“I got it handled,” Perc hung up in my face.
“Hello?” The dial tone sounded off in my ear.
I had twenty-four hours before I was able to take my ass home. The hospital was supposed to be safe but I wasn’t feeling that damn safe anymore. It was that damn easy to come in here and do something like steal a uniform and a damn cart, I had to go home. If he was going to come in here, he was going to have to kill me because my plan was to kill him.
“Welcome home, baby.” Lucky sat on the sofa holding Kani. His leg was propped up with a bag of ice on his thigh. I looked at the woman that was helping get comfortable. “This is Cecelia and she’s going to be helping both of us get back to health.”
“Nice to meet you,” she rose up to give me a handshake.
“Get her out,” I said.
“What the fuck you talking ‘bout? This woman damn near got me walking.”
“I don’t want anyone around me or my child. Nobody can be trusted right now.”
“Listen to both of y’all. Stop the fuckin’ arguin’ and let’s fuckin’ go. We got to drive up to the new house and I don’t have all damn day ‘cause I got shit to do too,” Perc fussed.
I grabbed my baby and went back out to the car. I still didn’t have a clue where we were going but I didn’t want that woman in my home doing the shit I should’ve been doing. Boogie rolled Lucky out to the car but he was able to stand and put himself in the car. That was better than the night he came to see me at thehospital. He was gaining his strength back and that was a good thing.
“Baby, I know you don’t trust anyone but she’s not going to hurt any of us. We both just lost our mama, I think we could use someone like her right now. You need to rest and so do I. She can change the dressing on your neck and take care of Kani.”
“I’ll take care of my own child. I don’t need help with that.”
“Let me go ahead and get this straight. Your attitude is not about to fuck up my mood. I’m not sure why the fuck you mad but change that shit quick. I’m sick of it at this point. I let you have your way long enough now things ‘bout to go my way until this is over. Sit your ass over there and hold my son.”
I rolled my eyes at him and started playing with my son. We were about to start something fresh before all of this happened but it was probably best that we left things where it was at. My attitude was on ten and I knew I needed to work on it. I was actually excited to come home to Lucky and my son until I saw that woman. She wasn’t a threat but what woman would want another woman tending to her man? If I was going to try to be a better me, I had to work on me. Lucky reached over and grabbed my hand and kissed it as we pulled away from our house.
We ended up in Lawrenceville. I hated it here already and we had only been in the house for a few hours. There was enough space for everyone not to run into each other but it wasn’t the house I was used to. Kani was cranky because he was teething and his nose was constantly running. I was trying my best to soothe him but he just didn’t adjust to anything I did. Cecelia came into the room and held her hands out for him. I turned my son around so he couldn’t see her but she grabbed him anyway.
“I know you may be uncomfortable around me. I would be too but I’m not here to hurt you. Lucky wants you to come down to the office to discuss your mother’s arrangements. I’ll get thebaby sleep and then I’ll draw you a bath so you can rest. I’m not your enemy and neither is Lucky.”
Lucky was sitting behind a desk with his phone in his hand. Even without a haircut or trim, the nigga was still fine as the day we met. The white wife-beater against his deep chocolate skin made him look like midnight. The muscle definition in his arms was slowly coming back and his chest was still bulky. He looked up at me and smiled like he was happy to see me. Honestly, I was happy to see him too.
“Come sit on my lap.”
He squeezed me so tight when I sat on his lap. I leaned my head against him as he rubbed my stomach.
“I’m so glad we made it through this shit. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I lost you and my baby.”
I couldn’t help but let the tears roll down my face. Every time I think about that night, I think about what could have happened to us. We both were helpless. Lucky lifted me and put me on the desk so he could wipe my tears.
“I don’t want you to be scared of nothing. I got you and if something happens to me, my brother and Boogie got you. You’ll never be alone.”
“What do you mean if something happens to you? Don’t fucking talk like that.”
“I don’t know how this shit is going to end and I gotta be honest. If I have to die to save y’all, then I’ll stand ten toes down and die. I ain’t trying to die or no shit like that, but I’m just letting you know that you straight.” He wiped the remainder of my tears before clearing his throat. “I know you don’t want to talk about this but what do you want to do with your mama?”
“I don’t think I want to do a funeral. I’m afraid people will show up that don’t have any business there. I’ll cremate her.”
“Whatever you want. I’ll go ahead and make the arrangement so you don’t have to.”
“Thank you. I don’t know how to ever pay you back.”
“Pay me back for what? Don’t let that shit come out of your mouth ever again. I got you just like I know you got me. I don’t question that at all.”
He pulled me down on him and kissed my lips. Damn, I missed the way he made me feel. He made me feel like there wasn’t a woman out there that could get his attention.
“I love you.”
