One night in Manhattan

UNO Out.

***

"Fatima let's go!" Zac shouted as he pulled Fatima away from Shelby who was struggling to get back to her feet. The aisle they were in was only.

"I bet ya ass think twice about saying shit about my fucking child again." Fatima hovered over the slightly dazed woman.

A crowd stood in shock as they watched the scene unfold before their eyes, some even pulling out their phones to catch what they could on camera. Zac stepped in closer who was still standing over Shelby daring her to get up and fight back. " I said Now." He said in a tone that told her he would not be asking again. Fatima got the hint and relented.

"Bitch it aint over." Shelby yelled finally able to get to her feet.

"For your sake, it better be."

Fatima looked at Seven who was clinging to Zac's side. Instant regret set in for her knowing that she never meant to show that side of herself to her daughter. She followed them out of the store and into Zac's truck grocery-less as he tried with all his might not to slam the door shut behind her as he held it open for her to enter. He did the same for Seven and double-checked that she before pulling out of the lot.

"Mommy, are you mad at me?" Seven asked with a fear in her tone that didn't go as unnoticed by her parents as the fear in her eyes. "Baby no! Mommy is not mad at you at all. You did nothing wrong." Fatima wanted to console her child and considered for a moment asking Zac to pull over so she could change to the backseat. When Fatima turned and saw the tears racing down her cheeks, every bit of her hardened shell crumbled. "Sev, baby mommy is so sorry. I know that was scary. Please don't cry." Fatima found her strong exterior crumbling.

Zac sat in the driver's seat giving his attention to the road. He was absolutely seething but refused to let Seven see him and Fatima out of character on the same day.

When Zac pulled up to Fatima's apartment she was confused. She just assumed they'd be going to another supermarket to finish their shopping for dinner but when Zac put the car in park, a few cars away from the entrance to her building, it became evident to her that those were not his plans. Aside from the radio playing, the car ride back to her place was relatively silent. Whenever he would peek in the backseat at Seven she was staring out the window and Fatima's fingers were tapping away on her phone undoubtedly telling Lauren about what happened. "Wait, what about dinner?" she asked perplexed.

"imma go get it and come back."

"Zac, I'm good. We can just go to the one that's up the block." Fatima suggested not realizing how upset Zac truly was.

"Nah T. imma go get it. ill be back." Zac said being mindful to keep his tone even.

"you mad?" she asked finally noticing.

"I just need a minute."

"Zac."

"T. It's cool." He said noticing the small set of eyes trained on them. Fatima wanted to tell him that it wasn't that serious but instead she dropped the topic.