“He didn’t throw me away—”
“He left you, Shayna! Broke up with you before he got locked up. Ain’t looked for you, ain’t wrote, ain’t shit. And now you back. Tryna give him your heart again, like you forgot how that shit felt the first time.”
My eyes burned. “Get the fuck outta my face, Sean.”
He stepped back, but he wasn’t done. “You better figure it out. ’Cause if he don’t come correct, I will. And you can either be part of it, or collateral.”
I didn’t say shit. Couldn’t. I walked out the room, slammed the door, and pressed my back against it, chest heaving.
I was shaking. Not from fear—but rage. From guilt. From the weight of everything crashing down at once. I walked over to my bed and dropped my head into my hands to try to get my emotions in check.
“Mommy?”
I turned my head.
Liberty was standing in the doorway with a concerned look on her face.
My voice softened. “Hey, baby. You okay?”
She nodded. “You were yelling.”
I motioned her to come to me with opened arms. She came to me without hesitation, pressing her face to my shoulder. I held her tight, rubbing her back.
“I’m sorry you heard that,” I whispered.
“Was he mad at you?”
I nodded. “Yeah, but not because of you, baby.”
“Are we still going to see him again?”
My throat felt tight. “Maybe. One day.”
***
I wasn’t even supposed to be out that long. Just a quick mall run before I picked up Liberty. But fate had other plans.
I spotted her near the second floor escalator, checking out baby clothes in some boutique window. She looked good. Real good. Pregnant, belly round, hair thick, curls bouncing as she turned. Comfortable. Confident. She had the kind of glow I used to fake when I was pregnant with Liberty just so people wouldn’t ask questions. I almost walked the other way. But something made me stop.
I took a breath and walked up slow. “Mel?” She turned around, and her eyes cut into me instantly. “I just wanted to say… congratulations. You look beautiful. Pregnancy really suits you.”
Her face didn’t move. “Do I know you?”
“You might not remember me. Shayna. We used to see each other around when we were younger. I was Franklin’s girlfriend.”
Silence.
I cleared my throat. “I didn’t mean to bother you. I just wanted to speak. And say congratulations.”
She crossed her arms. “So you just happened to run into me, huh?”
“Yeah,” I drawled. “I wouldn’t… I didn’t plan it or anything.”
Another beat of silence. Her eyes scanned me like she was trying to figure out what the hell I really wanted.
She let out a dry laugh and took a step closer. “You know what’s funny? You popping up outta nowhere, and now I’m supposed to believe this was all just a coincidence?”
“I’m not trying to cause problems.”
