Page 76 of Body Language
It was quiet and so gentle that I barely heard it.
She just nodded again, holding him tighter.
I stood there just watching. Processing. Feeling every version of myself collide.
I cleared my throat, and they both jumped slightly. Like they forgot I was there.
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s get something real clear right now.”
They both turned toward me like two kids waiting to find out if they were about to be grounded or spared. Still clinging to each other.
“I’m not gone yell,” I started. “I’m not gonna fuss. What’s done is done. Y’all grown enough to make a baby, so now y’all gone have to grow up faster than you thought.”
They looked down at the floor.
“But,” I added, my tone softening, “you’re not doing it alone. I got y’all. However you need me. Emotionally. Financially. Whatever.”
I watched their shoulders drop in relief.
“But,” I raised a brow. “There are rules.”
Zejah nodded first. Then Hux.
I folded my arms. “You live in my house. You follow my rules. There will be no sneaking around, no late-night linkups, and no smart-ass mouths. You wanna be grown? Cool. But you gone respect my roof.”
“Understood,” they said in unison, like it was a damn drill sergeant talking.
“Alright,” I said, standing up straighter. “First things first, y’all are not sharing a damn room. Zejah you can have the room down the hall.”
Zejah blinked. “Okay.”
“But that’s Mama room,” he said. “You said that room—”
“I said,” I cut him off, pointing, “your mama had that room for years. YEARS, Huxley! When’s the last time she stayed in it for longer than a cigarette break and a Xanax nap?”
He looked down and mumbled, “Never.”
“Exactly. That room belongs to whoever actually sleeps in it now,” I said. Then I turned to Zejah. “It’s yours. Hux is staying in his own room.”
Zejah nodded respectfully, but Hux looked like he wanted to protest again.
“Yes, the damage is done. Yes, y’all made a baby. But the only people who will be knowingly fucking under this roof…” I smiled sweetly and pointed at my chest, “… is me. Got it?”
Their faces were PRICELESS.
“You wanna cuddle? Chill? Hold hands and watch Netflix? Great,” I continued. “Living room only. If I walk past thathallway and your grown-ass is in her room, that door better be wide open like it’s expecting the Lord to walk through.”
I tilted my head and added with a smile, “And if I catch that door closed? I will politely invade your privacy, go full FBI, and install cameras in both rooms. Don’t play with me.”
They both nodded like soldiers who just got drafted.
“Now,” I said, clapping my hands together like an HR director at orientation, “school is still in session. Neither one of y’all are dropping out or slacking off. Hux, you already know what time it is.”
He nodded.
“Zejah, I’m pulling you out of that damn public school. You’re coming to the magnet academy with Hux and Heidi.”
Her mouth fell open. “Wait… you serious?”
