by Remy Marie
At the first floor, I exited through the emergency exit and stomped my way though quad. Tony was still beside me, step by step. Despite the looks and laughs he received for being in his underwear, he never stopped trying to plead his case. It was like he didn’t even care what people thought of him, to him our relationship mattered more. It was cute in theory, but I still couldn’t wrap my mind around what his roommate said to me.
A thousand apologies could never make up for what his roommate said. The fact of the matter was that I didn’t know Tony. I didn’t know if he had the same thoughts or disagreed. I didn’t care to find out either. I was done with everything. I was done with him.
Midway, I stopped in the middle of the quad and glared at him.
“Just stop, Tony.”
“Nia…I won’t. Please just listen.”
“No, you listen. I’m done. Last night was just a one-time thing. It was a stupid mistake made by me. One that I don’t plan on making again. Don’t talk to me. Don’t call me, don’t even look at me. If you do, I’m calling the cops and getting a restraining order on your ass. Got it?”
Tony placed his hands up and backed away. “Of course. Sorry. Nia, I…”
“Tony…” I growled.
“I won’t say anything. I’m done. Just let me say this, I’m sorry about Ryan. Whatever he said I don’t feel that way. Last night was something special. What we shared…I’ve never felt that with anyone. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed you. If you ever want to talk. I’m there.”
“Are you done?” I snapped.
He nodded.
“Good. Fuck you, Tony.”
I rolled my eyes and turned around without saying goodbye. I didn’t want to get him the satisfaction of having the last word. While I might have had the appearance of stone, inside I was in shambles.
Chapter 5
Tony
It’s been a month since I’ve heard from Nia. I was so embarrassed by what Ryan said. You think you knew a person, until their true colors showed. I was so disgusted by what he said that by the end of that week, I’d moved out and gotten a new roommate. Ryan and I don’t talk anymore. He took away the one positive thing in my life. That’s something that I could never forgive.
My new roommate, Tyrese was quiet. He didn’t say much, nor was he as outgoing as Ryan was. I’ve tried to get him to go to a bar with me, but he rather just stay in and play video games.
Nia’s been a virus on my mind since that night. Every day and night, I’d dream about the night we shared. How her breasts felt in my hand, how her pussy tasted, how tight she felt when I was inside her, and the sounds of her moans, all were on repeat in my brain. I couldn’t get her out of my head. I tried drinking the thoughts away, that didn’t work. I tried jerking the thoughts away, that didn’t help. I attempted to focus on school, but that didn’t help. Hell, I even made a wish at that dumb fountain on campus, but even that seemed futile. My heart only craved one thing, Nia.
I tried stalking her. Well, stalking was a strong word. More like attempting to be in the same location as her at the same time. I’d casually walk by her dorm hoping to catch a glance of her or I’d go the club that we met, but every time, I never got to see her face. It was frustrating to know the thing you want, but, wasn’t allowed to have.
All of my days seemed dull and cloudy until I got a text message from her. I nearly fell out of my chair, the moment I saw her name pop up.
Message from Nia: Hey Tony.
Message from Tony: Nia! I’m so glad to hear from you.
Message from Nia: Yeah…can we talk?
Message from Tony: Of course. Did you want me to call you?
Message from Nia: No, I mean face to face. I have something important to tell you.
Message from Tony: Sure. Its close to dinner. Did you want to get a slice at Sal’s Pizza in half an hour?
Message from Nia: Sure. See you then.
Message from Tony: Can’t wait.
I waited a few seconds after sending the last message, but Nia didn’t respond. I frowned wondering why she didn’t reply back with anything. I thought about texting her again to ask her how her day was going, but decided against it as I was supposed to be meeting her in half and hour and we could discuss what’s been going on then.
With I smile on my face, I quickly got ready. I changed my clothes, dressing into a dress shirt and jeans, brushed my hair, and sprayed cologne on my neck. Before leaving, I opened the box of condoms that I bought, just in case things ended up in the bedroom, although, I was hoping that we could do it without the condom again, as the last time felt amazing.
