Page 17 of Fever: Love In Scrubs
“Don’t pissmeoff, Jaxson.”
“You got what you wanted, right? You and your mama were soooo happy about you marrying a doctor. You planned for the life you would live, right? You got the house, the car, the money, and got to be a stay at home mom for a time. Shit, now you have more freedom because look at who is raising our kid while you get to be a weekend parent. You wanna be her fucking friend when she needs a mother.”
“Iama mother!”
“A mother that would rather help her child get attention from boys than to tell her how beautiful and special she already is!”
“Would you guys stop!”
We turned to see Jamari coming down the stairs with a frown on her face.
“I hate when you two start fighting.”
I sighed. “I’m sorry, baby girl.”
“Can we just eat? I have to finish my homework.”
“Sure.”
I waved the two of them into the kitchen, glaring at Amandela as she walked past me. It was crazy that we were in this space when I once loved her so damn much. Now, she was someone I couldn’t stand to be around. She missed me? Us? That was laughable.
Dinner was quiet. Not much could be heard but the sound of forks scraping against plates. Ever so often, Amandela tried to make conversation with Jamari, but she gave her short answers. I really hated to fight in front of her, but Amandela had a way of bringing the worst out of me.
Jamari didn’t even want dessert, opting to go back to her room once she finished eating. She got up from the table to dump her plate and headed for the stairs.
“Jamari,” I said, firmly. She huffed as she looked back at me. “What did I tell you about that? Fix your face and tell your mama goodnight.”
She slowly walked back over to Amandela and gave her a hug, then a kiss on the cheek.
“Goodnight, Ma.”
“Goodnight, baby.”
Jamari retreated upstairs as I stood to clear the table. Much to my surprise, Amandela stood to help.
“I’m not ready for the teenage years,” she muttered. “Nothing but attitude.”
I shook my head. “I wonder where she gets that from,” I mumbled.
“You know, Jaxson. Since you seem to think our daughter is sooo much like me, maybe I should raise her.”
I turned from the dishwasher to look at her. “What sense would that make? You decided a long time ago that being a mother wasn’t a priority for you. You remember leaving her at daycare? You remember all those trips you took with your friends, but when I tried to plan family trips, you couldn’t be bothered? I’m reluctant to let her go with you now, Dela. The only reason I do is because she’s old enough to tell me if something is wrong.”
She scoffed. “So you don’t trust me with her?”
“I don’t trust you, period. You’ve already proven that you can’t be trusted. She’s never happy when she comes back from your place and won’t say why. If you think I’d ever let Jamari live with you full time, you got me fucked up. Dinner is over. Get out of my house.”
She glared at me as she tossed the dishes on the countertop, making them land with a loud clank.
“I hate you,” she spat.
“The feeling is mutual. Goodnight, Dela.”
She stormed from the kitchen, and a few seconds later, I heard the front door slam. Shaking my head, I went back to cleaning the dinner dishes. Amandela proved time and time again why I should have just left her where I found her.
Sprained ankle.
Dislocated shoulder.
