Page 10 of Pieces of Us

“Mo,” Ishmael called out to me. I turned and looked at him. “I need your help, sis. Your sister is being unreasonable…I know I fucked up, but—”

“Let’s go, Morgan!” Drue yelled.

“Sorry, Ish. I can’t help you. Give her some time.”

I walked out of the house and got back inside the car, pulling out of the driveway.

“You girls ready to have some fun?” Drue asked.

“Yes! A pedicure is calling my name!” Megan exclaimed and I chuckled.

We pulled up to Glamour House Nail Bar he was trying to get back with her.

“You don’t want to give him another chance?”

“Fuck no. Do you think I want a nigga with community peen, or one that had a baby on me? I may be a lot of things, but dumb ain’t one of them.”

“Agreed. I just can’t believe he would even ask you to work it out after all the stuff y’all been through, especially with you sleeping with his family.” I whispered the last part and laughed.

“I only slept with his half-cousin…His half-brother only gave me head.”

“You’re saying half like that makes it better.”

“Girl, they were estranged anyway. I hate for a motherfucka to play in my face. I gave him fifteen years of my life and he does that shit to me? I mean, I was being the perfect wife while he was being the perfect whore and had these hos laughing at me, smiling in my face, and fucking my nigga behind my back. Since they want to play games, I’m going to be a master at it.

I’m going to fuck Tanisha’s boyfriend next week. ”

“Drue…Come on now. That happened over a year ago. You have to let that go.”

She snickered. “Nope! I ain’t over it yet. I might double back on the cousin because that shit was kind of fire.”

“Oh, Lord. God, forgive my sister.”

“Chile, please. God made that happen, so we’re even,” she said, waving me off.

I snickered.

“Anyway, what’s up with you? Justin still in the doghouse?”

I sighed. “I don’t know if I’m tripping or not, but I caught him whispering on the phone last night, telling someone he promised to take them somewhere.

He swore it was Jolie’s husband Jonathan, saying he promised him he’d take him to Atlantic City for his birthday, but the way he was talking…

the shit sounded suspect.” I shook my head.

“He doesn’t even hang out with Jonathan like that. ”

“Mo, if you think that man is cheating, then he’s cheating. Our intuition never lies, darling.”

“You think so?”

“Do you think so?”

“I do.”

“Then it is so. We can do some investigating when we get back to your house. For his sake, he better not be because I’ll have you down at the Love House , getting that yoni ate like a fresh peach.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her crazy ass. “What the hell is a Love House ?”

“A place where people go to get their desires met.”

“You’ve been there before?”

“Duh. How do you think I know about it?”

“Drue, there is so much I don’t know about you. Why haven’t you told me any of this?”

“You think I want my little sister to know that her big sister is a preacher’s kid turned freak? Nah.”

“But you’re telling me now, so what’s the difference?”

“The difference is I don’t do that stuff anymore.

I was really doing the shit out of anger anyway.

I saved myself for that cheating ass nigga, gave him my all, and he shitted on me.

So, I went through a ho phase and enjoyed my time in that phase.

Now, I’m just really focusing on my art store and my baby.

Can you believe we’re about to have high schoolers? ”

“Girl, no. I’m not ready for it at all, but they’re so smart. I know they’re going to excel.”

“Indeed.”

“Morgan?” I looked up to see Chelsea and Shanise standing in front of me.

Shocked, I couldn’t formulate the words to speak. My eyes skirted around the salon to make sure Megan wasn’t around. My heart was moving a mile a minute as I tried to think of a way to hide my child.

This is ridiculous. Not here! Please don’t let them see her here.

It was no secret that Megan stole her father’s whole face. Every day I looked at her, all I saw were those thick eyebrows, light brown orbs, long lashes, and gorgeous smile. If Chelsea or Shanise saw her, they would know immediately that she belonged to Nehemiah.

“It’s so good to see you. Can I have a hug?” Chelsea’s voice brought me out of my stupor.

“I’m sorry. Of course.”

She ventured around the pedicurist and wrapped her arms around me tightly.

“It’s been so long. How have you been?”

“Awesome. Can’t complain. How are you?”

“All good. Hey, Drueski!”

“Hey, Chels. Hey, Nisi! Y’all looking fab as always.”

“Hey, Drue.” Shanise smiled. “Thank you, bookie. You’ve been alright?”

“Splendid.”

I couldn’t help but feel awkward. My eyes kept going toward the back to make sure Megan wasn’t coming. My anxiety piqued, making me feel even worse than I already did. My first love’s sister, my very first best friend was standing in my face, not knowing that her niece was only a few feet away.

“Mommy, it tickles!” Mariah screeched and laughed.

“I know, Honey Bee.” I smiled, pinching her little cheek.

“She’s adorable, Mo!” Chelsea complimented, smiling down at Mariah.

“Thank you.”

“Well, we don’t want to take up too much of your time. Gotta get our paws done. It was really great seeing you, Morgan.”

“Thank you. It was good seeing you all too.” She pulled a card from her purse, handing it to me.

“Call me sometime. Okay?”

I could see a hint of sadness in her eyes. I knew why and wanted so desperately to reconnect with her…with him .

I smiled. “Will do.”

They walked away, and I released the breath I was holding in.

“We need to go.”

“No we don’t. I’m not going to let you do that, and maybe this is God’s way of telling you that it’s time, Sis.”

“I’m not ready, Drue. They’re too close to Megan. What if—”

Drue raised her brow. “What if? What are you going to do?”

“You don’t understand. I can’t explain this right now.”

“Then I think it’s about high time that you do.”