Page 22

CHANIYA

Nana: Don’t go over there showing your ass, Chaniya. Vernise ain’t about that life and will call twelve on you. I gotta re-up my funds after Yatta’s last stint in the slammer. Please calm down.

R eading Nana’s text does little to calm the inferno flowing through my bloodstream that has been sizzling since Germayne told me what Caleb said after school yesterday.

I waited for Caleb to be dropped off at school to get moving.

Luck had to be on my side when Germayne got called in to work sooner than his scheduled time, allowing me to throw on something and head this way.

I have sat back and taken every word my mother has spoken, but I draw the line at her speaking out of turn with Caleb.

Before I can exit my vehicle at Mom’s house, my phone rings, and I huff upon seeing Germayne’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hello.”

“Do you know a good seamstress, Cha-Cha?”

My forehead wrinkles, and my eyes pinch together at hearing the outlandish question from Germayne instead of a common greeting.

“What are you talking about?”

“Do you know a good seamstress?”

Hesitating, I blink in bafflement before probing Germayne for more information. “Why are you asking me about a seamstress? Aren’t you at work? I don’t think they’re necessary to your job.”

“I need somebody to hook you up with your custom prison jumpsuit. If Caleb and I are forced to visit Ribax Correctional Prison, you should at least wear something sexy. I’m already researching who the warden is so I can prearrange my conjugal visits and shit.”

“I’m not in prison. What the h?—”

“Somewhere between your initial sickness and last night’s fever, you must have forgotten that you had Nana and I exchange phone numbers in case of an emergency.

Imagine my surprise to get a call from Nana, telling me that the sick and supposed-to-be sick and shut-in is out on ass-kicking missions.

So, I’m just wondering if you know of someone capable of making pea green sexy. ”

Damn, I had forgotten all about sending Nana Germayne’s phone number and vice versa when I first got sick.

The plan had been for them to communicate if Germayne needed Nana to pick Caleb up.

Given Germayne’s position at the hospital, sometimes his schedule fluctuates, or he’s called in to fill in for another physician assistant, so I wanted to be prepared just in case.

“I’ll take your silence to mean you’re redirecting your car back to your house or you’re scrolling through your contacts to give me your selection,” Germayne expresses in a tone that causes me to roll my eyes.

“I just wanted to talk to Mom and let her know that?—”

“Does it really matter? Do me a favor. Go home. I’ll come over when I get off, and we can discuss this further. Nana is picking up Caleb and plans to keep him for a few hours.”

“Do I get a say in anything?”

“Not at the moment. Go home, get back in bed, and stay there. I’ll see you later.”

“Fine, you big meanie.”

My pussy thumps wildly when Germayne’s low chuckle vibrates through the line, sending tingles all over my body.

“Aye, Cha-Cha?”

“Hm.”

“I love you. Now go home.” With that, Germayne disconnected the line, and I stared at Mom’s house, seeing her front blinds swaying.

“You better be lucky, Vernise O’Neal.” Pulling my seat belt over my chest, I snap it before starting my car and backing out of her driveway.

“I’m glad we could get together. It's been too long since we hung out. Where are my babies?” Isis asks, looking between Riele and me.

A slow smile upturns my lips at knowing where Caleb is spending his Saturday, but I wait for Riele to answer before I drop my bomb on my best friends.

“With his daddy, where his spoiled ass should be. Mama needs a few drinks to make up for lost time.” Riele rolls her eyes.

“Don’t do my nephew, heffa. I’m sure it’s you that has EJ spoiled anyway.” Isis rolls her eyes at Riele before shifting her attention to me. “Now, where is Caleb today? Your ass is sitting over here grinning like a fool, so this must be good,” Isis probes.

“With my man, doing some manly bonding or whatever Germayne said before they left,” I say, smiling.

“Oh shit!” Riele shouts, putting her hand up for a high-five that I ignore.

“Well, you better come through stepdaddy. Dedrick’s raggedy ass could neva. When do we get to hang with our new brother-in-law? I need to feel him out.” Isis’s Cheshire grin while rubbing her hands together has Riele and me laughing.

“The night and day difference between Dedrick and Germayne is astounding. Where Dedrick treated Caleb like an obstacle course he couldn’t win, Germayne has been strategically forming a relationship with Caleb.

Ironically, Caleb met Germayne at the barber shop and instantly started talking to him even without knowing his mother had been busting it open for that real nigga.

” I swoon when an image of Germayne pops into my mind.

“Listen, a real nigga will have you sliding down a pole on one hand wearing a leotard. I love this for you, bestie.” Riele interjects.

“I wanted to keep Caleb away from Germayne, so he didn’t keep seeing random men in my life, but?—”

“Girl, hush. You aren’t your mother, no matter how much she tries to throw her baggage off on you.” Isis cuts me off before sipping her drink.

I wish I could say Isis didn’t know what she was talking about, but the truth is, she isn’t off base.

While I was growing up, I had seen so many random men in Mom’s life that we both had PTSD when the men walked out on her.

In retrospect, no man other than Dedrick and now Germayne has been in Caleb’s presence.

