by Ivy Symone
Bebe tore his eyes away from his phone to give Dinky an enquiring look. “Nigga, I done told you me and Nephia ain’t like that. We done had moments or whatever, but for whatever reason…we’re just not…I don’t know.”
“What that mean?”
Bebe shrugged and repeated, “I don’t know.” He pondered over his friendship with Nephia, and continued to say, “Maybe because I wasn’t tryna just be all in love back then. And Nephia deserve more than I was able to offer before.”
“Before?”
“Yeah, before. I think I’m ready to try the whole love thing and relationship again,” Bebe said with thought.
“With Nephia?”
Bebe’s face screwed up in confusion. “What’s up with the questions about Neph?”
Dinky half shrugged with indifference. “I’m just asking.”
“Neph seeing some nigga anyway. I ain’t gon’ interfere with that,” Bebe added.
“What nigga?”
Bebe said, “I don’t know…some nigga. She might bring him over Wednesday.”
Dinky nodded while falling deep in thought. “So, what if her and this new nigga don’t work? Will you shoot your shot?”
“With Neph? I don’t think so. Me and Nephia pretty much have established a brother sister type friendship. I think it’d be weird now.”
“Well, I know she deserve a nigga that’ll understand what she been through, and treat her properly,” Dinky remarked.
“Definitely,” Bebe agreed. “And whoever it is gotta accept and love all them kids like his own.”
“The oldest three are grown and out the house, right?”
Bebe nodded. “Wait…how many she got? She got the two sets of twins, three girls, and a lil boy…or is it two? Hell, I don’t know. It’s a lot of them mothafuckas.”
Dinky chuckled. “But they well-mannered though. A real man could handle them.”
“Man, she so little to have spit out all them damn kids. I ain’t never seen nothing like it,” Bebe said in amazement.
“Is the kids a turn off for you?”
“Why it seem like you interviewing a nigga, Dink?”
Dinky laughed. “My bad. But answer the question.”
“Naw…I like kids.”
“Yeah, I know. How many more you plan to get out of Nola?” Dinky joked.
“Nola’s ass is just fertile as fuck.”
“And yo’ ass can’t stay out the pussy.”
“Me and Nola don’t fuck like that,” Bebe lied.
Dinky twisted his lips up in doubt. “You think I’m stupid. Nigga, I done been over here before and yo’ ass’ll disappear. Car and truck still be outside. Phone be on the kitchen counter. I know yo’ ass be creeping over to Nola’s at night.”
Bebe’s face flushed with guilt. He chuckled as he tried to avoid eye contact with Dinky. “So, nigga. Mind yo’ fucking business.”
“Stop being ashamed. Ain’t nothing wrong with it. You love who you love, nigga.”
Dinky was right. You love who you love. Maybe it was time to embrace that and let things be. Let God and let love.
~~~~~~~~~~
Before Nola could kick off her shoes and relax, her back door was opening. Shadow came rushing in and ran up to her in a playful manner.
“You couldn’t wait until I got home, huh?” she asked as she gave him a few rubs.
Kennedi pranced in with her afro of wild hair bouncing about. Mikael followed closely behind.
“Girl! Look at that head!” Nola teased. She grabbed a handful of Kennedi’s hair. “What you plan to do with all this?”
Kennedi grinned. “I was hoping you had plans for it.”
“You ready to get it done now?” She asked.
Kennedi nodded.
“Well go grab all the stuff. You know where it is.”
Nola fixed herself something to drink while Kennedi fetched all of the hair supplies and accessories. She went to her den where Mikael had already made himself comfortable in the corner of the sofa. Shadow rested on the floor right under Mikael’s dangling feet.
“What was your lil brother doing?” Nola asked.
“Sleeping,” Mikael said in his tiny voice.
“Is BJ over there?”
“Yeah. He’s playing Fortnite with Marcus.”
“You didn’t want to play with them?” She asked knowing the answer already.
“No, I’m a little kid, and when older kids around, BJ don’t like playing with me, Mommy. But I don’t like Fortnite; I’d rather play the obbies on Roblox.”
