by Nique Luarks
“Granny don’t wanna see you right now.”
“Umm-hmm...” Delaney popped her gum. “She was just talkin’ ’bout how you ain’t got no respect or self-control.”
They stopped in front of me, and Love shook her head. “It was funny as hell, but I still can’t believe you drug Quindelle’s ass through Loose Park.”
Delaney snickered. “I just knew somebody was gon’ call them boys on you.”
I ran my hand across the top of my head. “What she in the kitchen doin’?”
“A crossword puzzle.” Love stepped around me. “I’m going to pick up my nigga.”
“Fuck you fuckin’ wit’ his broke ass for if you giving rides and footin’ the bill.” Love was going to make me fuck her up. She’d been hanging with Delaney’s hoodrat ass too much.
Love smacked her lips. “Bye, True.” She chucked the deuces and continued down the hall.
“See ya later, cuzzo.” Delaney rushed after her.
As I neared the kitchen, I prepared myself for whatever Granny Ann was about to say or do. Her old ass was quick to throw a shoe or hit you with a broom. When I entered the kitchen, she was doing exactly what Love had said she was. Granny hummed lowly, then chuckled when I cleared my throat.
“Wassup, li’l lady?”
“True...” She didn’t even look up at me.
I sat down. “How was your day?”
“Okay.”
“What you do?” I leaned back.
“Nothing.” Granny shook her head. “This puzzle is gon’ drive me looney.”
“You need help?”
“Nope.”
I nodded. We sat in an eerie silence. She’d mumble to herself occasionally, and I stared at her as she worked on solving the crossword. When my phone went off, I removed it from my pocket and ignored Nisha.
“Granny, you mad at me?”
“Yes,” she answered nonchalantly.
I sighed. “Why?”
“Because you’re wrong, True Kendric Jones.” Granny finally looked up at me. The disappointed look in her eyes made me look down at the table.
“What I do?”
“What haven’t you done?” She gave her attention back to her puzzle. “You’ve driven Chance away. Nisha is on bed rest from stressing over your ass. Jaliyah is a drunk who drops your son off and won’t come back for him until somebody calls looking for her criminal ass. And what you did to Quindelle...” Granny shook her head. “You know that concrete scarred her arms and legs? Chasity was so upset. And then you send her off to D.C. with those images warped in her mind. You ruined Chase’s birthday party...embarrassed him.”
I frowned.
“What kind of example are you setting for your children? You’re showing Chase it’s okay to gang bang, drink, and mistreat women. And Chasity... what if some man does her how you did her mother? What about your sister?”
“I’d kill him.”
“But it’s okay for you?”
“Granny, man...” I drawled. “How the fuck am I always in the wrong?”
“Watch your tone, now.”
“Chance not coming around is on me, but what about her? She been knowing me my whole life, know how I’m rocking, then bitch up on me when shit gets too hard,” I flexed. “Nisha knew what it was from the jump. I never strung her along. I still don’t. Jaliyah is Jaliyah; she dealing wit’ her own personal demons just like everybody else.”
Granny sighed.
“Quindelle is bitter over shit between us that happened years ago. Her ass done been pregnant three different times since she had Chasity, and wasn’t none of them mine.” I sat up. “But because I’m the nigga wit’ money, I gotta deal wit’ the bitch?”
“True—"
“Nah, Granny, man...” I cut her off. “’Cause now you questioning my parenting. Everything I do, I do for Chase and Chasity. I put up wit’ the shit from they mamas, not ’cause I want to, but I have to if I want a relationship with my kids. That’s why they get away with so much bullshit.”
“True, I wasn’t questioning you as a father.”
“Sounded like you was,” I shot back.
Granny put her pen down. “No, I’m trying to get through to you, baby. I’ve been trying to get through to you. Since your mom died—"
“Granny...”
