For half a second, I considered declining the call.
Don’t ignore it, a voice warned quickly.
That looks suspicious.
I drew in a quick breath, pasted on a smile she couldn’t see, and answered with enough cheerfulness to make it seem like my day had been completely uneventful.
“Hey, girl!”
“Hey…” Zonnique replied slowly. “I just got home and noticed you weren’t here. Talia, I don’t mind you stepping out, but you know you’re supposed to let me know when you leave.”
Let you know? Bitch, I’m grown!I don’t have to submit a departure form every time I step outside! What you want next, a shared calendar? A tracking device? A little bell around my neck so you could hear me moving from room to room?
Talia left the kitchen at 4:03 p.m. Talia entered the hallway at 4:04. Talia blinked suspiciously near the front door.
I understood Zonnique’s concern… I did. She worried about me, probably more so the baby, and I appreciated that. But sheneeded to understand thatnobodycared more aboutmybaby than I did. was more protective of this pregnancy than me. I watched what I ate, how long I stood, even how fast I walked. I barely bent over without supporting my stomach first. I read labels like they contained hidden threats, avoided anything that smelled too strong, and treated every cramp like my body was sending out an emergency alert. Hell, I even side-eyed stairs. I was overly protective of the pregnancy like it was the most important thing I had ever been trusted with… because it was.
So, while Zonnique’s concern was sweet, it was also a little insulting. I didn’t need supervision to carry my own child correctly.
I quickly adjusted my hood while walking farther through the parking lot.
“Sorry,” I said, forcing genuine sincerity into my voice. “I didn’t think I’d be gone this long. But one of my friends had an emergency. She found out her boyfriend was cheating, and she was so hysterical that I just grabbed my purse, hopped in the car, and left without even thinking to tell you. I was just trying to get to her before she did something stupid,” I fibbed smoothly.
“I swear, these niggas really ain’t worth a damn nowadays,” Zonnique grumbled.
“Mm-hmm,” I hummed in fake agreement.
“But understandable. Are you still with her?”
“Yeah. Oh, I also had some car trouble today.”
Another lie.
“Oh no. What happened?” she asked, genuinely concerned.
“I really don’t know. It was driving fine, then it started making this ugly noise right before I pulled up. When I tried to start it again, it wouldn’t turn over.” I released a long, wounded sigh like the car had died in my arms. “No worries, though. My friend’s uncle is a mechanic. I explained everything to him over the phone, and he thinks it might be either the starter or thealternator, but he won’t know for sure until he comes to check it out tomorrow. So, I’ma just leave it here tonight.”
Zonnique was nosy as hell, so I already knew she was going to question me half to death about that car the following day. Luckily, I had the next part of my lie prepared.
I’d simply tell her the mechanic said it needed a whole new motor. Then, instead of claiming I planned to get it fixed and creating more questions later, I’d sigh dramatically and announce that it was probably time for a new car anyway.
Problem solved… well, postponed. Which is basically the same thing when you’re lying under pressure.
“Dang. Okay. Well, how do you plan on getting home?” she asked.
I paused for half a second, quickly piecing together another lie.
“My friend said she’ll bring me.”
“Are you sure? With everything she’s going through, I really don’t mind coming to pick you up.”
“No!” I blurted, the reply coming out sharper than I intended.
I softened my voice immediately.
“I mean,no, it’s okay. She actually needs to grab a few things from Walmart, and so do I. Besides, I think a little outing might help clear her head. She’s been sitting in here crying and threatening to slash tires for the last hour.”
Zonnique laughed softly. “Girl, men will make you do that. One minute you’re crying, and the next you’re outside cutting three tires and leaving the fourth one untouched just to be petty.” She sighed. “But okay. You have enough money to get everything you need, right?”
