Disclaimer I don't own the picture. It ain't mine.
Liberty Trey pushes Judiah's stroller down the path as we take a mid-afternoon walk around the local park. Trey has shorts and a black and white tank with a baseball cap while I have shorts, a blue t-shirt, and a ball cap. Judiah, as usual, is asleep in his stroller. Newborns are boring.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
We stop at an ice cream truck and Trey buys us ice cream. Vanilla for me and strawberry for him.
It's been a week since the incident with Jeremiah. My dad said that he "dealt" with it and we shouldn't worry. After what I've been through, I'm not putting my guard entirely down and neither is Tremaine.
We take a break and sit on an empty bench.
"How's your ice cream?" I ask.
He nods and says,"Good. Yours?"
"Same,"
His cellphone rings as Judiah awakes. Trey takes his phone out to check.
"Who's that?" I ask as unstrap Judiah.
"The police," he states before picking it up.
My stomach does a flip. We've been anticipating this phone call, but now I'm nervous.
"Hello?" Trey opens in his baritone.
Judiah makes a little noise and I smile at him. Little homie wants attention.
"Yes, your officer," Trey says.
I attempt to listen in but I can't hear anything. He stands up and walks down the path a little to talk. Wtf. Come back! The way Tremaine is reacting to the call, I can tell it's not good. He begins walking back towards us while he finishes the conversation.
"Thank you officer. Okay. You too," he says before hanging up.
He plops on the bench, put his face in his hands and groans. The only sounds that can be heard are the birds chirping and Judiah's coos.
"So?" I ask after a couple seconds.
He turns his stressed face to look at me.
"Apparently, the guy you and I have described doesn't exist," he says coldly.
My eyes nearly bulge out of my head as I stutter to say something,"But there are so many people who can witness seeing him!"
He shrugs,"Bullshit cops ain't doing anything. Bet of if were a white couple, they would've found him,"
I hold back the tears as I stare at the pavement. What do we do now?
"We can't stay here anymore. Too dangerous for your parents and brother," Trey says seriously.
Tears spring out of my eyes,"Where else can we go Trey?!"
"I'll figure it out! Let's go home," he says while standing up.
He's obviously frustrated. Another day ruined. I don't want to argue. He waits for me as I lay Judiah back in his stroller and strap him in. The walk back to the car is silent as each person thinks. Trey expects us to run from place to place. I just had a baby! My body can't do all that.
In the car, Trey turns off the music I put on.
"Why you turn off my shxt?" I ask even more annoyed with him.
"I'm not tryna argue, Liberty. I'm tryna talk," he says while gripping the steering wheel.
"What?"
"Baby, I care about you and Judiah too much. I also care about your family so I'm tryna keep everyone safe. For the time being, we gotta go somewhere else." He explains.
"I understand your intentions Tremaine, but look at us. We're not even fxcking married. I just had a damn baby! And I'm stressed beyond everything when I'm supposed to be relaxed!"
He sighs,"I know, Lib, I know. I'm so sorry, but you're gonna have to trust me."
He pulls the car over, stops he engine, and pulls me in for a hug.
"We can go down to city hall and make it official before we leave." He suggests.
I look into his desperate eyes. I know he's trying his best. He's only one man.
I nod,"Why not?"
He grins then kisses my lips,"We'll have the big wedding once everything clears up. Don't worry,"
He starts up the car with my right hand in his and his left hand on the wheel. It seems that everything in my life is going AWOL. Trey desperately wants to get married so I'm gonna just do it for him. For Judiah.
Trey I swear telling Liberty's parents that we have to leave is the hardest thing ever.
"You all just go here!" Her mother explains on the brink of tears.
"I know, mom, but we have to go. It's too dangerous for all of us," Liberty tries to explain.
Her father glares at me and shakes his head.
"You can still stay here. There are hotels," her mother says.
"We have to leave the state for a short while... We'll be back in no time," I say.
Antoine sits in silence.
"And Trey and I are gonna go down to city hall before we leave to get married," Liberty adds.
Antoine storms out of the room and heads outside, slamming the door behind him.
"Married?," her father finally speaks,"You two aren't in a good place to do that yet. Don't be ridiculous,"
"Daddy, I love Trey and we have Judiah."
"You don't know what you're talking about," he spits.
Liberty's bottom lips quivers as she holds back tears. The tension in the room is high.
I bite my lip,"Sir, please. My intention was always to marry your daughter. I want nothing but the best for her and Judiah. We're gonna have the big church one later."
"The best? C'mon now, Tremaine. I trusted you with my daughter, and look what mess you put her in,"
"Charles-" Lib's mom butts in but gets cut off.
"I got over the pregnancy before marriage part because you two were engaged. Now look." He shakes his head.
I'm totally ashamed and embarrassed. The pregnancy was accidental but everyone was overjoyed. How many people will I let down? Liberty has already broken down in tears. Instead of defending myself, I hold Liberty.
"We'll be out of your hairs tomorrow morning. Thank you," I say before leading Liberty upstairs.
