by La Jill Hunt
The door opened slowly and Kayla smiled at Geno as he entered.
“Hi, G. I knew you were here.”
“You feeling okay, Kay?” He kissed her cheek and walked over to see Day. “Hey, Princess.”
“I would probably be doing better if I was at home,” Kayla admitted.
“Kayla, I’m so sorry for what happened the other afternoon. I was out of line and I was wrong. I know you think it wasn’t my place to get into it with Craig, but when he made it seem like we were scheming on his punk ass, I got mad.”
“Don’t worry about it, G. It wasn’t your fault. But I’m glad you’re here. I want to thank you for looking after Day while I was sick. They told me that you gave her ’round the clock feedings and everything.” Kayla wondered how he was able to get away from that crazy Janice to do it, but she didn’t ask.
“That’s my princess. I didn’t do anything you wouldn’t do for me, Kayla. Hell, if it wasn’t for you, I never would have finished school. I keep telling you that I will always be there for you. I’m not playing. No matter the circumstances.” He sat next to her and put his arm around her. Kayla did not know what to think. She still loved Geno, there was no doubting that, but she did not know what he was trying to say and didn’t want to make a fool of herself by asking.
“Time’s up.” Karen interrupted her thoughts before she had a chance to respond. She checked the monitor and looked at Kayla and Geno. “Very good, Kayla. No high readings. Now, Geno, I really need for you to make sure Kayla gets some rest while she is at home. Don’t be calling her all times of the night and no surprise visits.”
“I know. Karen, I know this sounds crazy, but are you sure there is no possible way that I could be the father? I am not saying that Kayla’s not sure, but is there any possibility?” He looked at Karen, pleading.
“If the last time you were together was when you said it was, Geno, then there’s no way. Now if you want to take a blood test then I’d be more than happy to have it done.”
“No, it’s just like I love her as if she’s mine. She’s only a few days old, but I know I couldn’t love my own child any more. We have a bond,” he said. It took everything in her power for Kayla not to breakdown and cry. She wished more than anything that Day could have been hers and Geno’s child. It would have made a hell of a lot more sense than Day being the result of a one-night stand with Craig.
“Childbirth is a very bonding experience, Geno. And you already had a bond with Kayla. That’s a lot of emotions, when you think about it. And Day will also have a bond with you, if you choose to continue. But know that bond comes with a lot of responsibility. You are talking about being a part of a child’s life. That’s nothing to take lightly.”
“I know,” he said.
“Kayla, you have another visitor waiting. And your parents are waiting to take you home as well.” Karen opened the door.
“Good-bye, Kayla. I’ll call before I stop by later.” He looked at Karen for approval. “To see Day, of course.”
“How about tomorrow? Give Kayla and Day a chance to get settled their first night.”
“Okay. But I’m gonna call.” He kissed Kayla, Day, and Karen as he left.
“Ready for your next gentleman caller?” Karen asked.
“Send Terrell with his retarded self in.” Kayla prepared herself for the smart comment she knew he would have when he came in. Karen shook her head and walked into the hallway.
Kayla could not help but frown when instead of Terrell, Craig walked in. She was about to curse him out when she caught a glimpse of the blood pressure cuff on her arm and began to breathe deeply.
“Hi, beautiful.” Craig spoke smoothly. He walked over and gave Kayla a hug, then touched Day’s back. “And little beautiful.”
“You are the last person I expected to be here,” she told him dryly.
“Okay, I can’t risk you falling the hell out again, so I’m asking you just to chill while I say my peace.” He looked at her intensely. Kayla didn’t want to hear anything he had to say, but she decided to let him talk so he could hurry and leave.
“Go ahead.” She took another deep breath.
“Okay. I am sorry for saying what I did. It’s just that I was looking at you and Geno and it was like it was your baby—yours and his. I know you wouldn’t lie to me, Kay. And Karen confirmed what you said about the date of conception. I already made my peace with Geno, now I’m making amends with you and Day.” He reached inside his jacket pocket and passed Kayla a folded piece of paper. She took it from his hand and slowly opened it. It was the registration for Day’s birth certificate and he had printed and signed his name under the space for father’s information.
