Page 40 of Fever: Love In Scrubs
Taking the phone, I zeroed in on the text message.
Mommy: Why would you go tell your father some shit like that, Jamari? Now you have me looking like a slack ass parent. You could have come and talk to me and I would have handled that. But noooo. You had to involve your damn daddy, knowing how he feels about me. Now you don’t wanna come over here? Like I made you feel unsafe? Kevin isn’t the monster you made him seem like. You seeing him, if you saw him at all, was an accident. Now you have your daddy thinking I just have anybody around you. I deserve some happiness too. Your daddy seems to think he can run me and he can’t. Keep him out of this house and out of my damn business.
I sucked in a deep breath.This was the shit that had me ready to unleash my sister on Amandela’s ass. She just never knew when to stop. The fact that she was texting our daughter about this shit had me hot.
“I’ll handle this,” I said. “Thank you for not responding. If she sends you anything else, let me know.”
“Okay.”
“You got your stuff ready for your aunt’s?”
“I do.”
“Good. I’m picking you up tomorrow afternoon.”
“Okay. Daddy?”
“Yeah?”
“Promise me this lady your dating isn’t like Mom. That she actually likes kids and would want to be around me if you two work out.”
I pulled her to me and kissed her temple.
“Listen to me. You will always come first. I’d never bring anybody into your life that I didn’t feel would understand that and treat you right. You’re my baby, Jamari. Even when you’re married with kids of your own, daddy will always stand ten toes down behind you.”
“I know. I’m sorry I give you a hard time sometimes. I’m lucky to have you.”
“I’m lucky to have you, too.”
We shared an embrace until I heard the front door open and close. A few seconds later, I heard little footsteps pounding on the stairs.
“Uncle Jaxson! Mari!” Kacie yelled. “Where are you!”
“In here, Kacie,” I called back.
She ran into the room and dove on me. I pretended to fall back on the bed from the blow.
“Whoa there!” I said, laughing.
“I got you good,” she said, giggling.
“You did.”
I stood from the bed with her in my arms as my sister entered the room. She looked me over and smiled.
“You two go on down to the car,” she told Kacie and Jamari. “I’ll be right out.”
I placed Kacie on her feet and she grabbed Jamari’s hand.
“Bye, Uncle Jaxson! Love you.”
“I love you too, baby girl.”
Jamari kissed my cheek. “Love you, Daddy. Have fun.”
“I love you more.”
They left the room, leaving me and Asia alone.
