Page 23 of Forbidden Fruit

“I regret letting you hold me captive for so long.”

Jedrek took my backpack and put it in the backseat, then helped me inside the car. When he got in, he said, “I haven’t told my mama yet. I guess she’ll find out in a little bit, huh?”

I smiled softly at him, then grabbed his hand. “I will never regret this decision. I love you, Gray.”

“I love you too, lil mama.”

Twelve

JEDREK

This shit had me nervous as hell. I didn’t know how I was going to take care of Vashti. Although she would be working soon, I didn’t want her taking care of me. The ride to Pinchback was pretty quiet. My aunt had picked Mama up from work, because I told her I wasn’t gonna make it in time. When we parked, I turned to look at her and softly caress her cheek. “I’m glad you’re here. That shows me just how much you believe in us. I just hate that you have to live in the conditions that I do. This apartment is probably the same size as the sitting area at your parents’ house.”

“All material things. Hopefully, Ms. Carol will be okay with me staying here until we can get on our feet.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine wit’ it,” I said as I opened the door to get out.

I took an unsteady breath, then walked around the car. We could barely take care of us. Mama wouldn’t be happy with this, but I knew she wouldn’t turn Vashti away, either. Thinking positively was harder than I thought. Knowing our situation was only temporary though, gave me some relief.

I opened Vashti’s door, helped her out, then led her to the apartment. Thank God we lived on the bottom floor. Putting my key in was lot harder today since my hands were trembling. As soon as the door opened, I heard Mama say, “Hey Drek! I boiled us some shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes and sausage on the stove. What happened you couldn’t come pick me up?”

Vashti’s stomach growled loudly, so I looked at her as she shrugged. I grabbed her hand and when Mama walked around the corner from the kitchen, she stopped dead in her tracks. “Hi, Ms. Carol.”

“H-hi, Vashti. What are you doing here?” my mom asked, her eyes darting from Vashti to me.

“Ma, I had to bring Vashti here,” I said, putting my head down.

“She’s pregnant, isn’t she? Aren’t you?”

“Yes ma’am,” we said in unison.

She took a deep breath and paced back and forth for a moment. “Ms. Carol, I start a job next week. Don’t worry, I’ll pull my own weight. I just couldn’t stay there knowing they weren’t going to let me see Drek.”

She pulled Vashti in her arms and kissed her cheek. “It’s okay. So, I’m gon’ be a grandma?”

I smiled softly at her, then went to my favorite girls and put my arms around the both of them. My mama looked up at me and said, “It’s gon’ work out, stop stressing. Vashti have you made an appointment yet?”

“No, ma’am. I just found out yesterday.”

“Okay. Do you still have benefits with your parents?”

“As far as I know, I’m still on their insurance, but my benefits with St. Elizabeth will start July 1st, since I’ll start on June 29th.”

“Okay, baby. I’ll let you rest tonight, but I’m off tomorrow. We’ll talk then.”

“Thank you, Ms. Carol.”

Mama kissed both of us, then went to her room. Thank God I’d cleaned my room earlier. I brought Vashti to the bed, and helped her in. She was so stressed with this situation with her parents. Honestly, I was too. “Relax, baby. Okay? I’m gonna take care of everything.”

I kissed her head, then covered her with my comforter. After leaving the room, I took a deep breath, then went outside to bring her things in. Maybe she and mama could get it all organized tomorrow.

* * *

I hadto be to work at ten today, so I woke Vashti up to bring me. I didn’t want her and mama to be without transportation. “Vash, wake up, baby.”

She moaned and groaned, then stretched. She’d slept in my arms all night, and that shit was hard as hell. I wanted her so bad, but I knew she was tired. My mama probably wouldn’t take too kindly to my headboard hitting the wall either. “Good morning, Drek.”

“Good morning, Queen. I need you to take me to work, so you and Mama can have transportation if y’all need to go somewhere.”

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