When I walked into the pizza pub, Nia was already there. Along with her friends, Maya and Amanda. They both glared at me, and immediately I could tell this wasn’t going to be a happy reunion.
“Hey guys, long time no see.” I greeted with an uneasy wave.
They didn’t reply back to me. They only continued to glare at me before looking back at Nia.
“We’re going to be a table over. If you need us holla, a’ight?”
Nia nodded, while Amanda and Maya shuffled out of the booth that they were in. They didn’t go far as they took the booth right behind us. Once they were gone, Nia pointed at the booth across from her.
“Sit,” she growled.
I took a seat, and attempted to smile at her, but it was hard given the scrawl that was on her face.
“Nia, I’m happy you reached out. I’ve been thinking a lot about our night and…”
“I’m pregnant.”
The word caught me off guard as it took my breath away. My eyes opened wide with surprise.
“You’re… What?”
“Pregnant. It’s yours.”
“Nia, wait are you seriously?”
She nodded and wiped her eyes from an escaped tear.
“Yeah. I found out today when I went to the clinic.”
“Wow,” I combed my fingers at the sudden surprise. “So much for pulling out...”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“So, what now?” I asked.
“I’m getting an abortion. You don’t have to worry. I just wanted to let you know before I head to the clinic.”
“You can’t.”
“Excuse me? It’s my body. I can do what I want.”
“I know, it’s your choice, but shouldn’t I have a say? I mean that’s my child too.”
“That I’ll have to raise. I’m not dropping out of school for this. We made a mistake. I can correct that now.”
“No, we made a baby. The miracle of life. I mean have you even thought about this?” I asked.
“I have and I don’t want to be raising this baby alone. The choice was hard enough as it is. I don’t need another reminder of it.”
“Who said that you will he raising it alone?”
Nia smacked her lips and crossed her arms. “Don’t be acting all high and mighty now. I’m saving us both the trouble. You don’t have to be tied down to me because of this.”
“What happens if I do want to me tied down?”
Nia narrowed her eyes.
“What?” She hissed.
“I’m not afraid of having a child with you. I know it’s crazy, but you’ve been on my mind since that night. You’ve been the only one I’ve been thinking about. I want to be with you.”
Nia shook her head. “I don’t even know you. Hell, your roommate Ryan…”
“Is old news. I moved out that same day you left. I haven’t been right since. Whatever Ryan said I’m sorry, but I don’t hold those beliefs. I made a mistake for not sticking up for you, but I promise if you give a second chance, that will be the last time I don’t speak up.”
“Tony…this doesn’t mean anything.”
“Then let me prove it you. You and me, let’s make this official. Be my girlfriend. Give me a month. If you don’t like where things are going, we can talk about an abortion, till then, let me prove that I can be the man that you deserve.”
�
��Tony…” Nia began to say. She looked over at her friends who both nodded. I assumed they were both giving me their blessings.
Nia looked back at me and shook her head. “Shit, alright. One chance. You screw up and I’m gone.”
“Deal. One chance is all I ask for.”
Chapter 6
Nia
Why did I give him a second chance? I should have just ended things in the pizza shop. Yet, there was a part of me that wanted to see how things would go. A part of me wanted to be with him, raise this child and be a family together. Well, I don’t know perhaps being a family was a step too far. It was all a fantasy.
What wasn’t, was the fact that I’m sitting in Tony’s truck driving to meet his parents. I’m not sure why agreed to it as his parents lived in Greene, a small town on the outskirts of Eastcliff. The only thing that I’ve heard about the area was that there’s a ton a rednecks there and the fact that I saw at least two Trump signs and one confederate flag along the way didn’t put my mind at ease. I had half a mind to ask Tony to turn around and bring me home, but I made a Tony a promise that we’ll make it work.
Since that promise, Tony been a near perfect boyfriend. Hell, he’d even managed to convince Amanda and Maya that he was right for me. Just the other night when we double dated with Maya and Fred, Maya pulled me aside just to tell me how much she liked Tony.
