by Tiece
“What in the hell happened?” She asked rubbing her head and continuing to look around. She had a banging headache and felt dazed. Once she got her feet to where they were hanging off of the bed she attempted to stand up but was weak and sluggish.
“Hey, where do you think you’re going?” The familiar face asked as he entered the room.
Bianca frowned. “What are you doing here? What am I doing here?”
“Well, you backed into a car at the Circle K store then you got out of the car and kinda collapsed in my arms.” Bianca sat on the side of the bed feeling confused.
“Oh my God, I was in my son’s car. Where is it?”
“Don’t worry I had my homeboy that was with me drive it here since I was the one that brought you in. You were pretty out of it.”
She thought about hitting the coke then driving herself crazy afterwards. “I can only imagine,” she said rubbing her aching head. “I don’t have license,” she admitted. “So, why am I here? I just knew that those people were gonna call the police.”
“I took care of that for you,” he said. “The woman’s bumper was barely scraped so I paid her a lil some to keep quiet then hurriedly brought you here.”
“Wow, you’re like my hero or something.” She teased barely smiling from the sluggish feeling she had.
“I’m just a guy that is trying to get to know you better and for some reason I keep running into you unexpectedly and again here we are.” He looked around. “And damn this time in a hospital. I think this qualifies for a date or something.”
Bianca grinned as she rested her throbbing head back on the pillow of the bed. “I don’t even know your name.” She said.
“Tory,” He responded causing her to stare at him with her mouth open. “What?” he asked noticing her displeasured facial expression.
“You gotta be kidding me, right?”
“Nope, what’s wrong with my name?” He asked with a frown.
“Tory,” she repeated in a whisper. Kory what is going on here? She questioned him in her mind.
“Do I need to change it to something else, because I will if that’s what it will take to get you out on a date with me?” He charmingly said with a that magnet smile.
Bianca shook her head. He was certainly something else with his comebacks. “How are you talking about taking me out on a date when you have an ol’ lady? Remember, I saw her that night at the club tripping on you.”
Tory laughed. “That wasn’t my girl. She was just a friend helping me out for the night.”
“A friend, huh?” She asked. “And what you mean helping you out for the night?”
“Well, she’s an ex-girlfriend, been an ex for about two years but is still trying to get back in with me, but that ain’t happening.” He explained. “And the club is mine. I needed an extra worker and called her. She just hated seeing you sit at my table because no one ever sits at my table but me; not even my boys. They have their own tables.”
“Well, excuse me,” Bianca responded with a friendly smile. “I should feel special.”
“You are special,” he said knowing that in his heart something was bothering her and all he wanted to do was guide her in the right direction if he could.
“You’re being too kind,” she said not believing that this was actually taking place. “Do you know what the doctors gave me?” She asked because I feel like a zombie laying here.”
“All I know is that they gave you a calmer and a muscle relaxer,” he said. “You were talking to them, but you were out of it too. What was on your mind?”
“A lot,” she said thinking about Kory.
“Nothing you wanna talk about?” He questioned.
“Not really,” she said as her mom and dad entered the hospital room.
“Bianca, are you okay?” Mrs. Ware quickly asked rushing to her side with Mr. Ware closely following her.
“Yes, Mommy,” she said. Mrs. Ware hugged and kissed her on the head then Mr. Ware hugged and kissed her on the jaw.
“Are you sure that you’re okay?” Mr. Ware asked.
“I’m good,” she assured them. “I think I just backed into someone.” She said. “And my friend behind you,” she said looking in Tory’s direction brought me here.”
“We spoke briefly on the phone when he called me,” she said looking at him with a thankful smile. “He explained everything and I Thank you,” she said getting a good feeling from his presence.
“No problem,” he responded. “I hope that was okay,” he said to Bianca. “I only used your phone to call the number that said Mommy.” They laughed. Tory stood up and greeted Mr. Ware with a firm handshake. “I’m Tory, nice to meet you sir,” he said looking from her Dad then to her Mom. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you too.”
“Yeah considering the circumstances,” Bianca said hating that this was taking place in a hospital room.
“Did you say that your name was Tory?” Mrs. Ware asked with a frown.
“Yes ma’am,” he responded with a big smile across his face. “Is it something wrong with my name?”
“Oh, nah,” she answered. “Your smile just reminds me so much of someone else we knew.” She said then looking over at Bianca. “He’s very handsome.”
“Mommy, don’t start that,” she playfully said.
“Well, your sister has been admitted upstairs. Her water broke so she should be having the baby soon.” Mrs. Ware explained. “Your other sisters should be here soon too. I’ll tell them that you’re in here.”
“Thanks Mommy, but they probably still don’t wanna talk to me,” she sadly said.
