer wasn’t out loud but either way I knew I was gonna have to whoop Justin’s little ass for fuckin’ with my sister. “Guys like him will come and go, Rae. That’s just the name of the game. But it’s how you respond that makes all the difference. You can either take him back, bullshit included, or you can let him go and better yourself while the next guy, most likely an upgrade, prepares to take his shot.”

  “But I want him, Jasmine.”

  “Wanting somebody who doesn’t work day in and day out to show that they want you is the biggest disservice you can do to yourself. You lose a little bit of your soul every time you let someone disrespect you like that.”

  “Disrespect me? He didn’t disrespect me. He was just sending the girl dick pics.”

  Dick pics?

  This little dude was definitely catching a beat down.

  “Dick pics, selfies, doesn’t matter. He was purposely making himself available to another girl in a personal way. That’s not love, sweetheart.”

  “But now who am I supposed to go to the dance with? It’s this weekend!”

  “I’ll tell you what; gather up your girls, I’ll call my homegirl that’s a make-up artist, hook
you up with a limo, the whole nine, so you can go to that dance and stunt all over Justin and the dick pic gettin’ chick.” That made Rae laugh which I knew was a good sign.

  I heard them rising from Rae’s bed and hauled ass down to the kitchen so that she wouldn’t know I was snooping on their conversation.

  When they finally made their way into the kitchen, I was already busy pulling random ingredients out of the fridge as if I was preparing to make dinner.

  “Hey bro, you can hold off on cooking dinner. Jasmine and I are going to run to the mall real quick.”

  “The mall? You were just at the mall like...two days ago.”

  “I knowwww, but I need to pick out a new dress for the dance.” She said it so fast that I almost didn’t catch the details.

  “A new dress? Why do you need a new dress? You just got a new dress.”

  “But that one matched Justin’s suit and I’m not...going to the dance with him anymore. So I need a new dress.” Since Jasmine had worked so hard to get Rae back in a good mood, I figured it was up to me to keep the streak alive.

  “Fine, Rae.” I pulled my wallet from my pocket, digging in and handing over my American Express. “You have $250. Spend it wisely.”

  “Hey, where’s my little stipend?”

  Jasmine had her hand out mockingly and I batted it down so that I could get a little closer to her to whisper in her ear, “I’ll have something better than that for you when you get back.”

  )~o~(

  “Hell nah, Rae. You are not wearing that out of this house let alone to a school dance.”

  I couldn’t believe she even had the audacity to come down the stairs wearing that bullshit though I had a feeling having an accomplice in Jasmine boosted her confidence.

  “I don’t know, Rich. I mean, I think she looks cute. And she’s not really showing anything.” Though it was cool to see Rae and Jasmine finally bonding, her little two cents wasn’t gonna change my mind.

  “Like hell she’s not really showing anything. I can see every one of her damn organs with how tight that dress is fitting and the second she drops something on the ground is the same second every mothafucka around her gets a free show.”

  “Oh Rich, don’t be so dramatic. She’s a beautiful girl and it’s not her fault she has a banging body to go along with it. Rae, I think you look fabulous.” If this was any indication of how our parent-partnership would go, we were already done for.

  “Thank you, Jaz. See Rich, you just don’t have an eye for women’s fashion.”

  “I have more than eye for women’s fashion. The problem is you aren’t a damn woman.”

  “Reality check, Rich. I’ll be going off to college sooner than later. You’ll have to get over this whole little Rae Rae thing.” Rae was indeed growing up and though I wasn’t ready to let her go, I knew it would happen one way or another.

  “You’ll always be little Rae Rae. But I guess if Jasmine thinks its fine, then I’m just being overprotective. Now give me the honest game plan.” I knew exactly how this shit went. Somebody would come up with the alibi for everyone to use when really they would all be off doing something they weren’t suppose to be doing. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Rae, I just didn’t trust the people she ran with, especially the boys.

  “I already told you. Going to the dance with the girls, we’ll probably go eat somewhere afterwards, and then we’re all spending the night at Nia’s.” I wanted to call her out on what was surely a story but I wasn’t in the mood to keep looking like the bad guy.

  “That all you speak of better not include any boys, Rae. I will come with my gun if I have to.”

  “Chill outtttt. Her parents will be there. It’s cool.” Of course she dropped the parents’ line though I knew that shit probably wasn’t true either. Nia’s parents were good people but they probably had no idea their home was being used as the official hangout spot.

  “Well you better call or text me if anything changes.” She rolled her eyes before I gave her a little kiss on the cheek and a hug. “And you do look beautiful Rae, though a suit would’ve worked just as well.”

  “A suit? Now you’re really trippin’. I’ll see ya’ll later.”

  Jasmine and I watched from the door as Rae hopped into the limo that was headed to pick up her girls for the dance. She gave us a wave from the window before we headed back into the house.

