Body Count (BWWM)

Chapter 3

Gloria

THREE YEARS LATER...

"Tati, come on baby. Mommy can't be late for work!" I yell as my chunky toddler comes running to me.

I laugh when I see her face. She has toothpaste all on her chin. "Did you get in a fight with Colgate again?" I asked her while taking a wet paper towel and wiping her face.

She nods her head. "Mommy it was a battle. But I'm fwresh and qween"

I laugh picking her up and kissing her cheek. 

"Grab your bag. You don't want to miss morning snack do you?" He eyes widen as she runs to get her barbie backpack. One thing about baby girl...she ain't missing no meals.

My baby is turning 4 next weekend and it's like I just had her yesterday. I still can't believe I'm a mother and it all happened due to that one night. I haven't seen Artemis since I left that morning. We never exchanged contact and I didn't even know his last name. I felt bad for my baby because I don't want her growing up without a father. Then again, maybe it's for the best considering he was probably a criminal. 

That my dumbass had to sleep with.

Raw.

When I found out that I was pregnant. I beat myself up about it daily, up until the moment I gave birth. Once I held my beautiful baby girl, I knew that I would love her a million times over. It was hard at first but my parents and Alicia helped as much as they could. I'm finally at a point where I get a smidge of freedom. She's almost fully potty trained and she knows how to brush her teeth and wash her face on her own. Like today, there are moments where I have to step in and help her. She's a smart and great kid. I'm blessed to be her mother.

***

We arrived at St. Johns and I grab Tati's hand as we skip into the building. I pick her up as we run to the daycare so I can begin my shift.

"Princess Tati!" He teacher Lauren yells.

"Warren!" Tati yells, cheesing from ear to ear. She struggles with her L's and manages to replace them with a W's. We've been working on her speech at home.

She runs into the daycare and I have a short chat with her teacher Lauren. I look at my watch and realize my shift is about to start. I give Tati a kiss and a hug and let her know I'd be back after my shift.

"Hey boo! Where auntie's baby?" Alicia asks while I'm stocking supplies.

"Girl, she's downstairs with Lauren having a ball. This is the third night in a row we got no accidents." I tell her crossing my fingers.

"I can't believe she'll be four next weekend. Shit, I feel like you just had her."

"Who you telling? I get emotional thinking about it. And to think, I was going to get an abortion." I shake my head, upset at myself.

"Glo, who wouldn't in your situation?"

She continues. "You were scared and couldn't get in touch with the father. Hell, you even went back to the house once you found out and it was empty. But all that doesn't matter because you decided to hold yourself accountable and move forward with your pregnancy. You're an amazing mom and Tati is obsessed with you." She laughs filling her cart with supplies.

"I know. I wish for her birthday, I could give her, her father." I tell her.

"Well, Dr. Stevens keeps eyeing you every time you're on the floor. Maybe he can be her father?"

I chuckle, playfully nudging her in her side. "Stop, Licia. We're just friends."

"Shit, I want a 6'2 Clark Kent looking motherfucker as a friend too." I tell her.

Dr. Stevens and I had gone on a couple dates but the chemistry just wasn't there. He was an amazing, intelligent man, and he's a pediatrician so he's always had a love for children. Honestly, he's the perfect catch for any woman but I don't know. It just never felt right. I think he's sexy as fuck and he does look like Clark Kent. We've seen each other at the gym a few times and his body was insane but it's still a no for me. Maybe I'm just not ready for a serious relationship. All my time is dedicated to my baby and I'm fine with that, for now.

Our 12-hour shift seemed to go by quick and I was already in the car singing songs with my baby.

"Let it go! Let it goooo!!!!" I belt.

"Mommy, pwease!"

"Oop, dang you don't like mommy's singing?" I ask Tati.

"It's just...I like when Elsa sings it." She replies.

I shake my head smirking at Tati. I can't even be mad because at least she's honest and not afraid to speak her mind. Every little girl needs the freedom to do that.

By the time we get home it's 10pm and Tati is sleeping in my arms. I take her coat off and change her into her pajamas. She's a heavy sleeper like her momma, or at least I use to be. Every since I had her it's like my joys of napping and sleeping well ended. With kids, moms are on high alert 24/7. 

I place her in her Barbie convertible bed and give her kiss goodnight. She squirms a little then turns over snoring. I turn on her night light and crack the door. My fear of thunderstorms didn't affect her but she's afraid of the dark. We're both just some big ass babies.

***

An hour after being home, I decided to hop in the shower. I'm rinsing out the shampoo from my hair and I hear a crash in the living room. Immediately, I turn off the water and step out the shower grabbing my robe. I don't have time to think I go into protect mode because my daughter is out there. The only weapon I have close by is my curling iron. I wrap the cord around my hand my plan is to swing it in any direction of an intruder. 

The first room I reach is my daughter's. I walk in to make sure no one is in their with her and she's still sound asleep. I close her door and continue my way down the hall. I'm checking every room and not finding anyone. Then, I reach the living room and as soon as I flip the switch I see glass shattered all over the floor and the window to the fire escape open, blowing my curtains with the heavy winds.

I call 911.