Page 63 of Certified Pressure 4
There was a pause on the line, and then she sighed softly. “Baby, I can’t lie. Hearing from you after all this time feels like God finally answered one of my prayers.”
Her words made my chest warm. “I didn’t mean to disappear, Mama. I just… I didn’t know what else to do. Everything got so bad, and I felt like running was the only way to save myself.”
She was quiet for a second, and then she said, “Any other time I would’ve told you how foolish that was, but I understand. Sometimes you have to get away to protect your peace. I can’t even be mad at you for that.”
“I know I messed up,” I said softly. “I did a lot of things wrong, and I hurt people I shouldn’t have, but I swear I was just trying to survive. I didn’t have nobody, Mama. I didn’t even know what tomorrow would look like. I just packed up and ran until I couldn’t run no more, and somehow I ended up here.”
“You did what you had to do,” she said gently. “You hear me? I’m not proud of some of the things I’ve done either, but you’re my daughter, and I don’t ever want anything to happen to you. You’ll always be my baby girl.”
I could hear her voice trembling, and it only made me cry more. “I met somebody,” I said after a pause. “He’s good to me,Mama. He makes me feel safe, like I finally found peace again. I know it don’t make up for everything that happened, but for the first time in my life I feel like I can breathe.”
“Well sweetheart… I’m proud of you.”
I smiled through my tears. “It feels different this time. I got my own place, Mama. I bought a house. I used what I had and made something of it, and now I’m about to be somebody’s mama. I’m really proud of myself too.”
“You should be,” she said. “I just hate that you had to go through so much to get here. But maybe this is your new beginning. Maybe God’s giving you another chance to do things your way.”
Her words came out so calm and loving that it made my heart ache. I hadn’t heard my mother speak to me like this in years, if that. This moment felt real. It felt like forgiveness.
“I really want you to come here,” I said softly. “I want you to see my new life. I want you to meet my boyfriend, Lyrick, and I want you to be here when the baby comes.”
“I will,” she said with a smile in her voice. “I’ll come soon. Just give me a little time to get everything together. I’m so happy for you, baby.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
We talked for a few more minutes about little things. She asked if I was eating enough and if I had been sleeping well. She told me to stay off my feet when I could and to drink plenty of water. It felt good to be mothered again. Every word she said soothed a part of me that had been hurting for years.
“I can’t wait to see you,” she said finally. “We’ll sit on that porch of yours, drink tea, and talk like old times.”
“I’d love that,” I said, smiling.
“You just focus on taking care of my grandson,” she said sweetly. “Let me handle the rest.”
When she said that, I felt a deep calm wash over me. I actually believed her.
When we hung up, I sat on the bed smiling while holding my stomach. My heart felt light and full of hope. My mama was coming to see me, I had a man who loved me, and a baby boy growing inside me.
Finally, I felt safe.
Eboni Keep in Nzuri Hall
“Yes, let her in,” I told the guard through the intercom.
When the gates opened, I stepped out onto the front steps myself, letting the warm air touch my face. The sky above was beginning to dim, and the lights along the driveway gave off a soft gold glow as the black car approached.
When it stopped, I stood still with my hands clasped in front of me. Silky climbed out of the driver’s seat slowly, her eyes darting from the fountain to the columns, then finally to me. I greeted her with a polite smile.
“Mrs. Charm,” I said, inclining my head slightly. “Welcome to my home.”
Her shoulders lifted as she gave a nervous laugh. “I have to say, your estate is very beautiful.
“Thank you,” I said, turning toward the door. “Come in.”
I held the door open for her myself, and watched her enter.
Silky stepped inside, her face painted with a smile that looked more nervous than genuine. Her eyes darted around as if she was trying to take in everything at once—the tall ceilings, the chandeliers, the air that smelled faintly of white gardenia. She looked impressed, but she was also uncomfortable. That amused me.
“Mrs. Charm,” I said, offering a polite nod. “Welcome.”
