Upside of Love

by Dominique Thomas

  Malachi stood up and shoved his chair. Billie stared at the judge as he stomped like a petulant child out of the courtroom.

  “With everything that I’ve seen I am okay with Ms. Sparks getting sole custody of Kawan. She’s attended all of her parenting classes and even taken extra ones. She makes steady money as a full-time model. She has a place of residence that is with good standing, and the courts acknowledge that. The new order is as follows. From Friday to Sunday the child will be with his father, Malachi Gibbons. From Sunday to Monday he will remain with his mother who now has sole custody of him. The court is adjourned,” the judge said adamantly and banged her gavel.

  As she exited the room, Billie’s eyes overflowed with tears. She dropped her head as her body shook.

  “You did it,” Mickey said hugging her body tightly.

  Billie nodded as tears streamed down her face. She was overcome with joy. Her hands shook as Mickey continued to hug her.

  “You fucking did it! I knew you would get him back,” Mickey said excitedly.

  Billie nodded. She looked at her dear friend and blinked to clear her blurred vision.

  “My son is coming back with me. Is this real?”

  Mickey laughed with happy tears coming down her face.

  “Yes, it's very fucking real. You did it, Billie,” she replied.

  Billie cried harder, and Mickey hugged her again.

  After pulling herself together, Billie spoke with her lawyer on when she could pick up Kawan then they exited the courtroom. Malachi and his mom sat outside of the courtroom with bitter faces. Cindy showed pure disdain for Billie as Malachi held fresh tears in his almond-shaped eyes. He waved his head, and it was then that Billie was able to see his black eye and bruised cheek.

  “You ain't shit. Had my fucking brother jump on me and threaten to kill me over you. I’m his fucking blood! Not you but me! He should be trying to make it right with me. Not pulling guns out and shit. I got something for your ass, I swear,” he said grimly.

  “I’ll have to notify the court of that threat,” Billie’s lawyer said and walked away.

  Malachi chuckled as he sat up.

  “It's all good. I was tired of taking care of that lil nigga anyway,” he said with a sick smile on his face.

  Billie tried to walk towards Malachi and Mickey held her back.

  “Yeah, you better stop that bitch. Courthouse or not I’ll smack the fuck out of y’all hoes up in here,” Malachi said smugly.

  Mickey nodded while holding onto Billie.

  “And you wouldn’t be able to make it to your car sweetie,” Mickey told him politely.

  Malachi chuckled as Billie frowned down at him.

  “Wow, you would say that about our son. Is that how you really feel?” Billie asked genuinely hurt.

  Kawan was her world, and she couldn’t imagine ever feeling a way like that about him.

  Malachi dropped his head, and Cindy rubbed his back.

  “He loves Kawan he’s just hurt. Since he’s had custody of him, he’s been a great provider. You know that Billie,” Cindy said to her.

  “Has he? I’ve watched my friend shop and send your son money like crazy for Kawan. She lives her life for her son so let's not make your adult son the victim,” Mickey said speaking up for Billie.

  At that moment Billie was incredibly grateful to have Mickey by her side. Although she knew what she’d done for her son it was easy to remember the bad she’d caused in Kawan’s life as well.

  Cindy’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Mickey.

  “And I wasn’t doing that sista girl. I was letting Billie know that my son is hurting. He’s dealing with a lot right now, and maybe this is for the best,” Cindy replied.

  Malachi looked up at his mom, and she suddenly stopped rubbing his back.

  “For the best? Now I have to worry about if my son is around liquor and drugs all day and you saying this for the best? Damn, you love to take this bitch side!” he raged.

  Mickey pulled Billie away as Malachi unloaded his anger onto his intoxicated mother.

  “This celebratory dinner is for my beautiful sister-friend Billie. God has listened to the desires of her heart and is raining down blessings. I’m incredibly happy for you right now, and I can’t wait to see what else the Lord has in store for you,” Mickey said standing at the side of her dining room table.

