Sweet Nothings

FAFO

I take my time making my way home. The Wegmans was as bougie as expected, but the bread and soft cheeses were a must. It was already bad enough that I had to give up sushi for the remainder of my pregnancy. I loaded up after I overheard a few shoppers I passed by talking about a snowstorm coming. I had about 3 carts full of food, snacks, drinks, and household things. I struggled for a minute before a worker in a highlighter green vest came over to help me.

After loading my things into my vehicle, I offered a tip, but the young man refused. Must be a company thing. I put a lil pep in my step cause I need to talk over the next moves with Ale. My phone rings.

"Chica, why yo raggedy ass Baby Daddy calling my phone?" asks Stacia.

"Well, hello to you, too," I respond. "What he say, Stacia?"

"This cabron, man," she starts. "He asks me if I know where his shoes are!! Girl, when I stopped laughing. I told him to go play in traffic."

"He did not call you about his damn shoes, girl!!" I laugh.

"Yes, his nuta$$ did!" she says.

I start to head back toward my house. I have Christmas music playing in the background of the car.

"I am just so mad that they have ruined Christmas for me this year. I am usually mad hype around this time. Maribela just called on some sh*t," I tell her.

"Chica, say the word and I will body her, deadass!"

"That is why you my ride or ride," I say. "'Cause we too cute to die," we yell together.

"Nah, but for real, what did she say to you, Mara?" asks Stacia.

"She was just trying to stir ish up. I got something for dat ass, though," I say.

I go on to tell Stacia my plans for tomorrow with Mr. Hines. Together, we tweak my ideas until we have a solid plan to execute. When I look, 20 minutes have passed, and I am pulling into my driveway.

I beep the horn for Ale to help me with all the groceries. As we get everything put in the house, I tell Ale about the coffee shop. I saved that bag for last.

"Manito, I didn't get concha, but this place has some crispy delicious orejas, muy bueno," I say.

"Word, let me see how they do it in Ithaca, then."

I hand over the bag. "Do you want tea or decaf?"

"Coffee, Queenie," says Ale.

I pull out a few items to make dinner.

"Hey, Maribela called me," I start. "That woman seems to have an overabundance of audacity. I have some plans in the works. I am getting ready to start dismantling her life. I know you have my back, but she did birth you, so if you feel some way about this, let me know now," I explain.

" Queenie, it's you and me. I mean that," says Ale. "Whatever happens, I have your back. So what's the moves?"

We talk over dinner. Ale has even more ideas to add to the plan. I knew he had my back, but the lengths he would go to prove it was love. I stand and stretch. Today has been long AF. I take my plate to the sink and wipe down the island we ate at.

"Tomorrow, I put my plans into action. Sunday, we watch the fireworks," I tell him. "Buenas noches, hermano."

"Buenas noches Reinita!"

I head up the steps and set a reminder on my phone to get a new number in the morning. I head straight for the bathroom. I can't wait to try out the shower. I let my clothes fall as I head toward the shower entrance and turn on the water.