"1...2...3 happy birthday to you," the house sang. Jamarcus looked at his mom, and half smiled, making Leah kiss him on the cheek; he chuckled and blew out his candles.
"Yayyyy" Leah exclaimed. "Mama, can you say yay ?" she asked Mackenzie
Mackenzie looked at everybody and got bashful "oh, knock it off," Lucas laughed, taking her from Leah.
"Okay, Marky cut your cake," Leah said, handing him a knife and holding it downward. "Uhh, mommy, I don't want to mess it up," he said, looking concerned. "It's okay, baby; just don't cut your name. I can guide you."
Leah placed her hand on Jamarcus and cut the cake "yay," the house yelled out. Tonisha and Jacey handed Jamarcus his gift. "Wait until we finish handing out and eat the cake Nisha got, damn," Leah said, snatching the gift.
"Why can't he open it ?" she asked, mugging Leah.
"He can just not right now while we're passing out the cake," Leah chuckled "you right, you right," Tonisha laughed. Tonisha and Leah are somewhat good friends; Leah was lowkey afraid of letting new people in her life. It took her a while to let Lucas in, and once she did, her life changed for the better. She's happy, and her kids are happy and healthy; she's just running from her past because every day, she wakes up still afraid Michael will show up and try to retake her.
"Mommy, but I wanna open my presents," Jamarcus whined
"What I tell you about whining, Marc ?" Leah asked, feeding Mackenzie some cake.
"I'm sorry, but I don't want cake."
"Mar, you didn't even have a piece, hmm," she said, handing him a piece "it's your favorite; give it a try."
"No, mom, I don't want it," he said, moving his head and shooing it away "excuse me ?" Leah asked with a frowned face.
"Jamarcus come on here," she said, slicing a piece on the fork "try it."
"MOM, I DON'T WANT IT" he yelled, throwing the cake at the wall and storming off.
"JAMARCUS, HAVE YOU LOST YO DAMN MIND ?" Lucas yelled, following him over to the stairs causing everybody to look at him. "It's okay, baby," Leah said, grabbing his arm.
"Don't let him disrespect you like that, Leah," he said, looking at her like she was crazy.
"I'm not; he's just emotio-"
"STOP MAKING EXCUSES," he yelled, causing her to jump and swallow her spit hard "baby, I'm sorry," Lucas said, walking up.
She looked at him like she wanted to slap him and walked away. "Okay, everybody party is over; thanks for coming; don't forget to grab a part bag on your way out; thanks again, guys" Leah walked into the kitchen and started washing a few dishes in the sink. She heard Lucas apologizing and saying goodbye to everybody. Once the last guest left, she felt Lucas staring at her; she cleared her throat and began humming a song to keep her calm.
"Baby, I didn't mean-"
"Please let me stop you right there-" she said, interrupting him
"No, Leah, listen, I didn't mean to yell at you like that, babe; his disrespecting you just made me mad because you tried to make this day special."
'Lucas, that doesn't excuse-"
"I know, baby, and I'm sorry okay? I know I triggered you, and I'm so sorry I would never try to hurt you, baby, you know that," he said, walking up to her and locking eyes.
Leah looked at him, and the room grew silent; she turned around and continued to do the dishes. He grabbed her by her waist and kissed her back "no," she said, nudging him off her "Babe," he said, still holding on to her waist but throwing his head back. "Lucas, please get off me," she sighed, dropping her shoulders. He let go respecting her wishes; he sighed and watched her do the dishes.
She looked over her shoulder and saw Jamarcus standing there; she turned to him and gave him that mom look.
"Are you calm now ?" She asked him, holding on to the sink. He nodded his head and held his head down.
"Now talk to me; what happened ?" she asked, crossing her arms
"Mom, I never wanted a birthday party. I just want to talk to my dad," he cried out
Leah sighed and twisted her lips; she looked at Lucas, but he looked away and twisted his lips. "Go get the phone," she said, hesitating and looking afraid. Lucas got up and stood beside her, he knew she was mad at him, but Lucas wanted to be there for her and Jamarcus and Mackenzie.
Jamarcus came in and handed her the phone; she unlocked it and scrolled down to Michael's number. "Are you sure ?" she asked him before pressing the call button. Jamarcus nodded his head, and she pressed the button.
The phone rang three times before he answered, "hello ?" Michael answered, sounding tired and irritated. Leah cleared her throat; it was hard for her to speak. She couldn't talk; "maybe I'm being dramatic," she said to herself, but she was allowed to feel this way because this was her abuser, and he was still searching for her.
"Michael," she finally said, clearing her throat and holding on to Luca's hand. Lucas wrapped his arm around her and started rubbing her arm.
"Leah?" He asked, sounding surprised "got damn Leah, you finally unblocked me ?" He let out a chuckle. The room grew silent "well, where is he ?" he asked, sounding careless
YOU ARE READING
Always Hidden II
Misteri / ThrillerLucas looked at her and frowned, they walked out of the house and into the parking lot. Micahel directed them to his car and Leah helped the kids in. "Ya know it's the fact you really went this long and thought I wasn't going to find your stubborn...
