Page 19 of Breeze and Melodie

“You’ve been acting funny since you and my brother came to your senses,” Raine said as soon as I stepped into the salon.

It was Saturday morning, and Black Reign was set to open in an hour. I had a full day of appointments for the first time since Sean attacked me.

“Aww, bestie! Are you jealous your big brother has all my attention now?”

She rolled her eyes. “Girl, ain’t nobody jealous, but I was expecting to hear from one of y’all after your doctor’s appointment.”

“Hell, I planned to call. However, when I tell you what happened, you’ll understand why it slipped my mind.”

“Good morning!” Mari and Yvonne greeted as they entered the salon.

“Hey! Your timing is perfect. Mel is about to tell me why she didn’t call after her appointment yesterday,” Raine said.

“Ohh, Mel. Raine was in her feelings about you not calling or responding to her texts yesterday,” Yvonne told me.

“She sure was, and tracked your location all day,” Mari added.

“You’re ridiculous, sis,” I said.

“And am. Now, spill it please.”

“Hmm. I guess I’ll start with the most unexpected news . . . We’re having twins.”

The three of them froze momentarily, their expressions filled with shock.

“Twins?” Raine finally asked.

“Yes. You either have two nieces or two nephews taking up real estate in my belly.”

“This is the best news ever!” Raine squealed.

“Oh my God! You got a two-for-one!” Mari said with excitement.

“It cannot get any better than this!” Yvonne exclaimed.

They rushed toward me with their arms outstretched and smothered me in a hug. All of them were talking to me at once, and I couldn’t decipher what anyone said besides congratulations.

“Hold on, y’all. I can’t understand your questions.”

They released me but remained standing near my station.

“How far along are you? What did Breeze say? Is he excited? I got a few choice words for him because he should’ve called me immediately.”

“Calm down, Raine. A lot happened yesterday, so don’t fuss at him too much. To answer your questions, I’m ten weeks?—”

“Oh my God. I’m only two weeks ahead of you. I’m so excited.”

“Me too, sis.”

“Wait, if you’re ten weeks, were you pregnant when Sean attacked you?” Yvonne questioned.

“Probably in the very early stages, and thankfully, the babies are okay.”

“I can’t imagine what Breeze would’ve done to Sean if he made you lose those babies,” Yvonne continued.

“I haven’t known Breeze very long, but something tells me Sean would be pushing up daisies had that happened,” Mari added.

Raine and I exchanged a look that we hoped Yvonne and Mari missed. We’d only discussed the possibility of Breeze killing Sean once. Deep down, we knew that was probably the case, but we knew not to ask.

“Speaking of Sean . . . Y’all remember that Arielle woman who came up here questioning me about him?”

“Yeah,” they replied simultaneously.

I went on to tell them about what happened as we left the doctor’s office the previous day. Of course, they were shocked and ready to beat Arielle’s ass on my behalf.

“I feel bad that she miscarried, but her blaming me is insane.”

“It sounds like she might be mentally unstable,” Yvonne commented.

“Yeah. Something ain’t right about her. Breeze is worried about her knowing where I work.”

“As he should be, but if she brings her ass back up here, I got something for her,” Raine said.

“And if you call yourself trying to fight while carrying Shyne’s baby, he’s gon’ have something for you,” Mari reminded her.

“Tell her again,” Yvonne said. “If she’s bold enough to show her face around here again, you two better let me and Mari handle it.”

“Breeze wants to take me to the gun range and for me to get licensed to carry. I think we should all do it.”

“That’s a good idea. I’m probably super rusty. Keep us posted about the details,” Raine requested.

“Will do. Let me finish telling y’all what happened.”

“There’s more?” Mari asked, surprised.

“I told y’all a lot happened. After our appointment, we went to OC Eatery. I’ll skip over the part about the vibrating toy Breeze had me put in my panties and get straight to it.”

“Umm, please do,” Raine said with a frown.

“Shit. He ain’t my brother. Feel free to tell me about this toy you speak of,” Yvonne said.

“He saw it on a Flikstagram ad, and?—”

“Seriously, Mel. What the hell happened at OC Eatery?” Raine interrupted.

“It’s not what, it’s who.”

The three of them looked at me strangely for a moment before Raine said, “Tia?”

“Bingo. I went to the bathroom to umm . . . clean myself up, and when I got back, Tia stood near our table. I could tell by her body language that she was talking shit.”

I described my exchange with her and how Breeze seemed to glaze over their conversation when I asked him about it.

“Unpopular opinion here . . . She kinda has a right to be mad. You and Breeze played in that woman’s face for months,” Mari pointed out.

“I was thinking the same thing,” Yvonne agreed.

“I didn’t play in her face. That was all Breeze. Ain’t no way I’d still be in my feelings about a man who left me for another woman. She should be over him by now.”

