Family Lies 2

Only You

Donna

"Ma, your hair looks fiiinnneee," Dominique whined as she ran that hot comb through my edges and then laid them down with some jam. "Ight, just make sure it's right," I insisted while fishing for my pack of cigarettes in my bra only to realize I ain't have none on me. As soon as Marilyn realized I was pregnant she took it as her duty to take everything with a Surgeon General warning on it up out of here.

"Oh my God," I burst into tears.

"Why you crying Mama?" Marilyn asked as she reached over to touch my leg just as Blaze came through my open front door. "I just want a smoke," I cried and she just laughed at me.

"It ain't funny Marilyn," I said and she nodded like she really sympathized with me. "You right, Mama. It ain't funny. But you know it's the best thing for the baby. You ain't got no idea the effects those chemicals could have on it."

"Baby?!" Blaze stopped in his tracks and I looked up to see my oldest boy frozen with wide eyes.

"Sit down with me baby," I motioned for Marilyn to pull out a chair for her little brother.

"Mama... you pregnant?" Blaze asked like his grown ass didn't know how to feel. I sucked up my tears and nodded my head. "Yeah. Is that okay with you?" I asked sarcastically and Blaze laughed. "I guess... are you happy about it?"

I nodded slowly as I felt Nique start to play in the fresh curls she just put in my hair. "I am. I wanted this for a long time, Blaze. I wanted it for so long... that I forgot I even wanted it," I chuckled as Blaze took both of my hands in his. "Then I'm happy for you Mama. As long as you don't start calling him yo favorite boy," Blaze said as he wore his most serious face and I just laughed. "I could never. You know you my favorite boy," I said while reaching out to cup his face so I could kiss his forehead.

"Well damn, Ma! You don't even try to hide that shit no more," I looked up at the sound of True's voice. I found him coming in with shopping bags in hand per usual and rolled my eyes. "Shut up and come give me some sugar boy," I said and True smiled as he came over to hug me up out my chair. I laughed while kissing his cheek.

"How you doing? You still got that job?" I asked while pointing at True and then looking at Blaze who looked away as soon as I caught him at the eye. Which let me know all I needed to know. "Of course I do, Ma. Now onto more important things... I brought you your favorite Sweet Potato Pie from Miss. Baker's. Marilyn told me you wanted to talk to us so I figured I better butter you up a little," True said while pulling the pie out of one of the bags and then handing it over. I smiled so wide while sitting it on the counter and going into the kitchen to find me a paper plate.

"You only got one plate Mama?" Marilyn complained and I cut my eyes at her so bad baby I could have drawn blood!

"Yes I did. My son said he brought me a pie. Not y'all. Right baby?" I asked True and he smiled. "Yeah, Ma. Here, let me cut it for you. You got any ice cream? I can warm up ya pie and get you a scoop," True offered and I smiled as I heard Nique whisper, "Look, True think he done got caught up," to her sister and they just started snickering.

"Yeah, it's some butter pecan in the freezer up there. Fresh bucket. Matter fact get you some too baby, thank you. Where y'all sisters at? I thought everybody would be here by now."

"Summer called me from work. She said she had to stay at the store late because Aki and Mr. Chow is both sick. She ain't gone make it here before Mr. Paris," Sahari said as she came in taking her shoes and jacket off at the door. "Oh my God, don't take nothing else off, please!" Blaze teased Sahari while covering his eyes and pinching his nose and I laughed as Sahari came and leaned against the wall.