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“I’m not a spooky religious person, but I can say that today after that prayer and the stuff he had us do, I feel different. I want to say this to you, man to man. I’m sorry. I’m sorry that Mama took care of us and didn’t take care of y’all. I’m sorry that none of us were old enough to understand the impact her actions had on you guys because we were so busy soaking up all her love. I’m sorry that the rejection that I felt from you caused me to push you further away. I’ve felt rejection from you since I can remember, and honestly, all I ever wanted was a big brother to look up to. I’m sorry for all the things I’ve said and done. I want us to move forward past all this immature stupidity. Our daughters love each other and it appears that our ladies do as well. Karleen hasn’t stopped talking about Cam. I just want my big brother to see me and recognize me for the man I’ve become and allow me to see him for the man he is,” Karlos finished.
“I apologize and I accept your apology. I’m sorry for rejecting you, but I was giving out what I received. The mother that you had is nothing close to the mother we had. I’ve seen Mother at her worst, but all you guys got is her best. I was jealous and hurt. I was hurt, so, in turn, I hurt other people. I’m sorry. My girls haven’t stopped talking about Katy and Carly. They’ve already talked about being roommates in college,” I chuckled. “Let’s work on being brothers. Let’s move forward and put the past behind us. I’m ready to do that.”
* * *
As we approached the security gate of our complex, I saw the familiar black truck parked in the visitor’s parking space. I looked at Cam then looked in the backseat at the sleeping girls.
“That’s Beatrice’s truck?” Cam asked.
“Yeah, that’s her truck. She’s doing one of those pop-up visits that she knows she’s not supposed to do.”
“Maybe she just got into town and was excited to see the girls,” Cam said.
“Maybe,” I responded, knowing that was bullshit.
I pulled into the spot next to the truck. I double-checked my phone to make sure I hadn’t missed any calls from Bee. I hadn’t.
The doors of the truck opened and out hopped Beatrice and her sister Le’Asia. I’d had a good day and was not in the mood to deal with Beatrice and her ignorant ass family.
I rolled down the driver's side window and said, “Why are you at my place without calling, Beatrice?”
She looked in the truck at Cam then in the back and saw the sleeping girls.
“I just got into town, and I decided to come straight here,” Beatrice said.
“That doesn’t have anything to do with you coming here without calling or texting.”
“You don’t answer my calls,” Beatrice returned.
“You haven’t…” I looked back at the girls. “I’m going to get out and talk to her so that the girls won’t wake up.”
“Okay,” Cam nodded.
I stepped out of the truck and closed the door.
“You haven’t called, but that still has nothing to do with you popping up at my place.”
“She’s wondering why you are playing house with some broad and my little nieces,” Le’Asia said.
I looked at Le’Asia like she’d just spoken in another language that I couldn’t understand. I didn’t deal with her at all. Under no circumstances was she allowed to talk to me. My tolerance for ignorance was low, and her level of ignorance was high. I’d stopped talking to her years ago.
“She’s talking about the post you made on Instagram with your friend and the girls,” Beatrice said making finger quotes when she said friend. “You said you were going to introduce us.”
“You came to my place about a post? You know what, wait a minute,” I said.
I went to Cam’s side of the truck and opened her door.
“I want you to meet Beatrice. Is that okay?”
“That’s cool,” Cam said and stepped down out the truck.
“Beatrice, this is Cam…”
“Your friend?” Beatrice asked.
“No, my lady,” I responded.
“Your lady? I told you, Bee Bee. I told you he was out here playing house with your kids!” Le’Asia chided. “And you ain’t even know her? Aww naw, this is some bullshit. Shouldn’t no chick be around your girls that you ain’t met. Ain’t no telling what she could be feeding your girls.”