  “A fuckin’ suit, Rich? What girl goes to a school dance in a suit?”

  “One with a future ahead of her.”

  “I have a strong feeling you never went to any school dances with girls that wear suits.”

  “So…”

  “My point exactly. Rae’s gorgeous and I know that makes you nervous but you have to let her go otherwise she’ll go without your permission and you really won’t like that. Trust me.”

  “That was you, huh? The girl with her own agenda?” That was no surprise to me considering she was mostly still that girl today.

  “Yep...and you see where that got me. Stuck with you.” I gave her a little pat on the butt making her jump but give a little laugh.

  “Hey, since we have the house to ourselves tonight, we might as well…”

  “Rich, that girl hasn’t even made it out of the neighborhood and you’re already putting in requests?”

  “We gotta capitalize on this alone time, babe. Before you know it, we’ll have a professional cock-blocker in the house.”

  “Professional cock-blocker? Is that any way to refer to your child?”

  “I’ll make it up to him later. But right now the clock is ticking. So get your ass upstairs so we can make every second count.”

  She gave me a cute little smirk as she did exactly what I asked but not without replying, “You’re pathetic, Rich.”

  jasmine.

  Somebody was getting cussed out.

  I quickly grabbed my phone that was getting ready to vibrate off the edge of Rich’s nightstand, rubbing my eyes to work out a little of the grog so I could see the number better. It wasn’t one that I had saved in my phone which made me even more skeptical about answering but I climbed out of bed, being sure not to wake Rich, as I tiptoed to the bathroom.

  “Hello?”

  “Jaz? It’s me, Rae. Is Rich awake?”

  “No, he’s sleep.”

  “Good. I need a favor. The after-party got way out of control...I mean, way out of control and I’m in no condition to drive so can you...come get me?”

  “Rae, where the hell are you?”

  “I’m at Justin’s.” I could hear the hint of disappointment in her voice from admitting that she had went back to the bullshit.

  “And no one there can bring you home?” I really wasn’t excited about getting up in the middle of the night to rescue her so if there was any outlet, I was gonna take it.

  “Hell no! Unless ya’ll are tryna see me on the news in the morning from a car crash…”

  Guilt trip.

  “I’ll come get you. Just text me the address or somethin’.”

  )~o~(

  I pulled up to the house, which was actually pretty nice, even though the grass was littered with red Solo cups and beer cans. From my car, I could hear the music coming from inside so I was surprised the police hadn’t shown up before I did. I sat in my car, dialing Rae’s number over and over but it kept going to voicemail.

  Fuck.

  I wasn’t trying to be the pregnant lady busting up the party but I knew from her phone call, that I had to get her out fast. There was no tellin’ what kind of trouble she was getting herself into by staying.

  I approached the door and thought about ringing the doorbell but knew it would probably go unheard so I tried the knob instead. The door opened up immediately letting me know just the kind of teenage party amateurs I was dealing with. The house was packed with minors though you wouldn’t know it by the amount of alcohol scattered amongst the house. It actually looked more like a college party than a high school party but now wasn’t the time to evaluate
the scene.

  I had to find Rae.

  The little ones were looking at me like I was crazy and I was sure I did look crazy considering I didn’t take the time to unwrap my hair nor put on the most appealing clothes.

  That would’ve been way too much work.

  I continued my search, squeezing through the tiny crevices in the crowd. I eventually found a girl that looked a little more innocent than the rest and asked, “Hey, do you know Rae Robinson?”

  “Of course. I mean, who doesn’t know Rae?”

  “Do you know where she is?”

  She shrugged as she replied, “Probably upstairs getting her back blown out by Justin.”

  Aww hell.

  She gave me directions to the stairs and though I wasn’t looking forward to climbing them with my baby belly in the way, I took them two-by-two until I reached the second floor. There were a few kids making out in the hallway so I didn’t bother asking them where Rae was. Instead, I just made my door-to-door peeking into some crazy ass scenes before I landed on the only door that was fully closed. I braced myself before I opened it and lost my breath once I figured out what was going on.

  Damnit Rae.

  The boy, who I assumed was Justin, had his head thrown back and his eyes closed as Rae went to work on her knees. I couldn’t believe her little ass had called me over here just to get caught giving head to the dude she had just been crying to me over.

  I made a loud, clearing my throat noise, that made the boy jump and cover himself while Rae moved a lot slower to get herself together, clearly under the influence.

  “Jasmineeee, what are you doin’ hereee?” Her words were so slurred that I knew she had to have drank a little more after our conversation.

  “Did you forget your ass just called me to come get you? Put your damn shirt on and let’s go.” She moved so slow while Justin just laid there frozen. He was probably unsure if I was gonna crack down on his ass for taking advantage of Rae, but that wasn’t my position. I was here for one thing and one things only; to save Rae.

  As soon as she got dressed, I dragged her down the stairs as fast as she allowed me to.