“Thank you,” Kayla whispered. She looked up at him and saw him standing next to Day.
“Can I?”
“She’s your daughter. Of course you can.” Kayla reached in and passed the baby to him. He gently rocked her in his arms.
“I want to be a part of her life, Kayla. I know you and I will be nothing more than friends, but I still want to be there for her and you. Please, give me a chance.” He looked at her with that intense stare and Kayla could not help but smile.
“I don’t have a problem with that, Craig. But I will not have you walking in and out of her life like some distant relative that she gets to see on birthdays and holidays. If you’re gonna be a father, I have no problem with that. But I don’t have time for your games, either,” Kayla warned him.
“All right, I understand. Well, I guess I need to let you finish up and get out of here. Do you need anything? Or does she?”
“No, we’re fine for now. Thank you for stepping up, Craig.” She took Day and placed her back into the bassinet.
“Well, call me if you need me.” He gave her a hug.
“But are you gonna answer when I call? You know how you conveniently lose your phone sometimes.” Kayla smirked.
“You’re a trip.” He opened the door and she could see her parents talking with Karen.
“Mister and Mrs. Hopkins, she’s ready,” he told them as he turned and waved to Kayla. “I’ll call you later.”
“Good-bye, Craig.” Kayla waved. “Hi, Daddy. You ready to take all of us women home?”
“You’d better believe it. Where’s my newest baby luv?” Her dad kissed her as her mother followed him into Kayla’s room.
“I thought we took all of this kind of stuff home?” her mother said as she picked up a pink and white vase full of flowers that had been delivered earlier. She read the card then turned to Kayla and asked, “Who’s Uncle Darrell?”
“Craig’s brother,” Kayla answered as she bundled Day up into the bunting Roni had sent.
“Well, that was nice of him,” her dad said as he picked up Kayla’s suitcase.
“He’s a nice guy,” Kayla told them.
“Mom, can you please grab Day’s pictures out of the drawer?”
“You’d better not forget them pictures,” her father warned.
“I gotta have plenty to take when I go back to work. My grandbaby,” he said proudly as the nurse and Karen came in and Kayla sat in the wheelchair, holding her precious daughter.
“Thank you for everything, Karen,” she said. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Yes, you could have. It just wouldn’t have been as easy.” Karen grinned. “Now, I have given your parents specific instructions, so I know you’re in good hands. I’ll see you next week in my office.”
“Well, Day. We’re finally going home.” Kayla smiled and kissed Day’s forehead.
24
Kayla’s transition into motherhood came naturally. Her mother stayed with her for two weeks to make sure she and Day got settled. By the time she left, they had exchanged all of Day’s blue clothes for pink ones and the nursery was still blue, but it now had pink accents.
“Mama, I can’t thank you enough for being here for me and Day. You know you didn’t have to do all of this,” Kayla told her as she watched her
pack her suitcase. Day was asleep in the porta-crib that Kayla had in her room.
“Please, Kayla. Wait until Day has a baby and then you’ll know why I did it,” her mother stopped packing long enough to say.
“Whew, that is over thirty years from now, Mama.” Kayla raised her eyebrows. “Yeah, that’s what I thought when I had you. But somehow it didn’t work out that way, did it?”
“I guess not.” Kayla put her head down.
“Sometimes things work out better. Kayla, no matter what the circumstances that got Day here, she is still our grandbaby and you are still our daughter. And we love you both very much.”
“I know, Mama. I still feel that I somehow disappointed you and Daddy, though. I know you wanted me to be married first.”
“Kayla, your father and I are very proud of you. You could be doing a lot worse, you know. We raised you and Anjelica to be productive, successful young women, and you are.”
