by Tiece
“I know.” She responded. “I just got the okay that I can travel so you know I can’t wait to hit the road. This pregnancy has had me whooped. I mean really whooped.”
“I’m glad you got the okay and is feeling better,” Kerry responded. “I can’t wait to come pick you up tomorrow. That three hour ride is gonna do me some good to get outta the house. Plus, I think that being surrounded by all of us will make everyone feel better. You know, somewhat ease our pain of seeing Bianca in that state.”
“I know the feeling and you know that I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wished I could’ve been there already, but going into premature labor put a stop to any plans I had if I wanted to have this baby. Being that it has taken me this long to even get pregnant I wasn’t about to risk that.”
“Sis, you don’t have to explain it to me. I know you didn’t want to risk that. Plus, the situation was already stressful enough and you didn’t need to be around that.” Kerry smiled because they hadn’t seen their sister in over six months. “I am just so happy to be bringing you home. We have missed you so much around here.”
“I know and I’ve missed y’all so much too. I just miss home period.” She said, almost with regrets of leaving.
“So how are things there in Marietta?” Kerry asked knowing that Janay was a bit private about her life; especially since she’d moved away.
“Marietta is Marietta.” She nonchalantly stated. “It’s nothing like home though.”
“Well, I already know that.” Kerry responded. “How are things going with your new parents? Is Finn being supportive?”
“Finn is too busy in church being the assistant pastor. His father is still very sick and he wants his son more than anything to step up and take over the reins. I’m happy for my man, in a sense, but I don’t believe that Finn is completely ready for that. Don’t get me wrong, he knows the bible front to back, because he is a Preacher’s child, but you can’t force him in that position. He has to be ready for it.”
“I totally agree,” Kerry responded.
“And his mother still looks at me in this bitter way as if I’m not good enough for her son. I just feel so alone here sometimes. With my husband being gone most days and his family not being very accepting, it’s hard. Then I’m starting to feel some type of way, because he’s doing things that I don’t quite approve of.”
“Such as?” Kerry quickly asked.
“He’s having phone calls and lunch dates with the women in the congregation. I ain’t gonna lie, Sis. These bitches are thirty as hell, but my man acts as if he doesn’t see it. Ain’t nothing for him to go out to meet a few of the members to discuss the itinerary for the month. Unfortunately, the busier he’s starting to get the less I’m able to be with him because of this bed rest situation. It’s like he’s become a celebrity overnight.”
“You have to think about it Sis. The man has stepped into a church with over 2500 congregation members. Of course he’s like a celebrity to some of these people.”
“I know but they should all know him. His daddy has been the pastor in that church for over thirty years, not to mention his father’s father was the one that passed it down to him.” She took in a deep breath. “I should be happy for Finn, but I know women and some of them act a fool over a man that they feels have a higher calling.”
“Well, Finn does look good and I’ve seen him preach before at our church and I must say that the brother is good with what he does.”
“He takes it honest, but I’m just not used to all the attention that he’s getting now. It’s starting to be too much and I can’t wait to come home and clear my head. I’m seven and a half months pregnant. I need this little one to stay in the bun for a few more weeks.”
Kerry smiled. “I’m so happy that you’re finally having a baby. Don’t let nobody rain on your parade. You and Finn eloped before y’all moved to Marietta just so his parents wouldn’t trip about y’all shacking. So take that as a sign of good faith. The man must want you in his corner.”
“Un-huh, I guess you’re right.” She said then wanted nothing more than to change the subject. “So how are you and Justin? How has it been being a single mother? Are you even looking for another man, yet?”
“Whoa,” Kerry called out. “Slow down shawty. You’re asking too many questions at once.” They laughed.
“My bad,” Janay continued laughing.
“Well, things with Justin and are have simmered down over the last few months since the divorce. I couldn’t stand to look in his face at one point in time. I’d given the man my all and in return he gave me his ass to kiss by leaving me and our kids for a woman fresh out of high school. I mean, who does that?”
“Apparently he does,” Janay murmured.
“I was sick because for so many nights I chose to believe his lies but in my heart I knew he was fucking around. I think I was in some sort of denial, because I overlooked his late night business meetings and his weekend business trips.” She mustered up a grin thinking how foolish she’d been for a long time. “The man had me gone. I just wanted to be this perfect wife and all he wanted was a young girl who doesn’t have a clue about life and how to take care of a man.”
“Don’t beat yourself up about it Sis,” Janay chimed in after hearing the sadness still in her voice. “Some men don’t realize a good thing until it’s too late.”
“Do you know what’s so sad about it, Sis?” She hesitantly asked. “I would’ve still been with him had he not left me.”
“Wow,” Janay said feeling bad for her sister. “Sometimes love make you do some stupid things.”