Our first few customers arrived, which forced us to end the conversation. Although most of our clients felt comfortable sharing all their business with us, we chose not to do the same and kept it mostly professional.

It was a little after six o’clock in the morning, and Breeze and I were on our way to surprise my parents. The ride was only two and a half hours, so we’d get there right on time for breakfast.

“Are you nervous?” Breeze asked.

“Not nervous . . . Anxious might be a better word.

“What about?”

“I couldn’t come up with a creative way to tell my family about the babies.”

“Just tell them.”

“I wanted to do something special but couldn’t come up with anything unique. Since it’s my mother’s birthday weekend, I ordered a cake from her favorite bakery. Instead of saying happy birthday, I had them put a picture of the ultrasound and the words ‘Twice the blessing.’”

“What’s wrong with that idea? It sounds good to me.”

“Nothing, it’s just not as creative as I wanted.”

“I’m sure she’ll love it and be too surprised and happy to care about anything except the fact that we’re giving them two grandchildren at once.”

“True.”

“Is something else bothering you?”

“No.”

“I don’t believe you. Talk to me, baby.”

I sighed. “I’m worried about the fallout after they hear Harmonee’s plans.”

“Harmonee is a grown-ass woman. She’s had some struggles but has been on the right track for years. It’s time for your parents to loosen the reins.”

“I agree. I just hope we can get our parents to see that.”

“I ain’t trying to start no shit with your family, but as I said, Harmonee is grown. She doesn’t need their permission to move out.”

“True, but it’ll be a lot easier if they’re on board.”

“I think you’re worrying too much, and your parents will surprise you. Everything will work out. Maybe a nap will help you calm your nerves.”

“Good idea.”

It didn’t take me long to fall asleep, and when I woke up, we were parked in front of my parents’ house.

“How was your nap?”

“Amazing, but it doesn’t seem like I was asleep for that long.”

“You must have been tired because you were snoring and drooling.”

“Shut up! You know I don’t snore or drool,” I denied as I wiped my mouth.

“I had to turn the music up to drown out your snores.”

“Until you give me proof, I’ll never believe I snore.”

“I’ll give you some proof, but I notice you didn’t deny that dried-up drool you just wiped from your mouth.”

He got out of his truck before I could respond, walking to the passenger side and opening the door. He leaned inside to kiss me before offering his hand to help me out.

“My dried-up drool didn’t stop you from kissing me.”

“Baby, I’ve had your dried-up pussy juice on these lips. I know you don’t think I’m scared of your drool.”

He kissed me again before we walked hand in hand to the front door.

I had a key but still opted to ring the doorbell.

Seconds later, I heard the locks, and my father opened the door.

He smiled brightly when he saw me, and as soon as he opened the screen door, I released Breeze’s hand and fell into my father’s arms.

“Baby girl! What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see y’all and surprise Mama for her birthday.”

“She’ll definitely be surprised. You’re about to make her day.”

He kissed my forehead before releasing me and exchanging greetings with Breeze.

“Go ahead, baby. Let me talk to your pops for a minute.”

I hesitantly went inside, forgetting about the two men in my life as soon as I saw my mother opening the refrigerator.

“Hey, pretty lady!”

She turned around, obviously surprised when she saw me. Her hand briefly went over her mouth before she opened her arms for a hug.

“Sweetheart, what are you doing here?”

“To celebrate your birthday.”

“You must’ve been reading my mind. I told your father last night I wanted to see you.”

“Surprise!”

We hugged again before she took my hands in hers and stepped back.

“Thank you, sweetheart. Let me look at you.”

“I look the same, Ma.”

“How have you been feeling? Are your ribs still sore? Does your nose still hurt?”

“No. I feel like it never happened.”

“Is he still bothering you?”

I shook my head as I responded. “No. I haven’t heard from him.”

“Good.” She stood silently for a minute, taking me in.

“Ma, why are you staring at me?”

“A crazy man attacked my baby, and I’m making sure you’re okay.”

“This isn’t the first time you’ve seen me since then. You’re being weird.”

“No. I’m being your mother. Come sit with me.”

She led me to the table, and we sat with our hands still joined.

“Is something wrong?” My mother was always very affectionate, but her current behavior was still a bit strange.

“I’ve been dreaming about fish for the past week or so.”

“Okay.”

“Do you know what that means?”

I knew what it meant, but I pretended I had no clue.

“No, Ma. Are you craving catfish? Maybe we should have a fish fry tonight.”

She smiled. “I’m not craving fish, but that’s not a bad idea.” She paused briefly, still smiling. “Are you pregnant?”

“Huh? What?”

“If you can ‘huh’ and ‘what,’ you can hear, but I’ll ask you again. Are you pregnant?”