At the sound of her sister’s name, Kayla felt her pressure rise. She had not spoken to her since the baby shower and she wanted to keep it that way. “At least I am,” she said before she could stop herself.
“Kayla. Your sister is successful too, in her own right. Your guidelines for success are different from hers because you are two different people. But I am going to say this one last and final time. You are sisters and that fact will never change.”
“Okay, Mama,” Kayla said. She didn’t want to argue with her mother so she just let it go. She knew that her mother would never believe what Anjelica had done if she told her the truth. The doorbell rang and Kayla went to open the door. Her father had arrived to pick up her mother.
“Hey, Daddy.” She greeted her father with a kiss.
“Hey, honey. You doing okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, Daddy.”
“Where’s my sweetie?” He walked into the nursery.
“Are you referring to me or the baby, John?” Kayla’s mother asked her husband. He walked over and took her into his arms.
“Of course I was referring to you, Sweetie.” As he kissed her, he peered into the crib looking for Day.
“She’s not even in there, you big, fat liar.” Kayla’s mother pushed him away.
“Where is she?” he asked.
“In my room. She’s asleep.” Kayla led him into her bedroom. He went to pick her up but Kayla’s mother protested.
“Leave her alone, John. We finally got her on a schedule. You can’t wake her up. It’ll throw her off.”
“But I’m her grandpa. I get special, unscheduled visitation rights.” He winked at Kayla and gently picked the baby up. He kissed her cheek and laid her back down, never waking her.
“Well, I guess we’d better head on home, Jen. Kayla, you take care of my baby luv and call us if you need anything.” He put his arm around Kayla and they walked into the hallway.
“My bag is in the nursery, John. Grab it for me.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered.
“Thank you again, Mama.” Kayla fought back the tears. She loved her parents so much and was grateful for them.
“I will call you when we get home. And don’t you have a bunch of people running in and out of here fawning over that baby,” she warned Kayla. Her daughter was all grown up with a baby of her own, but that would never stop Jennifer from being her mother.
“Okay, Mama.” Kayla smiled.
“Let’s go, sweetheart. Love you, Kay. We’ll talk to you later on tonight,” her father called as they departed. As soon as Kayla locked the door, the bell rang again. Kayla laughed at her father standing outside her doorway.
“What’d you forget?”
“This is for you, Kay. Don’t open it now, but put it to good use for you and Day.” He put an envelope in her palm and rubbed the tops of her hands as he left for the second time. After she saw them pull out of the driveway, Kayla sat on the sofa and opened the card. It was simple, with a pink flower on the cover and a handwritten message on the inside.
To my daughter, Kayla, with love,
As you embark on this new journey, may the lessons of love, life, and laughter that we have shared over the years be the compass that directs your life, as you are now a leader for your little one.
I love you and I am so proud of you, Dad
This time, the tears did not surprise Kayla as she removed ten hundred-dollar bills out of the card.
25
“What are you doing?” Geno asked Kayla.
“Watching cartoons.” Kayla balanced the cordless phone on her shoulder as she bounced Day on her lap. She was sitting in the middle of her bed and was deciding what they should do on this fine December Saturday.
“Well, get dressed. I’m on my way to pick you and Day up,” he said.
“What do you mean you’re on your way? What are you doing home anyway, and where’s your girlfriend?” she said in one breath.
“Just get ready. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” He chose not to answer any of her questions.
“I can’t get myself and an infant ready in fifteen minutes. Are you crazy?”
“Jeez, Kay. Look, can you be ready in an hour?”
“Where are we going and what is the rush?” Kayla looked over at the clock and saw that it was only ten thirty in the morning.
“Just be ready.” He hung up before she had a chance to ask anymore questions.
“Well, Day. I guess we’re going out for the afternoon.” She looked into her eyes and kissed her chubby cheeks. At almost a month old, people said she looked just like Kayla, but Kayla didn’t see it. “What shall we wear?”
