After The Pain II

Distance Ruins Things

Toni

"Baby you need to talk about what happened with you and Kenny". Mommy sighed. "Mommy not right now I need to process somethings first". "Baby girl you can stay for as long as you like". Daddy rubbed my back smiling.

My phone vibrated on the kitchen table 20 times in a row. I didn't reach for it I just stared at it.

"Girl if you don't get that phone"! Tamar said walking into the kitchen with the other sisters. "What are you guys doing here"? "Mommy called us. You need some sister time". Towanda said giving me a hug.

Later That Night

"Girl I don't know why you let that child of God stay with you anyway". Tamar rolled her eyes. "Daddy asked and I wasn't really thinking". "Toni that wrist is really swelling up maybe you should get it checked out". Trina advised. "No it's okay I'm fine. I'm about to go to bed".

That night in bed I checked my phone to see over a 100 text messages from Kenny. After I read all of those messages the pain started to erase itself from my heart. Just as I was about to try to sleep I got another text from Kenny.

Kenny👉🏽Toni: Goodnight Toni I love you.

Toni👉🏽Kenny: Same to you Ken.

Kenny👉🏽Toni: You texted back?

Toni👉🏽Kenny: Yeah so....

Kenny👉🏽Toni: Yeah so I wasn't expecting that but I'm happy you did.

Toni👉🏽Kenny: How are my babies?

Kenny👉🏽Toni: We're good.

Toni👉🏽Kenny: Don't try me Kenny.

Kenny👉🏽Toni: Sorry...Can we have lunch tomorrow to talk?

Toni👉🏽Kenny: Yeah and that's it!

Kenny👉🏽Toni: Cool 😘

Kenny👉🏽Toni: 😘

I rolled over and blushed then went to sleep.

Kenny

"Come on kids we got to go"! I yelled from downstairs. "Where's mommy"? Adam asked. "She's taking a breather at your grandparents house". "Oh". Adam said smiling. "Adrian you're going to miss the bus"! Adrian came downstairs running full speed. "By everyone love you guys". Adrian and Adam said slamming the front door.

"Now baby girl lets get something done to this hair then get you to daycare". "I want ponytails". Adriana squealed. "Ok baby ponytails it is". SNAP! "Damn it"! "Ohh daddy said bad word". Adriana giggles. "I'm sorry baby the rubber band bow thing popped my knuckle".

2 Hours Later

I called Toni to tell her what restaurant to meet me at but her phone kept going to voicemail. So I decided to call her parents house.

Mr. Braxton: "Hello"!

Kenny: "Hello! Hi Mr. Braxton is Toni there"?

Mr. Braxton: "She doesn't want to talk to you".

Kenny: "Yes she does you don't know what you're talking about".

Mr. Braxton: "Boy you've abused my daughters mind and now her body I should come over there and beat you down but I'm a man of God. Now stay away from her and I will be by later to get my grandkids"!

Kenny: "Over my dead body! Toni is my wife and those are my kids"!

The phone went dead and all I heard was the dial tone.

Mr. Braxton

"Daddy who was that on the phone". Toni asked walking into the kitchen. "Some guy trying to sell something stupid". I smirked. "Oh. Did Ken call"? Toni asked excitedly. "No baby girl he didn't". I said walking out of the kitchen.

I went in my office and began to get my sermon ready for Sunday.

"Daddy can I use your cell phone charger I left mine at home". Toni asked peeking her head in the room. "Sure here it is". "It doesn't fit". Toni whined. "It's okay. You don't need that phone anyway how about we go out and have a little father daughter time". "Ummm okay". Toni said sadly walking out.

Saturday Morning

"What are you doing here"? Kenny asked rudely. "I'm here to pick up my grandkids". I sternly replied back. "Where's Toni"? Kenny asked looking at the car. "She's at home hurt and miserable because of your selfish ways now go get the children"! "I'm not getting a got damn thing". Kenny barked back.

"Grandpa"! Adriana jumped into my arms. "Hey princess. Do you want to go see mommy"? "Yesssssss"! Adriana squealed loudly. I put Adriana down and she ran up the stairs. I was about to walk in the house when Kenny put his arm in the way. "You can wait outside".  Kenny slammed the door and locked it.

"This boy is crazy treating a man of God like that". I say sitting down in a rocking chair.

Kenny

I told the kids to get packed and ran into my office. I decided that I would write Toni a letter so that she can hear me out. We never did have lunch and we haven't communicated in a week.

Dear Toni,

        I know you're probably still pissed at me but I thought we were trying to get on good terms. I've been trying to get in contact with you but I can't. This has been the hardest week of my life. Baby please forgive and just talk to me, I understand if you're not ready to come home but let me know that there's hope. I LOVE YOU!

                                                   Ken

I went into Adrian's room and put the letter in his suitcase. "Make sure no one handles your luggage except your mom. I put something in there for her". "Okay dad". Adrian said smiling.

I headed to help Adam and Adriana get packed. We talked for a couple of minutes then I helped them outside with their luggage.

I looked at Mr. Braxton with disgust. "Stay away from my daughter". Mr. Braxton mouthed.

I said goodbye to the kids and shot a bird at Mr. Braxton. I then walked back in the house and sat in the kitchen staring at the floor.

"If Toni doesn't get in contact with me tonight I'll just do what I have to do". I said out loud.

"And what's that"? Tiffany said walking in the kitchen. "When did you get here"? "Just a couple of minutes ago. Toni didn't leave did she"? Tiffany asked alerted. "Yeah she left the right after you did". "Oh I'm so sorry. I left because I had to go make this money honey. I didn't know it would take a week though". Tiffany shrugged her shoulders.

"I know what you need". Tiffany looked at me and smirked.