Page 35 of Rhodes to Love

“That’s my first cousin. He always got my back.”

I rolled my eyes. Philly, technically, wasn’t related to me. However, he was Milana’s dad’s brother. He was definitely kin to her. Aunt Tiff was gonna shit a brick when she found out about this. I stood from my seat.

“Okay, listen.”

Maui, Ashanni, Angel, and Milana gave me their undivided attention. I placed my hands under my belly, and Roselynn moved around. It felt like she was swimming laps through my uterus. “I have enough shit going on in my life. I appreciate y’all for keeping me company. I really do. But if you gon’ bring drama here, I would prefer younot.I’m too grown for bullshit.”

Milana stood from her seat and said, “I’m sorry, Rima.”

She hugged me tightly and was about to leave. “Naw, it’s too late to leave now. I don’t give a fuck who you said to call, but I’m calling your mama. Grow up, sis. It’s time to be woman enough to own up to that ratchet shit you did.”

I was steaming. It was bad enough Rhodes’s actions had me using more profanity, but now Milana had me sliding down that slope again. I was almost out of it, but her actions grabbed ahold of my foot and said,come back, bitch. Tears were streaming down Milana’s cheeks, but I didn’t give a fuck. She was gonna handle this whether she wanted to or not. They were so damned spoiled. I was spoiled, too, but I was responsible and used good sense mostly.

I went to the couch and called Aunt Tiff. She answered on the first ring. “Hey, Mommy. How are you?”

“I need you to come to my house. You and Uncle Ryder if he’s available. Bring yo’ heat.”

I ended the call, and she called right back. I side-eyed Milana as Angel tried to console her. “Hello?”

“Naw. What the fuck going on over there?” she asked.

I could hear her moving around and then cocking her gun. After I heard a door close, I said, “Julius is here, trying to get at Milana.”

“That nigga done lost his muthafucking mind. I’ll be there in a minute.”

She ended the call, and I swore I just wanted to go lie down and tune everybody out. These people were going to be the death of me. I had a headache from hell. Listening to Milana cry about a situation she mishandled was really blowing me. I walked over to her as she lay against Angel and said, “Get yo’ ass up, man.”

It got completely quiet in the house. I didn’t speak to them that way… ever. But my nerves were on edge. This pregnancy had my emotions going crazy. My baby was gonna come out angry fooling around with these rowdy ass Hendersons. She stood from the sofa and cowered in my presence.

“Accept responsibility for the shit you did! Quit whining and be a fucking woman!”

When I heard the gunshot, my heart dropped to my feet. After I heard Aunt Tiff yelling for them to get the fuck on, I knew it was probably just a warning shot. The talking got closer. It sounded like Uncle Jasper. Going to the door, I unlocked it and opened it. Aunt Tiff and Uncle Jasper walked in with their guns still in their hands. I slowly shook my head as Uncle Jasper said, “Man, what the fuck y’all got going on over here? Why y’all bringing bullshit to Karima’s doorstep? Y’all get the fuck out of here. Now!”

Aunt Tiff was just staring at Milana. She looked like she wanted to go up one side of her and come down the other. They all came to me and hugged me, apologizing for everything. The rest of them had nothing to do with it. It was Milana’s bullshit that caused all this. Angel remained seated. She knew Uncle Jasper wasn’t talking to her. As they were leaving, Decaurey walked in holding Renzo, Angel and Rylan’s baby boy. He was a year old now.

“Hey, y’all. What’s going on?” he asked.

As I stared at him, it was like God spoke to me. I wasn’t even in the mood to hold a long conversation, but I refused to be disobedient. “Hey, Decaurey. Nothing and a lot at the same time,” I said as Angel stared at me with a confused look on her face. I wanted to chuckle, but I was able to keep it together. “How are you?”

“I’m cool. Baby boy was getting a little cranky, and Rylan is in Beaumont. I guess he’s tired of me.” He chuckled, but there was something sad about it. “Sorry I had to interrupt your alone time, baby girl.”

“It’s okay. I never get tired of my baby.”

“Okay. I’m gonna head back to the house. I’m gonna be building a she-shed for your mama and all her clothes and accessories.”

Angel giggled. “She’s gonna love that.”

My eyes wouldn’t leave Decaurey, and he noticed. Without me having to say a thing, he sat beside me and grabbed my hand. We remained quiet for a moment. Finally, I said, “Your spirit is heavy.”

He slid his free hand over his face as Angel looked on. He glanced over at her and said, “I feel like an outsider… ever since the stupid decision I made to keep Angel away from Rylan. I just feel like people only put up with me. They don’t really want me here. I can’t blame them. I caused Rylan and Angel a lot of unnecessary hurt.”

I rubbed his hand. “You know what I think?” I paused and closed my eyes. “I think you need to forgive yourself. What you see in other people is only a reflection of what’s in your heart. Because of that,youfeel like you don’t belong. Rylan and Angel have moved on and have a beautiful family. God allows things to happen to sometimes make us better. Whoever that lesson was for, I’m pretty sure they got it. If they didn’t, shame on them.”

He smiled at me and squeezed my hand as Angel sat next to him. Renzo came to my lap and laid his head against my belly as Angel hugged Decaurey. Renzo lifted his head and pointed to my stomach. My eyebrows lifted. “There’s a baby in there. Her name is Roselynn. She’s gonna be your little cousin.”

He smiled at me. God, I saw so much of Rylan in him. He had his heart… and size! He was going to be extremely tall. He looked like a three-year-old already. He slid off my lap and went to his mama as she and Decaurey talked. I smiled at them, thankful God was still choosing to use me with all the turmoil I felt like I was in. I closed my eyes, wishing Rhodes was here. My soul was heavy, and I was just glad no one could pick up on it. I didn’t want them to be worried about me. Worry wasn’t good for me, but I was extremely worried about Rhodes.

Angel hugged Decaurey again then picked up Renzo. “Karima, we’re gonna go so you can rest,” Angel said. “I can tell you’re tired.”

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