Baby Mama From Hell

by Rikenya Hunter

  “Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well? You were real fucked up last night, huh?” Pam asked. She was scrambling some eggs and had the kitchen smelling mighty good.

  “Yes, ma’am. I was jacked up, but I slept great though. Thanks for letting me stay over,” I said as I sat down at the kitchen table.

  She twisted up her lips. “Nonsense, Neron. You’re always welcome at my house,” she stated as she placed food onto the plates.

  Quan came trailing into the kitchen with his unknown fling from last night on his tail. He quickly ushered her to the front door. She looked straight up disrespected since she thought he was going to offer her some breakfast. I quickly stuffed a piece of crispy bacon into my mouth to keep me from laughing. When Quan entered back into the kitchen, Mama Pam was shaking her head.

  “Stop bringing them random females into my house, Quan. She was a downgrade from the other chick you brought home a few days ago. Settle down, boy!”

  “Yes, ma’am. I hear you. So, my boy, how’d your night go? I know it wasn’t better than mine,” said Quan as he shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

  “Both of y’all asses need to say grace,” Pam added as she sat down at the table to join us.

  We swiftly said grace and resumed our conversation. “Nah, man, I talked to Kimora and we’re going to see where this new connection goes. I drunk posted on Facebook last night about still being in love with her, and Gabriela saw it and flipped. Surprisingly, she didn’t blow up my phone or pop off all night on Facebook. She’s up to something. I hope my house is still in one piece.” I wished, devouring my plate and gulping down my glass of orange juice.

  “That’s what’s up. Y’all need to go ahead and get back together. I hope everything works out for you, bro,” uttered Quan, getting up and filling his plate up with seconds of breakfast.

  “If you truly love Kimora, take things one day at a time with her. Don’t pressure her, or rush her into anything. Plus, she’s in a different city, baby, so just take your time,” said Pam, getting up and placing her plate into the sink.

  “I got you, Mama P,” I said as I followed suit, getting up and placing my plate into the sink. I pecked Mama P on the cheek.

  “Thank you for the breakfast, Mama. Quan, I’ll get up with you later. I have to go check on my baby mama,” I scoffed.

  I put on my shoes, grabbed my keys and cell phone, and jetted.

  *

  I arrived at my apartment and noticed that Gabriela’s car wasn’t in its typical spot. That was real abnormal because Gabriela was a very predictable person. I walked into the apartment and the first thing my eyes lied on was the food stuck to my television and sauce caked on the floor. I was instantly pissed. I didn’t have much, but what I did have I took care of. Damn! I knew her ass could be petty as fuck and childish, but I didn’t think that she would be bold enough to do this shit, especially after everything that I’ve done for her.

  I ran my hands over my head and blew air out of my lips. I walked throughout my apartment and stopped dead in my tracks once I reached my bedroom doorway.

  “What the fuck?” I yelled to no one in particular.

  I saw every article of clothing and pair of shoes that I owned completely and utterly destroyed. I bent down to sort through some of the clothes and shoes to see what I could salvage. I wasn’t surprised to see that nothing could be saved. To say I was pissed would be sarcasm.

  I walked towards my closet. I literally had no clothes or shoes to my name. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed Gabriela. My call went straight to voicemail.

  I grabbed two trash bags and threw away all of my demolished clothes, shoes, and my comforter. I felt a headache coming on. I was going to have to deal with Gabriela for eighteen years and then some. She was most certainly the baby mama from hell. I shook my head and grabbed the two trash bags. I walked outside and tossed the bags inside the dumpster. I couldn’t believe I had just tossed every article of clothing and shoes I owned into the trash. I decided to call her again. She was going to hear what I had to say. Before I could scroll through my contacts and dial Gabriela, Kimora’s number popped up on my screen. A slight smile crept onto my face.

  “Hello,” I answered

  “Uh, what’s up Neron? You were on my mind. How are you?”

  “Well, damn. To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked as I was walking through my front door from tossing the bags of clothes and shoes into the dumpster.