While she was convinced. I was still on the fence. Not only am I making a decision to be with him, I’m also making a decision to keep a child. The pressure on me was unbelievable. Not to mention, I’m still scared to tell my parents that I’m pregnant. I’m scared to see their reaction. I was the first one in our family to go to college. In high school when all of my friends were getting pregnant or dropping out, I didn’t. I kept my head out of it and managed to go to one of the best colleges in North Carolina. What would they think of me now as just another statistic?
Tony told me that he’s already told his parents. Although they were disappointed at first, they understood, and wanted to meet me immediately, which was why I was in the car, heading 30 miles outside of civilization.
Tony parked his car in front of a modern two-story home. The neighborhood that the house was in looked newly developed, with prestige lawns and sidewalks. The house he grew up in was completely different than the urban lower income townhome that my parents rented. Walking towards the front door, I noticed another truck in the driveway that said Romano Construction. It didn’t take a genius to guess that Tony’s father was in construction. Tony took out his keys to the home and looked back at me.
“Are you ready?”
“About as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Okay. You look beautiful by the way. I like your dress.”
I grinned and looked at the black floral sundress that I wore with sandals. I looked back at home and grinned studying his casual look. While I still didn’t know where we stood in terms of a relationship, one thing for certain, Tony looked like a damn snack in his black jeans, black shirt and jacket.
“Oh thanks. You look good too.” I replied.
Tony smirked and then opened the door.
Inside, my nose was flooded by the smell of garlic. The house’s foyer was grand with wooden floors and a chandelier. In the background I could hear two people arguing loudly.
I looked at Tony, and it was as if he read my mind when he replied, “that’s my mom and dad. They’re loud. It’s okay.”
I rose my eyebrows and replied, “okay.” I clutched the wine bottle tighter, as we walked down the hall into the kitchen. In the open kitchen, Tony’s mother stood over a boiling pot, while Tony’s dad sat in a bar stool. Even though they were both yelling at each other, both of their faces contained a smile, as if they we’re almost enjoying the argument that they were in. Their voices quieted the moment they saw me.
“Ma…Dad…we’re here.”
“Tony!” His mother cheesed. She was a bigger woman, like me, with brunette hair. Behind her white apron was a red shirt and kakis. She opened her arms wide and hugged her son. She gave him two kisses on the cheek then looked towards me.
“Ma, this is Nia. Nia, this is Mary, my mother.”
“Nice to meet you.” I grinned, extending a hand.
“Aw, hun put that away! In this family we hug!” She said, wrapping me up in her arms. She gave me two kisses on my cheeks, and I was surprised by the close contact. Usually I didn’t get this close to someone I didn’t know.
After hugging Mary, I noticed, Tony’s father wasn’t far behind. Like Mary he hugged and kissed my cheeks.
“Also, Nia, this is my dad, Nick.”
“Happy to meet you Nia,” he said, kissing my hand.
“Oh, thank you.” I replied, surprised by the hospitality of his parents. I would have thought his parents, who were white, would have been timid around me, but instead they were treating me like another member of the family. It was a pleasant surprise.
“Aww, and you brought wine. Ah, and it’s my favorite brand too.” Nick said, admiring the bottle.
“Yeah, Tony said that you guys like that brand.”
“Right he is! I guess we shall open this up. Of course, Nia, you can’t have some, as you are carrying our future grandson.”
“It’s a granddaughter!” Mary added.
Nick shrugged. “Nah, it’s going to be a baseball player. I can feel it.”
I looked down and rubbed my stomach. It was weird to hear anyone to refer to what’s growing inside me as their grandchild. I guess I never thought that the life growing in me would now be considered family to others.
“Do you want water or juice. We even have soda.” Mary offered.
“Water will be fine.”
Nick clapped his hands and replied, “I’m on it.”
Mary walked back to her cooking station and began to toss flour on the table. “Nia we’re having spaghetti tonight. Is that okay?”
“Sounds good,” I replied.
