Page 89 of Crash: Love in Scrubs
Rommy: And you’re my woman. That hasn’t changed for me. Don’t piss me off, Sametra.
Me: It’s better to be pissed off than pissed on!
Rommy: Did my mama teach your city slickin’ ass that? Thats her favorite phrase.
Me: Maybe. Talk soon.
My heart did that familiar flutter, and I had to set the phone down before I said something I wasn’t ready to say yet. My phone rang and I thought it was Malik calling. I was surprised when I saw it was Ms. Yolanda, though I probably shouldn’t have been. Malik and his mom were incredibly close; he’d probably told her everything the day it happened.
“Hey, sweetheart,” her warm voice came through the phone, and I immediately felt some of the tension leave my shoulders.
“Hi, Ms. Yolanda. How are you?”
“I’m fine, baby, but I’m calling to check on you. That hardheaded son of mine told me what happened.”
I sank onto my couch, suddenly feeling exhausted. “I’m sorry he dragged you into this.”
“Stop right there,” she interrupted gently but firmly. “Nobody dragged me into anything. I asked, and I’m probably overstepping by calling. But I’m grown and do what I want to. Earned that.”
“No, never. You’re not overstepping.” I tucked my legs under me. “I’m sure you’re going to tell me what my friends did, that I’m being dramatic.”
“Sametra, honey, I raised that boy better than to keep secrets from the woman he loves. And I told him as much when he called me crying about losing you.” Her voice got softer. “So no, I won’t be telling you you’re dramatic. But I also know his heart was in the right place, even if his head wasn’t. Two things can be true.”
I felt tears prick my eyes. “I just feel so betrayed. Like he didn’t trust me. Strangers saw me naked. I’m pregnant. Everything is a mess.” I was starting to sound like a broken record.
“I know, baby. And you have every right to feel that way. That man needs to learn that protecting you doesn’t mean making decisions for you.” She paused. “But don’t let his mistake make you forget what y’all have together. What I saw in Alabama? That was real love.”
“I know it was. I just... I’m scared, Ms. Yolanda. What if this is who he is? What if he always thinks he knows better?”
“Then you teach him different. You two are both in unfamiliar territory, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, we are. It’s been well over seventeen years since I had to be a girlfriend and even consider letting someone protect me.”
“Okay, so a little grit and grace will go a long way. I never understood the idea of not teaching a man something as important as how to love you properly. Love is not one size fits all, and closed mouths don’t get fed. Tell him what you want, need, and what you will and won’t accept. It’s a learning moment for you both.” Her voice brightened. “Now, how’s my grandbaby?”
“Tired. Nauseous. Making me cry at commercials,” I said with a watery laugh. “I’m pretty sure our sweet pea is a girl.”
“Sounds about right. That means everything’s working like it should. I love you both, and this too shall pass. And go ahead and start on the cocoa butter. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you for calling. I needed to hear this.”
“That’s what mothers are for baby. And I know I’m not your mother, but I am your mother in love, so you can call me anytime for anything. Talk soon.”
After we hung up, I sat there for a long time, Ms. Yolanda’s words echoing in my mind.A little grit and grace will go a long way.She was right, I’d been so focused on being hurt that I’d forgotten we were both learning how to do this. How to be partners. How to love each other the right way.
I looked down at my phone, Malik’s contact still open from our earlier conversation. My finger hovered over his name for a moment before I typed out a message.
Me: Thank you for giving me space.
The response came back almost immediately.
Rommy: I love you, Sametra. Both of you. I’m not claiming anything but my family being back. I’m on different shit next time around. That’s a promise.
I leaned back, thinking about the life growing inside me. Our baby deserved parents who knew how to communicate, how to trust each other, and how to work through the hard stuff together. I prayed that’s exactly what we were learning how to do during this break.
For the first time since everything fell apart, I felt something other than anger and hurt. I felt hope.
ONE WEEK LATER