  “I just wanted to hear your voice. I was on my way to work and wanted to wish you a great day,” she beamed sexily into the phone.

  “You know how to make a man’s day, baby girl,” I responded.

  “Oh yeah?” she replied.

  “Damn right, because I’ve had the morning from hell,” I added. I ended up filling her in on the events that transpired this morning.

  “Wow! Well, Gabriela has always been spiteful, so that doesn’t surprise me.”

  “It just surprised me that she would treat me like this after everything I’ve done for her.”

  “Are you kidding me? Do you see how she betrayed me? She doesn’t give a damn,” she barked into the phone.

  “Man, look, I’m sorry that we somewhat betrayed you. We never did that intentionally to hurt you and, from the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry,” I apologized sincerely.

  I heard her sniffle into the phone and knew that she was crying. I immediately felt bad.

  “Thank you,” was all she said softly.

  “I really want to see you, Kimora. I miss you. That’s on the real,” I admitted.

  “Well, this weekend I’m moving into my first place so, after I get settled, maybe you can come through. In the meantime, text me your address. I want to send you something.”

  “Congratulations on the new spot,” I responded. She thanked me and I continued talking.

  “So you’re trying to surprise a nigga, huh? I’ll text it to you,” I said, pulling out some ground beef from the refrigerator.

  “That’s a bet. Well, I’m pulling up to the job, so I’ll holla at you, pretty boy,” she said sexily into the phone.

  “Alright, beautiful. I love you,” I added.

  There was a pause and, for a second, I thought she hung up until I heard her say, “I love you too, Neron.”

  Hearing her say those three words had a nigga feeling like I was on top of the world.

  “Damn, baby, you made my day. I feel like I can conquer the world, and nothing else that happened today matters.”

  We ended the call, and I decided to make some meatloaf, cabbage, and homemade mashed potatoes and gravy. I wasn’t the best cook, but I could do a little something.

  I had just sat down on the sofa with my plate when my phone rang. I thought about not answering it but decided against my judgment. I grabbed my cell phone from off the computer desk and saw Gabriela’s name flashing across the screen. I blew air out of my lips and rolled my eyes. I was seriously over her and her bullshit. I needed to tell her what was going on. From here on out, if it didn’t pertain to my daughter, I wanted nothing to do with her.

  “What, Gabriela? You have some nerve calling me after the childish bullshit you pulled. Destroying my stuff and throwing food around like a little girl. I hope you felt good about doing that, but guess what? We’re through!” I was standing up and pacing back and forth in the living room.

  “You have some nerve! I saw the messages between you and Kimora. You went and posted a status about still being in love with her. How the fuck was I supposed to take that? You proposed to me, and you asked me to move in with you,” she cried.

  For a split second, I felt bad about being so harsh to her, but then I remembered all my shit she had ruined. It took me thirty minutes to try and get the sauce stain off of the carpet and, even after I finished, the stain was still noticeable.

  “I still love Kimora, Gabriela. You and I are done. I moved you in and proposed to you because of my unborn daughter. It was wrong of me and I shouldn’t ha
ve led you on, but I can’t live the rest of my life being unhappy,” I said, stabbing some cabbage with my fork and placing it into my mouth.

  There was silence.

  “Earth to Gabriela. I know your ass hear me,” I growled.

  “Fuck you, Neron. My daughter and I don’t need you. Best believe I’mma put that ass on child support, you deadbeat bitch. I was good to you, and you just dropped me like a bad habit,” she cried loudly.

  “I’ll take you to court before I ever let you keep my daughter from me. I can’t help that I’m still in love with Kimora. I realized that I never stopped loving her. You can’t help who you love. Maybe if shit were different, things between us could be different too, but, unfortunately, it isn’t. You’ll make some guy really happy, but that guy ain’t me, ma,” I said genuinely.

  I disconnected the call before she could respond. Her ass could talk to the dial tone for all I cared. I felt myself getting angry and I needed to dead that shit real quick before I hurt ole girl’s feelings again.

