Page 43 of When I Thug You Like That

“You need more time. I’ma give you that,” she finally spoke.

“I don’t need… you know what? If delulu is the solulu, then be my guest, boo boo. Just make this the last time you pull up to my place. You’re crossing a boundary, and I’m not wit’ it. Bye, Morgan.”

I turned and started across the street, not bothering to wait around for her response. I couldn’t make Morgan believe we were done, but I would continue to show her.

CHAPTER 7

Where We Stand

JAMISON

With everything in place for Baby Jay’s first day at Abilities First, I decided to switch shit up Sunday night. It wasn’t something I’d thought about beforehand. In fact, I had every intention on picking him up from India’s crib earlier to get him prepared for the morning, then the day got the best of me. Between running the streets and getting niggas in line, morning had turned to night quick. I took it as a sign, and once I made it home, I thought about what my mother said the week prior.

While I wasn’t going to start showing up less, I had to stop making India think it was cool to show up whenever she felt like it. So, I put the responsibility that I was sure she would’ve dodged on account of me picking it up right back on her plate.

Me: Hey, I’ma meet you at your place in the morning, and then we can take Baby Jay to school from there.

Seconds didn’t go past before she replied.

India: Why?

Me: I just got in, and I don’t wanna have to come interrupt his sleep to come here. It’s cold out. And I want him to get a good night’s rest.

India: Now you get in late on Sundays, Jay? Since when?

Me: Since tonight.

India: Smfh. And you’re just deciding this now? He’s not even sleep yet, and I already told him you were picking him up tonight.

Me: For one, you know he has school tomorrow, and it’s late, so he should be sleep. Two, you can just let him know that I’ll be there in the morning.

India: Wow. Now who’s changing his routine?

That made me chuckle because she had me there. Switching up plans on Baby Jay last minute was something I hated doing. He did better when he knew what was coming. I’d made it a point to make that known to everyone around us, so I wasn’t mad that she’d brought it up to me.

Me: You right. This is where you learn how to pivot. You got this.

Although I was putting the ball in her court, it didn’t mean I couldn’t encourage her at the same time.

India: And what am I supposed to have ready? You really just sprung this on me, Jamison.

Me: You’re his mother, India. Make it happen. Pack what you think a five- year-old would need for their first day.

The three dots popped up then disappeared and reappeared again.

India: Don’t even worry about it. I got my son.

In true India fashion, she had to say some slick shit. I knew she wanted a reaction out of me, and even more, she wanted me to turn around and come get him, but I wasn’t. I wanted to see how she moved. The school tour hadn’t been important enough for her to rearrange her schedule, now she was being forced to.

By six the next morning, I was standing in the kitchen packing a backup lunch and preferred drink into an extra insulated Spider-Man lunch bag. I’d packed another bag the night before with all the things I knew would come through in a clutch should he need it and had it sitting by the door for me to scoop up on my way out. I mean, I was putting the ball in India’s court, but I still had to be near the rim in case she needed an assist. I couldn’t have our son not fully prepared because I was trying to teach her autism preparation 101.

Considering the distance from India’s place to the school, we didn’t have to leave until about 8:15. I wanted to give myself time to get there and step in if she needed help. Ensuring I had everything, I grabbed his lunch, my phone, wallet, his bookbag, and headed out the door. As soon as I hopped in my car, my phone rang. It was a group FaceTime. And by the names running across the screen, it was a bunch of muthafuckas on it, with Key at the head.

“Yo,” I answered.

“Good morning, cousinnnnnn,” Key sang into the phone, sounding way too cheerful for six in the morning.

The screen shifted as more faces popped up. Starting the car, I mounted my phone, and it connected to Bluetooth.