Page 52 of A Cancer's Embrace
Danita stared at me. “Say what? Can you oh so kindly repeat that?”
I sighed. “I ended things with Jabari. We both have so much going on. I didn’t want to have him try to juggle his restaurant and me. On top of that, he is now splitting custody with JaBria’s mother, and on top of that, all the shit with me that I deal with. I didn’t want to add that extra weight and burden on him and myself.”
Danita picked up a pack of fortune cookies and tossed it at me. I dodged it. Before I could ask her what her problem was, she threw another one and then another one until she no longer had any fortune cookies to throw.
“Danita, stop! Why are you doing that?”
“Because damn it, I’m tired of you getting in your goddamn head and making all these irrational-ass decisions. Get out of your damn head, Amina, and I mean that shit. You possibly missed out on your future husband because of all these think pieces.”
“You weren’t there. Plus, he agreed to it. This happened a week ago. I haven’t heard from him since, so I’m sure he’s fine.”
Danita shook her head and stood from the table. “You may be book smart, but common sense is not there. All you had to do was ask him for a solution to the problems and work together as a couple. I know Jakeem wasn’t shit, but every man ain’t like him, especially Jabari.”
“And how do you know that?”
Before Danita could respond, the doorbell rang. I looked at her, and she looked at me.
“Are you expecting anybody?”
I shook my head. “Nah, unless it’s one of my packages being dropped off, but I checked the tracking today, and it told me in two days.”
“I’ll get it, but don’t think I’m done with you yet.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever, Danita.”
I went back to eating my food when I could hear Danita from the doorway.
“What the fuc?—”
“Delivery for Amina Anderson,” the voice announced.
“Yeah, I’ll sign for them.”
I placed the food down and stood up. By the time I reached the corner, Danita was making her way toward me, carrying a vase full of big red roses. They were beautiful. A lot similar to the ones Jabari had once brought me.
“Are those for me?” I asked.
She nodded. “Who else? This is your house, ain’t it?”
“Girl, stop playing. Who are they from?”
She placed them on the counter. “I don’t know. I didn’t open the card. It wouldn’t be right for me to do that since they’re for you.”
I looked at her sideways. “When has that ever stopped you?”
She laughed. “You’re right, but still. Open the card. The suspense is killing me.”
I shook my head. “You’re so damn nosey.” I was just as curious as she was.
I reached for the card and scanned the envelope that had my first and last name on it.
“Read it aloud,” Danita said.
I sucked my teeth but did as I was told.
“Congratulations on the new position. I’m happy and proud of you. You are the person who deserves everything in this world, and I’m glad it’s happening to you. Much love, Jabari.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. I read the card over and over until tears fell onto it. Danita came and wrapped her arms around me.