  I grabbed my plate and turned on the television to ESPN. I popped the top on my beer and enjoyed my dinner without loud ass Gabriela bitching in my ear. It finally felt nice to have my spot back to myself.

  *

  I woke up the next morning to the sound of someone pounding on my front door. I shot up out of my sleep and flung my feet over the bed. I grabbed my t-shirt and quickly put it on.

  I opened the door to see a deliveryman with about five huge boxes.

  “Hello, Sir. Are you Neron Lopez?” the young, bald, African-American man asked.

  “I am he,” I responded.

  “Can you sign here please?” he asked after handing me the electronic clipboard. I hastily signed my name wondering what the packages could be.

  I passed him back the clipboard and he walked off. I grabbed the boxes one by one and brought them inside the house. I didn’t know what could be inside the boxes, since I wasn’t expecting any deliveries.

  I snatched a knife out of my knife block and cut the tape on the boxes. I opened the boxes and was beyond surprised to see brand new clothes. There were brand name clothes ranging from Ralph Lauren to Coogi inside all of the boxes. I grabbed a card and saw that it was from Kimora. I carefully read the card as a smile formed on my face.

  “I figured you could use this stuff  I love you, Kimora.”

  She even got my sizes correct. I tried on some of the Jordans and they fit perfectly. Damn, this girl was everything. She was intelligent, smart, attractive and spontaneous. I grabbed my cell phone and proceeded to call and thank her.

  Chapter 10

  Gabriela

  I couldn’t believe this motherfucka just hung up on me! I squeezed my phone so hard inside my hands that I thought I would break it. If only this phone could be Neron’s neck instead. I just felt so low. I did everything a good woman was supposed to do for her man. I fucked him to sleep. I gave him great head until he came. I cooked for him until he was full. I cleaned so well that he never had to pick up after himself.

  Yeah, I might be feisty, but that was me. The love that I had for Kimora turned into anger and rage. Yeah we were best friends and I loved her at one point in time, but I got jealous when she and Neron got together. She was always canceling our plans and gloating about what her and Neron had going on. The only time we hung out was if we double dated. When she moved away, I didn’t hesitate to go after him myself. For once in my life, I was happy when she moved away. Now, she just swooped back into my life and caused nothing, but havoc. She took what was mine. She took my family from me. The tears began to flow down my face as my mascara ran down my cheeks.

  “I told you, Mami, that you would regret keeping that bastard of a baby and getting knocked up. I knew you would be back. You’re going to be just like me – a single mother,” my mom, Isadora, yapped.

  I had to come back to my mother’s house and was not happy about it at all. The verbal abuse was just too much. She never showed me any love and I guess that’s why I held my family on such a high pedestal and wanted Neron and me to work out. I couldn’t say anything as I curled onto the sofa and hugged the throw pillow.

  “You're going to have to help contribute to some bills. You can't live here for free, and you need to apply for some food stamps or something because I'm not about to be feeding two extra mouths when I have your three brothers to feed,” she demanded.

  “God, I'm not ready to be a grandmother,” my mother yelled as she ironed some clothes. “Yo quería más para ti. ¿Por qué tendrías que ser tan estúpido y quedar embarazada,” she rambled on in Spanish.

  I sat up and went off. “Just because I got pregnant doesn’t make me stupid. Why do you talk down to me so much?” I stood up and placed my hand on my hip.

  “Are you trying to get buck, Gabriela? I’ll wear your ass out, baby or not,” she threatened as she slammed the iron down on the ironing board.

  “What chu wanna do?” I screamed as I got into a fighting stance. It was like I had an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the opposite. Trying to be rational went right out the window, and I completely tuned out the angel.

  Before I could even react, she approached me and slapped the shit out of me. I grabbed my face in shock as she slapped me again and cursed me out in Spanish, calling me everything from a bitch to a horrible daughter that had let her down.

