Page 36 of Back in Blood

Robin touched the scarf on her head self-consciously. “Yes, it’s started.”

“But you still have eyebrows.”

“I’ve only had two rounds of chemo, Capri. I’m not completely bald yet.” Robin stood up. “Thanks for the donation, Bianca. I’m going to go now. Bye Jaylen.” Robin pushed past me with an attitude, but I didn’t care.

“Capri, that was rude,” Bianca chastised me.

“How was it rude? I’ve seen two people go through cancer and when they lost their hair, they lost eyebrows too. The scars they had on their chests from the port being put in never went away. I’ve never heard of a port being put in an arm.”

“Yet you said you only know two people that went through it. That doesn’t make you an expert, Capri. Everyone isn’t the same.”

I kissed my teeth. “That bitch is lying. Lying is what she does best, and you’re falling for the trap.”

“What her and Dolph did was wrong as hell. It was more than wrong. And I had no intentions of ever speaking to her again, but she’s been through a lot, Capri. Who would lie about having cancer? Give the girl some grace. She made a mistake.”

“She made a mistake?” I frowned. “A mistake? You’re kidding me right. Her having sex with my best friend and lying to me for three years was a mistake?”

“Capri you have the right to be upset. I’m just say”

“I’m out.” I had no desire to finish the conversation.

I couldn’t make my sister hate Robin. If she wanted to be friends with her, that was her business. But to call what she did a mistake was offensive as hell, and I didn’t appreciate it. That hoe didn’t make a mistake, she lied. Flat out. Many times. My gut told me she was lying about having cancer, but it wasn’t my business. I wasn’t going to be dumb enough to donate to her financially. It might take others some time but they’d learn soon enough the kind of deceptive ass snake that Robin really was.

CHAPTER 20

LISA

“Malik is my favorite sibling,but please don’t ever tell Gwen that. Out of my parents, my father is my favorite, and please don’t ever tell my mother that.” I sat on my couch eating ice cream while Capri sipped cognac. We were about to have a child together so for the past hour, we’d been talking. I had done most of the talking telling him about my parents, siblings, and upbringing. I still hadn’t told my parents or siblings that I was pregnant. As soon as I did, I knew they were going to be asking about the father. I wanted to introduce them to one another before I gave birth. “Your turn.”

Capri sipped more of his drink. “There’s not a whole lot to tell. My father was an abusive alcoholic. He used to beat my mom when he felt like it and at least once a week, he put hands on me and my sister, Bianca. He was an angry drunk and would find any reason to explode. Because of the way he was, I told myself I never wanted to be addicted to anything. I stopped smoking weed and drinking. I went years without smoking. Only to throw it all out the window when I lost Caprice.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. I wasn’t expecting what he shared to be so heavy. There were a few seconds of silence. “I don’t thinkthat’s something you should beat yourself up about. I’m sorry to hear about your childhood.”

Capri shrugged passively. “There’s no need to apologize. It’s not your fault, and I’m fine. Shit happens. I just saw the nigga the other day, and he has a new family and shit.” Capri chuckled angrily. “My mom is gone, and me and my sister are grown. This nigga has a new woman and new kids, and he claims to be sober. Maybe he’ll get it right with them.”

I could tell talking about his father bothered him despite his nonchalant attitude. I wanted to get to know him, but I didn’t want the mood to shift. Then again, I didn’t know if it would be insensitive to just change the subject. Maybe he needed to talk and get it out.

“And however, you feel about him is okay too. You don’t have to make amends with him just because that’s what he wants. I don’t believe in all that, that’s still your father bullshit. Do what’s best for your mental. Not his.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Capri gave a slight nod before he finished his drink. “And I think I’ll have another.”

I bit the inside of my cheek as Capri walked into the kitchen to get more alcohol. I didn’t mind him drinking, but it wasn’t the healthiest way to deal with his emotions. if it wasn’t for me being pregnant, I’d more than likely still be drowning my sorrows in a bottle. Even though my anti-depressants made me feel a little better, I still turned to alcohol way too often, so there was no way I could ever judge Capri. He was still hurting behind losing his child. He would always be hurt. That wasn’t something a person could get over.

When he sat back down, I decided it was time to change the subject. “Did you play sports growing up?”

“Nah. I loved watching them. I’ll watch basketball, football, soccer, boxing, baseball, even tennis. But aside from hooping atthe park or tossing a football with my friends, I didn’t get all into it like that.”

“I think it would be cool to be a sports mom,” I grinned. “I don’t care what my baby plays. He can play pickle ball, and I’ll be there doing the most with my little shirt on screaming his name. But if he doesn’t want to play sports, that’s fine too.”

Capri laughed. “Yeah, I’m not the pushy parent type. Whatever my kid wants to do is fine by me.”

“What if he’s gay?” I blurted out, and Capri drew back with a frown.

“What?”

“What if he’s gay. Most men don’t agree with that. Would you disown him?”

“Um, I don’t really want to guess my son’s sexual preference while he’s still in the womb, but in the event that he did turn out that way, I’d love him just the same.”

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