Page 13 of Love Me Now: Adrian & Kwamé
Maddie’s head nearly exploded from how big her eyes got. “Hell, no!” She joined us when we cackled. “I have Genesis, Heir, and Maja. I am all good,” she added.
Speaking of Maja, her soft giggle drew our attention. Whatever she and Shyah were talking about had them cackling and whispering back and forth.
“Aye, y’all better not be talkin’ ‘bout no yuck mouth ass lil’ boys!” Cooley shouted from across the lawn. Everyone’s attention turned to him, but his attention was on Maja and Shyah. The girls giggled even harder, and so did we.
“Leave them alone,” Auntie Maddie fussed.
Cooley’s face scrunched up. “The hell I won’t,” he countered.
Auntie Maddie shook her head as we laughed some more. “That man is so serious, too,” she explained.
“Aww, it’s sweet,” I said. “Every girl wants a protective parent or big brother.”
Bianca smacked her teeth. “The way Adir and Adrian almost jumped on my man this past Christmas Eve, I think not.”
I died laughing recalling the foolery of Christmas Eve last year. Auntie Maddie and Heir gasped in shock.
“Y’all had to be there,” I told them.
“Kwamé’s right,” Bianca added. “She rode Katrelle like a prize horse…AfterI beat Katrelle’s ass.”
Auntie Maddie and Heir burst out laughing. Auntie Minnie walked over just then and shook her head at her daughter.
“You better not be fighting,” she warned playfully.
“That was before, Mama,” Bianca replied. She shot me a look to drop the subject, so I did.
Giggling, I scanned the yard, then sighed in amazement. All these Bells gathered in one place were a part of my memory bank that I prayed to always keep. This family was close, solid, and loving as hell. As if to capitalize my thoughts, Adir picked Jessie up and playfully tossed her in the air. Jessie’s loud laughter was music to my ears. My girl was turning one next week, and these past twelve months had taught me so much about myself. My baby was here, making my heart smile whenever she called me Mama or whenever she gave me that big, dimpled smile of hers. I was someone’s mother, and thankfully, I was good at it so far.
Later that evening, once we were back settled at the farm, I crawled into Adrian’s lap to watch a movie with him. Jessie was asleep, the sun had fallen, and I was still stuffed from eating at Bell Estates. Showered, moisturized, and dressed in one of Adrian’s shirts, I leaned against his chest as he found us something to watch.
Ari crossed my mind, prompting me to quickly call her before Adrian pressed play on the movie. Normally, Ari and I talked multiple times a day. Since moving back to the farm, our calls had dissipated some. Ari wasn’t calling me like usual, and until now, I hadn’t even thought about it.
My call went to voicemail, causing me to frown. Sighing, I sent Ari a text message.
Me:Just checking on you, boo. Call me back.
Fifteen minutes passed before Ari responded with a text instead of a phone call. That was unlike her. I couldn’t even enjoy the movie because I was thinking about her.
Ari:Hey, sis! All is well. My day has me exhausted, so I called it an early night. I will talk to you tomorrow.
Perturbed, I read Ari’s text twice before replying.
Me:Don’t make me worry about you, Ari. You better call me tomorrow.
Ari:LOL! I’m okay! Promise. I’ll call you first thing.
Me:Okay. Love you. Good night.
Ari:Love you, too!
“The more you read those text messages, the deeper ya frown gets. What’s up?” Adrian asked. His hand rested on my stomach and every now and then, he’d rub it like his children were inside me.
“You know how close I am to Ari. Something’s wrong with her,” I stated. “Maybe I should go see her, just to be sure she’s okay.” It’d been three weeks since I left Atlanta. Maybe leaving Ari had her a little depressed.
“She said she’d call you in the morning.”
“I know but…”
