"Are you sure he hit her?" Lane ask through the phone.
"Yes, I am sure." I am seething with rage. Seeing my mother with that black eye and trying to hide the pain, made my blood boil. But, I am not a killer, but I was surely ready to beat his ass. "You should have seen it, Lane. I am telling you."
"You know how mama is," Chichi adds. "She is always doing something to hurt herself."
I am not believing what I am hearing from my siblings. "What is wrong with you people? I tell you our mother has a black eye and you guys just want brush it off. I begin trembling and clenching my teeth.
"We aren't saying we don't care, Aza." Justin tells me. "It's just, it sounds a bit---."
I hung up the phone, throwing it across the room. "Why don't they care about this? Do they know something I don't know?" I speak to myself.
My doorbell rings causing my muscles to tighten and my stomach flutters. I get up and look through the peephole, seeing Yakira. I forgot that we made plans to talk this evening. I open the door and she notices the look of worry on my face.
"Are you okay, Azaireyah?" She lifts her hand to brush my hair out of my face.
"I am alright. Just a little stressed out. Come on in."
Yakira comes in and I close the door behind her. "Well, what's wrong?"
"I went to visit my mom two days ago, right? And I get there and she has a black eye."
Yakira gasps and put her hand up to her mouth, "Is she okay?"
"She seems like it," I shake my head. "But, I don't think she really is. I know that bastard hit her. I know it. Do you want some tea?"
"Please." She sits on the sofa. "I like how you decorated this place and it's really nice."
"Thank you. Santos really came through for me." I put a tea k-cup in the Keurig and set the settings and stand there waiting for it to do its thing.
"Santos has been doing a lot for you lately, huh?"
"He has. I mean...I know you have been busy. I just...I don't know. After Mossi took the condo back, I just felt empty. You know?"
"I understand. I just felt left out. You didn't call me or even tell me where you moved. You just left me out."
Once the tea is done, I grab the cups and hands one to Yakira. She takes it and I sit down with mine tucking my leg under me. "I am sorry; I didn't mean to do that to you. You know I wouldn't do it on purpose. I just needed some time to get myself back together."
"I know but still. I thought we were supposed to be in this together."
I shake my head understanding what she is saying. "I know but after the mess I have been through, I guess I just....I don't know what I needed."
"Well, besides your mother getting beat up, what have you been through?"
I sigh and go down the list, "I enrolled in college, found this new place, applied for a new job, and found out that Leo isn't my real father."
"Wait...back up. Leo isn't your real father?" She sips her tea.
"No, he isn't. Mom told me who my real father is and I want to go see him. But, I have to find the time to do that."
"That's a lot of information to take in, Azaireyah."
"It was when she told me." I take a small sip of the warm tea and sigh into the cup.
"What's your father's name?"
"Kincade Warren. He lives in Atlanta. But, mom said he isn't the most reliable person."
"Dang, that's fucked up, girl. I am sorry."
I shrug my shoulders, "It's okay. I mean, I have had a lot of time to really think about it. Think about what I am going to do if I do see him." I run my fingers through my hair. "Santos offered to go with me when I make up my mind on if I want to see him or not."
Yakira raises her eyebrows, "It sounds like you and the drummer boy are getting mighty close."
I giggle, "I guess you can say we are. He just helps a lot and is there when I need him to be. I question if he has a job."
"Does he?"
"He does. It just so happens that when I need him it's his day off."
We sit there in silence for a while. "I am sorry that I hadn't been much of a friend to you. I promise to do better."
"Well, you can start by saying you'll be the godmother of my baby."
My hands go over my mouth, "A baby?" Yakira nods with tears in her eyes, smiling and I hug her. "How far along are you?" I rub her tummy.
"About six weeks at the most. I started feeling strangely at work, and then I passed out."
"Why didn't you call me?" I stop rubbing her tummy.
"You were too busy and I didn't wanna interrupt your life." I sit back and the smile fades on my face. "Oh, Aza. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
"No, you are right. But," I sit up. "I promised I will do better and I would love to be the god mommy of your baby."
"I am glad."
We speak about a baby name when we find out the sex of the baby. If it's a girl Promyse Brooke and if it's a boy Domenik Motavato, or the other way around.
"Does Vytal know you are pregnant?"
"No...I just found out a few days ago. I don't know if I should tell him," she finishes the rest of her tea and places the cup on the carved wood coffee table. "He told me that he didn't want kids a few years ago. He might think I did this on purpose." Tears begin to swell up in her eyes.
"Don't cry, Yaya. I am sure he will understand better than you think. I hope he does because he worries about you and he loves you." I rub.
"Yeah," she wipes her eyes in her shirt. "I guess. If he doesn't accept it then he can get the hell out." She shakes her fist.
We share a laugh and she announces that she will tell him tonight. With that, she leaves and I am left alone. Silence hangs in the air and I decide to make me some popcorn and watch Gone with the Wind.
While the popcorn is popping in the microwave and the movie rolling through it's credits, my phone rings. I pick it up.
"Hello?"
"May I please speak to Azaireyah?" A male voice asks.
"This is she."
"Hello, this is Larry Dillion with Metro Bank. How are you this evening?"
I do a small dance, "I am fine, how are you?"
"I am good. Thanks for asking. I'm calling to tell you the job is yours."
"Thank you. I really do appreciate it."
"You can start in two days. That will give you enough time to get your uniform in check."
Thank God, I put in my two weeks' notice at Wal-Mart. "Thank you so much, sir."
"Welcome to the team, Azaireyah."
"Thank you, Mr. Dillion." We hang up and I dance all around the kitchen, almost busting my ass a few times. Life is most certainly looking up for me.
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