Body Count (BWWM)

Chapter 6

Gloria

I'm sweeping up the mess the intruder left behind. I've already contacted my insurance company and they're sending someone out to fix the window. The police left a couple of hour ago and I'm pretty shaken up. Who would do this? The last thing I need to be a single mother is paranoid.

"Gloria!" I hear Alicia shouting, as she barges through the door.

"I came as soon as I could. Are you okay? Where's my niece?!"

I shake my head, raising my hand up calming her down. "We're fine and Tati is still sleeping. She slept through all of this."

She pulls me into an embrace. "Oh my God, I was so worried?"

"Did they take anything? Like, what was the reason?" Alicia asked.

"No. I looked everywhere and nothing seems to be missing or out of place." I tell her.

"The police to the report and they said they would ask neighbors in the area if they saw anything. But you know how NYPD is...I doubt I'd hear back from them." I said shaking my head.

"Well, let's take your mind off of things and go shopping." Licia says.

I deeply sigh, "that sounds good but I can't leave until my window is fixed."

"Let's do this. I'll make breakfast for you and Tati while we wait for the window people to come. Then, we can go after?" She asks.

I nod my head in approval. "Sounds like a plan."

***

The window company just left and Tati is in the bathroom washing her face. It's a cold fall day so I had to make sure my baby and I were dressed accordingly. We both had on our legging and crewnecks with a long coat. Of course, Tati opted for her Tims as oppose to her Uggs.

"You sure you don't want to wear your Uggs? The come up higher on your leg, they'll keep you warmer." I try to explain to her.

She shakes her head, which cause her pigtails to swing in her face. "No. Auntie said real New Yorkers don't wear that shit."

I step back, appalled at hearing her cuss. Then, I draw my eyes to Alicia's ass, who's eating a bag of chips side-eyeing me. "Alicia! Stop cursing around her!"

"Dang, my bad I didn't know she's repeat it."

I roll my eyes and bend down to Tati, "baby 'shit' is a bad word. Don't ever say it again. Do you understand?"

"Yes, mommy." She says while kissing me on the lips.

"Plus, New Yorkers wear Uggs too." I say as I'm looking down at my feet.

Tati and Alicia stare at each other.

"What?!" I yell.

"Mommy, only me and TT are New Yorkers." Tati says.

"Oh, then what am I?" I questioned.

Alicia bends down to whisper something to Tati.

"You're a transplit." 

"A what?!" I ask.

Alicia shakes her heads and whispers to her again.

"TT said you're a transplant." I roll my eyes. "Come on, baby!"

I pull Tati ahead then send a middle finger to Alicia. She laughs, "don't be mad at me your country ass."

"Country ass?" Tati questions as we head out the door. I send deathly glares to Alicia.

Send help please

***

We've been shopping for about 3 hours and my feet hurt and my stomach is rumbling. If I'm hungry I know my baby is. We decided to leave an head to a local diner in the area.

We sit down at a corner booth and Alicia seems tensed as she keeps looking around the diner.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I'm placing Tati in the high chair.

"Yeah, man. Just a weird feeling." She shrugs it off.

"What weird feeling?" I questioned.

"I don't know. I can't explain it. I'm probably just tired from shopping." She yawns, picking up the menu.

"Yeah it's been a long day. I can't wait to get in my bed." I tell her as she stands up.

"I'll be back. I'm going to the restroom."

I nod as my attention is on Tati asking her what she wants to eat. It's always a battle with her because if I let her, she's order Lobster and Steak. Her appetite is insane.

"Baby, how about the kids meal cheeseburger?" I ask her.

She shakes her head. "No, mommy. I want the pancake deluxe, pwease!"

I close my eyes chuckling at her response. "Okay, baby how about we share it. It's like 5 big pancakes. That's too much food."

"But I'm a growing girl," she pouts and I pinch her cheeks at how adorable she is.

Alicia returns and we order food and finished eating in about 45 minutes. 

***

Alicia drops us off at home. Once again, I'm walking into an empty apartment with a heavy toddler clinging to my shoulder sleep. Quickly, I lock the locks on the door and put Tati down on the couch. I go around checking the windows in all the rooms.

I stand in my living room hands on my hip, releasing a deep breath and praying that me and my baby are safe. After turning off the lights, I head to my bedroom to change in to my night gown. While in my bathroom connected to my room, I stare outside the window while brushing my teeth and look on the busy street. There's so many cars and people walking the blocks as I'm about to close the curtain, I notice a man staring at me while parked across the street.

Fucking creep

I thought to myself as I quickly close the curtain and spit the toothpaste out in the sink.

I switch off the lights in my room and let the lights from the city be my night light. I'm quickly pulled into a slumber by my warm bed and cozy sheets.