The Last Drop

Chapter 9

"Surprise!" family and friends screamed as Wesley, Maxine, Winter, and Rema walked through the door. Cedric was there to present him with his huge welcome home basket they had made earlier. He had even hung-up welcome home balloons as well and had all the food warming up. Everybody came up to hug Wesley and show him some love. Wesley and Cedric both shed tears as they embraced.

"My nephew is home. I can now be at peace and rest knowing he is back under my watchful eye. I'm so glad God took care of him because I know it wasn't easy, but he made it through," Cedric said still emotional.

In the crowd Winter could spot Kevin who had made eye contact with her, but they didn't say anything or acknowledge each other. He just continued to sip on his cup.

While everyone was busy talking to and loving Wesley, Rema and Winter went upstairs to her bedroom. Once safely in the room Rema sat down on the bed while Winter started a nice warm shower for her.

Once Rema was in the shower, she began to think about how to approach her about this positive pregnancy test. It had been a long time since they had seen each other, and she was a completely different person. Winter didn't know if she could trust the answers of a fiend about something so serious and sad. Winter wanted to know about the baby and most important where the baby was or was the baby even alive.

"It's been so long since I been here, it doesn't feel real," Rema smiled nervously while coming out of the bathroom. Her body was clean and smelled fresh and her curly hair was free from dirt, leaves, and twigs. Although she still looked a little rough, the bath definitely helped her.

"Yeah, girl we had plenty of fun nights in here. From watching movies all night to prank calling boys in high school," Winter said, making them both laugh at the old times.

"We were so goofy," Rema said laughing. As Winter gathered her clothes, which was some leggings, socks, and a t shirt, she could hear Rema's laughing had turned to crying.

"I don't know what happened to me," Rema cried deeply. Winter was a bit hesitant, but she went over to her and gave her a hug as Rema cried on her shoulder.

"I never wanted things to go or be this way. I never wanted this life for myself. I don't even know who I am anymore," Rema continued to break down. Although Winter did not want to bring it up, she decided now was probably the only time she was going to get an answer, but she knew talking to a fiend, she would have to be upfront and stern with her.

"I never thought this would happen to you too Rema, but I'm glad you're still alive at least. I'm glad that you can still fight this shit so that you can see your baby," Winter said. Rema looked at her suspiciously.

"My baby? How did you even know I had a baby?" Rema asked her while laughing.

"I saw the pregnancy test you left in Wesley room," Winter admitted showing her the positive test. Rema took the test in her hand before staring at it and breaking down. Tears ran down rapidly as she tried to form some words.

"I sold her. I gave her away; I couldn't take care of her anyway and I just needed some crack. I wanted to get high," Rema whispered as the tears continued to fall, remembering her baby girl. Winter wiped her eyes, holding back her tears.

"Well, who is the father? Who has the baby?" Winter asked her seriously before Wesley came in, with a red solo cup already in his hand.

"Girl you still not ready? We have a party downstairs that y'all are missing so come on," Wesley said coming in sporting a fresh new fit.

Winter helped Rema finish getting dressed and let Rema borrow a pair of her shoes since the other ones were dirty, soleless and holey. They went back downstairs to the party where everyone was dancing, drinking, playing cards, and having a good time. Cedric was outside smoking with Wesley and Rema went out there to join him. Winter went to the kitchen and decided to pour herself a drink.

"So, what's up with Rema being here?" Kevin chuckled walking up to Winter. Winter gave him a mean and cold look behind her cup as she sipped her drink.

"My brother wanted her here and she's like family. Why you so pressed about Rema and Kilo anyway?" Winter asked impulsively. Honestly, she was getting tired of the games and the bullshit she had found herself in. She just wanted the truth.

"Who said I was pressed? You're the one inviting a crackhead into your humble abode. That sounds like a you problem," Kevin laughed.

"If you have a problem with guest then you can leave," Winter said attempting to walk pass him before Kevin grabbed her arm.

"Listen, I'm not here to fight and fuss about Rema. Today is your brother's day and I'm happy and excited that he's out. But I know you probably still need help with the last drop, right?" Kevin asked. Winter rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, but I can do it myself," she told him.

"Listen, just meet me at this warehouse. I know you may not want to trust me, but I know someone willing to pay 2 mill for the product you have left. That means you'll meet your goal and have some left over for yourself," Kevin explained to her.

This deal sounded too good to Winter, who was ready to get out of the business. She looked out at the balcony to see her brother, uncle, Rema, and they were smiling and having a good time. She felt ready to completely stop dealing and start living the life she deserved. Since her brother was locked up, she ended up being the main provider making sure the house got paid off, cars got paid off and literally picked up where Wesley left off as far as taking care of them. She definitely wasn't trying to keep dealing, especially now that her brother was back and definitely would be disappointed in her.

"Ok, I'll meet you there," she told him before walking away trying to enjoy the rest of the party.

Later that night, after the party was over Rema stayed to help clean up. Wesley was knocked out on the couch from the food, drink, smoking, and overall partying. Usually, Cedric would be pissed if anybody slept on his genuine leather sectional couch but instead of giving him a hard time, everyone just left him alone.

Maxine and Cedric cleaned up outside on the balcony while Rema and Winter cleaned up on the inside.

"Winter, I just want to say thank you for helping me today and not being mean to me or anything," Rema spoke softly.

"Yeah, no problem," Winter said dryly, barely wanting to talk.

"You asked me about my baby and honestly, I don't know who the father is. Me and Wesley were going through some things and so was I, clearly. To be honest, I never really stopped fucking with my ex though, but Wesley was just always there for me, putting money in my pocket, putting food in my stomach, and clothes on my back. I gave the baby to my ex since Wesley had got locked up," Rema admitted.

"Who is this ex that you basically left my brother for?" Winter asked kind of pissed off.

"It's Kevin. The same house we were at where you made me that sandwich," Winter heart immediately went into her ass. "I mean he knew I was on drugs around the time I got pregnant, since he's the one that introduced them to me. That's why I stopped coming around," Rema started to cry. "I didn't want Wesley to know that I was doing drugs and seeing me look down bad. I didn't want him to think that I was trying to trap him or force him to be with me. Most of all, I didn't want to start stealing from him and I didn't want you, my best friend, to see me that way," she broke down in tears.

Winter just couldn't believe what Rema was saying. She had no reason to lie to her though since it had been so long since they had seen each other, and Rema had never lied to her when they were close friends.

Winter instead just stormed out of the kitchen, leaving Rema to cry and finish cleaning alone.