“Oh. Who else is at your daddy’s house?”
“The usual,” he said with a sigh.
Nola was tickled. Any time there was too much adult activity next door, the kids would migrate to her house. They had more freedom to play around without Nola fussing at them every three minutes.
Kennedi returned with her hair products and accessories. She grabbed a throw pillow and took her place on the floor between Nola’s legs.
“You want it a certain way?” Nola asked.
In an airy voice, Kennedi said, “No, just do what you do.”
Nola took a minute to come up with a pattern on Kennedi’s head. The thing she loved about Kennedi being in her life was she got to do things she longed to do with a little girl. She never cared about the gender of her children before, but she really hoped that this third child would be a girl. If not, she still had her Kennedi.
“Can we make more jewelry?” Kennedi asked.
“When?”
“Before The Fourth of July. I wanna make some colors that go with the clothes you got me.”
“Oh,” Nola murmured. Then she thought about Ya’s birthday celebration. “I think we need to go find something else to match what your daddy is planning for your brother’s birthday. As a matter of fact, now I know exactly what colors to put in your hair.”
“Isn’t he doing the Avengers?” Kennedi asked.
Mikael asked, “Are we getting different clothes too?”
“Yeah,” Nola replied.
“Can I cut on the tv, Mommy?” Mikael asked.
They rarely watched television in her house because she usually had them involved in some type of arts and craft project, or Kennedi wanted to help her make soaps, oils, candles, and even various desserts. She truly had a genuine “mini me” in Kennedi.
“Go ahead,” she told Mikael. Combing through Kennedi’s hair, Nola commented, “You have so much hair, it’s ridiculous.”
Kennedi giggled, “You say that every time.”
“I wonder if you get all this hair from your mama,” Nola said in thought.
“Sometimes I wonder too,” Kennedi stated.
“Do you ever wonder what she’s like?”
Kennedi answered carefully, “Sometimes.”
“Does it bother you that she’s not around?”
“Not really.”
“Why not?”
“Because I got you, Granny, and my aunties.”
“How would you feel if she came back for you?” Nola asked.
Kennedi shrugged. “I don’t know. How should I feel?”
Nola thought over Kennedi’s question before answering. “I think you should hear her out. At the end of the day, she’s still your mama, and regardless, me and your father, your granny, your aunts…we’re raising you to be a respectful young lady. As for your mother, once you give her a chance, and you see she’s still with the shits, just let her know those kinds of actions won’t be tolerated. And you don’t have to tolerate it when you have people like me, your granny, and aunts in your life.”
“But why do I have to respect her? You don’t respect certain people if they do bad stuff,” Kennedi pointed out.
Nola stopped with parting Kennedi’s hair and leaned down to look her in the eyes. “Ay, you do as I say, and not as I do. Every situation isn’t the same. As you become older, you’ll be able to tell the difference in how you should handle it. And even as adults, we sometimes don’t always handl
e things right the first time.”
“Like you and Daddy?” Kennedi asked.
Nola gave Kennedi a puzzling look. “What that mean?”
“You and Daddy have handled this whole relationship thing wrong.”
Nola just stared at Kennedi. The longer she stared, the more Kennedi giggled.
“What?” Kennedi asked.
“What is your lil ass talking about?”
“You and Daddy should get married,” Kennedi said. “Daddy didn’t handle it right the first time.”
Nola went back to Kennedi’s hair. “Well, that’s something your daddy gotta want.”
“He wants it; he just don’t know it.”
“Either he knows it, or he don’t. And how you know what your daddy wants, lil girl?” Nola chuckled.
Kennedi giggled. “I can just tell. He’s always ‘Nola, Nola, Nola’ and when he’s not, he’s just quiet, like he’s sad. He misses you. A lot.”
They fell silent while the television played Paw Patrol.
One thing that Nola felt grateful for was how Kennedi felt about her. She took pride in the fact that the young girl valued her so much. Only if Bebe would do the same. And maybe he did to a degree, and that was why such things came out of Kennedi’s mouth.
“Nola?” Kennedi’s voice was low and soft.
