Believe

THREE

Tayla O. Hayes
New Mexico
August 2028

We've been in New Mexico for about three days and I was definitely ready to go home. Its hot and I can not take it anymore. I know Texas is hot but this heat is something different. Lord can I just get a little shade?

"O'Lani bring yo behind on." I shook my head because how y'all just realized I wasn't behind y'all.

"Papa it's hot!" I stomped my feet and fought the air cause dang. Mama know she wrong.

"I know boo. We got one more attraction to the look at then we can go back to the pool. You wanna get on my neck?"

I groaned and nodded my head quickly. "Please!"

He squatted in-front of me and I threw my legs across his shoulders climbing on. Glad I was small enough for this. He adjusted me making sure I was secure. Mama looked at us and shook her head before taking a picture.

"Spoiled ass!" She said and grabbed the girls hands.

"Oo mama! You said a bad word!" Both Airy and Mari reprimand her and I laughed cause that was forty bucks out her pockets. Ma groaned and pulled two twenty's out her wristlet and passed them off.

I shook my head cause she knew better. Between her and Papa I don't know who curse the most. We're definitely on our third or fourth swear jar at home. I looked around admiring the scenery. New Mexico was nice and I would not mind coming back preferably in the winter, so I could ski. The view is definitely better up here but hotter, good lord.

After we finished walking around the Palace of the Governors, we got us some food and made our way back to the hotel. I know I've been with them for almost five years, but living in luxury still feels foreign. I came from nothing and I mean nothing, but two wonderful human beings gave me everything and more. Something I will never take for granted.

We was supposed to get in the pool but we were freshly bathe laying around. I think the sun whooped our butts. We had the only penthouse suite in Santa Fe and we were definitely taking advantage. "What are we doing tomorrow?"

I asked as I cracked opened my Core water, the best water there is. I took a swig and pulled mama's feet up as I sat on the couch crisscross putting them in my lap. I think we had about two more days left here and then we were going back home. I miss my bed and it was time to prepare for my 21st; which I don't have anything planned for. Honestly don't know what I would do for it because I have no friends just family.

"We're taking the girls to the kids museum and I think we're gonna have dinner in the room, so we can prepare for the drive back. I miss my damn bed." Ma said while rubbing her protruding belly and I nodded my head.

So tomorrow was our last day which means I needed to get me some keychains to add to my collection. I also needed to make sure I take my picture tomorrow. After my first trip in Bali, I started a picture board in the shapes of each state and countries I've visited. So far I have half of the states filled and like six countries. We don't go out the country often unless their schedules permits.

"Babygirl, you know what you wanna do for your birthday?" I looked up at Papa cause what the world? Is he in my head?

I shook my head and played with my fingers. "No sir, I haven't thought of anything."

"Do you want a party?"

"Who would I invite besides family?" I asked as I thought about people I could invite.

"What about that boy Samin and some of the girls from your pole dancing class?"

I looked at Mama and gave what she said a thought and pushed it to the back of my mind. Samin likes me and doesn't hide the fact at all. Being that I've never been in a relationship like at all, I friendzone him, but unfortunately he doesn't care. He's very persistent. "I wouldn't mind Samin coming but it'll be weird if I invite the girls cause we don't talk outside of class."

"We'll handle it. I don't want you stressing about nothing, but do you know what you want as far as gifts?"

I shook my head at Papa, because I got everything I could ever want and ask for. Really don't need nothing else. All of my accounts either have one or two commas. I got food in the house, clothes on my back, and a roof over my head. Stuff I have barley had. Stuff I'm still getting used to having.

"You sure?"

"Yes." I said and they exchanged looks. I ain't think too much of it and laid my head on mama's thigh, slowly drifting to sleep.

"Come on boo get up. Ya mama gotta pee."

I felt Papa shake me and I groaned cause lord why do I have to be such a light sleeper? I rubbed my eyes and lifted up off of Mama. I grabbed her hand helping her off the couch and she waddled away. I can't wait until she gives birth. I'm going to spoil him or her like I did the first two. Let's pray it's not another girl cause Papa is gonna go through it, cause four girls? I stretched and walked towards the back into the room I've been occupying for our duration here. I removed my tank top leaving me in my sports bra and climbed in the bed. About a second later I heard little feet. They climbed in the bed and I shook my head cause they love being under me.

Mari stuck her head in my neck, I was told that this was something she has been doing since she was born and Airy laid across my stomach. "Why y'all on me?"

"Becauseeeeeeeeeee." I let out a laugh at Airy because she was tapping her chin like she was thinking of reason. She be around our grandparents too much.

"Because we love you." Mari mumbled into my neck. I smiled playing with her fingers. She was literally the sweetest.

"I love y'all too."

—
just a filler.

samin 👀

please excuse all mistakes.

I see y'all still don't like to vote but that's ok. got some for y'all asses ☺️