Truth Be Told

Chapter Two

*4 Years Later*
Charlotte, North Carolina

Amber's POV

"Mommy, I finished all my breakfast." Ja'Layeah said as she wiped my mouth

"Good job princess. Now go brush your teeth and let Tee Tee Amaiyah help you get dressed. Nana will be here in a few minutes to do your hair for school." Amber said as she helped Ja'Layeah down from the bar chair

I cleaned the space where Layeah sat and I also washed the dishes because if it's one thing about me, I don't like to have dishes just sitting in the sink. While washing dishes, I said my daily prayer and thanked God for all the blessings that he has given me and my family over the last four years. I know you're wondering what happened after that night J. Drew caused that big scene. Well, I'll tell you. J. Drew started stalking me and even threatened that if I didn't take away the restraining that I had on him, he was going to kidnap my baby and make sure that I never see him again. I told him, the restraining order would remain in place until he went to rehab and completed the program as well as attend anger management classes. The stalking and the threats didn't stop, so with prayer and guidance I made the major decision and moved my business and my daughter from Houston to Charlotte. After Ja'Layeah was born, Amaiyah and I started our own designing business and named it Ja'Layeah's House of Fashion. We cater to mostly curvy and plus size women as well as kids. To help balance bills and save money, Amaiyah and I decided to live together, and my mom lives five minutes away. My mom was blessed to open up a hair salon here in Charlotte and business has been great for all of us.

Before leaving Houston, I informed J. Drew's mother Karen that I was moving and that she and J's sister Kierra were more than welcomed to come and visit Ja'Layeah. I never heard back from neither one of them and I assumed that J. Drew lied to them about what happened that night and they believed him. Typical behavior of moms with sons and sisters with brothers. I couldn't let that worry me. Of course, Drew's behavior has affected Ja'Layeah. For a five-year-old she is very intelligent. As a mother, I don't bash Drew around her, but she knows that he isn't the man or father that he should be. It hurts to see my baby hurt, but I tell her everyday that her father, grandmother, and aunt love her dearly despite them not being in her life.

I finally finished cleaning the kitchen and I can now go shower and get dressed. Today is Layeah's first day in Kindergarten and I took the day off to take her to school. As I walked out the kitchen, my mom walked in the door.

"Hey mommy." I said hugging and kissing her. "Layeah is in her room getting dressed. I'm going to go shower and get dressed myself."

"Good Morning Pumpkin. You go do that, and I'm going to go see how Miss Layeah wants her hair." Sandra said as she headed towards direction

"Why is it that she gets options. When I was going to school, I didn't have a say so in how my hair was styled." Amber said pouting

"That's because she's my grandchild. She gets what she wants. Duh." Sandra said as she left Amber standing there

*An Hour Later*

I was showered and dressed and was downstairs waiting on Layeah. A few minutes later she was walking down the stairs with my mom and Amaiyah. My mom did a curly twist out on her and Amaiyah picked out a cute outfit. I'm going to try not to cry.

"Mommy, do you like my hair. Nana did it for me." Ja'Layeah said as she came downstairs and jumped in my lap

"I love it and your outfit is cute too." I complimented her

"Tee Tee Amaiyah picked it out for me. She said a G'Thang must always dress to impress" She replied

"Really Amaiyah?" I said side-eyeing her