  Everyone in the room clapped as they looked Billie’s way. Billie dipped her head faking shyness she knew nothing of before smiling. She slowly stood up and tugged down the dress hugging her slim frame.

  Because it was such a special occasion, she’d gone all out for the night. Her ash blonde hair had been extended to her ass with body wave clip in extensions making it longer, while matte black lipstick covered her heart shaped full lips. She bore a smoky eye with a sleeveless black body con dress that touched the top of her knees. A Chanel mini flap chain belt was secured around her thin waist as she stood in her six-inch heels.

  “While I didn’t need any of this, I do appreciate you all coming out to celebrate me landing the cover of New Age Mommy. That magazine is popping, and so is the sexy ass owner Bahja that’s sitting at the table looking like the finest thing walking. I think it's great that as women we can all come together and celebrate one another. No hating, no cattiness and do it with genuine love. I feel like it’s nothing better than that. So, thank you, ladies, for supporting my dreams, and you all have to know that without a doubt I’m here to support your dreams as well,” Billie said before sitting back down.

  With Novah being in her own world Billie had begun to spend more time with Mickey. They’d always been close since meeting years back, but the last few weeks they’d been damn near inseparable.

  Mickey knew a lot of influent women in Michigan, and instantly Billie had taken a liking to them. The women all had such great things going for themselves but what Billie admired about them most was that they were down to earth real ass women. They weren’t fake with it or only out for themselves and because she felt good vibes around them, she’d been open to being in their space.

  Only because of that.

  Still, it didn’t make her not think of him.

  With so much happening Billie thought of him more. Kawan was now home with her in Dreux’s house, and Malachi hadn’t called to pick him up on his first weekend with him. Kawan was crushed, and Billie was angered. She was tempted to cause a scene and right before she showed out on him, a very well-known local magazine emailed her about being on the cover.

  It was just like God to intervene and show her all the reasons she should be happy and know that she was blessed. Billie had been elated because New Age Mommy was like anything she’d ever seen before. They had a national following and was just being placed into stores like Target and Walmart. A Detroit local woman ran it by the name of Bahja and Billie adored everything about the beauty.

  “Billie this is so nice,” Normani said walking up.

  Billie hugged Normani tightly and smiled at her. Normani had been quiet lately. The sparkle she usually carried in those pretty eyes of her’s had dimmed, and Billie didn’t like that.

  “Let’s catch up real quick before you try to dip off on me,” Billie said, and Normani gave her a weak smile.

  “What’s been going on?” Billie asked as they walked into Mickey’s family room.

  They sat on the plush tufted loveseat and Normani adjusted her floral and gold Fendi reading glasses. Glasses that Billie was elated to see Normani sporting. Normani looked stylishly beautiful in her white linen harem pants that she’d paired with a white fishnet crop shirt and black lace bra with crystal detailing. On her feet were a pair of floral designer chunky heels.

  Normani ran her hands through her silky straight strands and sighed.

  “A lot but I’m okay. I don’t want to take away from your day. Maybe we could get together tomorrow?”

  Billie nodded staring at Normani. Yes, they’d met through Novah, but Normani did mean a lot to her as well. She
was like her little sister.

  “Sure. How is River? I miss you guys so much.”

  Normani smiled.

  “She’s good! You know her birthday just past. With so much happening I didn’t do the party. I did a mini vacay with her and I, but I will have cake and ice cream at my place soon. Novah is in New York with Durand. I told her about your dinner. She was upset because she said you hadn’t called her and she couldn’t get you on the phone,” Normani replied.

  Billie bit down onto her bottom lip as she stared at Normani. Call it crazy, but with her life being in turmoil she was hoping that her best friend would have made more of an effort to see her.

  “I was in a bad place Normani when Dreux first left. I wasn’t taking anyone’s calls not even her’s but the same way you came over and forced me to get the door she could have as well. I’m happy that Durand and her is working out because she deserves it. I just wish she could be there for me as well. I don’t know,” Billie said and shrugged.

  Normani nodded.