Whatever men I allowed to sniff between my legs, even in my home, had to be long gone before Caleb awoke the next morning.

Becoming Vernise was something I never wanted for Caleb or myself, despite my reckless behavior in creating him.

“Speaking of not being my mother, let me tell y’all what she told Caleb.” I take a minute or so to catch Riele and Isis up on the nonsense Mom had the audacity to tell my son, with her hypocritical ass.

“So, is she on ice at Eternal Horizons, or does the City of Ribax still have her?” Riele asks nonchalantly, breaking a piece of bread and sticking it in her mouth.

“Okay. Better yet, tell me whether loving me through everything includes beating your mom’s ass on your behalf. I’ve been itching to straighten her lopsided wig with a few two-piece combinations,” Isis adds, holding her newly formed fists up, causing Riele to start choking on her bread.

“Are you okay, Miss?” our waiter rushes over asking with concern in his blue eyes.

“She’s dramatic. Thank you so much, sweet cheeks.” Isis interjects in a syrupy tone that incites my giggles.

Riele nods while grabbing her glass of water, taking large gulps to clear the bread from her throat.

“Your food will be out shortly. Let me know if you need anything,” the waiter tells Isis while caressing her shoulder gently before walking away.

“His ass better leave me alone before I have him singing Black negro spirituals at his family reunion. He ain’t ready for Gertrude and Prudence to disown him after taking this pussy on a merry-go-ride,” Isis declares, staring at the waiter’s retreating back.

“Oh no, bestie. We ain’t about that li—” I attempt to say before Isis cuts me off.

“Tuh. Big dick doesn’t come with any criteria, but—nah, let me quit right here. I’ll be sliding down big black dicks until the good Lord calls me home. You're right, girl. I ain’t about that life at all.” Isis remarks, returning her gaze to Riele and me.

“I’m glad you came by. I’ve been missing you,” Nana says when I enter her kitchen.

Her small TV is playing what appears to be House of Paynes , and several pots and pans are on the stove.

Edna O’Neal is my rock and has never failed to be the person to stand in the gap for me against my most prominent opponent to date, .

. . her daughter and my mother. After leaving Isis and Riele, I had more time to kill since Germayne said he and Caleb wouldn’t be back until this evening, so here I am, visiting.

Having Germayne in my life, I didn’t think I would get bored with having free time, but I’ve come to enjoy being with a man who never looks for opportunities of separation.

“I’m sorry. I’ll do better about coming over.” Kissing her cheek, I sit in the empty chair across from her.

“Mhm. I understand you’re over there, under that man, and believe me, I can see why, but don’t be neglecting me. I’m not opposed to popping up and messing up y’all little happy bubble and shit.”

Smirking, I drop my head when Nana’s eyes lift to mine so I don’t get her started any more than she already is. Once I’m able to control my actions, I lift my head to see Nana staring intently, instantly removing my humor.

“What?” I ask over the lump in the back of my throat as heat fills my neck.

“No matter who your parents are or aren’t, God has never seen you as a mistake.

I love my daughter, but she’s wrong for making you believe your life hasn’t been worth the hours it took her to bring you into this world.

” The sincerity in Nana’s voice has tears slipping from the corners of my eyes without permission.

“I uh?—”

“Don’t have to say anything. I said what I said, and that settles it. Now tell me how my baby is adjusting to his father.” Nana’s brows hike, and a sinister grin slides into place.

“His father is wild, Nana.” Laughing, I shake my head while ignoring the butterflies swarming in my stomach at the thought.

“Oh, he ain’t Caleb’s father, but taking him to school while you were sick? Girl, bye. I’ve been Caleb’s backup for everything for five years. Now your new man on the scene, and suddenly, I’m not needed anymore,” Nana taunts.

“Ooh, Nana. I didn’t know you would ride the petty bus when I came here today.”

“Chile, please. I’m driving the mothafucka today, so buckle up and stop stalling. You know I’m nosy.”

Laughing again, I shake my head before preparing to bring Nana up to speed on Caleb's adjustment to Germayne being in our life.

“In all my years of dating, I have never felt how I feel about this man. I couldn’t tag you in with Caleb’s first week of school because Germayne stepped in without any preempting from me.

Since that day, Caleb has been stuck to him like glue, and it's been the cutest thing to witness. It was Caleb’s idea for him and Germayne to have a boy’s outing today.

I think I’m slowly being replaced, and I can’t even be mad, because Germayne is wowing me too.

” I stop talking when my phone vibrates, causing me to remove it from my purse.

My eyes mist upon reading the text from Germayne.

Germayne: We wanted to check in to let you know that we’re good. *image attached*

“See, this is what I’m talking about.” I show Nana my phone so she can see the picture of Germayne and Caleb. Caleb’s eyes are beaming with happiness, his cheeks are full of delight, and Germayne looks like he’s in the highlight of his life, simply next to Caleb.

“Mhm. I’m going out tomorrow to buy my dress for the adoption ceremony,” Nana states, and a bubble of laughter escapes my mouth at the serious expression on her face.

Me too, Nana. Me too .