Page 46 of Fever: Love In Scrubs
“It is.”
“Respectfully… he could help me grieve anytime. Sometimes, a shoulder to cry on becomes a dick to ride on.”
“Tinka!”
“I’m just saying! You know you want to mount him like a race horse. Just look at those big, strong arms. I know he’d curl you like he’s lifting weights.”
“He actuallycanpick me up.”
“Ooop! And how did you find that out? You were out here being grown, weren’t you? Oooo wait ‘til I tell mama.”
“Tikayla, please. Nobody was being grown. We went to the park. He wanted to take me on this pedal boat, and he offered to carry me to the docks so I didn’t put too much of a strain on my foot. Girl, that man put me on his back and carried me like I was featherweight.”
Tinka squealed and clapped. “Just know when he finally tosses your ass around, I need the details. He ain’t one of them niggas that loves a plush pal in private only, is he?”
“No, girl.”
“Good, ‘cause we don’t do those and I wouldn’t let you or him play in your face like that. You know I’ve got your back.”
“I know, I know.”
“Seriously, though. I’m so happy for you. And you thought this move wasn’t going to be good for you.”
“It’s shaping up. It still feels weird being here, you know? The house isn’t the same, but sometimes I get this overwhelming sensation to clean, even when it’s spotless. I just never want to live like that again.”
“And you won’t. Have you finished unpacking?”
“Almost. It was much easier since we put the big pieces in place before y’all left. I still have a few boxes to unpack and I want to finally get the guest room together. Going from a one bedroom apartment to a three bedroom house is a major change. I have two extra rooms to fill. I already ordered a bedroom set for one of them. I just need to decorate it.”
“Well, I’m coming to visit soon, so we can look around for some stuff.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re about to turn this into a room for yourself, aren’t you?”
She laughed. “Duh! That way you have a little piece of me when I’m not there.”
“How kind of you.”
We spoke for a little while longer and made plans for her visit before saying our goodbyes. I’d just settled into the comfort of my bed when my phone chimed. Picking it up, I saw a text from Jaxson.
Jaxson: Finally about to lay it down. Just wanted to tell you goodnight.
Me: Same. Thank you for a beautiful first date.
Jaxson: You are more than welcome. Goodnight, Ms. Driscoll.
Me: Goodnight, Dr. Pierre.
Isat in the parking lot of Amandela’s apartment complex.
I’d made it up in my mind that she and I needed to have a conversation about Jamari. The fact that she had texted our daughter that bullshit wasn’t sitting well in my spirit. I didn’t play about my child and that went for anybody, including her damn mama.
Getting out of my car, I headed up to her floor and knocked on the door. A few seconds passed before it opened and there stood a nigga in nothing but a pair of boxers. I frowned when I realized it was the man my daughter described to me. Anger flooded my core and I was about to beat his unsuspecting ass.
“Where’s Amandela?” I asked, calmly.
“She sleep. Who are you?”
“Go wake her ass up.”
