Page 119 of I Don't Want You Back

“What!” Ella shrieked as she released Ava from her hold and looked at her.

“Kylie, go in grandma’s room and watch tv,” Ava instructed her daughter.

“What happened Ava?” Ella asked as soon as her granddaughter was gone.

“How did you know Aiden?” Ava asked.

“Stop asking stupid questions girl. People talk, and I listen. I told you that fuck boy wasn’t right, but you didn’t want to listen. How you get mad with us and we’re the ones who tried to have your back?” Aiden questioned.

“I know, and I feel so damn stupid. Nigga quit his job a month ago and been lying like he’s been at work,” Ava confessed.

Aiden was wondering why he hadn’t seen him the last few times he and Roman went back there. Ro had met a chick that worked with them at Landon’s wedding, and Aiden hooked up with her friend. They waited outside the gate for them to get off work one night when he ran into Kane. Aiden was fucking with him hard, but Kane looked scared out of his mind.

“What did you go to jail for?” Robin asked.

Ava took a few minutes and explained to them the events of the night before. She didn’t leave anything out and she answered her mother’s questions truthfully for the first time in a while.

“That dude ain’t right Ava. Don’t change your mind about the divorce and try to work shit out. Be done with his ass and mean it,” Aiden said.

“It’s over. His mama said that she’ll help me find a job and whatever else I need. He’s at his parents’ house and he’s not coming back to ours,” Ava swore.

“Maybe you and Robin can help each other out,” Ella suggested.

“No ma, I’ll be okay. I have a little money saved up. I just have to find me a job,” Robin spoke up.

“Help each other out with what? What’s going on with you, Robin?” Ava asked.

“You know Leroy’s kids sold the house,” Ella spoke up.

“No, I didn’t know that,” Ava replied.

She was so busy living in her fantasy world that she was missing what was happening in the real world.

“All those years with his ass and he couldn’t even leave you a little change in his will. Thank goodness you had enough sense to keep a little stash,” Ella said, shaking her head.

“Why can’t you live here Robin? Mama has about four extra rooms that are empty,” Ava noted.

She must have hit a sore spot because her mother and sister both looked a little uncomfortable when she mentioned it. Being who he was, Aiden wasted no time shedding light on the situation.

“Landon ain’t having that shit and I don’t blame him,” Aiden spoke up.

“Alright Aiden. Now ain’t the time for all that,” Ella said, waving him off.

“No ma, it needs to be said, so I’m saying it. Y’all acting like that man is wrong, but he’s not. When it comes to kids, you get back what you give out. You took care of him and Makena, and now they’re taking care of you. Robin know she was wrong as fuck for choosing that nigga over her kids. Now, look at what happened. His old ass checked out and she don’t have nothing to show for it. You can’t expect Landon to give her something that she never gave him. Put yourself in his shoes,” Aiden said, giving them all something to think about.

“I never said that he was wrong. I just told her that I had to respect his wishes. This is my house, but I haven’t paid a bill in years. The bills don’t even come here anymore,” Ella admitted.

“I understand his feelings and that’s why I didn’t want you to ask him. I can afford a one bedroom for a few months until I get me a steady job,” Robin said.

“Well, I don’t know what’s going to happen with the house once Kane and I divorce, but you’re welcome to come there until you can figure something out. Hell, I don’t even know how long I’m gonna be there,” Ava replied honestly.

“I’m not sure if I’ll need to or not, but thanks for the offer,” Robin said, smiling at her baby sister.

“Do you have a picture of the twins?” Ava asked her mother.

“Yes honey, I have a bunch.” Ella smiled as she pulled them up in her phone.

“Damn. They look just like Lance and Lennox.” Ava smiled.

“They sure do,” Ella agreed.

They all sat around and talked for a while until Ava’s daughter said that she was sleepy. Ava wished they had some extra clothes over there because she would have stayed the night. She wasn’t ready to go home, but she didn’t have a choice. Ava wasn’t prepared for the loneliness, but she had to get used to sleeping alone.

---