It was Friday evening, and Jabari had bought tickets to see a movie that JaBria had been asking to see since she’d seen thepreviews. While I waited for Jabari to finish getting dressed, JaBria and I sat in the living room while I helped her tie her shoes.
“Thank you, Miss Amina.”
“You’re welcome. I like your pink dress. It’s so cute.”
“Thank you. Grandma Gloria got it for me.”
“Grandma Gloria has great taste because it’s beautiful.”
She smiled as she spun around in her light pink dress with hot pink lace flowers on it. JaBria was a breath of fresh air. She was the happiest, brightest, and sweetest seven-year-old I had ever met. Besides being hyper, she didn’t give Jabari any issues and was very well-mannered. She was wise beyond her years, and I was impressed with her upbringing.
The doorbell rang, and JaBria and I looked at each other. She shrugged, and so did I.
“Jabari, do you want me to get that?” I asked, shouting down the hallway.
Instead of Jabari responding, he stormed out of the room with his phone in his hand and a pissed off expression on his face.
“JaBria, do me a favor. Go to your room and shut the door. Busy yourself with your tablet, please.”
JaBria must’ve known Jabari was serious because she didn’t ask questions. She just hopped off the couch and sped off into the room.
“Jabari, is everything okay?” I asked, walking behind him.
By this time, Jabari had made it to the door and snatched it open. There stood a woman, average height, with long black braids that flowed down her back. She was neither skinny nor thick. She and JaBria had the same face. The only difference was that her skin was a shade darker than JaBria’s.
“Kya, you have some goddamn nerve. Why the fuck are you here?”
She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. “I came to get my child. Why else would I be here? It sholl ain’t for your ass.”
“Bit—” He paused and took a deep breath. “Kya, it’s been what? Two years since you dropped JaBria off at my house, and now, suddenly, you think I’m about to let you just take her? I don’t know shit about what you got going on. You could put my baby in danger.”
“Fuck you! I’m a better parent than half the people in this world. I needed a break, and you know that. It was time for you to step up to that plate!” Kya hissed.
Jabari had explained the situation between him and JaBria’s mom to me, but I didn’t think it was so severe. I cringed as the two bickered back and forth.
Jabari took another deep breath and lowered his tone. “I don’t care about any of that. If you needed a break, you could’ve said that. I would’ve happily taken her for a week or two, but no?—”
“Nigga, I did!” Kya fumed. “I called and called and yet got no results. You called back when it was best for you. My last resort was to drop her off and disappear. You were living your life. Why couldn’t I live mine?”
Things were beginning to get out of hand, and I didn’t know how much longer I could take listening to them go back and forth.
“Let me in so I can get her, Jabari!”
“Tuh! I ain’t letting you in shit.”
“I’ll call the police!” Kya threatened.
“And say what? You wanted to come get your daughter, whom you’ve had no contact with for two years. They’ll lock your ass up for abandonment!”
Things were getting loud, and I’d had enough of the cussing and fussing. I placed my hand on Jabari’s shoulder, getting his attention.
“Hey. Y’all are loud. JaBria and the neighborhood can hear y’all. Let’s just wrap this up and save it for another day,” I softly advised Jabari.
“And who the fuck is this?” Kya hissed, looking over at me.
“Hi, I’m Amina. I’m a friend of Jabari.” I stuck my hand out, and she looked at it like it had shit on it.
“Girl, you’re probably one of his little flings. Jabari doesn’t commit to shit but his career. Come tomorrow, it’ll be another bitch over here. So anyway...”