“Tell me about it, but I don’t think it was so much the love that kept me there but it was more for the kids.”
“Yep, that is sad because the best thing you ever could’ve done for your kids was to step up and be a strong woman and leave the man that had disrespected you all of those years.”
“Fourteen years I was with that man,” she said shaking her head. “And not one time did I ever sleep with another man.”
Janay shook her head. “I don’t know if I could’ve been that good.” She laughed to ease the situation.
“You so damn silly,” Kerry responded feeling so much better to have her older sister to confide in. She stood up and peeked out the window. “Well, Sis that cheating ass man just pulled up with the kids so we’ll talk later, but I’ll see you on tomorrow right?”
“You can count on it,” she said anxiously waiting to get back home for the next couple of weeks.”
“I love you Sis,” Kerry said opening up the front door for her kids.
“I love you too Sis,” Janay said. “And kiss the kids for me.”
“I will,” Kerry responded then ended their call.
**********
Kerry stood to the door and watched the kids get out of the car. Her babies were growing up so fast and she hated that they now had to spend separate time with their dad. Her six year old always asked more questions than she should, but for the most part she explained what she could.
Her oldest son who was fourteen years old came walking through the door first. “Hey Ma,” he spoke then kissed her on the cheek.
“Hey son,” she spoke back. “How was your day?”
“It was good, but I’m tired so I’m going to take a shower then go to bed.” He said as he headed down the hallway. Kerry shook her head with a smile on her face because he had certainly grown into a handsome, respectful young man and she was very proud of him. Her two daughters, ages twelve and ten walked in the house next. They spoke then kissed her, but headed down the hallway fussing about whose headphones belonged to whom.
“Girls, please don’t start that shit tonight!” Kerry yelled out and as she turned again she was met by Justin holding the little one’s hand as Ciara walked in and hugged her mom.
“Hey Mommy,” she softly spoke. She didn’t waste any time running into the kitchen to find something sweet to eat on. She was a greedy lil something that reminded the
family so much of ShaKita when she was that age.
Kerry tried to shut the door on Justin but he stuck his foot in the doorway to prevent it from closing. She took in a deep breath as she rolled her eyes up in her head.
“What do you possibly want, Justin?” Justin smiled at her because she was looking good in her workout clothes. He could tell that she was losing weight as he checked her out. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re looking good buttercup,” he said still smiling like a chessy cat.
“Buttercup?” She repeated. He hadn’t used that word since they were in good standing and that was a long time ago. “Since when did I become your buttercup again?”
“You’ve always been my buttercup,” he smoothly said. Kerry shook her head at him. There was a time when he looked so good to her with his low cut waves tamed in his hair, his 5’9 small physic, and sexy hazel eyes that caused his light skin to glow. Funny how time had changed because she wasn’t stun him like that anymore.
“Justin, take your scrawny ass home to your lil young ass girlfriend and get your foot outta my door before I break it off.” She said with the meanest look in her eyes. She didn’t have time for his shit and he knew it.
“Alright, since you gotta act like that then I’ll leave,” he said moving his foot out of the doorway. “Just thought I’d let you know that you’re looking good though.”
“Thanks for letting me know something that I already know.” She said then slammed the door shut in his face. It felt good to finally take charge of her life because he had certainly taken more than his advantage of her. She was done being his doormat and since they weren’t married anymore he definitely wasn’t getting any more respect.
**********
“Finn, how soon are you going to join me in Augusta?” Janay pondered as Finn grabbed his boxer shorts out of the dresser drawer.
“I think I should be able to come down a week after you’ve made it there. I’d already made a special trip there on your behalf and sat with your family. You just know that my schedule is so tight right now, but I’ll do what I can to make sure that you’re comfortable there babe.” He said heading into the master bathroom to take a shower.
“I’ll be home with my family. Of course I’ll be comfortable there babe. It’s just that since we’ve moved here our relationship hasn’t been the same. I miss you. I miss us.” She said pleading for his attention, because once they’d gotten to Marietta it was like she’d been put on the backburner.
Finn walked over to her looking good as usual then softly kissed her on the lips. “Babe, just work with me,” he said. “I’ve only been in the church for a good six months running things on my own. I need my deacons and my congregation to steer me in the right direction. I need you to understand that eventually things will settle down.”
“I want to be understanding about all of this. It’s just taking me some time to get with the program. Maybe it’s because I’m walking around here big as a house and not able to attend meetings and or dinners with you. I want people to know that you’re my man and I stand by you.”
“I know babe, but you know what the doctor said,” he reminded her. “You had to stay off of your feet or you’ll risk losing the baby. And, now that he’s given you permission to be able to move around again, you actually have to leave to go back home for a couple of weeks.”
