“Preacher Kid, you’re looking slim,” Glow said with that look in her eyes as she scanned Blayke’s body. When she noticed me glaring at her, she cleared her throat and wore a fake smile. “Pearlajust came by, sis. Says she wants y’all to come next doora little bit later. Fresh air will do you good. So, Preacher Kid, help your friend get dressed after breakfast.”
Glow closed the door, rolling her eyes at me, and I couldn’t do anything but shake my head at her. Just possessive and obsessive. I made a mental note to pray for Glow later. I was hoping that with everything out in the open about her condition, she would be forced to do better, especially with Tunan around now.
“Who is Pearl?” Blayke said, pulling me from my thoughts.
I shook my head at her tone. “See, you and Glow are just alike. Jealous!”
“And issss! Now, who the fuck is a Pearl?”
“It’s Pearla.” I giggled softly. “And she's nice. Our sisters are friends.”
“And she lives next door?”
“No. Glow’s best friend owns the townhome next door. They are all…related, so I’m guessing Pearla is hanging out over there today. She’s cool, Blayke. She has two other friends too—Mahzeyah and Bella. I haven’t met them in person yet, though.”
“I've been gone a few funky-ass weeks, and you've already replaced me.”
“Never! We don’t have to go if you’re not comfortable.”
We sat in silence while Blayke stared at Baby Leader. I watched her, wondering if I looked the same way when I stared at my daughter. I still couldn’t believe I was a mother and didn’t know anything until the night we got to the hospital for Baby Leader to be born.
“Our babies would’ve been born around the same time. You think we got pregnant the same day?”
Blayke used her shoulder to swipe the tears from her face, keeping her eyes on my baby girl.
“No telling. Our periods are synced, so that means we ovulate together.”
I let silence fill the air because I knew my best friend was in her feelings. After a few seconds, she began to smile again.
“I’m glad she's here, friend, but I don’t regret the abortion I had. Look at my life now, Glee? I don't even have a place to live.”
“Blayke, youdohave a place to live. And you don’t have to babysit for me while I go to class. You can still go to school if you want. You don't need your parents. We will figure it out together.”
“And that’s why I love you.” She looked up from my baby and smiled at me. “I can’t believe you named her Leader. It's fitting because… Whew.”
“I know… I think it fits her perfectly too.”
“That baby mama gone die. She wanted to name their son Leader.”
“How you know?” I asked.
“Emperor’s pillow-talking ass. That no-good-ass negro!” She scoffed. “Anyways… She wanted to name him Leader, but Leader said that name was for the child who came from his wife. So, the bitter bitch went and named him after the dead daddy. I really want to find that hoe and rub this beautiful baby in her face. I know it's childish, but we owe her, especially after she burst our bubble of happiness and made us look stupid in that Walmart. I think about that shit so much, and I’m mad I didn’t beat her ass.”
Blayke nuzzled her nose in Baby Leader’s neck. “Who got the last laugh now, baby girl? Ain't that right, lil’ mama? Old-ass baby mama gone be big mad!” Blayke’s crazy ass laughed.
Now knowing Leader’s wishes, I shouldn’t have named my baby Leader, but it was already done. I couldn’t afford to complain about anything that was set in stone. He’d probably be upset about the name, but it didn’t matter. Nothing really mattered anymore. Leader would spend the next ten years of his life behind bars, and I’d be free, raising his daughter.
“Do you still love him?”
Blayke had now placed Baby Leader on her shoulder and was rubbing circles around her back and sniffing her hair. She smelled so good. I was addicted to her scent.
“Emperor?” she asked with a frown, but as soon as it appeared on her face, it vanished. “I have love for him. I feel like a part of me will always have that love for him because he was my first. But I don’tlovehim. I actually hate the fuck out of that scallywag-ass nigga.”
“Blayke!”
“What? I’m deadass serious. That nigga is a buster, literally! That abortion hurt like hell.”
“So that’s why you hate him? The abortion?”
