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Early September
“Sometimes we think a person is our soul mate or forever partner and they are really just a lesson for our character development. A teacher to show us who we are or what we want or don’t want out of love. The most important thing is to learn your lessons, so you never have to repeat them,” Shalom said to Symphony.
We were having dinner and Sym randomly blurted that the father of her child broke up with her and was already onto someone new. He still planned to be in the baby’s life, he said, but he felt he was too young for a serious relationship.
Sym started crying because he didn’t go to the doctor with her today, and she found out she was having a boy. It took everything inside of me not to go find the little nigga and hem him up.
“I thought Derrick was going to be my forever now that I am pregnant with his baby, but obviously I was wrong. I don’t know the lesson from this yet, but I plan to learn before I date anyone else again. This sucks.”
Her pout frustrated me even more, and I was glad Shalom was here to be the voice of reason.
“You’re still so young, Sym, but you’re so smart and wise. You’re gonna be okay. And it’s truly his loss. Who wouldn’t want a beautiful, ambitious young lady with her head on straight? You’re such a sweetheart, and I hope you know your worth. Don’t let any boy or man make you question it by settling for less than you deserve.”
“I wish my mom was like you.” Sym wiped a few tears that fell.
“She still isn’t talking to you?”
Her head shook. “She said she will talk to me if I get rid of the baby because she refuses to watch me ruin my life.”
“How do you feel about that?” I asked.
“If she doesn’t want to be in my life, I’m not going to make her. This would be easier with her, and I do miss her, but I’m grateful for you two and Daddy and his girlfriend. She’s been really nice and helpful. She texts me to check in every day too. I like her a lot.” Sym looked between me and Shalom. “I actually wanted to talk to you about something, cuz.”
“What’s on your mind?”
She took a sip of her Kool-Aid and cleared her throat before sitting up straighter in her seat. “Well… since Amanda and I get along so well, Daddy and I have been talking, and we think it’s a good idea for me to move there.” My head shook but I continued to hear her out. “I know you don’t care about me being here, and I really appreciate you letting me stay here, but I’m not your responsibility. Amanda works from home, so she’ll be there for me while Daddy is resting or at work. He looked into it, and the high school there will allow me to stay on track to graduate early. In fact, I can take my last class in summer school and not even have to go next year. So it’s best for me if I go there.”
“I can’t argue with that, Sym. It sounds like that’s genuinely the best move for you, so I’m all for it. But I don’t want to hear you say it’s not my responsibility to do anything for you again. We’re family and we do for each other. That’s what families do.”
She stood with a smile and gave me a hug before thanking us both and retiring to her room.
“You look sad,” Shalom noticed, taking my hand into hers under the table. “You don’t want her to go… do you?”
“I want what’s best for her and it sounds like that’s living with them. But… I can also admit it’s been nice having her around. Like I said, Sym was like my child, so I’ve gotten a lot of practice over the years with her.”
Shalom smiled and gave me a nod. “She told me that. She said having you was like having a big brother and second dad all in one. She really does love and appreciate you, Mec. And she told me you even offered to adopt the baby if she needed you to.”
“Yeah. I know that’s something you and I will have to discuss now that we’re back together.”
“Back together?” she repeated, leaning forward and giving me a quick peck.
“Yeah. You can say we’re dating if you want, but you’re my woman and I’m your man. And if I find out you giving that pussy to someone else, just know I know how to get away with murder.”
Her eyes rolled playfully as she giggled and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“I only want you, love. I promise.”
“Then tell me what I want to hear.”
Brushing her nose against mine, she released a content sigh. “I’m your woman, and you’re my man.”
“Mm,” I moaned, resisting the urge to pick her up and put her on my lap. “Say that shit again.”
“I’m your woman and you’re my man.”
Shalom kissed me deeply, and if there were any reservations about rushing her into this, her kiss solidified this was what she wanted… and more.
