All of my irrational insecurities came out in the ugliest of ways. I scurried to get up and around his bed to his massive ensuite bathroom. Tafari blocked my path with a scowl pressed on his expression. “Pril, I’ma say dis and I mean ’em with all due respect. Shut da hell up and calm da fuck down. Ain’t shit ’bout dis shit make me think you nasty unless ya ass ain’t about to wash. Stop wit’ dat dumb shit talkin’ ’bout I ain’t ga want you.”
His tone took me by surprise. He’d never spoken to me like that. There was so much base in his voice, but ironically, there was love there too. At least that’s what it felt like in my heart. “I’m sorry. I’ll buy you some new bed sheets if the blood went through da mattress. I didn’t think that my period would come on like this tonight.”
My face contorted, hand went to my stomach, and body leaned forward slightly from the pain that hit me. I knew that Nicole told me to give him my worst, but damn, did I have to give it to him all at once? Why couldn’t it just be cramps tonight, then the overly heavy period another time?
Tafari wrapped his arms around my waist, and his hands massaged my back. His stare was intense. After a beat, he kissed my lips. “Listen to me and listen to me well, Pril. I’ma grown ass man with a mama and female cousins. I’m well aware of what comes with periods. I’on need you ta buy shit.
“I plan ta be wit’ you forever, Pril. I’m not sure if you realize that shit. You thirty-five, so I anticipate dat you ga have many more periods. I’on care if we gotta get a damn bed pad, mattress protecta. You not ga use this as an excuse ta not be here wit’ me,” he said with a finite tone.
The tears were unstoppable. “I love you.” My eyes bulged because that was supposed to be an inner thought. “I mean, I mean?—”
His hand went up, and a smile appeared on his handsome face. “I love you too, Pril. You betta love a nigga, or it was gonna be a problem.” He kissed my lips. “Let’s get cleaned up.”
He turned to walk, and I felt compelled to let him in on the full scope of things. This wasn’t just periods that were sometimes heavy. I had a whole ass diagnosed condition that came with obstacles that made me less desirable to a lot of men. “I’m diagnosed with endometriosis, and I might not be able to carry a pregnancy. In my last relationship, I miscarried a few times.”
His steps stopped before he slowly turned to face me and just stared.This is where it all falls down.“Okay, my cousin has endometriosis. As far as carrying a pregnancy, your eggs still good?”
I was a little confused with his question. “Um, yes. There’s nothing wrong with my eggs.”
“Cool. When da time comes, if you want we ca’ try da natural way, do IVF, or we ca’ get a surrogate ta carry our baby,” he said with a shrug. “Love, we in 2026, so we got options. If we wanna baby, we ga have a baby. Now come on so we ga take a shower and get back in da bed.” He reached back for my hand.
I guessed that was the end of that conversation. I wasn’t sure what I expected when I told him about the baby part. Actually, I did know what I expected. I expected him to leave me where I stood. That didn’t seem to be the case with him. Only time would tell, but for now it seemed like it was a new dawn in my life.
A Short TimeLater
It’s Like They Smell Happy . . .
Life had been golden. My business was flourishing, my friendships were fruitful, and my man was every-fucking-thing! I never imagined that love could feel this good. The way that man took care of me was something that I’d seen around me, but I never imagined it for myself.
The day after my period leakage misfortune, Tafari took me to the store and demanded that I buy everything that I needed to take care of me during that time. He made a space for me in his linen closet that was in his bathroom. He didn’t care what I needed, he bought it.
When my period came, he demanded that I spend that time at his house because he wanted to make sure I was taken care of. I tried to push back and told him that my mother took care of me during that time. Well, my mother flipped on me like a ho with a five-thousand-dollar opportunity. She told me that I had a real man now to take care of me.It be your own people.
Three weeks ago, I was in my nail studio minding my business with my client when I heard a loud truck pull into my yard. I thought it was the guys that I paid to mow my lawn and take care of my land.Three acres is a lot of land to take care of.After I finished my client, I did my normal, which was grab waters and snacks for the men. Imagine my surprise when I walked outside and saw Tafari, Jordan, and Roy. My man said that he refused to let me pay another nigga to cut my grass when I had a man with homies and family.
When I got home that night after all my appointments, my mother pulled me into the kitchen and taught me some of her recipes that I never thought she would teach me. She claimed now that I had a man that was worthy of eating the dish, she would teach me. The very next night, I made him some marry me chicken.Yeah, that nigga’s going to marry me.
Let me get in my zone for my next appointment.It was a first-time client. I wanted everything to be perfect as I alwaysdid, especially when it came to new clients. First impressions were everything. When you booked an appointment, you were asked questions about your preference of beverages and snacks. You were also asked if you had any allergies.
When the doorbell rang, I smiled. I loved a punctual client. There was a fifteen-minute grace period, but even that fifteen minutes could put me behind if I had back-to-back clients.
With a smile, I answered the door. That smile quickly dropped. “I know you’re fucking lying. Chasity, I don’t have time to play with you. This is my business.”
“Pril, I know that. I’m not here for drama. I’m really here to get my nails done.” Her smile was faint and didn’t reach her eyes. “When I asked where to get my nails done for my wedding, everyone said you.”
I tittered because there were several nail techs that were on their shit in the Charleston area. “Well, let me give you a referral. Polished Vibez is amazing. Lenora, the owner and nail tech extraordinaire is absolutely amazing. You can find her on Facebook and IG.”
Chasity shifted on her feet. “Okay, but I’m here now. My wedding is this weekend, and my schedule is slam-packed.”
My head tilted to the side. I pulled my phone from my back pocket, pressed the screen, then made a phone call. I waited a few seconds before the line picked up.“What’s up, girlie?”Lenora answered.
“Hey, Nora. I need a huge favor. I have a new client that I am just not able to help. She’s getting married this weekend and her schedule is tight. Do you have availability to accommodate her in the next hour?”
In the area, there was an organization that helped underprivileged girls with their prom preparation. Stores donated dresses, shoes, and accessories. Hairstylists andmakeup artists volunteered their services. The same went for nail technicians. I met Lenora last year during the program.
There was shuffling on the other end.“Let me look really quick.”There was a slight pause before she responded.“Yeah, I can take her if she gets here in the next thirty minutes.”
“Thank you, sweets! I owe you one,”I told her.“Your studio is only fifteen minutes away from me, so she’s leaving here now.”
