The Hard Knock Life

Part 22

5 DAYS LATER

Dr. Luke walked in the room with a clipboard in his hand. "Alright, Abigail, I think you two are ready to go. Is someone coming to pick you up?" He said.

"Yeah." I said gloomily, slowly slipping out of the bed.

"Do you know who?"

"No."

"Oh.." he paused, looking concerned, "do you know when they should be here?"

"No." I walked over to the sleeping Aaliyah and took her out of the crib that was next to my bed. I ignored the lecture Dr. Luke had been reiterating since August got arrested. For a seemingly busy doctor, he happened to always be around me. I hated it...but I appreciated it. It was like...super annoying but...I was okay with it. I caught myself smiling a bit at the thought and then immediately stopped.

"Hey, is she ready?"

I turned around and saw Jessica standing in the doorway, talking to Dr. Luke.

"Yea, she's just preparing Aaliyah," he said.

"Cool." She turned to me, "hey girl, how ya doing?" She said.

"Mm fine." I mumbled as I put Aaliyah's leggings on.

"Mm fine?" She mocked, "I bought that car seat you wanted. It was fifty bucks." She revealed it and put it on my bed.

"Thanks, I'll pay you back at the end of the week." I said, gently placing her in it.

"'K"
She swayed back and forth and I watched her suspiciously. I soon remembered the time her and my brother shared a moment right in front of me when Aaliyah was just born. It got me thinking...

"Do you like my brother?" I said.

Her initial reaction was startled but she quickly recovered, "uuh, no, why?"

I paused and looked down at Aaliyah. She was sleeping now. "No reason." I looked up at her, "so we're going now?"

I could tell I was snapping her out of a daydream when I spoke again. "Yea, let's book it," she said.

I picked up the car seat and began walking toward the door. Dr. Luke, shocked at my action, took it from me and put it in Jessica's arms. I watched as he did so and noticed the rude look he received in return.

"Remember what we talked about, Abigail," Dr. Luke said as we walked out and down the hall.

"I will," I said, "don't worry."

"What did you talk about," Jessica said, in a low tone.

"I have no idea."

She laughed a bit.
"You know you don't have to pay me back; consider it my gift to you from your baby's godmother from the nonexistent baby shower."

"I don't remember giving you the title, godmother."

"You didn't, but that's okay you know, cause I took it upon myself to do it for you."

"Ha ha very funny. Whatever."

We walked in silence for a while. Into the elevator and down to the main floor I wondered why I couldn't hold Aaliyah. I thought I was fine but then I remembered hearing somewhere that you shouldn't carry anything over ten pounds for a while. So I let it be.
I looked at her in her car seat, sleeping. She was so precious; I was glad I had her, rather than aborting her or giving her away. No way in hell would I ever give her up or abort her. I was determined I was going to give her the life I never had. I promised her and I promised myself.

"So how do you feel about taking her home?" Jessica asked as she strapped in Aaliyah in the back seat of the car.

I slid into the seat beside my sleeping baby. "Pretty excited," I said not sounding excited at all.

"You don't sound it." She closed the door and got into the front seat.

"Well I'm not in the greatest mood right now, Jessica."

She buckled her seatbelt, "well you're talking to me," she said before putting the key in the ignition and starting the car, "not many people get this kind of opportunity so speak like this is a once in a life time chance."

I smirked and rolled my eyes. She pulled out of the parking lot and we started on our way home. Or to my house, rather.

"What's bugging you so much anyway?" She asked after a while.

Everything, I thought.

"I don't know," I hummed.

"Girl, don't even start with me. Come on; this is me you're talking to. Out of all people you can't not tell me what's up. Is it the guy who keeps messaging you?"

"Kinda.."

She was silent for a bit. "Is it your brother? Missing his hearing?"

That's exactly what it was. I looked out the window and tried to blink back the tears that were ready to flow. I remembered thinking about the time Asia left and how upset he was. On top of that, Eli dying and now he had been ripped away from the only ones he had left. The fact that the hospital wouldn't let me go to his hearing two days ago, angered me. A lot. I just wanted to see him again and then never let him go.

"Are you gonna go see him soon?"

"I want to," I said.

"You should."

"I will," I said to myself.