Page 24 of The Heart Of A Real Woman
She managed to smile, but I could still see the pain in her eyes.
“You having second thoughts, baby?” I asked.
“No,” she sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I’m just hurt by it all. I wish things didn’t have to be this way. I love my daddy, and I love you too. I’m worried about him. He’s an asshole, I know. But…”
“But he’s still your old man. I get it. My bad for losing my cool.”
“Don’t apologize. You had every right to defend yourself. He swung first. I’m not mad at you. I’m just worried. Worried about him going to jail...about where we stand. I can’t believe he said that to me tonight.”
I nodded. “I told them I wasn’t pressing charges, so hopefully that means something, and he don’t gotta sit too long.”
“And hopefully his anger cools down enough so I can talk to him. He just needs to get to know you. To understand you’re not who he thinks. My daddy had it hard growing up, and a lot of his anger and strictness comes from that. My grandfather was in the army. Real firm. And on top of that, he just wants me to go to school and build a decent life for myself.”
“Yeah,” I said, even though I had no intention of ever speaking to that nigga again. At this point, I didn’t give a fuck if he liked me or not. Fuck him. But this wasn’t the time to say that.
After she finished feeding Jr., Mary changed his diaper, wrapped him in his blanket, and rocked him to sleep. I picked him up and laid him in the crib as soon as his eyes fluttered shut. When I got back to the couch, I lifted her into my lap.
“Come here,” I told her, pulling her head onto my shoulder. I noticed her eyes were bloodshot red.
“My head hurts so bad. I can’t believe I’m sitting here while my daddy’s in jail.”
“I’m sure y’all will work it out. I don’t think he meant that shit he said.”
“Yeah, hopefully. I’m just going through the motions, that’s all.”
“I’ma run to Walgreens and grab you some Tylenol. Hopefully, that headache eases up so you can relax. You gonna be straight with him for a few minutes while I’m gone? He shouldn’t wake up.”
“Yes. I got him. We’re good.”
“Aight,” I kissed her cheek.
After I brought her the medicine back, Mary took two pills and settled on the couch, staring off into space while I jumped in the shower. It took me a minute, as usual, enjoying the warm water. When I came back to the living room, I saw she’d folded the basket of clothes I hadn’t gotten around to for my son and washed out all his dirty bottles from the day. Shit was hard juggling the streets while being a single father.
I glanced over at the couch and noticed she had fallen asleep. I checked on my son in his crib. He was good, so I turned off the lights and slid under the blanket I’d given her earlier, curling up beside her.
I hadn’t made the effort to buy a bed yet. I was still focusing on stacking my money for more important things. But I was glad I did save, because now I had Mary with me, and it was my responsibility to take care of her. I had faith everything was going to be alright though. I was moving up in rank and would be making a lot more money soon.
“I’m scared.” She whispered when I put my arm around her.
“Thought you were asleep, Shorty.”
“I was until I felt you. Now I’m back up, thinking about how I just walked away from my entire life.”
“Don’t be scared. I told you I got you. I might not be able to give you the life your parents had you used to right now, but we’ll make it work. And one day I’ll give you an even better life. I meant every word I told you earlier. I’ma take care of you.”
“How will we make it work, Moses? I don’t even know where to start. I have to get a job.”
“You not getting no job, Shorty. You going to school just like you wanted to. I got a plan. We’ll talk about it when we both have a fresh head. If you don’t like my plan, we’ll think of something else. But for now, let that shit go.”
“Okay,” she said, turning toward me and tracing my cheek with her thumb.
“I hate all that shit went down, but I’m glad you’re here.” I buried my face in her neck, kissing her softly. Her scent drove me crazy. She always smelled like baby powder mixed with sweet ass perfume. Shit was crazy.
“I’m glad to be here. I like your place. It’s nice.”
“You think so?”
I knew she was just being sweet. A nigga was in the heart of the hood. But it was the only spot that let me in without proof of income. I had dropped a fat deposit and paid three months up front, and they handed me the keys without questions.
