Toni
I finished chopping everything up for dinner. The kids chose what we're having and they wanted gumbo. I'm not surprised it's their favorite. Everytime Janet was pregnant, she would go crazy over this. It was the only thing to really dull her cravings.
"Mama." Amiyah walked in the kitchen.
"Yes, sweetie."
"I want to go to Mommy's house."
"What's wrong?"
"I just want to go."
"Did I do something?"
"No. I just want mommy."
"Okay, tell me why so I can tell her."
"I ummm......I just used the bathroom and my thingy came and mommy always helps me."
"Your thingy? Oh your period." She nodded and held her head down. "Aww, baby it's okay. I'll call your mother."
"Thank you."
"Mama!" Amelia came in the kitchen holding her stomach.
"What's wrong sweetie?"
"My stomach hurts. Can you...."
"I'm calling her right now." I grabbed my phone and dialed her number.
"Hello."
"Hey, are you busy?"
"No, what's up?"
"The girls started their periods and they're asking for you. Is this their first one?" She chuckled. It sounded beautiful.
"No, they got it two months ago. I'll come get them. It's perfect timing, I just bought all this chocolate and I need help eating it." She chuckled again.
"Okay, I'll have them ready."
"Alright, I lo.....I mean, bye." She hung up. I put my phone down and let out a breath while holding back tears. Turning around, I looked at the girls.
"Mommy's on her way to get you guys. Go get your stuff ready."
"Okay, mama." Amiyah helped Amelia out the kitchen and up the stairs. I put a few more things in the pot before letting it cook. Leaning against the counter, I felt so many emotions based on Janet's last sentence. She almost said it and then took it back. We never took that back no matter how mad we were at each other. This is a sign that it's really over between us. I didn't like that, but it's what she wanted and I can't make her do anything or change her mind.
I heard keys jingle in the door and I quickly cleaned my face. "Toni." I heard her call my name. She didn't say it how she used to go when she would come home. It would be light and happy and laced with excitement.
"Toni." I turned the fire down on the stove and wiped my hands off. Going near the front door, Janet was taking her heels off and sat her purse in the chair.
"Hey, baby." She looked up and smiled. She came towards me and wrapped her arms around my neck before planting a big kiss on my lips.
"Hi, honey. How was your day?" I picked her up and wrapped her legs around my waist.
"It was good. I missed you though."
"I missed you too." She pecked my lips again. I carried her into the kitchen and sat her on the counter; her favorite place to sit. "Oh, you're cooking. What are you making?"
"I'm making you some gumbo." She squealed a little.
"Oh, I love when you make that."
"I know, that's why I'm making it." I held her waist and kissed her again. "And then we can have some nice dessert later."
