I wanted her to talk about it. I wanted his first name, last name, and social security number. I needed to know everything about him so I could curse his motherfucking ass out, but I’d already crossed boundaries with my sister. Even though I saw her as my baby, Glee was an adult and had lived on her own for a year.
Her glassy eyes looked away. “I thought he was everything, Glow. Hewaseverything. Attractive, attentive, arrogant…” She chuckled while I scoffed.
Weren’t they all that way in the beginning?
“It happened fast. One minute, we were talking, and the next, he was taking my virginity.”
It was a struggle to avoid voicing my opinion or showing my emotions, but I kept my expression neutral. I opted to hide how I truly felt so she could feel comfortable venting to me. She had a mother, one we shared. Right now, she needed her sister.
“Is he… Will he be in the picture?”
She shook her head, and it broke my heart. “I stopped talking to him back in September, maybe… It was a while ago. I didn’t know I was pregnant, so he definitely doesn’t know about the baby.
“He doesn’t attend Blake. I found out he had a girlfriend and a child—that’s why I broke it off. It was the same with his brother, who Blayke had been dealing with. The brother didn’t have a baby, but he was a man whore. We blocked their numbers, and that was it. Last I heard, he moved.” Glee shrugged.
“So y’all were on a two-man?”
Glee slapped her forehead. “Could you not? Please!” She giggled.
She’d been crying since she came home from the hospital, so it was refreshing to see her laugh.
Then, her smile faltered. “I really am sorry, sister. But I can’t take you being mad at me anymore. Besides Blayke, you’re my bestest friend in the whole wide world.” Her lips trembled, and I knew she was feeling the hurt of my behavior.
“I’m really sorry, too, and I regret that he was such a jerk to take something so precious from you, knowing he had a family. Men can be the worst, but you’ll be just fine. You both will be.”
She began twiddling her fingers. “I don’t know what I’m doing, but the internet has been helping. When she’s sleeping, I’m on YouTube and TikTok. I’ve got the hang of breastfeeding, but she prefers a bottle, so I’ve been pumping like crazy. Don’t kill me, but your freezer is stacked with breast milk.”
I shrugged. “Not like I use it much.”
Glee eyed me, but I met her gaze until she wavered. “Mama’s been helping me via FaceTime,” she said before averting her eyes. “She told me she called you.”
“Yeah… She did,” I whispered.
“And will you be okay?” Glee asked.
“Glee, you’re the one that just had a baby.”
“You know what I mean, Glow. I… You have been in here three days without… eating. Besides the crackers and waters I’vebeen leaving on your nightstand while you’re sleeping, I haven’t seen you leave the room to eat. It’s happening again, isn’t it?”
“I’m fine, Glee.”
“You look thin, Glow,” she whispered.
I held back a grin and picked at the terrycloth robe. “What do you want to do, Glee? Tell me the truth. And not what I want to hear. Not what mama says. This is your life. Your daughter.”
“I see what you’re doing, but okay, Glow.” She pulled her knees up to her chest and sighed. “Mama wants me to come home.”
I knew that. It was the reason why I’d been tossing and turning. I’d been overwhelmed with all of the chaotic things going on in my life, and my mama calling and texting for Glee to come to Sparkling City would relieve some of the chaos. However, I’d been feeling sick to my stomach about my sister leaving since Cathy Glory suggested it. I hadn’t even held my niece yet, and the thought of my sister taking her from this house frightened me for some reason.
“But… I’d like to finish my summer out here, like we planned, if you don’t mind.”
My eyes lit up at her statement. “And what about school?”
“I planned on driving down there to talk to my advisor before they go on their short summer break. I was going to see if she could transfer my scholarship. I love Cove City, but the memories are too painful. Plus, I think it will be best if I can be near family right now. I’m not asking you all to raise her or anything, but I just feel more comfortable?—”
“Yes! I get it. You thinking about JBU or Sparkling City University?”
“JBU was my second choice outside of Blake. I’ll have to get a job and get my own place or use my leftover scholarship money to put Baby Leader in day?—”
