Beyoncé
"Mommy."
Something is wrong with Jazmine because she only calls me that when she's upset.
"Sit down, what's goin' on, love?"
Jazmine cuddles her cat close to her chest and just points to a box on the floor.
"What about it?"
"Robyn sent them."
I groan. I was there when Robyn threw a fit while high. Jazmine got thrown in the backseat and I put my foot on the gas so hard because she tried to drive off to take Zahir to a drug deal.
I had a crying little kid in my car and another baby in another car basically being kidnapped. I'm not a fan of Robyn at all but I put a brave face on because I don't believe in talking shit in front of children, especially when they begin to absorb and notice the things being said.
"I get that mama wants to forgive so I don't regret not talking to her but she hurt me, mommy."
I hold Jazmine close to my chest (with caution because of that damn cat).
"Baby girl," I can't speak over Nicki because she has her own reasons but Jazz is in a slightly different situation. "I... to a degree understand where she's coming from. But if you don't want to, you don't have to. You have been given every reason not to."
"She thinks she's excused because she went on a camping trip with one change of clothes with 10 other people for 2 months without any devices."
I shake my head. Robyn came back thinking she could just March into these kids lives. She's missed so many of Jazz's big moments already. Prek, first day of kindergarten, going to middle school, going to highschool, my baby went to prom with this boy named King, family trips, birthday parties, many first times, taking the babies to Disney for the first time. How Nicki and I took turns taking Jazmine on every one of the rides she got the height requirement for.
"Baby I'm here for you, you know that?"
"I know that, mommy."
"Whatever you choose to do I support you fully, 100%."
"Thank you, mommy. You're the best."
"You're the best."
"So I'm your favorite."
"No." I say quickly. "I don't believe in favorites."
Okay, maybe Jazz is... but that's not the focus now. I'm not sure, I feel I need to go to Nicki about this.
_______________
"Nick, we need to talk."
All of the kids are upstairs and we're in the garage.
"About?"
"Robyn. I feel that if Jazmine doesn't want a relationship she doesn't have to. She has every reason not to."
"She will regret it if she doesn't do it."
"Nick, I'm not disqualifying you, but you and Jazz are not in the same situation. Robyn has given her REASONS to hate her."
"Robyn is making changes. She's in therapy!"
"What Robyn gets their hopes up and then goes back to square one? You know the types of rejection trauma Jazmine got, this could actually break Zahir!"
"You just biased!" Nicki yells, "LET PEOPLE GROW."
"It's not bias if she fucking bruised and scarred my daughter!" I yell. "Go and check Jazmine's left side of her face! You remember how that baby could barely move her arm because Robyn's immature ass didn't want to just speak to us as the adults about it! She hurt them both!"
Nicki is fuming. I mean nostrils flared and everything.
She doesn't say a word. I didnt say all of that to be right or wrong, I'm just standing up for my daughter. That's not a bad thing at all. Jazmine is clearly hurt and on edge about this.
She's been texting me everyday before school asking if we called Robyn to come to the school because she was is still so bothered by the fact that we let Robyn check her out of school.
At first Nicki hated Robyn and wanted to put a hit on her but recently she's been allowing her around. Zahir loves Robyn but is confused. He's a friendly boy to everyone, but Robyn is just now showing up out of the blue after nearly 12 years.
She buys him toys and clothes and he accepts because like I said, he's sweet and grateful and loving and everything. He doesn't bat and eye to the same things Jazmine does.
Nicki just paces the garage.
We hear crying upstairs and go sprinting. India is in tears loudly crying and Zahir is too. Jazmine seems to have gotten Bryony up the stairs and to her room.
"Oh, y'all, C'mere."
I try to get India but she runs away and locks herself in the pantry, the door shutting so hard it nearly falls off the hinges.
It seriously clenched my chest in a bad way.
"Y'all divorcin'?" Zahir asks in between sniffles as he wipes his tears.
Nicki and I swoop in.
"I'm goin' ta live with mom?"
"Only to visit but you comin' right back, my love." I go to comfort him.
Nicki adds, "You ain't gonna love with ha', son."
He just huffs, overwhelmed and runs off to his room.
I'm sorry but I walk off to the couch and rest my face in my hands.
"Bey..."
"Yeah?"
"You right."
I stay quiet.
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What do you think will happen next?
