Page 30 of I Changed for You
“Your mother and I helped you buy that law firm,” my father sternly reminded me.
I pressed my lips together while nodding. “You did, and I’m grateful you did. However, my name is on everything. I’ve told you thank you for it as well.”
I felt a headache brewing. It would’ve been nice if they had asked how I or the baby was doing. They didn’t think to ask me that though. That made me feel sad, but in a way, I felt like it was expected. It was what I was used to. That was why when I had my baby, I planned to make sure I gave them the love they deserved. I wouldn’t belittle them or bring them up to act like they were better than others.
Erin chuckled, causing me to flick my gaze in her direction.
“What’s funny?” I asked, tilting my head. I hated feeling like I was under attack.
She shook her head. “I get it. You want to do your own thing, and it feels like everyone is out to get you.”
My face burned from her words because that was how I felt. I pulled my bottom lip into my mouth and bit down on it to keep it from trembling. Tears welled in my eyes as my nose burned, but I kept blinking to keep the tears from falling.
“You guys are always hard on me for no reason,” I croaked, and sniffed as a tear slipped out of my eye. I was much stronger than this and didn’t want them to see me cry.
“We’re not saying any of this to make you sad or cry. Eli, you used to tell us any and everything that went on with you asa lawyer. Then you changed — slowly, but you’re changing,” my mother accused.
I laughed bitterly. “No. I’ve never changed. I’ve always been the same. You all want me to change into this person I never wanted to be. I can’t walk around as if there is a broom stuck up my butt or with my nose in the air. That person isn’t me. I can’t look down my nose at people because they’re from a different side of the tracks. No, y’all are who you are, and I’m me.”
“Is that how you see us?” Erika growled, looking at me with narrowed eyes.
I shrugged. “That’s how you are,” I admitted. “But not me. If y’all don’t like it...” I shrugged. “That’s your problem, but you won’t bring me down with you.”
If they wanted to be hard on me from now on, they could. I was done with trying to live up to their expectations. I had to live for myself and no one else.
My mother and father stood up. My mother had her lips thinned while my father had a disapproving look on his face. Erika stood with a scowl on her face. I almost laughed at her, but I didn’t. She tried her best to be a puppet to our parents but failed. Erin was the last to stand up, and she had a smile on her face.
Erin pulled me into her arms and hugged me. “You’re doing something Erika and I can’t do. You’re standing up to our parents, and it’s admirable. Of course, Erika is acting tough, but you know how she is.”
I hugged Erin tighter, needing this from her. Although it felt a little strange sharing a hug with her since we hadn’t hugged in years, this one was great. As much as I wanted a hug from Erika, I’d get it another day. I was glad to have that off my chest and no longer felt trapped. It was time for me to start living for myself and damn everyone else.
When my family left my house, I sighed in relief. A load had been lifted off of me, and I felt free. Melijah would be proud of me, which made me smile at that thought.
My cell phonerang while I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth. I woke up today feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. It had been a while since I had woken up feeling as great as I was. I quickly rinsed my mouth out and set the toothbrush down then ambled to my bedroom and retrieved the phone from my pillow. It was Melijah calling me. I answered the phone with a smile.
“Good morning,” I greeted, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Wassup? I want to see you,” he stated, getting straight to the point of his call.
“You don’t even have to ask. Come on over.”
Since it was the weekend, I didn’t have any plans, so I might as well chill with my baby daddy. Thankfully, morning sickness had vanished, too.
“Word. That’s all you had to say. We’ll talk.” With that, he hung up the phone.
With a smile, I placed the phone back on the pillow. My doorbell rang just as I was about to head back into the bathroom.
I frowned and jumped up from the bed. If that was Melijah, I planned to cuss his ass out. He could’ve told me to open the door. I didn’t waste any time making my way down the stairs and to the door. I peered through the peephole, and it was him with a bag in his hand. I quickly jerked the door open, and he smiled when he saw me. Then we burst out laughing.
“You could’ve told me you were outside.” I moved aside to let him in.
As soon as the door closed, Melijah pulled me into his arms for a hug. I went willingly, throwing my arms around his neck, holding him close.
“I wanted to surprise you. How are you feeling this morning?” When we pulled apart, I felt a sense of loss.
“I’m feeling better than I’ve felt in a while with no morning sickness in sight. Our baby is behaving this morning.” I touched my baby bump, causing him to avert his eyes to my stomach.
“Yeah, your stomach is getting bigger, and you’re glowing. You look beautiful, Light Bright. Those pjs look good on you too.”