“Yes?”
“How would it make you feel if my mama came back?”
Nola never given her feelings any thought on that scenario. Would she be jealous, insecure, or even threatened?
She answered as honestly as she could. “I’d respect the fact that she’s your mama, but it wouldn’t change a thing between us. You’re still my daughter and will always be.”
Kennedi smiled, but then said, “But we look so different for people to believe you’re my mama.”
“We don’t look that much different. We both have beautiful skin. Yes, girl, own it! When you’re flawless, you’re just flawless. And we’re beautiful! Do you hear me? We both have big wild hair, dark slanted eyes, and whether you know it or not, you’re gonna have a huge bootay just like me!”
Kennedi and Mikael both cracked up with laughter.
“I wish I had red hair like you and my brothers,” Kennedi said once she stopped laughing.
“Well, maybe when you get a little older, we’ll see if we can convince your daddy to let me dye it. Or maybe we can get some hair paint or even Kool Aid.”
“Kool Aid?” Kennedi echoed with her nose scrunched up.
“Yeah, but your hair is so black, I doubt it’ll take. But honestly Kennedi, your hair is gorgeous just the way it is…Just like you. Shit, I’d die for your dimples, girl.”
Kennedi’s smile stretched wider. She jumped up from her spot on the floor and attacked Nola with a big hug.
“I love you, Nola.”
Nola’s heart swelled with so much warmth. She was almost at a loss for words. She managed to mumble, “I love you too, baby girl.”
Chapter 7
K eyma and her crew had set up the backyard for Yanis’ birthday party, and it was perfect. Bebe knew when Nola laid eyes on all of it, including all of the different stations that were set up for face painting and things like cotton candy along with all of the different inflatables positioned between Bebe’s and Nola’s backyards, that she was going to pitch a fit about the cost. He never understood why she complained about cost when he was the one who didn’t mind paying. Her argument was it was too much to spend on a one year old; his argument was nothing was too much when it came to his children. Some referred to him as reckless, but he begged to differ. Years ago, he used to be the practical type, but losing Miki made him more free-spirited.
“Mama!” Bless whispered yelled as she came out of Bebe’s backdoor. She walked over to where a few of them were gathered on the covered patio. “Why you tell your brother to come so early? He’s looking for alcohol already?”
“Well, I just told him everything was starting at three. I didn’t think he’d show up on time,” Joyce said throwing her arms up in exasperation.
“Who is it? Uncle Russ or Uncle Curtis?” Bebe asked.
“Russ,” Bless answered then gave him a knowing look.
“Aw hell naw,” Bebe grimaced. “Mama, go in there and keep your brother company or something. Keep his ass from coming out here where the kids at.”
Keyma snickered as she listened to them crack jokes about Uncle Russ and his drunken behavior. From what she could tell, Bebe had a great circle of close friends and family that loved having a good time. When he gave her the numbers for expected attendance, she thought he was just overestimating to be on the safe side, but no, these people actually showed up with their children. And from what he explained; they were also there for the Fourth festivities as well. She was amazed that Bebe had family members already on the grills, deep fryers, and inside on the stove. When he said it was going to be one big celebration, he wasn’t lying. It was like one big family reunion. The good thing about it though, she got a lot of inquiries about her services after they all saw her set up for the birthday party portion of the day.
She was trying to enjoy herself, but every now and then her phone would ring several times back to back. She didn’t answer it because she told Cedric that she had a party to do. Why couldn’t he be considerate of that? Besides, she didn’t want Bebe to think she had some guy checking up on her.
Every time she tried to get Bebe to himself, someone else was in need of his presence. And then there were the many women. Whenever one arrived, their first mission was to hug all over him and flirt.
“Here comes this bitch.”
It was said under her breath, but Keyma definitely caught it. Bebe’s baby mother, Stefani was standing off to the side with a friend of hers. She was wearing a look of disgust with her eyes focused on the house next door. Keyma turned in that direction to see who she was speaking of. Out of the back door spilled an older boy, Kennedi, a young boy, and a woman carrying a toddler.