“We’re still family and family comes first,” Mr. Ware said. “Y’all will be back talking to each other before you know it.”
“He’s right,” Mrs. Ware said. “Just rest and get well. Me and your Dad will be back soon.”
“Please keep me updated about the baby and tell Janay that I love her.” She said.
“We will,” Mr. Ware said then hugged her again. “Are you gonna watch over my daughter Tory and make sure that she doesn’t make a run for it?” He teased.
“She’s not going anywhere, because I’m not,” Tory assured them.
“My kinda guy,” Mr. Ware said with an amiable smile. They liked him already as they exited the room feeling hopeful for their daughter.
**********
Two hours had passed and Bianca and Tory were getting to know one another quite well. Since he wouldn’t leave she decided to allow him in on her inner thoughts and feelings. She first explained why his name was so strange and whom he reminded them so much of from his smile and to her, his deep wavy hair. She explained the hurt that she endured losing Kory and she wasn’t yet over it. She even admitted that she’d probably never get over it.
This only touched Tory more as he intently listened to her life story as if he was a Psychologist. He then began to see why she was the way she was and did the things that she’d done as she poured her heart out.
She explained to him that she had five kids by five different men who weren’t there for any of them. This was to see if he’d run for the hills, but he stayed with that bright smile still on his face. Tory had to know that her five month old, Jewel, was Kory’s baby and that’s why she struggled so hard with coming to terms with his death. He was heartbroken for her as she’d wipe her tears every now and then in an attempt to continue.
Finally, she told him about Justin and why that incident happened then she explained why her sisters weren’t speaking to her. Tory felt bad for her because he saw the good in her if nobody else did. He did respect the fact that her mom and dad showed love regardless. He’d always wanted to be a father like that to his kids someday.
“So do you think your sister have had the baby, yet?” He asked looking down at his Cartier watch.
“I don’t know.” She sadly said because none of them had visited her yet, not even just to say hey.
“Well, I’m sure your mom will let you,” he said.
“Yeah, her or my Dad will call for sure,” she said knowing that no matter what her parent’s would always be there to support and love her.
“Speaking of babies,” she said looking over at Tory. “How many babies do you have?”
“None,” he responded.
She frowned with a jerk of the neck. “Say what?” she pondered. “A good looking man as fine as you are don’t have any baby mama’s running the streets?”
He grinned at her comment shaking his head. “Nope,” he said. “Honestly, I can’t have kids. My sperm count is too low.”
“Wow,” Bianca said. “Maybe I shouldn’t have been all up in your personal business like that.”
“No, you’re good,” he smiled. “I’ve listened to your personal business. Why not know something personal about me. Besides from the looks of this first date,” he said looking around the hospital room. “I believe that I have five children now.”
Bianca playfully rolled her eyes up in her head. “Don’t play with me, nigga.” She said with a smile. He grinned as a light knock could be heard on the door.
Lauren walked in with a cheerful smile on her face and rushed straight over to hug her sister. “Hey B,” she said kissing her on the jaw. “I’m so glad that you’re okay.”
Bianca’s heart fluttered because it warmed her so much to see Lauren come to visit her. “Yeah, I’m okay. The doctor said that I had a breakdown of some sort but they’re releasing me later today.”
“Wow,” Lauren said. “Well, how are you feeling?”
“I’m good,” she responded.
“I’m the last one getting here, but as soon as I walked in the hospital ShaKita called and said that Janay had the baby. It’s a boy,” she said with excitement.
Bianca smiled. “Aww, tell her that I said hey and kiss them both for me.” She said feeling a bit sad that all the sisters were there but only one stopped by to see her.
“Oh my,” Lauren said grabbing her chest after turning to see Tory sitting there. “My damn; who is this?” She asked looking at the handsome guy with the gorgeous pearly white smile.
He grinned then stood up to shake her hand. “I’m Tory,” he said.
“Toooory,” she dragged with an unsure smile. “Okaaaay, nice to meet you,” she added. “I’m Lauren one of her older sisters.”
“Only by two years,” Bianca chimed in.
“Whatever,” Lauren teased then looked back at Bianca with a cute smirk on her face then winked her eye. “He looks like a keeper,”
“How do you know he doesn’t have a woman?” Bianca teased.
“Because I don’t, but I’m trying to get one,” he quickly commented.
“Oh shit now!” Lauren said. “Well, you’ve won me over,” she laughed. Bianca just shook her head because her sisters were a mess at times.
“Now all I need to do is win your sister over,” he added causing Bianca to blush.
“Smoooooth,” Lauren said with an approving nod of the head and a cute smile. She then turned to her sister. “Okay, I’ma head on upstairs to go meet little Brison,” she excitedly said.
“I’m just gonna call him Brice for short,” Bianca responded.
