Chapter 15
Miki knew Bebe was sour about not hearing from her or seeing her. It wasn’t fun for her either. She missed him terribly but since school was out for two whole weeks what excuse could she give Redd especially if he had his other kids at the house at different times. Miki couldn’t get a break. That’s what she wanted to explain to Bebe when she saw him at Abstract. She hadn’t been avoiding him on purpose. She just hoped he wasn’t ready to move on.
“So whatchu gon do baby?” Redd asked. They laid lazily in bed next to one another.
His question brought Miki back from her thoughts. “About what?”
“Thanksgiving. You wanna go to my granny’s or are you going to your sister’s house?”
“If I go to Maddie’s are you coming?”
“Probably not. I might stop by to speak but that’s it. You know they don’t like me.”
“Well what do you want me to do?”
“I mean you can do either one. I know how you like to go over to your sister house and act retarded with them.”
Miki smiled. “So, you’re saying it’ll be okay if I go to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving by myself?”
Redd smiled back. “Yes. Why you cheesing?”
“Cause…I can’t believe you can be nice sometimes.”
“I’m trying,” he said. He pecked her on the lips. He pulled her into him and held her tight. He kissed her on the forehead. “I love you. I really wanna do right by you and Téa. Please give me that chance.”
Miki wrapped her arms around his torso. This was the Redd that she loved. This was the Redd that she wouldn’t dare look at another man for. This was the man that she loved going places with. She loved for him to come home to her. She loved for him to make love to her. There was no doubt that Redd had a piece of her heart. But was it enough to let go of the love developing between her and Bebe?
“What can I do to fix us?” he asked.
“I just want some peace. I’m tired of you hitting on me and barking at me all of the time. You go through my phone constantly ‘cause you don’t trust me. I don’t even be doing shit.”
“Niggas be calling your phone though.”
“So. You got women calling you at all times of the day.”
He was quiet. Miki said nothing.
Redd finally said, “I’ll get help. We can go to counseling. You know I love you. I wanna do right by you but you know I got this temper. You be doing shit that make me mad.”
“But Redd, you gotta learn to control your temper.”
“That’s why I said I’ll get help Miki. But I need your help too, baby.”
Miki could hear the desperation in his voice. Redd did need help. Maybe one day he could be a great man for someone. He was damn good at providing. There was nothing she or Téa wanted for. He had been very good at putting Miki and Téa first. He was a decent father to his other five kids as well. Redd had the potential to be a good man. For a long time, Miki always thought that if she left Redd he would go off and be a better man to another woman than he had ever been to her. She was waiting around to see if he would ever turn into this better man for her.
“Where is all of this coming from Redd?” Miki asked curiously.
“I just don’t wanna lose you. Sometimes I think I’ve already have.”
“Nah. I’m still here. I just want you to be happy. When you’re happy it makes the whole house happy. You’re the man. You’re supposed to be the head. Me and Téa should be a reflection of you.”
“I get what you’re saying. I’ma try Miki. I really am.”
“Okay. I’m hold it to you,” Miki teased.
Redd looked her up and down. “You still bleeding?”
Miki tried to keep the smile plastered to her face, but she found herself feeling awkward. She had been lying to Redd telling him that she was hurting and bleeding bad. She explained to him that she thought she had fibroids and it was bloating her stomach. Truth was she was eleven weeks pregnant with a due date in June. Her conception date went back to the time when she had sex with Bebe in the club and when Redd snapped on her violently taking sex from her. Miki had no idea who the father was because they were literally within hours of one another although Redd did pull out just to shoot his cum all over her.
“It’s slowing down a little. I gotta go for an ultrasound next week though. The doctor wants to confirm the fibroids,” she lied.
“Aw. Well, I’m about to get ready to head out,” he said hopping up from the bed.
Miki knew that also meant he was going to go to one of his women’s house to satisfy his sexual need. She didn’t care.
As soon as he left Miki called Bebe.
“Hello?”
“Hey,” she said meekly.
“Hey,” he said dryly.
“Do you have to sound like that?”
“How should I sound? Happy because you finally called me?”
“Uhm yeah,” she said trying to make the moment light.
“Where’s your man?”
“He’s gone. But I was calling to ask you what are your plans for tomorrow morning?”
“I’ll be over my mama’s. She wanted me to invite you over.”
“Ah tell her thanks for the invite but I can’t. But I could see you tomorrow morning before the day gets started.”
“Let me guess. He’ll be gone during that time.”
“Well he’s letting me go to my sister’s house instead of going to his granny’s house. He said he’ll be by my sister’s house later though. That’s why I can’t be gone all day. But I thought since you’re right around the corner I could come see you early in the day.”
The feeling of being used settled over Bebe. “Are you using me Miki?”
She laughed as if what he said was absurd. “No. Why would you say that?”
“Tomorrow when you come by my house…what are your plans?”
She was hesitant in her reply. “Why are you being difficult?”
“I’m not. You know this isn’t the easiest thing for me. You got me waiting around on you. And—”
“Don’t you wanna see me?” she interrupted.
“Yeah, I want to. I miss you. But…”
“But what? Bebe you knew my situation.”
“I know so I can only be mad at myself.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying…I need more baby.”
Miki contemplated his statement. He needed more. She did too. She was in love with Bebe and knew he was getting tired of this. He just didn’t understand. Miki was sure if she left Redd he would come after her and Bebe. Somebody wouldn’t survive.
“Give me more time baby,” Miki said softly.
“How much more time?”
“I don’t know. But can I see you tomorrow morning?”
“I guess so.”
“Okay. I’ll see you then. Love you.”
“Love you too.”