  “Novah loves you like a sister. I think you two should talk before this becomes something it doesn’t have to be. Communication is important with any relationship,” Normani said looking at Billie.

  Billie nodded. She did miss her friend but couldn’t ignore the issues she also had with her girl.

  “I agree, and I will give her a call. Thank you for coming, and I’m not playing. Tomorrow we hitting up somebody breakfast spot. Okay?”

  Normani smiled. She adjusted her glasses and quickly hugged Billie.

  “Okay,” she said quietly before letting her go.

  Billie walked Normani to the door, and as she watched Normani walk to her car, she watched Mickey’s baby father Easton walk up to the door along with their son EJ. Billie smiled and met EJ halfway.

  “Hey handsome!” she said dropping down to hug him.

  EJ pulled back from the hug and tried to dap up Billie. Billie snorted as she looked down at the little boy that looked so much like his father.

  “Oh, so you a grown man now? Trying to dap me up,” she joked.

  EJ laughed and shook his head. Easton chuckled as she looked at him.

  “You good Billie? Where my girl at?” he asked managing to sport this serious face that she was used to seeing on him.

  Billie cleared her throat. She could see why Mickey was so in love with Easton. He was handsome with his tawny brown skin that was tattooed with perfect artwork. He wore his hair in a low-cut fade with a full beard and his intense dark eyes pinned you on the spot. His presence was overwhelming even to Billie but seeing him only made her think of the one man who possessed her heart.

  “She’s in there being the hostess with the mostest. She’s grown so much as a woman and as a mom, you know?”

  Easton nodded with his eyes looking behind her. Billie glanced back and smiled as Mickey stood near the doorway holding bottled water. Like her Mickey no longer indulged in alcohol not wanting to have anything alter their emotions.

  It was another thing they agreed on.

  “And here she is. Excuse me,” Billie said and walked away.

  Billie went back in Mickey’s place and found her sponsor Reese sitting at the dining table all smiles. Reese had been clinging to her tightly lately, but she didn’t mind, and she was appreciative of Mickey for allowing her to come.

  “Hey! You good?” Billie asked taking a seat.

  Reese grinned at her as she sat down.

  “You and your friends are all so amazing. I’ve never seen women all be established in their careers and get along like this. It’s usually always some fake shit going on,” Reese replied.

  Billie shook her head as she briefly eyed the women in the room.

  “Well these are Mickey’s friends; I’m getting to know them, but so far everyone is cool. I wouldn’t be here if I felt something otherwise.”

  Reese smiled.

  “I know. You see the girl at the end of the table is Hillary. She’s married to Draco, the big producer. His brother is that fine ass rapper Draye. Then, of course, you know the magazine owner Bahja and the girl next to her is her best friend. She’s always talking about her on her blogs. She’s married to World. He goes by Emory now, but my cousins say he was like this big ass dope boy back in the day and he’s so damn fine it's insane. Like its crazy. And you know the other girl next to World’s wife is Erin. She’s married to Kasam, and the girl next to her is Harlow. She’s a stylist for the celebrities. I’m just so motivated right now because you all are what I aspire to be,” Reese replied starry-eyed.

  “Then keep your grades up at school and don’t let anything make you lose focus!” Hill said from the other end of the table.

  Reese covered her face shocked that everyone heard her speaking so animated about them. A few women laughed to ease the tension as World’s wife Neveah looked their way.

  “And my name is Neveah, beautiful. If you’re looking for a job, we are hiring at my charity. I heard you say earlier that you was looking to do something with non-profit’s,” Neveah told her.

  Reese’s face lit up, and Billie grinned at her.

  That was the beauty of being with people that had something going for themselves. It was always a blessing on the table. They either motivated you, or you motivated them to go harder. Either way, you were in good company. If you was surrounded by people that were always doing the same thing that was a problem. There was no elevation, and that was never a good thing.

  “Wow, I would be honored. Is it the Black Love charity?” Reese asked.

  Neveah nodded.

  “Yes, and we can exchange numbers really quick so that I can get you set up for a time to come in,” she replied.

