He rubbed his hand down his face. “It’s just that I’m juggling multiple things at once, and I can be a little neglectful at times, but I do love and care deeply for JaBria.”
I could see how sorry he was, and I understood parents made mistakes.
“Parents are known for mistakes. When I was seven, my mama left the front door unlocked, and I went wandering around the neighborhood. I was lost for hours. My mom and siblings cried, and the police were involved. She was so preoccupied with getting the groceries inside and signing papers that she forgot to lock the door. Still, if it’s things we can avoid, we need to make sure we’re doing just that.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Again, I appreciate you, and I’m sorry.”
“It’s good. She’s all bandaged up and feeling better. She’ll be even better once I get her these cookies and juice,” I assured him, smiling.
No matter how upset I wanted to be with Jabari, it was something about him that made all that go away.
“Yeah, baby girl has a big, sweet tooth. I don’t make it any better because I’m always feeding into it. Anything she dreams up, I try my best to replicate it.”
I smiled. It warmed my heart to hear that. “That’s really sweet. I love that experience for her.”
“Um... I was thinking that maybe I could do the same for you? You know, to make up for taking care of my mom as well as you do and for helping with JaBria.”
My mind ran crazy, and before I knew it, I’d passed him my phone.
“Yeah, sure. I have a big, sweet tooth too!”
He smiled. “Bet.”
He passed me his phone.
“I hope to hear from you soon.”
“Don’t worry. You will. My craving for desserts is intense.”
He looked me up and down, then back into my eyes. “Mine too.”
Jabari’s tone shook my body. I wasn’t sure if he was talking about sweets ormysweets. I cleared my voice to stop from showing in my tone how he made me feel.
“Let me go get the cookies for Jabria,” I rushed out.
He nodded. “Oh, yeah. I’ll go back and let her know you’re on the way back.”
I nodded, and we stared at each other until I lost the contest and spun on my heels to get JaBria her treats and a cold, wet paper towel to place on my neck to control the heat flushing through my body.
No matterhow hard I tried to busy my thoughts with other patients, my mind kept going back to Jabari. I was behind the nurses’ desk, checking emails and charting, when I heard JaBria’s little voice coming up the hall, running a mile a minute. I knew the three of them would have to walk past the nurses’ station, so I pretended not to see them as they approached. I could smell Gloria’s sweet, mature perfume as she got closer.
“Amina, baby, we’re gone for the day,” she informed me.
I looked up and smiled, trying to act surprised.
“I didn’t even see y’all.”
I stood to my feet and came from around the desk. JaBria waved at me, and I squatted down to her level.
“Feeling better?”
She nodded.
“Use your words, JaBria,” Jabari instructed.
My body heated knowing he was back close to me.
“Yes, ma’am,” JaBria said. “I feel better.”