“Hell, me too,” Lauren said with a playful laugh. “Oh, have you seen any of your sisters?” She asked.
“Nope,” Bianca said looking a bit down. “But I’m glad you came.”
“You know how we do,” Lauren said with a smile. “Love you,” she told Bianca then looked over at the handsome Ginuwine look-a-like. “And, hopefully I’ll see you around, Mr. Tory,” she said then exited the room. Tory smiled at just meeting Bianca’s family slowly but surely. They seemed to be a tight knit bunch with just a few kinks to straighten out, but nothing that Love couldn’t resolve.
Chapter15
Five months had passed and Janay and Lauren were over to Bianca’s new house putting things up from the house warming party that had just ended. They were excited and happy for her since she’d gotten with Tory and was quickly making great progress of getting her life back on the right track.
Even for Bianca it seemed strange to be doing this with another man being that she’d just lost a much loved boyfriend just six months prior. In her heart, she always found it to be Kory’s doing in making sure that she was taken care of so she accepted it for that.
Bianca, unwrapped some glass plates that their mom had bought so she could put them up in the cabinet.
“Those are pretty,” Janay said with a smile.
“I picked those plates out when me and Mom were in Bed, Bath, and Beyond.” Lauren chimed in.
“Well, thanks because they are very pretty,” Bianca said smiling at the bright flowered plates. “And thanks for coming. Y’all and mom really came through for me.”
“No problem,” Janay said as she bagged up all the wrapping paper to take out.
“I spoke with ShaKita earlier and she said that she would stop through for a moment, but she didn’t come.” Lauren said with a sigh.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t have ever believed it anyway. She hasn’t had two words to say to me since Thanksgiving. I know I was wrong, but I guess that’s just how it is.”
“Well, Kita started that shit and she should just talk about it. She is pretty much dodging all of us because she doesn’t want us to question her.”
“I don’t know why. Hell, if she likes eating pussy then that’s her business. I just know that I can’t drink behind her ratchet ass like I used too,” Janay said as they laughed.
“I know that’s right.” Lauren agreed, but Bianca wasn’t really feeling the conversation. She and ShaKita were always the closest two in age since she was the baby. She missed her and wished that she’d come around, but she wouldn’t.
“Well, I’m glad that mom left so I can pop this top,” Lauren said popping the top on the Peach Ciroc.
“Now you’re talking.” Janay said.
“I just wish that we could all be like we used to be.” Bianca said still not able to get over Kerry not even speaking to her. “I miss Kerry. I even sent her an invite and she didn’t respond.”
“I know,” Lauren said giving her a hug. “You just have to let them get over whatever anger issues they have on their own. You should be happy that a handsome, stand up guy like Tory has asked you to marry him.”
Bianca smiled as she looked at her beautiful 4 karat ring. “Ain’t that crazy? We’ve only known each other for five months and he’s asked me to marry him. I wake up every morning and pinch myself.” She said. “But, honestly y’all this man is like my King. I thought I would never get over Kory but waking up to a smile like that always lets me know that Kory’s cool with this. Plus, y’all know that you can’t pry him away from the kids.”
“Especially, Jewel, with her pretty lil butt,” Lauren commented. “That’s his heart.”
Bianca smiled. “I know,” she agreed. “I wanted him to be sure that he wanted to marry me so soon, but he said why wait. He thinks that life is short and what happened to Kory is proof of that.”
“Well, I can agree with that,” Janay said. “I tell ya, since having Brice and preparing to move back home it seems that Mr. Carter is getting back sick. He’s been doing well for the past few months. I don’t know what’s going on with him. Even though I don’t fuck with Mrs. Carter, I still check on Mr. Carter because he’s so sweet to me and Brison. I know that Finn wants to put a hold on us moving back here, but I can’t possibly do that. His mom is what I would call the mother-n-law from hell. She might be married to a Bishop, but she is for sure a ratchet ass scheming bitch.” They laughed.
“Is that crazy lady still tripping?” Lauren pondered.
“That crazy lady has never changed.” Janay responded. “When I take Brice around her, I don’t leave the room.”
“Damn, it’s that serious?” Bianca asked.
Janay nodded her head. “Yes, that lady is hell I’m telling you. It’s just in the way she looks at me when we’re alone as if she’s just putting up with me j
ust because. But, when Finn is around, she laughs and talks to me like we’re best friends. Then when I give her the side eye she wants to cut the conversation short and go back to talking to her son.”
“Now that’s some crazy shit,” Lauren said.
“Tell me about it,” Janay agreed. “I just know that the sooner we move back here the better I’ll feel. I just don’t trust a woman who is so hell bent on trying to control her son’s life. She acts as if she chooses his destiny and since she didn’t choose me then I have to go.”