  Reese smiled and moved fast to exchange numbers with Neveah.

  Hours later while Reese hung out in the family room waiting for Billie so they could leave Billie talked with Mickey in the kitchen. Instead of Mickey giving Billie words of encouragement it was now Billie’s turn to uplift her friend's spirit.

  “It’s just so hard not being with him. Some days I’m cool. I can get lost at the boutique and just being a mom, but at night I feel it,” Mickey shook her head and wiped away a few tears. “I mean I fucking feel that shit. Like today I was cool, then there he was looking all good. And he blurs the lines so much, Billie. He wants to hug and kiss my cheek. Tell me how nice I look, walk into my bedroom like it's his and chill out and it fucks up my mind. I don’t know what to do anymore. Being in this space with him is no longer working. I have a date with someone,” Mickey revealed.

  Billie’s ears perked up. She grinned at her beautiful friend and Mickey blushed.

  “Bitch stop smiling at me like that. Hill set it up. Draco and Easton would freaking kill her, but she said she’s tired of me being alone while Easton dates his simple ass teacher,” Mickey replied.

  They both snickered because Easton’s girlfriend was the total opposite of Mickey. Pretty she was, but it was nothing more to her. No swag, no spark, she was just there. Nothing memorable that would leave a lasting impression on someone.

  “Well, who is it?”

  Mickey dropped her head. She tugged at her curly hair that hung past her shoulders in a twist-out and cleared her throat.

  “Its Cazimir DeLoines. She said that she knows their sister and that she thinks we would be a good fit. I know nothing about him outside of his name.”

  Billie smiled so hard it stretched her face. The DeLoines were royal. People often mentioned families like the Yaasmin’s and Matin’s in terms of the Detroit who’s, who but the DeLoines weren’t to be ignored. They were wealthy and good looking and kindhearted people from what Billie knew. They owned hotels all over the states and even a few in Africa and the UK.

  Easton was dreamy, a catch for real but Cazimir wasn’t a bad follow up either. Mickey was used to the finer things in life, and Billie felt someone like Cazi would be good for her girl.

  “Easton is going to shit a brick. I’m here for it bitch,” Billie gushed
.

  Mickey smiled and shook her head. Her eyes saddened as she looked at Billie.

  “I’m not doing it to hurt him. I’m tired of being alone, and I don’t know if we’ll ever get to how we were before. I mean you didn’t see us pre-EJ. I had to damn near cut him off just to get him to acknowledge his feelings for me back then. With everything that happened after that, we may never go back to being us. I don’t know, but yeah, he already called and asked me out. He wants to go to a Lakers game and since I love Lebron I was like definitely,” she replied smiling.

  Billie smiled happy for her friend.

  “You deserve to be happy in all aspects of your life. Thanks again for dinner and I’ll call you later,” Billie said before hugging Mickey.

  Billie and Reese exited Mickey’s home tired and stuffed full of seafood. As Billie unlocked her car door, Reese glanced over at her.

  “I appreciate you helping me out. You’re like the big sister I never had,” Reese said to her.

  Billie smiled while waving her off.

  “I’m just paying it forward. If you can help somebody out and you don’t, you aren't human. Life is about loving one another. In my opinion, you can't love God and not love everyone else. I mean he is love, right? I told you that as long as you were dedicated to changing that I had you. You’ll be good with me, and I’m always good company Reese,” Billie told her with a big smile.

  Reese grinned wide and got into her car. Billie slipped in also and as she started the foreign ride up her thoughts drifted to Dreux. She couldn’t help but wonder, what was he doing and if he was doing it with someone that wasn’t her?

  Someone like perhaps his friend from school Kylie.

  4

  #ishouldhavecheated

  “You’re cleared of all of the charges. I would keep my distance from Ms. Monroe. She’s out to slander your name, so we served her with a cease and desist. You’re a lucky man, Tru,” the lawyer said standing up.

  Normani sat on the sofa with her eyes on her laptop.

  “And you have a good day Normani,” the lawyer said before leaving out of the living room.