Page 123 of Save Room for Us

“Means we can actually have fun without you asking how many donuts I gave her or telling her it’s bedtime.”

“Ma, she is a toddler. She can’t have all that sugar and can’t stay up late.”

“Right.” She turned a bit to Sophie and winked.

“Now I’m really not going.” I snickered.

“Yes you are. Hell, I used to do it all the time. Whenever your father got some vacation time, you and Leeci would be right with his parents or mine, and when I came back, I would be so refreshed, and I would miss you guys so much, but I knew Ade and I needed it. It made us better parents because we weren’t just mom and dad all the damn time.” She touched my hand. “So go. As your mother, I’m saying you have to.”

“Okay. Fine.” I relented but still wasn’t sure. Now I was having anxiety about Sophie and my mama eating sweets all day and staying up until two a.m., stuff sheneverlet Analicia and me do.

The three of us had brunch, and then we decided to go shopping inside of the South Coast Plaza mall with all the high-end stores. I only shopped at Louis Vuitton and Dior about once a year, mainly because their prices kept skyrocketing, and Cedric would get upset whenever I bought myself anything, especially when he was out of work with no contracts. It just wasn’t worth it. However, today, with all this money, I was going to enjoy this shit like my man had asked me to.

We started in Nordstroms where I told my mom she could get whatever she wanted, handing her a stack of cash that had her eyes open and mouth drooling.

Sophie had fallen asleep, so while my mom shopped and my baby slept in her stroller, I ventured to Chanel, which was right next door. Chanel’s new prices had always been out of my budget, even as an accomplished nurse, so I was excited.

“These are from the newest collection.” The sales associate laid out an array of classic Chanel bags and a few minaudière evening bags for me to eye.

“Wow, these are beautiful. I need a moment to decide.”

“Why don’t you get two?” She smiled.

“Hmm, maybe.” I nodded, realizing I hadn’t put a dent in the cash Asif gave me. I didn’t know how much it was, to be honest.

“I will get you some champagne.” The woman pranced off.

Taking the purse, I began trying it on in different lengths, thinking of what it would match with and how much wear I could get out of something that had a price tag of eleven thousand dollars.

“So cute,” a woman called out, making me turn around to see who it was. I didn’t recognize her or her friend who was eyeing me, the purse I was trying on, and all the other shit laid out around Sophie’s stroller.

“I think so too,” was all I said, turning around and watching them through the mirror.

They whispered amongst each other for a second, colluding and seemingly trying to get the courage to ask or say something. I wasn’t in the mood to talk about my trial, Cedric, or anything really. I think the only reason the SA hadn’t commented was because she peeped that I was about to blow racks and didn’t wanna lose that commission.

“You know someone named Asif?”

How could I forget that I was also dating a popular street nigga?

“I do.” I kept looking in the mirror, turning to the side a bit.

“You fucking him?” the other girl sporting box braids asked.

“Yep.” Turning to face them, I asked, “Why?”

“Just was wondering who they claimed he was fucking with so seriously. Said it was the chick who shot her ex,” Box Braids replied.

They both nodded, looking me up and down before the one with a freshly styled bob said, “Okay, you cute. How long you think you gon’ be fucking him? Milan lasted a little minute, but that’s ’cause she thirsty as hell. You thirsty enough to outlast her?”

The duo guffawed somewhat loudly in the quiet store, just as the SA returned with my champagne, confused as to who they were and what was so funny.

Making my way back to where I was sitting and closer to Bob and Box Braids, I lowered my voice and leaned in to say, “How about you try me and see, then I can do your ass like I did my ex.”

When I pulled back with a smile, they both looked as if they’d been spooked by a ghost, before walking off without another word.

“Everything okay?” The sales associated approached after watching from afar.

“I will take all of them.” I nodded, taking a sip of the bubbly.

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