“I know,” she sadly said. She knew that being there with her family was more important than running behind her man making sure that the women didn’t overstep their boundaries. “I trust you babe. I just don’t trust some of those women in your congregation.” She admitted.
Finn grinned at her comment. “Baby, I don’t want any of those women in that congregation. The only woman that I want is you. It’s just frustrating to be thrown in this. I mean, I can’t say that this isn’t my calling, but I didn’t expect to have to dive in so quickly.” He said as he stood in the bathroom doorway trying to get through to his beautiful wife. “I love you and I proved that by marrying you before we moved here. My parents can be very biblical and to some people they are very judgmental, but they’re really good people.”
“Tell me about it,” she muttered as she sat back and thought about how his mother chastised her before they moved to Marietta. She was very blunt about her son returning home alone and finding a good wholesome girl that attended their church. Unfortunately, for his mom, Finn had other plans and married her instead then showed up in Marietta with a new wife on his arms. Janay didn’t feel the love and Finn’s mom didn’t mind showing her displeasure in having a new daughter-n-law.
“She’ll come around, baby.” Finn tried to assure her.
“I don’t see how you figure that. We’ve been here a year already and the woman barely even speaks to me. Your father is pleasantly nice, but not your mom.” She said with a disapproving shake of the head.
“She just doesn’t know you,” he said. “She always wanted to have a hand in picking the woman that I’d settle down with, but I couldn’t help who I fell in love with.” He said with a thankful smile on his face.
Janay blushed. “I know babe and I love you more.” She responded as he turned to get in the shower. Janay was thankful to have a loving husband like Finn in her life. She’d gone through tough times in relationships, but meeting Finn two years prior was indeed a blessing to her. He was sexy and very fine with a serious physic. Even though he was thirty-two compared to her being thirty-eight; he was very mature for his age. For a long time she’d tried to have a baby, but it just wasn’t in her favor and probably for good reason. But, after marrying Finn favor was showed to the both of them and a couple months after getting married they found out that she was pregnant. Her blessings were bountiful because of their union and she wasn’t going to let anyone come between that, not even his jealous, holier than thou mother.
Chapter4
It was Friday morning and Lauren peeked out of her apartment window to see if it was still raining. The morning seemed to be clear and the rain had hopefully passed, but it was certainly cold out. Lauren pulled out a Carter bear, fleece pajama suit for her two year old son to put on. She needed to get herself ready then her little one before her dad made it there to pick him up.
She headed inside the small walk-in closet to find something comfortable that she could relax in at the hospital. She was hoping to give her mom a break, because Bianca’s fragile condition had taken a lot out of her. She was a very pretty lady, but the past week had made her age it seemed overnight. The bags under her eyes were sagging; the glow in her face had dimmed its light, and praying most of the day had become her new past time. Lauren was just hoping that upon arriving to the hospital that she could get her to leave with ShaKita for nice a lunch date; hopefully to relax her a little.
As she found an outfit to wear she heard a knock at her front door. “Gracious Daddy, you said in an hour. You’re early,” she said walking to the door. She opened the door and was greeted by Jamal standing in the doorway with a cheese smile on his face.
“Hey Sexy,” he spoke eyeing her up and down in her knee length, black silk night gown.
“I thought we said that we were taking a break from each other.” She said rolling her eyes and trying her damndest to play hard.
“You know I can’t stay away from you,” he said inviting himself inside her place. Once he’d walked past her she closed the front door shut then he turned to face her.
“Come here,” he said. “Give me a hug. It’s been four days since I’ve seen you. I miss you. I miss my son.”
“Well if you missed us so much you’d do what you’ve been saying that you were going to do for the past six years now.” Jamal shook his head. “I don’t have time for this as she continued. I’m going to spend time with my sister today and my daddy is coming to get your son in a little while. So if you wanna spend time with him before he leaves go ahead. He’s in the bedroom sleeping.” She said then walked away. She headed into the bathroom to get herse
lf together not caring if Jamal left or stayed.
Inside the bathroom she rested her foot up on the side of the tub as she stood there rubbing lotion on her legs. Jamal didn’t waste any time walking his happy ass in there.
“Damn, I should’ve locked the damn door.” She said, but Jamal was already all over her.
“Don’t do me like that, babe. I can’t live without you,” he said running his hand under her nightgown and straight to her wet spot since she hadn’t put on any panties yet.
Lauren took in a deep breath. Jamal was the first man that she couldn’t fully have, but for some reason he always had all of her attention. Just the sight of his deep brown eyes, hazelnut skin color, and sexy muscular frame always made her moist between her legs. Not to mention, her knowing that he was the wrong guy but he’d always say all the right things.
“Jamal, please,” she spoke. “My daddy will be here shortly and you know that he doesn’t care for you.”
