Page 146 of Treason's Temptation
Sitting in the parking lot, I was stuck. Home wasn’t home without Blue. How the fuck was I supposed to leave with her still inside? Ward was hours away, but news traveled fast.
“Yeah, Mama,” I answered.
“How is she?”
“Someone got a judge to sign a bullshit warrant. Blue has to stay tonight,at least,” I replied, ignoring her question.
“No need to ask how you are. I hear it in your voice and that potty mouth.”
Grown or not, I didn’t curse in front of my mother or grandma. They were cool, but not that damn cool.
“She’s pregnant,” I blurted out, the only thing consuming my brain, “seven weeks.”
“Can’t say I’m surprised. You can’t keep your hands off her.” Mom paused, giving me the floor to share anything else, but I had nothing. “How do you feel about that?”
“I don’t know. Neither of us wanted kids. Now she’s pregnant.”
I could hear her smile, reminding me, “You wanted to havefun, this is what comes with fun.”
“Nothing about parenting soundsfun.”
“I see the way you love her, Tre. You’re different. More patient. Attentive. Thoughtful. What makes a baby you created with her any different?”
“They’re a lot different. They take over everything. They cry and don’t sleep at night. They wear diapers that I’d have to change.”
“Ahh, that’s what it is. You’d no longer be the sun the universe rotates around anymore. For a second, I thought this was about your father.”
“I’m not trippin’ off him.”
“I never asked because, well, it’s not my life or my business. Why don’t you want kids, Tre?”
I was blessed to have a mother who supported my dreams, even when they didn't align with the ones she had for me. Mine didn’t include kids, and she supported it.
“I just don’t.”
“You always have a reason, or rationale. It drove me crazy when you were younger, but I’ve grown to admire that about you. I think you know why, Tre. You just don’t want to say it out loud. That’s fine, but you need to be honest with yourself and Navie before she makes a decision neither of you can take back.”
“I don’t want to talk about that right now.”
“Making yourself uncomfortable won’t make her more comfortable. Come home for the night,” she urged.
I almost accepted her offer, because I couldn’t walk back into the house. Not without Blue, but Ward’s text let me know they were pulling up. I couldn’t leave Rayven with Sloane because I was in my feelings, so I had to step up and go home. Blue didn’t play about her baby. She was protecting ours, so I had to look out for Rayven.
“I can’t, but I’ll hit you tomorrow. Thanks for the talk, Mama.”
“Always, baby. I’m a call away if you need me.”
“I know. Love you.”
“I love you too Tre.”
Hanging up, I shifted the car into park and drove home to face Rayven. What I didn’t expect was Sloane seated in the lobby, shooting up on her heels before my foot crossed the threshold.
“Where the hell is my daughter?” Sloane yelled.
“I’m not in the mood for your shit tonight.”
“That makes two of us knowing you’re here and my baby is in jail! Why are they holding her?”