“True, listen. You don’t know how to treat women because other than me, no woman has shown you what unconditional love is. When your mother died, you were so mad at her, True. Love, too. She neglected y’all, used y’all, hurt y’all.” Granny’s sad eyes danced around my face. “That was my daughter, but she was the worst mother. You loved her, baby, but she didn’t love you. Not like a mother should’ve.”
I stared at her.
“And you hurt every day because you found that out at a very young age. You and Roman built a genuine brotherhood that stemmed from the same disappointment.” She shook her head dolefully. “You became mama and daddy to Love when you were just a baby yourself. I know you harbor those feelings, and I know no matter how much you love your mother, you’re angry at her. She died without giving you closure.”
My eyes started burning.
“And you didn’t deserve the beatings, nor the starvation. Your mom was sick, baby, and that’s not on you, but you can’t treat women like this, trying to settle a score with her.”
My phone sounded off.
“I know you love Chance, and because I know that to be one hundred percent true, you’d much rather let her be with someone else than try to be a better man ’cause you’re scared to get hurt. You’re a human being. You are allowed to feel fear, anxiety, and sadness.” She wiped the tears from her face. “You don’t have to be tough all the time. And you know who understands that concept and you?” She placed her hands on mine. “Chance.”
I cleared my throat.
“I’d never question your parenting because you’re an excellent father. Nobody could ever take that away from you. I just worry about ya, that’s all.” Granny pushed away from the table and stood up slowly. She kissed my forehead, then pinched my cheek.
Rubbing my eyes with my thumb and index finger, I pulled myself together.
“You hungry? It’s still early, I can whip you something hearty up.”
Pulling her crossword puzzle towards me, I grabbed the pen. “Yeah, hook me up, li’l lady.”
10
Substitution
Chance
Sliding my feet into my sandals, I grabbed my purse. It seemed like I’d been waiting forever to find out the sex of my baby, and it was about to finally happen. As I stepped out of my loft and got ready to lock the door, my phone started ringing. Recognizing True’s ringtone, I shuffled through my bag and answered the phone as I locked up.
“I’m leaving now. I overslept.”
“Yo, Jelly, I’ma be a li’l late.”
“How late is a little, True?” I slid my purse on my shoulder.
“Like twenty or thirty minutes.”
I stopped in my tracks. “You’re playing, right?”
“Jelly, man.”
“No, you know what, don’t come.” I hung up in his face. Just as I made it to the elevator, my phone started ringing again. Answering for Haze, I stepped onto the elevator. “Yes?”
“Let’s hit up the Big Biscuit, I’m outside.”
Pressing the button for the ground floor, I sighed. “I’m on my way to an appointment.”
“Okay, well, let me take you, and when you’re done, we can go get something to eat.”
I scratched my forehead. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come. True’s going to be there.”
“I’ll wait outside, or in the waiting room. I ain’t trippin’. It’s your call.”
The ding of the elevator snapped me from my thoughts. “Okay, but you have to sit outside.”
Haze chuckled. “I’m right out front, ma.”
I walked through the lobby, texting True.
Me: Why will you be late?
&
nbsp; Waving goodbye to the doorman, I stepped outside into the heat.
True: Last minute shit.
I rolled my eyes, pulling the passenger door to Haze’s coupe open.
“Sup, pretty lady?”
The cool from the air conditioning soothed me immediately. “Hey, Haze.” Meeting halfway, we exchanged a quick hug.
“Where we going?”
“St. Luke’s South.” I pulled my seatbelt across my body. “It’s going to be hot today.” It was only ten, but the sun was blazing, and it was humid.
Haze nodded. “I see you bustin’ out yo’ clothes,” he laughed. “Pregnancy looks good on you.”
I smiled. “Yeah, okay, tell me anything.”
“Long as it makes you smile.”
I faced the window just in case I was blushing. When my notification sounded off, I scowled.
True: Probably won’t get there in time. I’ll make it up to you.
“Wow,” I chuckled condescendingly.