“Excellent. Do you know how to make pasta?”
“If your talking box pasta then yes.”
His mother laughed and shook her head. “Grab and apron, hun. I’ll show you.”
I looked back at Tony and he nodded for me to go ahead.
“Sure,” I replied. Tony grinned, watching me put on an apron and learn how to make pasta. In the month that we’ve dated, I’d never seen him smile so brightly. It was like watching his mother and me work made him giddier than ever. His eyes told a different story. Dear lord, his baby blues, made my heart leap out of my chest. I couldn’t explain the feeling that I felt with him standing there. It was a strange feeling. Almost like Mary, Nick, Tony and I had been family for years. It felt natural and unforced. Not once did they question the color of my skin or my upbringing. They treated me like a member of the family. Just standing there looking at him, I felt something. Call it a flutter or butterfly feeling, but it came but left as quickly as it came. When it was gone, I couldn’t help but to want to feel that feeling forever.
I’ve never made anything from scratch before, and surprisingly making homemade pasta was easier than I thought. As I helped Mary, I’ve learned that Mary and Nick were both kids of Italian immigrants, she learned all of her recipes from her grandmother, and family was everything to them.
At dinner, the food melted in my mouth. It was some of the best Italian food I’d ever eaten. I’d found myself getting several helpings of food, and two slices of chocolate cake, and by the time I was finished, I felt like I was going to burst out of my clothes. The entire dinner was filled with laughs and smiles. As the night went on, I was amazed at how closely I’ve gotten to his family in the short matter of time.
“Mary, that was the best meal I’ve had in a long time.”
“Ahh thank you dear.” She replied, grabbing my plate.
“Oh, let me help you,” I offered as I attempted to stand up with my plate, but she shooed me away.
“No. You’re a guest, Nia. Your place is in that chair.”
Nick smiled at me then took a sip of wine. “Nia, it’s been a pleasure meeting you, and I wish that we would’ve met under different circumstances, but let’s get down to question of the day. How are you both going to raise this baby?”
“I Ugh…” I was caught off guard. Personally, I’ve only been wrapping my head around the fact that I was pregnant.
“Dad, I’ve been giving that a lot of thought actually.”
“Okay, whats your plan, son?” He asked, crossing his arms.
I looked back at Tony, curious as well.
“I going to drop out of school and work construction with you.”
“And Nia…” his dad began to say.
“Well, I haven’t asked her yet, but I was hoping that she’ll decide to stay in school and take classes online while she watches our baby. I’ve already picked out a few apartments near campus that we could live that should be in our price range. Given that I’ll be working at an entry level salary. I know that just because you’re my father doesn’t mean I shouldn’t start off at an unreasonable salary.”
Nick nodded. “What makes you think you’ll get hired?”
“Experience. I’ve been working with you since I was ten. I know more about the business than half of your employees. I’m not going to ask for a lot because I don’t deserve a lot. I’m there to work. I actually took the liberty of emailing you my resume before we left campus.”
“Is that so?” Nick smiled and nodded. He took out his cell phone and read a document on it. His smiled doubled its size as he looked up at his son. “Wouldn’t have said it better myself. Nia, are you okay with this plan?”
I was shocked. Out of nowhere, Tony had decided how he was going to take care of me and our child. Part of me was angry for not including me, while the other was turned on. I loved the way he took charge and became the man of the house. The confidence in his voice and the way he looked at his father told me he wasn’t scared to be a father. He was ready for it. The question was I ready to be a mother?
Not knowing how to reply, I slowly shook my head. My answer seemed good enough for Nick who grinned and continued to ask his son of our future. I was in a daze after that, only listening to a few words here and there. Eventually, Tony and Nick went in the backyard, so his dad could show him his latest woodworking project, leaving Mary and I in the kitchen alone. I wanted to help with the dishes or a least clean the kitchen, but Mary was having none of it insisting that I stay at the table and relax. She was actually a really nice woman. Considering that I was knocked up and making her son drop out of college, she always had a smile on her face when she spoke to me.
