Growing Up

Chapter 6

Caleb ran down the block to Sabrina's sister's house. Sabrina always left her bedroom window unlocked, so Caleb opened the window and called to her. "Baby, you ok?" Sabrina turned around and was sobbing. "Yea, come here babe." Caleb climbed in the window and sat next to Sabrina on the bed. She had a trash can between her legs and she looked like she had been crying for hours.

"Look." Sabrina handed Caleb a pregnancy test Caleb looked at the 2 pictures on the test 'Plus: Positive. Minus: Negative'. There was a plus sign in the window. "Wait, really? Yo- you're pregnant?" Sabrina was glowing with excitement. She hugged him "Yes! I'm so happy!" Caleb held Sabrina and began to cry. 'Maybe things are turning around. Everything has been so rough, just like she said. But, I got through it.' "Wait, I thought you were supposed to know like a few weeks ago?" Sabrina nodded "I thought I got my period last month, but it was like super light. I was talking to my sister and she said it wasn't my period" Caleb really didn't understand the whole period thing too much, so he just nodded his head "Oh, ok."

"I love you, Sabrina Elice Caberra. So much." Sabrina sat back and looked into Caleb's eyes. "And I love you, Caleb Maurice Johnson." Caleb placed his hand on Sabrina's slightly bloated belly "And I love our baby, too". Sabrina smiled brightly. The two laid in her bed all day watching Netflix and talking about their future as a family and all the baby stuff Sabrina wanted already.

Chris began calling just as the two were finishing dinner "Whats up, boss?" "Nothing much. You want more cash?" Caleb looked at Sabrina holding her tummy and smiled, Sabrina whispered "Go ahead, Papi." Caleb smiled "Hell yeah. Whatcha got?" Chris chuckled, "Damn, what are you saving for?" Caleb looked at Sabrina "Nothing special. I'll be over in 5." "Alright, doors open." Caleb kissed Sabrina "I'll be back, ok? Call if you need me." Sabrina giggled "Ok. I'm proud of you. Please be careful."

Caleb walked to Chris' apartment and when he opened the door, the odor of weed filled the air. "Sooo lil man, what's with the cash grab lately?" Caleb smiled "Ya know, family shit." "Whatchu mean? I know your auntie got money. You getting money for your momma's books?" "Nah, nah. Keeping it on the low for now" Chris sat for a minute, then lit a blunt "You got her knocked up, didnt you?" Caleb laughed nervously. Chris warned him not to do it "Nah, man. Pulled it out. Just got some goals I wanna hit." Chris shrugged, over time he learned to not pry. "Here, I need these 5 things done by Wednesday night." Caleb looked over the piece of paper and nodded. "Will do."

Caleb texted Sabrina "Hey, beautiful. Just leaving Chris' place. Headed home, I love you." Caleb couldn't believe that his life was coming back together as soon just as quick as it felt like it was falling apart. Caleb walked in his Aunt's house, where her and Darren were watching some Tyler Perry movie. "Hey, Caleb." Caleb was kinda spaced out, and didn't expect anyone to be awake. "Oh, hey Uncle. How was work?" Darren laughed "Only 25 more years of that shit, then I can retire." Caleb chuckled. He had stashed a bunch of money away and felt bad because Darren was pulling extra hours since him and Jamal moved in.

"Hey, Auntie. Here." Caleb handed his aunt $200. She was in charge of the bills so she would do what she needed to with it. "Caleb Maurice, where did you get this?" Caleb smiled "Don't worry about it. I know you and Darren have been struggling since me and Jamal moved in." His aunt shook her head at him "Thank you, Nephew. You eat at Sabrina's?" Caleb nodded "Yea, her sister got pizza." His aunt looked at him over her glasses "She saw a doctor? She's been awfully sick." Caleb shook his head "Not yet. Think she's calling tomorrow."

Caleb went back to the bedroom he and Jamal shared. Jamal was usually crashing at his girlfriend's house, so he usually had the room to himself. Jamal was sitting in his bed reading some book about Medieval shit. Jamal liked reading, but wouldn't do it around anyone cause it messed with the bad boy image. "Hey, bro." Jamal looked up and laughed "Wassup, lil bro? Heard you've been getting some." Caleb chuckled and felt himself turn bright red "Yea, I guess."

Jamal smirked "That girl, Sabrina. Right? Her sister stays down the block." Caleb nodded "Yep." Suddenly, the phone started ringing, it was Sabrina. "Hey baby, whats up?" "Oh, I just wanted to make sure you were home, Papi. We miss you already." "I miss you too. I just got home. How are you feeling?" He could tell Sabrina was probably blushing by the way her tone changed "Better now. Just excited." Caleb looked over and could tell Jamal was listening "Yea, I know. You're an amazing girl to be with. Hey, I'll text you alright?" "Ok, Papi. I love you." "Love you too, baby."

"Well, she calls you Papi. Damn, you must give her some killer dick." Caleb laughed "I mean, with the way she moans it must be good." Jamal shook his head "Ya know, you're the last person I expected to get a girl, no offense. But, I'm glad you're happy. She is fine as hell." Caleb laughed "Hey, I guess she likes the quiet ones."

Caleb began texting Sabrina. "Sorry, Mi vida. Jamal could hear you through the phone" Mi vida meant 'My life'. Caleb randomly found that online and when he started calling Sabrina that she would blush. "It's ok, papi. I don't know when we should tell anyone. I just can't wait to tell my sisters! They all have kids and would love to be aunties again!"

Caleb laughed at the thought, his brothers would probably be terrible uncles. Teaching his kid how to steal and not get caught, destroy shit. "Well, after we go to the clinic next week we can decide. Ok?" "Oki, Papi. I'm gonna lay down... I'm sleepy from being sick :(" "Ok, baby. Get some rest, I love you." "I love you too, mi amor."

Caleb began to daydream, but then Jamal started talking to him "Damn, you really like her. I saw that look" Caleb smiled widely "Yea, I do. She is a good girl." "I know what you mean. Look at this shit." Jamal pulled out a little black box from under the bed. There was a diamond engagement ring inside "Cassie and I are gonna hit 3 years next week. Imma ask her. But don't tell no one." Caleb agreed "Safe with me."

Caleb went to the desk and started digging for a pen so he could write a note to their mom. He was pissed at her still, so he was going to write how he felt then burn the paper. He found a set of ultrasound pictures and pulled them out. "Jamal, why did you keep these?" Jamal jumped up and sntached them out of his hand "You shouldn't go through my shit." Caleb was confused. "Why do you have those from DJ?"

Jamal rolled his eyes. "Look, don't fucking tell a soul or yours will be gone, ok? I got Cassie knocked up by accident. She's like 4 months, I think. When it comes up, Imma play it sly like I don't care. But, I picked up a second job so she ain't gotta work. I really am fucking pumped." Caleb smiled "Y'all getting a place?" Jamal shrugged "Eventually, rent high as fuck. Her cousin runs an apartment building, she's gonna talk to him." Caleb hugged Jamal. "Congrats bro. Happy for you." Jamal smirked "Our secret, right?" Caleb nodded.

"Hey, Jamal. If I got questions about shit, I can ask you right? No bullshit, no ratting me out?" "Of course. You good?" Caleb grinned "Yea, I'm good. I think I might spend the night at Sabrina's now that I think about it. Kinda worried about her." "She's good, bro? I mean she sounded ok on the phone." "Yea, she just been really sick and I think her sister pulled a double at the hospital tonight." Jamal laughed "She isn't pregnant, is she?" Caleb looked like a deer in headlights then laughed nervously "Nah, I wrapped it."