The bitch Stefani spoke of had to be the woman. And if she was Bebe’s other baby mother, Keyma definitely wasn’t expecting her. He spoke of her so nonchalantly, but this woman was gorgeous, and she was…
Wait.
Keyma’s heart dropped in her stomach. The further she walked into the yard, Keyma realized who Bebe’s baby mama was.
“There he is!” Bebe exclaimed excitedly as he hopped up to greet the woman and kids right where both yards met. Bless and a few others followed his lead.
“She makes me so sick,” Stefani was saying.
Stefani’s friend, referred to as Tika, sucked her teeth at Stefani. “Please girl, Nola don’t even be doing nothing to you. You just mad cause your baby daddy show her more attention than you.”
“He shows me plenty of attention,” Stefani rebutted, and threw her eyes menacingly toward Keyma. She looked back out into the yard. “Why do you think I’m staying here? And he don’t even want me getting my own place. He said I can stay here as long as I want.”
Keyma wondered if Stefani was trying to let her know where her place was in Bebe’s life subliminally. While Stefani was a beautiful woman, Keyma in no way felt threatened by her.
“I don’t believe that. Bebe can’t stand your ass,” Tika chuckled.
“Whatever,” Stefani dismissed. “Me and Bebe been growing closer since I’ve been here.”
“Yeah, closer to him finna choke your ass,” Tika laughed. “Girl stop. Who you fooling?”
“He only act like he crazy about her because of them little boys,” Stefani argued. “If I have a baby right now, he’d be the same way.”
“Well, it looks like you need to have him a baby if you want me to believe he crazy about you. Cause I don’t see it.”
Hmm, Keyma thought. She wondered if Bebe was aware of Nola’s ex in prison. What if Nola said something to Bebe about Keyma’s involvement with her ex? Maybe she could avoid bumping into Nola, or she could make up an excuse to leave. Her kids would hate her for the rest
of the week if she brought their fun to an end right then.
Since Nola was making her rounds greeting everyone and getting caught up in conversations, Keyma decided to hang back for a while. Avoiding Nola worked until it was time for everyone to gather to sing happy birthday to Yanis and watch him make a mess of his personal first birthday cake. Still, Nola’s focus was on Yanis until she and Bebe decided it would be a bright idea to smear cake icing on one another which led to an all-out icing war amongst a few of the younger adults and kids.
The birthday party soon blended in with the Fourth of July celebration as more adults arrived bringing with them more food and alcohol. With more people congesting the backyards and with the sun settling, Keyma stay hidden or so she thought.
“Why are you over here in the cut?” Bebe asked her as he approached her wearing one of the sexiest grins. “I’ve been looking for you. Why ain’t you been out there playing the games and shit? Have you ate?”
“Yeah, I ate. Someone, I’m not sure who it was, insisted that I make me several to-go plates. It might’ve been your mama’s sister,” she told him with a laugh.
“Did you? Cause it’s plenty.”
“I did. They’re put up in your fridge,” she grinned.
“Man, I can’t tell you enough how great Yanis party was. His ass was so fucking excited. Did you see him? He actually forgot about his damn pacifier for a minute,” he chuckled.
“He’s so cute. I see where he get the red hair from. Your baby mama is pretty,” she commented.
A faraway look shone in Bebe’s eyes as he looked out toward the yard. “Yeah, she’s a’ight. Did you meet her? I don’t think I introduced her to the woman responsible for her son’s party…Ay Nola!”
“No, that’s fine,” Keyma insisted. “She’s occupied. I’ll meet her some other time.”
It was too late. Nola happily abandoned what she was doing to tend to Bebe’s call. Even as she approached, she kept her eyes trained on Keyma, which made her antsy.
“Hey Nola, I wanted you to meet Keyma. Her company and crew are the ones who did Yanis’ birthday,” Bebe said.
Nola stood there with her hands resting akimbo on her flanks and eyeing Keyma’s bright pink t-shirt with yellow lettering advertising her company, Keyma’s Kreationz. She then let her sultry eyes rise to meet Keyma’s worried ones.