Page 22 of Out of Bounds (Atlanta Demon Series #4)
“I’m not signing the papers.” He shrugged. “You think I like the idea of you working. You wanted to stay home with the kids.”
“No, you wanted me at home. Barefoot and pregnant, and like a fool, I obliged. I no longer move because of what you want.”
“Then you don’t want to be a free woman.”
Before I had the chance to offer a rebuttal, our food was delivered. After checking to make sure mine was right, I forked a piece of grouper into my mouth.
“What’s it gonna be, baby?”
“Kreed, go to hell. I can get a divorce if I want. I was trying to take the civil route instead of letting things get messy.”
“Run the shit in the paper.” He shrugged, and now I was the one narrowing my eyes at him. “Oh…” He chuckled. “I guess you didn’t think I would do my research.”
“Can we be adults about this?”
“I am being an adult. I’m willing to give you everything you asked for. But you being away from the kids as often as you are is where I gotta draw the line. Quit the fucking job, Masai.”
“No.”
“Bet. You want to play hardball, darling. Just know… I do not miss.”
Dropping my fork, I clasped my hands together. “I don’t get you. We’re in this situation because, as you put it, your flesh was weak.”
“Clearly, it was. I fucked a bitch and don’t remember how the shit even got started.”
“Exactly! So why punish me when all of this is on you?”
“My kids, Masai. My kids are already having to deal with us living in separate households. You don’t think you not being there to get them from school every day isn’t hurting them more?”
“No, it’s not.”
“Then you haven’t sat down and talked to your eleven-year-old. Do you not realize that you missed her tryouts the other day?”
“Tryouts?” I whispered and tried to remember if I’d been told anything about tryouts. When nothing jumped out at me, I had to ask, “Tryouts for what, Kreed?”
“Her dance company, Masai. Apparently, you and your mom forgot. The kids were with the nanny, and when she realized time was running down, she called me.”
Shit. I had forgotten about that. I remember putting it down on my calendar, so I’d either missed the reminder or put it on the wrong week. “Wait… that’s where the two of you were coming from Wednesday when you brought her home?”
“Yes.” He nodded.
“She told me the two of you had went to dinner.”
“She told you that because she didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I’m not perfect at all, and I’m not blaming none of this on you. But, clearly, your job is a hindrance.”
“Bull fucking shit. You were never in support of me going back to work. Me not working means I need you, and we all know Kreed has to feel needed. It’s the only thing that makes his dick hard.” I jabbed.
“You can say what you want to say, but I’m not the one missing important events.”
“It’s clear that me gaining some independence makes you feel a way. When I get home, I will talk to Maddie Claire about me missing her tryouts. But make no mistakes, honey… I’m not quitting my job. You can dislike it or not, as long as you remember we’re in this position because you put us here.”
Grabbing the folded papers out of my purse, I placed them on the table and slid them over to him.
“I thought coming here tonight, we could handle things amicably, but it’s apparent that you’re not in the right headspace to be an adult.
” Standing from the table, I tossed my purse over my shoulder.
“Grow up, Kreed.” Paying him one final glance, I turned and walked out of the restaurant.
If that nigga had anything, it was fucking audacity, especially for him to come at my parenting skills as if I hadn’t given up everything to take care of his kids.
He had me so fucked up if he thought one missed event was going to be the reason I quit my job.
I’m sure there would be other things that I would have to miss because of work; it’s life, and granted, my kids are used to me always being there, but their father was the reason that shit changed, not me.
Let his ass deal with it.
Kicking off my shoes, I unfastened my pants and shimmied out of them. After sliding out of my shirt, I tossed it in the dirty clothes hamper and put my robe on so that I could go have a conversation with Maddie Claire.
Trekking down the hall, I came upon her bedroom door that was slightly ajar. I knocked twice before pushing it open.
“Mom, you’re back?” she asked and sat up in bed.
“Yes, Bug. What you got going on?”
“Playing Roblox with one of my school friends.”
“Can you put it up and have a chat with me really quick?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said and eyed me suspiciously. “Am I in trouble?”
“No, Bug. Why would you ask that?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged.
“Well, no. Mommy wanted to come apologize for missing your tryouts.”
“It’s okay, Mommy.”
“No, baby… it’s not.” Placing my hand on hers, I gave it a light squeeze. “I marked the wrong date down in my calendar. I know how much tryouts meant to you, and Mommy wasn’t there to cheer you on.”
“My daddy took me.”
“I’m aware. And that’s fine. I just want you to know that I’m sorry for missing it, and I promise to be more proactive with my schedule.”
“It’s really okay, Mommy. I know you had to work.”
“Right.” I tongued my cheek. “Maddie Claire, if I ask you a question, will you promise to be honest?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Does Mommy working make you feel some type of way? I know you guys are used to me always being here, but with Daddy no longer living here, Mommy has to step up and show you girls something different. But if you tell me that my working interferes with anything you have going on, I will quit.”
As much as I loved my job and loved the newfound independence, if my baby told me she felt like it interfered with anything she had going on, I would concede and give Kreed what he wanted.
I would be pissed, but I never wanted to rob my children of normalcy.
Their father not being under the same roof as them did that enough.
If it was hurting them more, I would give it up. I would have no other choice but to.
“No, Mommy, I don’t feel any way about you working.”
“Are you sure? Because your father…” I stopped when I realized I was getting ready to throw his ass under the bus. Pivoting, I said, “Your dad seems to think you guys don’t like my job.”
“I love your job. One of my friends saw you on the billboard and said you were smart.” She smiled.
As a way to market myself, the firm’s manager thought it was a good idea to put a billboard up around the city with my face on it. “I am smart. And so are you.”
“I know…” she sang. “My mom’s name is Masai Dolla… the prettiest, smartest woman I know.”
“That’s right.” I smiled. “Thank you, Maddie, because mommy really loves her job.”
“I know you do. I promise… it’s okay. I could have reminded you.”
“You shouldn’t have to. It was I who should’ve been more diligent with my time, but I won’t forget next time.” Patting her leg, I stood. “Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
Pecking her forehead, I ambled toward the door.
“And, Mommy…”
I stopped and turned to face her. “Yes, baby.”
“I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but I really think it’s kind of badass that you’re doing something for yourself.”
“I think it’s badass, too, Bug.” I winked. “Goodnight.”
“Night, Mommy.”
I knew all it would take was a conversation with Maddie. Kreed tried to make a small situation into something that it didn’t need to be. Just because he wanted to play, I was going to show him how it was done. I’d bet I would get my divorce now.