“It’s fine, mommy. You were with her earlier.”
And all through the night and yesterday and the day before that…
I was grateful for my mommy and knowing that she was taking to Baby Leader made this whole situation a tad bit lighter. But in the few days I’d dealt with Baby Leader alone, our bond had grown stronger. Just thinking about being taken away from her had my chest swelling, and a tear dropped from my face and onto my daughter’s little leg.
“Oh, baby…”
My mom scooted until her legs were able to hang on the side of the bed. She was sleep-deprived, and I could see crinkles at the crease of her eyes that I’d never seen before. My mother took good care of herself—always had. Even when she and my dad were going through their marital issues, she was a looker.
She stood, removed Baby Leader from my lap, and pulled her little gown down. With one hand, she wrapped the diaper and placed it on the bed behind her. My mom was in a pale pink nightgown, and so was Baby Leader. If I’d had to guess, I’d say my mom purchased it as a set.
“God had another plan for you, Glee. These scars will heal, and so will your bones. My grandbaby will have the best mother. It wasn’t your time.” She leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of my head. “I’m so proud of you, baby girl. No matterwhat’s occurred. Happy birthday, Calista. I’m going to go start breakfast.”
I reached for Baby Leader, but she playfully swatted my hand and then left the room. As soon as my mom walked out, Glow walked in.
“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Gleeeeee! Happy birthday to you,” she sang as she held obnoxiously big birthday balloons and a money bouquet.
Multiple gift bags, stacked onto each other, followed behind her in both hands of her husband.
My smile stretched further than it should’ve, causing me to wince. Glow dropped her grin, let the balloons float to the ceiling, and placed the money bouquet on my lap.
“Ugh, I forgot about your stitches. Sorry, sis.”
She sat on the side of the wide La-Z-Boy and lifted my face to inspect my lip. Concern etched her pretty face.
“It’s okay… I’m okay, Glow.”
That didn’t stop my big sister’s inspection.
“I gotta dip.” Tunan placed the gift bags on the bed so that they were within arm's reach. “Happy birthday, Glee.”
Glow turned, finally dropping my face. “You leaving?”
He rubbed his hand down the top of his head. “Yeah. I got some moves to make, my baby.” He sighed.
Glow shifted, and her body stilled against mine. “Umm.”
I pursed my lips, watching the tension. Poor Tunan. I loved my sister with all my heart, but she was possessive—had been her whole life. It took months of Blayke coming around for her to finally share me, and she still called her “the preacher’s kid” after all these years.
The way he was rubbing his head made me hold back a smirk. He already knew how crazy my sister was. He knew his wife was going to give him hell every chance she could.
“Thank y’all so much for the gifts, flowers, and balloons. Y’all didn’t have to.”
“It’s nothing,” he replied. His eyes were still on my sister, and hers were still on him.
“Where are you going all dressed up, though?”
I looked from my sister’s slanted eyes to my new brother-in-law. Tunan wasn’t nearly as dressed up as I’ve seen him before. Today, he was dressed nicely in a Nike set with a graphic T-shirt and matching shorts with some type of Nike running shoes.
“Want me to stay?” he asked, almost challenging my sister.
“Nah… You good.” Glow recoiled. She then turned her attention back to me, a smile back in place.
My sister was something else.
“Make sure you eat breakfast, Glow. I’ll bring lunch back.”
“You straight. Be safe.” She dismissed him.
