“Well, thanks for making me feel like I can’t feed my child without checking to see if your mother has a secret recipe first.” I was lowkey getting irritated by his responses. CJ had eaten plenty of meals from me but because his mama cooked certain ones, all of a sudden, my skills weren’t good enough.
He walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. A kiss was placed on my cheek as he offered a light laugh. I found nothing funny. This was the wrong time to be joking around with me.
“Stop taking this shit too far. I ain’t say none of that whatsoever. If you want to make breakfast for my boy, then do that. It was just a suggestion, My Baby. Don’t overthink this.”
“I’m going to see Seri sometime this week. Will you watch them, or do I have to check with your mama first to see if that’s okay?” I was being an asshole now but so the fuck what.
Unwrapping his arms, he kissed me one last time before walking off. He was still amused by my reactions. I had nothing against Ms. Iris in the slightest. She was the sweetest mama bear I ever met, and I appreciated every single thing that woman had done for me and mine. However, I was just as capable of doing those same things. I didn’t need her to take care of them because I had them at the end of the day. I could fix my son a damn meal.
“Watch it, My Baby.” His tone was light, but I could hear the threat underneath it.
“You fuckin’ watch it.” We were going back and forth for no reason at all. I was just frustrated at the moment and took his suggestion as a threat to my motherhood when I shouldn’t have.
“Go see yo’ folk man. I got my kids,” he said from his closet.
I left out the room with Essence still in my arms eating. I headed right for CJ so we could make breakfast together. I missed hearing his little conversations and the many topics he bounced to. He was in his active phase. He loved everything about the compound and never let me forget about the racetrack in the back. He was just happy to be somewhere other than 2120.
It had been damn near a year since I put on a pair of heels. However, I decided to step out in a pair of Burberry heels to match the bodycon dress I slipped on. Was my body completely back to being snatched? Not at all but I still looked damned good. I was two months postpartum and felt like I’d be back to myself in no time.
Scanning the restaurant, my eyes finally landed on my cousin. She was all smiles and seeing her face caused me to be as well. I took that stroll over to her and engaged in a hug that I missed dearly. After having Essence, Royce banned her from the compound before she could even make it. She was only able to see her over Facetime or through photos. I knew she had several bones to pick with me.
“Cousinnnnnn,” I sang as we rocked side to side.
“I missed youuuu,” she replied.
“Ugh! I didn’t think that man would give me a chance to breathe again. God it’s suffocating on that compound,” I complained.
“Nah, it’s just you ain’t use to being around so much family or money at the same damn time. I might not like his rude ass, but he does keep you and my babies safe. I can give him that. That’s all he’s good for,” she said rolling her eyes.
He was good for more than that and she knew it. She just hated admitting it. She called me every day and every day she asked me not to tell Royce she was glad he knew how to do something other than work her nerves. They were both stubborn but cared a lot about me and the kids. All they needed to do was stop competing and work as a team. Me and mine could never have too big of a support system.
“I’m thinking about going back home for a little bit.”
“What? Why? You know what? I don’t even care. I missed my babies.” She called over the waitress right after showing she really didn’t give a fuck for my reasoning.
“Damn bitch. At least act like you care,” I pouted.
“I do then again, I really don’t. You want me to ask why though so I will. Why do you want to go home, Klarity?” She picked up on exactly what I was putting down.
Sitting back, I crossed my arms and legs. I was frustrated but I was also fighting with myself about how fast I was adjusting.I accepted Royce but the change of pace in how life worked for him was different for how it worked for me. The help from his family was absolutely amazing but I promised my kids I’d be the one to get us out the struggle. It was something else I failed to do.
“A minute to breathe, that’s all.”
“Is this not that? You just had a baby and really need to take the time to heal. Having his help is a good thing so why are you running away from it?”
“I’m not running Seri. I seriously just need a breather. I’m smothered in that damn place.”
“And again, is this not that? I think you afraid to really love that man after what fuck ass Cojak put you through. Yes, he has more than that baby daddy of yours but at the end of the day, he’s still a man. Am I right?”
“I’m struggling over here bitch. Like, I know he’s the better choice. Let’s not get that shit twisted. Life has been upgraded.”
“Okay! ‘Cause you were scaring me for a minute. Look, I get not wanting to jump out and love another nigga because of the last but he ain’t Cojak. From everything you’ve told me, he’s patient and don’t mind waiting on you. I do think he’s crazy as fuck but he’s a crazy you can handle cousin. Plus, it’s a little too late to be wanting to take a step back, your daughter has his name. And when the hell did that nigga propose? I see that fat ass rock on your finger.”
I took it off and stared at it for what seemed like an eternity before slipping it back on. No one cared for us better than Royce. His love was accepted but damn was I being just as crazy and delusional loving him back so fast. It had only been two months and already I was head over heels for him. That wasn’t normal. It took me longer than that for Cojak.
“He didn’t propose at all. I woke up to it on my finger and when I said he should’ve asked first he was so offended. In hiseyes, I’m his wife and that ain’t changing. Would I mind being that to him? Nope, but damn give me the option to say yes or no.” I reached for Seri’s drink and took a sip. I didn’t care what kind of alcohol it was, I just knew I needed it.
“You and that man are going to drive me crazy. When you need to breathe, call me and we can hang out. Going home though… I don’t see the point. He gives y’all everything y’all need plus more. You living on a compound heffa. What kind of breather is the hood going to do for you? You talking out the side of yo’ neck. You accepted him now accept your feelings for him. It’s really not that hard. What? The ring made you panic or something?”