Kayla put Day into her bouncer and went rummaging through her closet. She was almost back down to her pre-pregnancy weight, but because of her new, well-rounded hips and thick butt, her jeans still didn’t fit right.
“I need to go shopping, Day,” Kayla called out. The phone rang and she picked it up.
“Hey, girl. Theo and I are going to the mall. You want to go?” Tia asked.
“I can’t. I’m going somewhere with Geno,” Kayla mumbled.
“Geno? Where is his girlfriend?”
“I asked him the exact same thing.” Kayla pulled out a pair of black stretch jeans and a red sweater. Well, it is Christmas. May as well look festive.
“Where are you going?”
“He wouldn’t say. Just told me to be ready,” she said as she went into Day’s room and began to scavenge her closet for the perfect ensemble for her as well. She found what she was looking for and laid it on the bed next to her own outfit.
“Well, go and have fun. He must have had it out with his girl again. Every time she pisses him off he calls you. I don’t see why he’s with her crazy ass anyway.”
“I don’t know, girl.” Kayla ran a tub of water and grabbed a towel for her and Day, and then got all of their toiletries, making sure she would have everything in arm’s reach. She flicked the small radio she had on the shelf to the jazz station and it began to play softly.
“So, have you talked about getting back together?”
“Uh, hello. I just had another man’s baby and he is living with another woman.” Kayla could not believe Tia asked her that. She got undressed and then undressed Day.
“What? It’s no secret that you and Geno still love each other. Hell, that’s the reason Craig nearly flipped out at the hospital. I’ll be the first to admit that neither of you are in the best circumstances, but you can’t help who you love.”
“That’s not what Roni says,” Kayla laughed.
“Humph, she’s so in love these days that even her mama is shocked. I never thought I’d see the day. But ain’t it funny how the two biggest players in the entire town hooked up?”
“I think it’s cute. I am glad she finally found someone. You have Theo, she has Toby.” Kayla took a moment to look at her naked body in the mirror. I gotta work out harder, she thought as she pinched her sides. “Yvonne and I are the only members left in the Lonely Hearts Club. Maybe we need to recruit new memb
ers?”
“Girl, please. Ain’t nobody got a ring on their finger. Heck, I don’t even think any of us are really ready for marriage.”
“I am. And you are, too. Don’t even try it. If Theo were to ask you to go and get married today, you’d be calling me to borrow my white wool suit,” Kayla joked.
“Girl, please. Although you should let me have it anyway, because you can’t get into it anymore.” Tia laughed.
“You know what? On that note, I am hanging up.”
“Bye, girl. Tell Geno I said hello.”
Kayla picked Day up and went into the bathroom. She stuck her foot into the tub and made sure the temperature was okay. She carefully got in and lay Day on her chest as she cascaded warm water over her tiny body. Although she flinched at first, Kayla knew Day loved the tub. They were both treasuring the moment, when Kayla swore she heard someone calling her name. She sat up and before she could reach for the towel, the bathroom door opened.
“Kay!”
“What are you doing?” Kayla covered herself and Day as best she could, using her hands and Day’s tiny body.
“My bad! I thought you had left the radio on in here.” Geno smiled as he looked at her and the baby in the tub. “I was about to be mad because I thought you had left with someone else, and you knew I was on my way. Hey, Day, come here.”
“Get out, Geno!” Kayla screamed.
“Why are you screaming? Give me the baby.”
“No, get out.” She was beyond embarrassed.
“Kayla. It’s not as if I’ve never seen you naked before. Hell, I saw all that long before you gave birth. I saw all up in there while you were giving birth. Now pass me the baby. She’s shivering.” He laughed and grabbed the small pink towel off the rack near the tub.
“Get out of here. How did you get in here, anyway?” She reluctantly passed Day to him and he wrapped her warmly in the towel. He stood looking at Kayla as he rocked the baby.
“The door was unlocked. Need help getting out?” He grinned. Damn, he missed her.