ICU TOO

Chapter Thirteen

MEMPHIS, TN

Crystal

"How's everything going?" Denise asked over the phone. "Has the hospital fallen down yet?" She asked making me roll my eyes.

Denise left me to go celebrate her anniversary and I think I had a panic attack. I was so close to telling Devale to come back but I didn't. Even though the hospital desperately needs him.

"Well I got attacked by a psych patient and we had to do a 3 hour quarantine because someone showed symptoms of Covid. It was a mad house."

"Did they have Covid?"

"No it was the flu." I told Denise making her laugh. "I want to sleep but I can't because Devale is on his way with DJ and I can't wait to see my baby." I say smiling.

"Who? Devale or DJ?"

"Bitch stop playing with me." I said laughing. "I miss both of them I can't lie. I miss my little family." I say shrugging my shoulders.

Denise sighed, "I hope you feel better." She said.

"I am at peace with my decision but that doesn't mean I don't miss what seemed to be the perfect life for me." I tell her.

I'm still processing my divorce. Figuratively and literally, I haven't given my lawyer the papers because there is still a part of me that hopes Devale will get it right for the last time. I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Maybe he'll find a woman who's willing to put up with his bs and inconsistencies. But it's not going to be Crystal Renee Hayslett.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Alright girl that's Devale so I'll call you later." I said getting out the bed.

"Okay bye." Denise said before hanging up.

I walked down and went to the door. I open the door and was in complete shock at what I was seeing. Devale, Zena and my son standing at the door looking like the fucking clowns they are.

"Why the fuck is she here? Is this a joke?" I ask becoming annoyed.

"Go inside DJ, here." Zena said handing him an animal balloon.

"Hi mommy!" He said waving before running into the house.

"Yeah go inside cause mommy finna tear it up out here." I said watching my son go inside the living room. "Bitch didn't we have this conversation already? I don't wanna hear whatever you have to say." I said looking directly at Zena.

Devale sighed, "Why you gotta call her out her name? This is my idea. I just wanted y'all to talk. She got something to say." Devale told me.

I shake my head.

"No."

"Crystal look I'm sorry about everything that happened but my feelings aren't invalid just because you and Devale happened to get married. We had a connection way before you two even knew each other." Zena spoke up.

"Girl fuck y'all connection." I said making Zena roll her eyes.

"You're mad cause I took your Nigga." Zena said making Devale cover his face. "That's what it really is. He loves me more than he loves you and everyone knows it-"

Before she said anything else I snatched her ass up so fast. The next thing I know we were fighting.

•••

Devale

"Oh my god can you stop it?" I ask pulling Crystal off of a Zena.

I didn't even have the energy. I let them go at it for like thirty seconds before I broke it up. It was so ghetto.