Page 39 of I Found Love

“Where the hell Big Ma go?” Trell asked as he looked around causing us all to do the same. I was so caught up in everyone else that I hadn’t even realized she was missing.

“I don’t know, baby.” Italy said. “I didn’t even notice her leave the table. Maybe to the restroom?”

“Here, I’ll go see.” Yatta offered but baby girl began to whine when she tried to give her up.

“Naw, I got it.” I leaned over to kiss Kenya before excusing myself from the table. The few security guards that were there with us started to get up, but I shook my head, telling them toremain seated and enjoy their food since it was no one there but us and the staff anyway.

I headed to the back of the restaurant where the bathrooms were located. I knew I couldn’t just go inside that bitch, so I knocked and called out for my grandmother to see if she was in there. At first I didn’t hear shit and got ready to walk away, but then I started to hear mothafucka’s speaking in hushed tones, so I put my ear to the door. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop or no shit, but my interest was too piqued to walk away,andI wanted to know if that was Big Ma in there failing at whispering.

“You shouldn’t be here, Yvette. I told you not to do this.”

“And I told you that he’s my son. Not yours. I deserve to celebrate with him just as much as you do, and anyone else out there.”

“How did you even know where we were?”

“I went by his studio. It wasn’t hard to find after a simple google search. One of the girls that sings was there and told me he was here.”

Coya’s ass was done for when I got back home. I was fuming mad hearing that her ass had told somebody my fucking whereabouts. Her ass could have been any fuckin’ body, and this bitch was out here loose at the mothafuckin’ lips.

“You think I don’t know why you’re really here, Yvette?” Big Ma asked her. “People talk. I know you’re down on your luck again, going from pillow to post, shacking up with whoever will let you after that man threw you out. You won’t come here and ruin things for him or use him. I won’t have it. My baby has worked too hard.”

“My baby.” Yvette corrected. “Sanchez is my son.Don’t forget that. I appreciate you caring for him all this time, but I never said it would be permanent.”

“Yet you’ve been gone all this time. Sanchez is a grown man now. You didn’t think enough of him to call and see if the boywas still alive when he was a child and actually needing you, but you’re here? And now of all times. For God’s sake, Yvette, the boy is getting married in a few hours.”

“Well, what do you want me to do?!” She snapped at my grandmother causing my blood to boil even more. “I bought a one-way ticket here with all of the little money I had. I need his help! I’m his mother! If he can take care of you, a wife and a damn baby, he can take care of me too!”

Having heard enough, I pushed the door open and snapped. “What the fuck is going on in here?”

“Chezzy…” Big Ma said, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

My eyes ping ponged between the two of them.

“Fuck is you doin’ here?” I snapped at Yvette.

I only knew she was my mother because it seemed like I was in a damn mirror and I’d heard her name. I hadn’t ever wanted to look at any pictures that Big Ma offered to show me. She didn’t want me and I damn sure didn’t want her mothafuckin’ ass.

“Chezzy, baby…”

“Big Ma, you need to go back to the table.” I suggested. “And send Brock to holla at me.” I said referring to one of the security guards.

“Okay, but Sanchez…”

“G,” I cut my grandmother off. “You know me, Big Ma, and you know what I’m on. Just do what I asked please.”

“Kenya will wonder where you are,” she argued still. “Come back to the table with me and your family.”

“I am his family.” Yvette hissed.

“Tell her I’m using the bathroom.” I said to my grandma. “Go now, Big Ma.”

She eyed me for a second before she thankfully conceded and did what I’d asked her to do. I’d never disrespected her and I didn’t want to start today.

Once she was gone, it was just me and Yvette who was standing there awkwardly, staring at me. I didn’t have shit to say to her, so I stood there in an uncomfortable fucking silence, waiting for Brock to bring his ass the fuck on.

“Look, Chezzy…” she began and reached for me.

I intercepted her hand and applied pressure.A lotof pressure before tossing it away.

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