The Moth and the Flame

TMATF|10

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MAY 2011

There was something in the air today.

Heru could feel it, as he took another hit of his blunt, while his thoughts began to run rampant again, replaying the last three months of his life, as he glanced over at a sleeping Irie.

From the moment Irie came to Heru, with two pregnancy tests in hand. The look of clear nervousness and unease on her face was still etched in his mind.

They were both positive.

He didn't know how to feel at that present moment, but he was physically there.

"What?" He would grab the test in his hands, eyeing them for what seemed like forever before looking back at her.

"Well, I didn't get my period in June, so..." She would reply coyly.

Their makeup sex sessions had been quite rampant.

Some with protections others, not so much, so Heru wasn't that surprised...but he was in shock, nonetheless.

"Okay...so what do we do?" Irie's eyebrows rose up a slight bit, as she waited Heru's response.

"Whatchu mean? We keep it," he answered.

Irie nodded, as a wave of relief washed over her.

"Okay."

She smiled faintly, before Heru looked back at the test.

"Ha...damn. A baby...a fucking baby, yo. This is wild."

"I know...it's all so crazy."

"But we'll be straight though. We'll be good."

Heru placed a kiss atop her forehead, as Irie looked at him lovingly.

"You really not mad?"

"No."

Heru looked deep into her eyes.

"I'm not mad at all. I just gotta keep grinding."

Irie sighed a bit to herself.

"You know, Heru...with a child on the way...an actual child, I don't think it's wise to keep doing what you're doin."

Heru made a face of annoyance, but kept his thoughts silent.

"A 9 to 5 ain't gone cut it no more, baby. I'm not about to keep slaving for nobody that could give a fuck bout me if I die tomorrow. I could get discarded like that," Heru snapped his fingers for better emphasis.

"These niggas don't be giving a fuck about no workers....especially a nigga."

"So slowly killing your own people is better?"

Heru stared down at Irie, taking in her soft, yet judgemental type tone.

"You don't get it Irie. We come from two different worlds. Right now, you living in mine. I'm not about to argue with you about nothing you already knew about me...okay? I said we good...Aight?"