Haze jumped on the highway. “Everything good?”
“True can’t make it.” I wanted to cry. We were about to find out what our baby was, and his ass wasn’t even going to be there.
Me: You ain’t gotta make up shit.
I powered my phone off.
“You sure you want me to wait out here?” Haze stared down at me. “I can go back there wit’ you. I don’t like you having to do this shit alone,” he frowned.
“I’m okay. You being here means more than you know.” I tapped his arm.
“Chance, you ready?” The nurse smiled. “Today’s the big day.”
I grinned. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
Haze sucked his teeth. “Dude is fucked up for this one.” He took a seat, shaking his head.
“It shouldn’t take long,” I assured him. “And if it does, I’ll call Ava or catch an Uber home.”
“I ain’t leaving without you, ma.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
I followed the nurse to the back so we could do the usual weigh in. Afterward, she led me to a room.
“Dr. Harris will be with you in just a moment.”
“All right.” I hopped up on the table and crossed my arms.
Since my phone was still off, and in my purse, I took my time looking at all the different posters. I sighed at the one of a family. They looked so happy. When I felt myself getting emotional, I got ready to hop off the table and power my phone back on. Social media would be a great distraction.
The minute my feet touched the ground, the door opened, and I sighed in relief. The quicker we got this done, the faster Haze could feed me.
“Hey, Doc, I—" I almost bit my tongue when True stepped in with an evil scowl on his handsome face.
He shut the door, looked me over, then shook his head. After taking a seat in a chair next to the examination table, he stared down at his phone.
“Well, hi to you, too.” I tried to read his body language.
“’Sup.” He tossed his chin up.
“I thought you weren’t going to be able to make it.” Even though he had an attitude, his presence was appreciated.
“Is that why that nigga is here?”
Shit!
“We’re going to get breakfast after so he—"
“It’s cool.” True looked up at me. “I don’t even care. It’s yo’ life, but you disrespectful as fuck.”
“What? It’s not like he came back here with me. He asked, and I could’ve said yes,” I frowned.
True stared at me. “Shit, is that his baby or mine?” he had the audacity to ask with a straight face. “You was fuckin’ us both, right?”
“Wrong.” I looked around the room for something to hit him with.
“Yeah, a’ight,” he mumbled, then looked back down at his phone.
I smacked it out of his hand hard. “I’m getting so tired of yo’ stupid ass!” I screamed. “I hate that I ever slept with you, and I hate being pregnant by you.”
He hopped up from his seat. “Knock something else out my hand.” True grabbed me roughly by the front of my shirt. “You bring that nigga here and got the fuckin’ nerve to have an attitude?” he gritted. “I should beat yo’ ass.”
I looked away from the hard glare he was giving me. “Get your hands off me.” I blinked, and warm tears slid down my cheeks. “I should’ve got an abortion.”
True shoved me away just as there was a knock on the door.
“Everything okay in here?” I recognized Dr. Harris’ voice. “Can I come in?”
“Yes,” I managed, wiping my face.
True snatched his phone up off the floor just as she waltzed in, smiling.
“Hop up on the table for me.” She went for the gloves on the counter.
True sighed as he helped me.
Dr. Harris faced us, cheesing. “Here comes the fun part.”
True
We were having a baby girl. Chance was going to have my little mama. She cried for five minutes straight when we found out, and even though she had me fucked up, I hugged her the entire time.
“You okay?” the doctor smiled, rubbing Chance’s leg.
Jelly sniffled, still clinging on to me and nodded.
“I got her,” I chuckled, running my hands through her soft hair. “Stop cryin’.” I kissed her neck. “You doin’ the most, shorty.”
“I knew it was a girl.” She squeezed me. “She’s been getting on my nerves since I found out I was pregnant.”
I laughed. “Really?” Chance’s ass was goofy.
“Yeah, I’ve been throwing up every day. Erin didn’t go through this.”
I chuckled.
