Page 56 of So I Know it's Real

“Mama! Are you all right?”

I grinned at Tatum as I walked out of the bathroom. With all the mess brewing, the only thing I wanted to do was spend time with my boys.

“Yes. I’m fine. We need to pick a movie. Where’s your brother?”

Pierce walked in, balancing a bowl of popcorn in one hand and a drink and candy in the other.

“I’m ready! Mama, I brought you an extra bottle of water, so you don’t have to get up.”

My chin rested on the top of my shoulder as warmth covered my cheeks. “You guys are making me feel like a queen. Maybe I need to have another baby after this one.”

Tatum’s head snapped in my direction. “Please don’t! Two siblings are enough.”

“I agree, especially if it’s a girl.” Pierce flopped down on the bed beside me. “Are you afraid of having another baby?”

“Not afraid, but I know things are about to change.”

I watched Tatum’s mood go from chipper to dejected. “I’m happy this baby will have a daddy. Sometimes, I feel bad I can’t remember mine.”

Taken aback, I took a few deep breaths before I replied. We rarely talked about Calvin unless Pierce or I mentioned him, and the conversation was always lighthearted.

“Don’t feel bad, baby. You were only five years old when he passed away, and you’re turning eleven this year.” I brushed my hand over his tapered fade, hoping he could feel the love I had for him. “I know no one can replace your daddy, but I’m here. Papa is here. I have some of your dad’s things in storage. If you want, we can pick them up tomorrow.”

“Yeah, let’s do that,” he answered with a crooked smile. “Enough of the sad stuff. Have you guys decided what movie we’re going to watch?”

“Something funny?” I quizzed.

“Let’s watch something scary,” Tatum replied.

Pierce handed me the remote. “We can take turns. Mama, you go first.”

I searched through Netflix’s new releases, but nothing caught my attention. After a few minutes, I settled on a Christmas movie. We were months away from the holiday, but a cheerful fix would do us good.

Once my short flick was over, I gave the twins a turn to pick a movie. Pierce’s selection featured Mike Epps and had us laughing until we were in tears. However, by the time we started Tatum’s scary movie, we could barely keep our eyes open. The only time I moved out of my spot was when my doorbell went off. For a second, I lay there hoping the uninvited guest would leave.

Ding! Dong!

“Wishful thinking,” I muttered.

I groaned as I pulled myself out of the middle of the boys and went to answer the door. Before I touched the doorknob, I could hear voices on my porch. I stood on my tippy toes to look out the peephole. I thought of leaving the group outside, but the absence of Durk, made me scarednotto open the door.

“Hmm. Hello?” I greeted the group.

Stevie stepped forward wearing a flowing spaghetti strap sundress and a warm smile. “Clover, I’m sorry to pop up unannounced, but…” she snatched Shiloh to her side. “…Shiloh and Ishmael have something they want to say. Can we come in?”

I smiled, elated to witness the soft soul take charge. “Of course. Just keep it down. The boys fell asleep during our movie day.”

The foursome wandered through my home until we reached the living room. I sat on my loveseat, while the group sat in different corners of the room.

“Is everything okay with Durk?” I asked to ease my nerves.

“He’s fine.” Essen grinned as she eyed my growing belly.

“Okay...I’m a little confused. What’s going on?”

Stevie bumped her shoulder against Shiloh’s.

“Clover.” Shiloh pinched the bridge of his nose. “I want to apologize for the role I played in the betting drama. I introduced the idea as a way for Durk to take something other than tattoos and racing seriously. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, mama.”

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