Page 47 of Certified Pressure 3 (Certified Pressure #3)

Eboni Keep in Nzuri Hall

As soon as I pulled up to my parent’s crib, I already knew somethin’ was goin’ on.

The driveway was packed with cars from one end to the other.

Anytime it looked like that, I knew Ma had called everybody over.

When she called, the whole family showed up—no questions asked.

I eased into a parkin’ spot, cut the engine, and glanced over at Pluto.

She was sittin’ quiet with one hand resting over her stomach, the other grippin’ the strap of her purse.

“You look nervous,” I said with a half smile.

She gave a small one back. “A little. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen your mama and the rest of the family.”

I nodded. “Ain’t nothin’ to trip on. You met most of them at Mama’s birthday. Same people, same energy. You good.”

She nodded again, still lookin’ like she was tryna breathe through it.

Zurie was in the backseat, kickin’ her feet and hummin’ to herself.

I got out, went around, opened Pluto’s door, then helped Zurie out.

She grabbed my hand as soon as her feet hit the ground, so I took her with me while Pluto walked on the other side.

Soon as we stepped in, I heard laughter comin’ from the livin’ room. All my aunties, uncles, and cousins was there. Pops was chillin’ in his usual chair, and My mama was sittin’ on the couch with Mamáh, my grandma, who was the real boss of the family.

“Mamáh,” I said, smilin’ as soon as she looked up. I bent down and hugged her tight. She smelled like fine perfume and fresh roses, the same elegant scent that made you know when Mamáh was in the room.

“Look at my grandson,” she said proudly. “Still fine as ever.”

I laughed. “You know it.”

My mama stood up next, wearin’ a long black dress and jewelry that sparkled. “There go my son,” she said, openin’ her arms wide.

I hugged her, and when she pulled back, her eyes went straight to Pluto. Her face lit up instantly. It was that warm, motherly smile that said she been waiting to see her.

“Oh my goodness, look at you,” Ma said, walkin’ over and pullin’ Pluto in for a hug. “You are glowing, baby.”

“Hi, Mrs. Mensah,” Pluto said shyly.

Ma shook her head. “No, baby, call me Omá. You’re family now.”

Then she looked down and spotted Zurie, who was half hiding behind my leg. “And this must be Zurie. I’ve heard so much about you little girl.”

Zurie peeked out with a grin. “Yes ma’am.”

“Well, aren’t you just the prettiest little thing I’ve seen all week,” Ma said warmly.

Pluto smiled, and I could tell she was holdin’ back tears. She was tryin’ to stay calm, but I could feel how much this meant to her. Pops came over next, quiet but respectful, and even he hugged Pluto. That was rare. Pops didn’t hug just anybody.

The room started fillin’ with energy. My aunties were crowdin’ around Pluto, touchin’ her belly, askin’ how far along she was, talkin’ about baby names and who they thought the child would look like. My cousins was already crackin’ jokes and takin’ pictures. I ain’t gon’ lie, it was a lot.

It hit me then how different this was from when Kashmere came around. My mama didn’t have that polite smile she forced herself to wear. With Pluto, it was natural. It felt like everybody already accepted her, like she belonged here.

I watched her move through the room, gracious and humble like she always was. And even though I tried not to let it show, seein’ her like that did somethin’ to me.

After a while, I clapped my hands together. “Aye, everybody, chill real quick.”

The noise died down, and all eyes was on me. I looked at Pluto, then at my parents. “So me and Pluto had our appointment today, and found out what we havin’.”

Ma pressed her hand to her chest, her eyes wide. “Don’t keep us waiting, Pressure.”

I smiled. “It’s a boy.”

The whole room erupted. My aunties screamed. My cousins started hollerin’. Pops stood up with that proud smirk he only gave when he was impressed. My mama rushed over, hugged Pluto again, and put both hands on her belly. “A grandson,” she said, almost tearing up. “My baby’s having a son.”

Pluto smiled through glassy eyes. Mamáh came over, grabbed Pluto’s hand gently, and looked her dead in the face. “You take care of yourself, you hear me? Eat, rest, and pray over that belly. That child is blessed already.”

“Yes ma’am,” Pluto whispered.

The love in the room was real. The whole family came together like we ain’t just seen each other a few weeks ago.

Then Ma called out, “Pressure, Pluto, come with me for a second.”

I already knew what was comin’. When my mama got that tone in her voice, it meant she was about to talk about somethin’ serious.

We followed her down the long hallway to one of her quiet sittin’ rooms that opened up to the garden. The air smelled like roses and lemon polish. My mama sat down, crossed her legs, and gestured for us to do the same.

