Page 33 of What You Do To Me
Her, Tel, and Star were over helping me get both Lae and my bag packed for the hospital and putting her clothes away. I’m fully capable of doing it myself but everyone is treating me as if I’m some fragile piece of china that will break at any time.
“No, I zoned out ma, what were you saying?”
“Don't you think it’s about time that Jawan starts to stay home a little more. That baby is due any day now and I don't want you to be in here alone when you go into labor. Why does he keep such long hours if he’s a barber?”
Ma Cheryl had no clue what Jawan did to maintain our lifestyle, but how does she think he affords all of these things with the salary of a barber. I mean yes, he would be well off but even owning the shop wouldn't gift you multiple million-dollar cars, this house, his grandmother’s house, etc.
“Ma, Tiomi is fine. Her husband has his schedule figured out. I told you to stay out of their business before we got here,” Tel spoke up for me.
“I’m just concerned Shantel. I mean seriously Tiomi, I love Jawan like a son, but is this what you have to look forward to? Being home all day and night with a toddler and newborn baby alone while he is out doing God knows what?”
I know she is worried. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t worried about the amount of time he spends at the shop and in the streets, but we talked about it. I trusted that he would indeed make sure his schedule fit around his life as a father and a husband as well as his businesses.
“It’s okay Tel. She can be concerned. Mama I assure you that things will be fine. Jawan is normally here every night in time enough for dinner and to bathe Jarae. He takes time off to spend with us, uninterrupted, all the time, but the reality of it is that he has to work. If it wasn’t, I’d let you guys know.”
Nodding her head, she replied, “Okay baby, you know how I worry. I know he treats you well though, so don’t think that I think otherwise.”
“I know.” I smiled.
“Well, I’m going to head out. Granny asked me to accompany her to bingo tonight, so I’m going to go and get ready for that.”
All I could do was shake my head as she headed out the door. Jawan couldn’t know about Granny leaving the house to go play bingo. Although I’m sure she has her detail with her. It’s been a while since me, Star and Tel got to kick it anyway, so we decided on a girl’s night. I was hungry and I wanted to go try and walk this baby out.
“So, what do y’all think about Prime 112 for dinner? I’m in the mood for steak.”
“Sounds good to me,” Star said.
“Me too,” said Tel.
She was rocking a sleeping Jarae in her arms. This is why we can’t send her to daycare. Everybody baby’s her little butt. Jawan didn’t want her going anyway. His words were, “I don’t trust them dusty feet bitches in them daycares with my kids.” I don’t either though, but I feel like our circle is deep enough to have someone to keep the girls.
I decided to take my G-wagon. Jawan just got it for me as a push gift. Normal people give you your push gift after you push, but Jawan is anything but normal. When we pulled up to the restaurant, I sent him a text letting him know where we were. I wanted him to get Rae so I could enjoy some free time, but he said he was at the warehouse, my baby definitely isn’t going there.
After he let me know that he couldn’t get her right now a text from Shad came through letting me know he was going to come get her. Jarae had him wrapped around his finger just like the rest of us, so I was cool with it. We sat in the car and waited for him to get here. He pulled up beside us fifteen minutes later in his challenger with the music blasting. We stepped out of the car to make the exchange so I could hurry and eat.
“What’s good, Sis?” he said to me and Star as he dropped a kiss on both of our temples, then he grabbed Jarae while I strapped her seat in.
“Shantel, what’s up gorgeous?”
Tel rolled her eyes and continued to focus on her phone, and he laughed. I wonder what that's about. I plan to get to the bottom of it once we sit down to eat.
“Rashad don't have that music up all loud with her in the car and don’t be speeding,” I fussed. Shad was a live wire, but I needed him to tone that down when he had my baby with him.
“I got you, Sis. You know I ain’t gone let nothing happen to her. Me and my lil’ boo bout to go pick me up some honeys at the mall.”
“Rashad don’t be having those sleazy hoes you fuck with in my daughters face. Does her father know your plans?” I asked as I narrowed my eyes at him. I would fuck Jawan up if he was in cahoots with this.
“Chill out Sis, ya man at work, he don’t need to know what I’m doing. You done turned my boy into a lil’ bitch, he don’t be on what I’m on.”
“Yeah whatever. Take care of my baby, I’ll see y’all later.”
“Naw tomorrow Sis, I’mma keep my boo, you and Grim enjoy your night.”
Nodding my head, we headed inside. Once we were seated, we placed our orders, then my eyes were on my shiesty ass best friend.
“What was that bitch?”
She had some explaining to do. We were not going to sweep that exchange under the rug.
