Page 2 of It's Love I'm After

“Happy Bir—th—day to you,” Isis sings, snapping me out of my admiration of my son, who’s becoming a big boy right before my eyes.

Caleb immediately giggles upon hearing Isis because of the dramatic way she’s singing Happy Birthday to him. Shaking my head, I hold the phone, letting Isis complete her personalserenade that Caleb enjoys. Drunk night or not, Caleb O’Neal is the best thing to ever happen to me.

Dedrick: Tell my little nigga, Caleb, I said happy born day. Call me so I can break your back. I know you miss me while you’re over there playing hard and shit.

“This nigga,” I whisper, locking my phone without acknowledging the text.

Dedrick Ward is my boyfriend who’s on his way to becoming my ex. We’ve been arguing the last week, and he hasn’t gotten the hint that I’m over his bullshit, despite me ignoring his calls and texts. Dedrick doesn’t seem to understand that his controlling ways are a turnoff, no matter how many times I have to tell him that I’m not attracted to a man who likes to know my every waking moment. Ugh, it’s so irritating, especially when I’m already stressed as a single mother.

“I told the manager that the rat smells like old mop water and stale cheese. The old biddy had the audacity to tell me she didn’t smell anything,” Riele rants while taking a seat across from me before taking several bites of her pizza.

Riele Parker is my other best friend, and I love her like a sister my mama should have given birth to. Riele is the spark plug to my low flame and has been adding to my life since our friendship began.

“I hate to break it to you, boo, but most things these days have your nose twisting,” I provide while looking toward her lap.

Riele is nearly nine months pregnant and has been dealing with heightened senses since the beginning of her pregnancy. Itdoesn’t take much for things to disturb her nasal passage, so I’m not surprised that she complained to the manager about Chucky. I gagged the minute the person in the custom costume for this establishment came to perform for us. I should have known Riele wouldn’t take it lightly when she got a whiff of the pungent smell.

“Ooh, honey, no. Baby, you need some Tussy. How are you running ’round here smelling like that? My Lord, . . . you funky,” Nana rants loudly, causing me to see her fanning her face while talking to Chucky, who’s circulating at the table of people next to ours.

“Mama!” Ma shouts, trying to grab Nana’s arm.

“Don’t mama, me. I know you smell that stank, Vernise,” Nana returns, frowning.

Laughter sounds around our table as my family gets a kick out of Nana’s shenanigans, making me thankful for the kids being back in the play area. One thing about Edna O’Neal that most of us value within the family is that she doesn’t pull any punches with anybody. Nana tells it like it is and doesn’t care who her words hit when they leave her mouth.

“That’s not nice though, Mama,” Mom shakes her head, trying to usher Nana away from Chucky.

I fight not to roll my eyes at Mom, trying to come to the rescue of someone else. She has no problem being kind or merciful to everyone but me.

“See, I told Chaniya. I tried to tell the double chin heffa who manages this raggedy place, but she acted like her nose is broken or something.” Riele interjects.

“Where is your husband?” I ask, looking around the space, searching for the one person who can reel Riele in.

Riele and East have been married for five years, and he balances my girl like nobody’s business. I love the way East not only handles Riele but loves her too. According to Riele, East isthe jelly to her buttered toast, whatever that means. The two of them met through their cousins, who were friends and felt they would be perfect for each other. Now they’re expecting their first baby who I can’t wait to spoil.

“I sent him to get me some more nachos. Your god baby loves the bland cheese and salty chips,” Riele provides.

“Whew, I’m tired as hell,” Isis says before plopping into the empty seat beside me.

“You’re the one insisting on keeping up with Caleb like he ain’t got more energy than Red Bull. Hell, if I wasn’t playing weeble wobble with every step, I wouldn’t entertain my baby like that. Caleb tires me out just watching him,” Riele adds.

“That’s exactly why I sent Turquoise’s sons with him. I need my energy for the after-party when all this is over. I ain’t about to play with Caleb,” I say, smirking.

“Wait, where’s the after-party, cuz?” Kenyatta cuts into the conversation.

“My all-purpose patio with some wine, an edible, and some Earth, Wind, and Fire playing,” I provide.

“You and that weak edible. I’d rather smoke a blunt than indulge in that baby high you be messing with,” Kenyatta says.

“Tuh. Don’t knock it until you try it. The smoke shop I buy from has these fire-ass Rice Krispie edibles, and I’m addicted to them,” I inform him.

“That reminds me, Chaniya. I need a refill.” Nana interjects.

“Aw, hell nah. You got Nana eating edibles, Niya?” Kenyatta asks with bulging eyes that bounce between Nana and me.

“You better quit playing with me. A little high ain’t never hurt nobody. I get the best sleep after eating two of those rice treats. Don’t be trying to block my blessings, boy.” Nana waves Kenyatta off, causing Isis, Riele, and me to laugh at her antics.

“You better tell him, Nana. If I could take them while pregnant, I would be high right now,” Riele says just as East returns to the table with her nachos.

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