“Now, you know I’m proud,” she said. “But I need to talk to you both about what’s next.”

I leaned back in the chair. “Ma…”

She held up her hand. “Let me talk, Pressure.” Then she turned to Pluto. “Sweetheart, you and my son have a child on the way, and that’s something to celebrate, but you need to think about the future. What are your plans for this baby?”

Before I could even think about an answer, my phone started buzzin’. I looked down and saw Kashmere’s name. let it ring and flipped the phone over.

Pluto looked nervous. “I’m sorry, Mrs… I mean… Omá, but I don’t really know what you mean.”

My mama leaned forward, her voice soft but strong. “I mean marriage. Stability. This child deserves a home built on family, not confusion.”

Pluto’s eyes widened slightly. She turned to me, and I gave her a look like, “Don’t look at me for this one.”

She swallowed hard. “Pressure is already engaged.”

My mama face didn’t change, but her energy did. She didn’t get rude or loud. She just smiled faintly and said, “Engaged or not, that child belongs to this family. That means you belong too. Whatever happens between you two, I trust you’ll make the right decision.”

Then she turned her eyes to me, sharp but calm. “I raised you to handle your responsibilities, son. Don’t make me feel like I failed.”

With that, she stood, adjusted her bracelet, and walked out of the room, leavin’ me and Pluto alone in silence.

Pluto stared at the floor, her voice low when she finally spoke. “I don’t even know what to say.”

I sighed, leanin’ forward with my elbows on my knees. “Ain’t much to say. You heard her.”

She looked up at me, her voice tremblin’. “I’m just overwhelmed. It’s a lot.”

“It’s too late to be overwhelmed,” I said. “You in this now. We both are. I’m tired of all the back and forth. We gotta figure this shit out.”

“I know,” she said softly. “I just don’t wanna make the wrong move.”

“It ain’t about what’s wrong or right no more,” I said. “It’s about doin’ what’s real. We got a son on the way. That’s bigger than whatever else happenin’.”

She nodded, her eyes glassy. “I know, Pressure. I’m just scared.”

I reached for her hand, and felt how small it was in mine, and squeezed it. “You ain’t gotta be scared. You got me, and I got you. We gon’ handle this, a’ight?”

She looked at me, noddin’ again.

A knock came at the door, and then Ma’s voice called from the hallway. “Y’all come on out. Lunch is ready.”

Pluto wiped her eyes and stood. I helped her up and walked beside her back to the dinin’ room. The smell of food filled my nose and the sound of my family laughin’ again made the tension ease.

As we walked in, Mamáh’s eyes followed us, calm and knowin.’. She ain’t say a word, but she didn’t need to. That woman saw everything before it even happened.

I pulled Pluto’s chair out, let her sit first, and then took the seat beside her. Zurie was gigglin’ with my little cousins across the table, and my mama was pourin’ wine for everybody but Pluto.

For a minute, I just looked around. My whole family under one roof, Pluto sittin’ beside me with my son growin’ inside her, and Kashmere’s name still unread on my phone screen.

It was a lot, and at this point, I knew I had to man up and do the right thing. Even though this shit was gon’ sting, I had to let Kashmere go.

“A’ight Ma, I’mma call you later,” I said, huggin’ her before grabbin’ Zurie’s hand and headin’ toward the door.

She kissed my cheek and smiled. “You better, and make sure you check on Pluto every day. I expect to see her here more often now that she’s pregnant.”

Pluto smiled polite. “Yes ma’am, I will be coming back.”

Ma nodded like she already knew she meant it, then turned back toward the family still crowded in the livin’ room.

Pops was talkin’ with my uncles, and Mamáh was holdin’ Pluto’s hand, tellin’ her to rest and keep herself healthy.

It had been a long day full of smiles, questions, hugs, and congratulations.

I could tell my mama was proud. She looked at Pluto like she already belonged in the family, and I couldn’t even lie, it made me feel some type of way.

When we stepped outside, the air hit cool against my skin. Pluto held Zurie’s hand as we walked to the car. She was quiet, but her silence said a lot. She’d been in her head since we left the doctor’s office, and honestly, so had I.

Once we got in, the car went quiet. I drove slow through the long road that led out of the estate, my mind wanderin’ the whole time. Zurie hummed to herself in the backseat, while Pluto leaned her head against the window, rubbin’ her belly softly.

When I finally pulled up to her spot, I cut the engine and got out the car. Pluto unbuckled Zurie and helped her out, and we all walked up to the front door together. Zurie ran ahead like she always did.

Pluto opened the door for her and let her run inside. The lights from the livin’ room spilled out across the porch. She turned back toward me, holdin’ the door open like she wasn’t ready for me to leave yet.