King of Queens (a Nas Story)

EIGHTEEN

Gia | July 1993

"How is my grand baby doing?" My mom asked over the phone. It had been two months since I finally told her I was pregnant and moving out to live with Nasir. We found a two bedroom apartment in Long Island, which was far too much of a commute to George's diner.

I had to quit my position as a part-time waitress. George was understanding and said that I was always family and whatever I needed, he was always a phone call away. I was forever grateful to George and the way he looked out for me and my mom.

"Your grand baby is fine and getting on my nerves." I laughed as I twirled the chord of the phone around my index finger. I looked out of the large window behind our couch and watched the cars pass by.

"It's almost time for the gender reveal, isn't it?" My mom asked with excitement in her voice. The sun was starting to set and I was alone in the apartment. I wasn't sure what to do with myself these days. Nasir didn't want me working and I had no one here in Long Island to keep me company.

"Yes ma'am. We find out next week!" I said with a faint smile on my face. I didn't want my mom to worry about me and I didn't want to put stress on the baby, but I was feeling lonely these days.

Yes, Nasir is here and he's taking care of me. He provides for me financially and physically, but I felt alone mentally and emotionally. I wanted to end the phone call so that I could lay in bed and sleep through the night.

This was the third night in a row that Nasir left without telling me where he was going and honestly, I was fed the fuck up.

"I'm so excited for you, baby! You know your grandma is going to send you so many clothes from Jersey—"

My mom's statement was interrupted by a knock on my front door. "Hey Ma, let me call you back. Someone's at the door."

"Alright, baby. Love you!"

"Love you too!" I ended the call and rushed to the peephole to see who it was. I recognized her curly hair from anywhere.

"Open the door, mama!" Stacy yelled as she banged on the wood. I turned the locks and opened the door. "Girl, get your ass in here!" I yanked her by her arm and shut the door behind her.

Stacy dyed her hair a dark, chocolate brown. Her curls still held definition. She wore a red halter top tied behind her neck and light blue denim shorts with red sandals to match. She held a bag from the bodega in her left hand.

"I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by!" She said with a smile as he looked around the apartment. "I see Lotion finally got some damn furniture in here!" She joked as she placed the plastic bag on the kitchen counter.

I held my stomach over my white sundress that draped past my ankles. My hair was tied in a messy, curly bun on top of my head and my feet were bare as I walked on the carpet.

"Yes, we have furniture now. You can stop complaining about sitting on the floor." I scoffed at her as I followed her into the kitchen. "What you bring us?" I asked, referring to my child and myself.

"I know how much you love those Turkey subs by my house, so I bought you two!" Stacy said as she dug into the plastic bag and handed me one of them. She must've sensed my hunger from boroughs away.

"Thank you, ma'am!" I held the sub to my chest playfully and laughed. "You're very welcome." Stacy returned a smile my way. I motioned for her to follow me to the couch for a seat so that we could catch up.

"Let me guess, he's gone again?" Stacy kissed her teeth as she plopped next to me on the couch.

"Do I even have to tell you that?" I rolled my eyes and bit into the sub, savoring each bite.