Page 57 of You Make Me Feel

She lowered her head as I glanced over at Kinisha. She was still frowning. My baby was on probation for that shit she pulled and would be for the next month or two. Kinisha took a step in her direction. “I forgive you.”

Mya looked up at her with a soft smile and hugged her. “If I could drop the charges, I would. I’m so sorry.”

“Mya, while I hate being on probation, that situation has made me better. I’ve learned to control myself. The old me would have hit you again when Oliver opened the door simply because I know he has a restraining order against you. I would have gotten away with it too. You helped me to realize that I was quick-tempered and hostile. I want better for myself and my baby. There was no way I should have done that,especiallysince I was pregnant. You could have chosen to attack me, and I could have lost my baby. That wouldn’t have been your fault. It would have been mine. So thankyou.”

Mya hugged her again, then turned to me. “Mr. Andrews, I know I can’t take back everything I put you through and the bind I put the company in, but I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”

I watched her fidget more as I stared at her. This was the Mya I was familiar with. She was somewhat reserved and shy. I glanced at Kinisha as she slid her hand into mine. “I forgive you.”

Kinisha squeezed my hand, and oddly, I knew what she wanted me to do. “And if you still want it, you can have your job back. However, that’s on one condition. You do what you’re supposed to do regarding your health and mental well-being. This can’t happen again. I get that sometimes, even with medication, it can be out of your control, but intentionally not taking your meds won’t be good. At least I know now. I may be able to handle it better if it happens again.”

Mya glanced at Kinisha as if seeking approval, then fell into me. She was crying so hard. I gently rubbed her back, not to comfort her but more to coax her to let me go. She pulled away, and her mother smiled at me. “Thank you so much for forgiving Mya. She’s such a good person. It’s this disease that turns her into someone else. She loved working for you, and she loves computers. I remember when she first got hired and had worked a couple of months. She was so excited because you were so laid-back and trusted your employees to handle their responsibilities without micromanaging them.”

I smiled back at her mother. “Well, things may not be that way for a while. It will feel like I’m micromanaging you because I want to ensure everything’s good. So, you will be on probation for at least ninety days. If there are any issues, the probationary period could be extended. You will have to prove to me that I can trust you again. You were a good employee, Mya. That’s the only reason I’m hiring you back. You know your stuff. Kinisha could have squeezed my hand until it turned white, but I wouldn’t have given you your job back if I didn’t value your work.”

Mya smiled and slowly shook her head. “I can’t thank you enough . . . you or Kinisha. I was so disrespectful, and again, I’m ashamed of my behavior. I’m going to do my best to stay as healthy as possible. Congratulations on your baby.”

I nodded as Kinisha said, “Thank you.”

“You can report back on Monday. We could sure use you. I have two new hires starting Monday.”

She smiled at me as her mom shook my hand. “Thank you again. See you on Monday.”

I nodded as they walked away, and Kinisha wrapped her arms around my waist. I turned to her and said, “I didn’t think you had it in you.”

Her brows furrowed. “What?”

“To be forgiving instead of petty.”

She playfully shoved me and walked back to the kitchen. I chuckled as I closed the door and followed her. Before she could sit, I pulled her to me and asked, “Now, where were we?”

“Back to me being petty and choosing to finish my food instead.”

My lips parted as she laughed and sat in her chair to finish her food.Ain’t that ’bout a bitch.

Chapter 21

Kinisha

“So everything worked out. You’re all smiles.”

I smiled even bigger at Mr. Taylor. I’d just gotten to work and put my things on my desk. Yesterday with Oliver was amazing. Things were beyond “worked out.” They were better than before. Oliver had me so soft and vulnerable that I couldn’t help but express that to Mya. Having a legitimate excuse for her behavior made it easier to forgive her.

With Oliver, I was able to feel like a woman. Like Aretha said,a natural woman. I could be soft and vulnerable. I didn’t have a thing to worry about as long as he was around. We weren’t married, but knowing I could depend on him ineveryarea of life was overwhelming. I didn’t have to be on my grind or worry about not having enough money to do whatever I wanted. He’d already scheduled a trip for us to the Maldives next month.

“Everything went extremely well, Mr. Taylor. Thank you so much for your advice. Oliver was even able to make things right with Mya. He hired her back.”

“Oh, that’s good. She has a mental illness, right?”

“Yes. Bipolar disorder.”

“Aww shit. I have plenty of experience with that.”

“Who’s bipolar in your family?”

“My sister-in-law, Sonya. Shannon, Serita, and even Sidney have mental disorders they deal with, from sexual addiction to depression. Their family was in turmoil for the longest. Thank God the last ten years or so things have been pleasant but before that . . . They couldn’t be around one another for more than a couple of hours—or at all. Sonya stayed into it with Serita and Sidney. It was a mess. Shannon was the only one that stayed pretty neutral and got along with everyone.”

“Oh wow. Does Oliver know? Maybe you can be of assistance if he ever needs it concerning Mya.”

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