Page 8 of Desperate Times

"You can contribute to her daycare," I finally said. "It's $350 a week."

"$350? Fuck I look like, an ATM?"

"You make that an hour selling dope or whatever the hell it is you do. Why do I have to beg you for money, Que?"

"Cuz I'm not about to front your lifestyle. You got your nails and shit done.”

“These $8 press-on nails are from the beauty supply! Did you not hear me say money is tight right now? I just need to pay some stuff off and I’ll be good.”

“Crimson, I'll give you $50 a week. That should be good enough. Take it or leave it."

"Pathetic. Pathetic ass rich boy."

"What the fuck you say to me?"

"I said you're pathetic. Got two women pregnant at once, and now you are picking and choosing which of your kids to support. Scarlett has to grow up with daddy wounds because you thought slangin dick from coast to coast was gonna cure your deep-seated insecurity.”

"Man what? Fuck out my ride, Crimson.”

“Why am I being met with such hostility? You sleep very well at night in your big house with your perfect little wife. YOU threw the curveball in our relationship. YOU are not helping me with Scarlett. And because I’m expressing how I feel, it's a problem?”

“You got a smart ass mouth so you can figure this shit out on your own. Get out of my pathetic, insecure car." He exited the highway and pulled into a restaurant's parking lot. "Get out."

"I'm not getting out. I'm not familiar with this side of town! Have you lost your mind?!"

Que put the car in park and got out. He headed to my side and once again asked me to get out. When I refused, his anger became more evident, shocking the hell out of me. I really couldn’t understand how he was the angry one.

"Crimson, get the fuck out of my car before I throw you out. Get a Lyft. I got shit to do," he raged while opening my door.

"My account is in the negative, and I don't have money for a Lyft right now," I added as I exited his car. Que headed to the other side. “Que! Do you hear me?”

"Not my problem." He scoffed as he pulled off, leaving me in the dust behind him.

Que had lost his damn mind. I mean, what was he thinking, talking about going back to his house? I had not slept with that man since I was three, maybe four months pregnant, so I know good and well he didn’t think I was about to have sex with him. Either way, one thing was crystal clear. He didn’t ask how Scarlett was doing, which meant she wasn't a priority. The amount of disrespect and lack of his attentiveness regarding Scarlett made it perfectly clear that I would never ask him for anything else, and for damn sure wasn’t forcing their relationship. He’d have to come to me first if he wanted something with her. I was never reaching out again.

The sky was starting to change into a beautiful hue of pinks, purples and oranges. The sun was setting and leaving such a beautiful print behind. I glanced around the parking lot that I was abandoned in. The sidewalks were cracked , the street lights flickered and each surface whether it was a wall or concrete was tagged in graffiti . All I could do is blink back my tears and once again rely on someone to get me out of my predicament.Fuck.

I called Venus twice, but she didn't answer. If I knew any better, she and Shad were scratching up the headboards. I was sure Scarlett would have a cousin born within the year, tops, messing around with them. I waited for a little bit, giving Venus a minute to call me back. When she didn’t, I called Shad.

“Hey, I am stranded at ShaRay’s. Can you ask Venus to grab me? She’s not answering her phone or texts.”

“She’s at work. She picked up an extra shift at the hospital. And I got your daughter over here; my mama dropped her off.”

“Was she pissed?”

“She wasn’t pleased.” We both laughed. “But don’t worry about all that. This little angel is happy and safe. I just put her down for a nap.”

“Thanks, Shad, I hope she’s not too much trouble.”

“You good, she good. I’mma send a ride for you.”

“K.”

“And go on inside, Crim. I don’t want to have to kill a nigga over my favorite cousin.”

I smiled, ended the call, and stepped inside.

ShaRay’s smelled like heaven dipped in butter and Old Bay. A mixture of seafood filled the air wrapping around me like a warm coat. Each breath I inhaled gave me a whiff of something new. First crab legs, no maybe crawfish, fried fish of course and even the sweet smell of corn. The place hummed with the gossip of locals and the clang of dishes in the background. Music playedlow over the speakers adding to the vibe of this hidden hood gem.

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