“Pull yourself together.” I released her.
“Between you and our daughter, I’ma go crazy,” she pouted playfully.
I rubbed her stomach as I answered my phone.
“Wassup?”
“True, Granny is cooking breakfast. Are you coming?” Love asked. “And when you come, can you stop and get some orange juice?”
“Who said I was coming?”
“Me! I need orange juice with my breakfast, just like I need ranch with my pizza...you know this.”
I shook my head.
“And True, my boyfriend is here, so please don’t come here being extra.”
Frowning, I watched Chance wipe the gel from her stomach. Going to the counter, I removed a few paper towels and handed them to her.
“A’ight. I’ll be there.”
“True, will you be nice?”
Hanging up the phone, I watched Jelly pull her shirt down.
“You ready?”
“Mm-hm,” she nodded. “I’m so hungry.”
I helped her down. “Granny cookin’.”
Chance smiled. “Ohh, Granny makes the best breakfast. Food, period.”
“You wanna ride?”
She looked down at her feet. “Haze already invited me to the Big Biscuit.”
I chuckled. “A’ight.”
Opening the door, I let her step out first.
“I’ma go set my next appointment. Can you wait for a minute?”
I nodded.
When we reached the front, she went one way, and I headed towards the waiting room. That nigga, Haze, was slumped forward on the phone. When he noticed me, he told his caller he’d call them back. I took a seat on the opposite side and relaxed. Haze stood up.
“What she having?”
I frowned. This bitch kept testing my patience. I knew I had told Chance I wouldn’t fuck him up, but he was making it hard. Ignoring him, I closed my eyes and silently thanked God for blessing me with a baby boy and girl. It was going to be Chase and Chasity all over again, just miniature versions.
“I hope she having a girl.” Haze started up. “She wants one bad.”
Opening my eyes, I stared at him. “Yo...” I sat up straight. “I’m tryna keep it cool wit’ you on behalf of Jelly and my seed, but you pressing hard lines, blood.”
He mugge
d me. “You just threaten me?”
I stood up. “You heard me.”
“See you later, Chance.”
My eyes shot towards the nurse who had let me back and Chance.
“Okay. Thank you,” Jelly smiled. Looking down at the sonograms, she switched towards me. “True, look,” she cheesed.
Once she got close to me, I cuffed her belly with both hands.
“She better have hair with all the heartburn I have,” she giggled.
I chuckled. “Let me see.”
Chance showed me each picture proudly. She was more excited about our baby than Jaliyah and Quindelle had been when they were pregnant. Nisha wasn’t even this hype about our son. Off the flip, I knew that abortion shit was her trying to get under my skin. Chance wanted this baby. She was excited to be a new mommy.
“Chance, you ready?” Haze asked.
She looked up at me.
Still rubbing her stomach, I shook my head. I’d just found out my baby was having my baby girl, and another nigga was standing two feet away, feeling her.
“Granny just texted me, and she wants to see the ultrasound pictures,” she said, facing Haze. “So... I’ma just leave with True,” Chance sighed.
Haze chuckled. “A’ight. Call me when you get home?” They met halfway and exchanged a hug.
“Definitely. Maybe we can watch a few movies later?”
I ran my hand across the top of my head. He still had his hands wrapped around her, and I wasn’t with that shit. They exchanged one more squeeze, then let go. Haze started out of the waiting room, shaking his head.
“I hope Granny made grits...” Chance switched past me.
“Well, hello, stranger!” Granny grinned.
Chance giggled, making her way over to the stove. “Hi, Granny.”
They hugged as I went to the refrigerator to put the orange juice up.
“So, what we having?” Granny asked excitedly.
“A girl,” Chance beamed.
“Let the fun times begin,” Granny joked. “Congratulations, baby. I’m so happy for you guys.”
“Thank you.” Chance found a seat at the kitchen island. “If you’re free one day this week, we can go shopping.”
