Sometimes when I showed up to get Rhema, Mrs. Byrd would be standing there with a bag of groceries for us, an affirmation card for me, and a hug or any other small or big gesture she thought would make me smile or make my life a little easier. She had no idea how much I appreciated her. One day, I hoped to show her with more than just a “thank you.”
Mrs. Byrd let out a low sigh. “I hate to tell you this, but I did see Shane.”
“Huh?”
“He was here, but not to get Rhema. He was picking up one of the other students,” she disclosed.
I could tell she didn’t want to tell me by the hesitation in her voice.
What the fuck? What other student?I was beyond confused. From what I knew, Shane didn’t know any of the other students at Rhema’s school. He coached somewhere else, so why would he go all the way to my daughter’s school to get another child and leave mine there? I had a million questions for Shane. He’d better have a good ass excuse for leaving my baby and for not having the decency to tell me he’d changed the plans.
“Again, I’m sorry, Mrs. Byrd. I’m on my way,” was the only words I could muster up to say to her.
I hopped inside my car, started the engine, and hit the gas.
“Shane, why the fuck did you leave my daughter hanging?!”
I pointed my finger at his face, pissed, but not mad enough to put my hands on him. As much as I wanted to beat his ass, I’d never cross that line, and I hoped he wouldn’t either. We cursed each other the hell out, but putting our hands on each other was one thing we said we would never do.
“Ember, calm down. It ain’t like she was alone and shit. Mrs. Byrd was there, wasn’t she?”
His response was dismissive, and all that did was rile me up more.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. As usual, he always had a comeback, always tried to justify every fucking thing, and was always quick to deflect.
“On top of that, you had the nerve to pick up someone else’s child. Foreal, Shane?”
He looked at me, shocked. Like he wasn’t expecting me to know that bit of information.
“Man, who the fuck is being messy? That was my little cousin. Her momma asked me to pick her up.”
“What’s your cousin’s name?”
“Ember, you fuckin’ trippin’. Why do you need to know my cousin’s name? You don’t know her.”
We were locked in the bathroom, trying to stay out of sight of Rhema’s innocent eyes. The walls were paper thin, and I knew most of the tenants in the building could hear us. Right now, they were the least of my concern. I couldn’t let Rhema witness this shit and think it was okay. I hated that she even had to hear me and this nigga arguing day after day, night after night.
“You must be one stupid ass boy! I don’t believe shit that comes out of your lyin’ ass mouth!”
His neck snapped, and he charged toward me. “Who the fuck you calling stupid?!”
I stood quietly, watching Shane closely. My eyes traveled down to his balled-up fist. His knuckles were white against his light skin.
I wish this nigga would.
Frantically, I looked around for something I could use, just in case I had to make him leave this apartment in a body bag.
Shane, I ain’t a killa, but don’t push me.
“I’m tired of yo’ ass constantly naggin’ and fuckin’ with me!” he barked, then reached for the loose doorknob that was barely hanging on.
“You’re tired?” I flew my arms up in the air. “Shane, what about me? You don’t think I’m sick and tired of your shit too? I’ve been more of a man around this bitch than you have!”
His neck snapped toward me as he let go of the door handle. “What the fuck you say to me?”
The fire in his eyes, the quick rise and fall of his chest, and the rapid fluttering of his eyelids were all I needed to back down. At the end of the day, I was still a woman and no match forShane’s solid, five-foot eleven frame. He would manhandle my full-figured body with ease.
“Nothing, just forget it,” I said in a calm tone, but heat flushed through my body.