  I didn’t even realize that I pushed her until she fell into the ironing board and the hot iron fell and landed on her thigh. She yelped in pain, quickly removing the iron by pulling it from out of the electrical socket. She jumped up and charged at me like a bitch on the street. My mama swung on me as her fists connected with my face. I tried to block the punches, but she rained down on my face like Floyd Mayweather. I was able to get some licks in but, by me being pregnant, I wasn’t able to throw hands like I normally could.

  “What now, puta! You might be pregnant, but your face ain’t off limits,” she yelled as we fell to the floor and tussled.

  I felt my daughter moving rapidly around in my stomach, probably from distress. I saw my three brothers trying to pry our mother off of me as she kicked and screamed. As they were pulling her off of me, a kick landed right on my stomach and I cried in pain. I grabbed my stomach and winced from the throbbing pain.

  “Get the hell out, you ungrateful bitch,” my mama screeched as she yanked away from my brothers and walked off towards her bedroom.

  My brothers rushed to my aid and helped me sit down on the sofa. I was in so much pain that I could barely move and catch my breath.

  “Are you okay, Gabriela?” they all asked concerned.

  I couldn’t even speak as I blinked away tears that fell from my eyes. I shook my head no. Their little faces showed nothing but concern and fear.

  I looked up and saw my mama coming back into the living room with a lit cigarette in her hand. “Get out now,” she said calmly as my brothers protested for me to stay.

  After she had yelled at them in Spanish, my brothers ages, six, nine, and thirteen retreated towards their rooms. I grabbed what little I had brought with me and left without saying another word to her.

  For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why she treated me like this. Since I could remember, she was never affectionate to me and never was the type to show any emotion. She was, however, that type to pop us in the mouth with a brush or swat our asses with a belt when she felt we were out of line. None of us knew our fathers, so she was all we had.

  Kimora used to think that just because my mama was always at home with us, and cooked us homemade meals that I had it better than her. She was wrong. I never told her about my issues with my mother. It was hard for me to talk about the relationship that I had with my mother.

  As I sat in the driver seat of my car, I stroked my stomach to try and soothe the pulsating pain that was circulating throughout my body. I took deep breaths and decided to head to the emergency room to check on my daughter. I was in too much pain to ignore it.

  Chap
ter 11

  Kimora

  I had just gotten off the phone with Neron, and he sounded grateful for the clothes and shoes that I shipped to him overnight. I spent over nine hundred dollars on him, but it was well worth it. I missed him like crazy. All my feelings came rushing back to him after we talked on the phone. Just because you broke up with someone doesn’t mean you stopped loving them, and I came to the realization that I never stopped loving Neron. I just dealt with the situation the best way I knew how and that was to try and forget about him. As much as I tried to forget him, I couldn’t. He held the key to my heart.

  I was sitting at my receptionist desk, having just finished booking an appointment for a potential buyer, when my daddy strolled through the double glass doors, carrying two cups of coffee.

  “Good morning, Kimora baby,” said my daddy as he passed me a hot steaming cup of coffee. He was looking real dapper as he rocked a posh and pricey Armani Giorgio suit.

  “Good morning. Thanks, Daddy. Smells good,” I said as I blew the scorching hot coffee.

  Daddy grabbed some files from the desk and blew air from out of his lips. He grabbed his facial hair and tugged on his beard, a clear sign that he was thinking about something.

  “Is everything okay, Daddy?” I asked, standing up and walking around the desk to stand in front of him. He dropped the manila folders back on the desk and shook his head, “No.”

  “Follow me into my office. We need to talk,” he said, strolling in the direction of his office. I followed closely behind him as we entered his office. I closed the door, he motioned for me to sit down, and I complied.

  “There’s no easy way to say this, but I got a call from your mother’s boyfriend, or whatever you want to call him. He said that your mother has cervical cancer, and she’s due to have surgery in a few days. It’ll be a waiting game to see if the surgery will be a success. He wanted to know if you and your brother could go and visit her. I told him that it was up to you two. I haven’t told Kennard yet. Would you want to go visit her?” he questioned.