homecoming. | EDITING

thirty seven

a girl from my school added my book to her reading list so I blocked/muted her oops

Jada

After Justin left, I stayed there at his house trying to calm down Khaila before we hit the road. And Nicole was still standing here looking like a lost idiot.

"Khaila, calm down," I told my daughter as I tried to ignore the crying pest behind us. "Where did they take him?" Khaila cried.

"They took daddy to a .. a safe place, he'll be back soon, baby."

I took the extra key that was in the hidden place I remembered -- the left bush --- and locked his door, putting the key in my purse. Nicole wiped her eyes,"I think it'd be best if I kept the key, you know, since I'm his girlfriend and all."

"Bitch?" I raised an eyebrow,"Girlfriend or not, I don't know you like that. He don't know you like that, shit, he just does shit too fast, making you his girlfriend when he barely knows you."

She huffed and turned to Khaila, trying to hug her and I snatched Khaila away. "Go on, bitch," I shooed her, and she just walked on.

"Let's go," I told my daughter after I made sure the rat left the premises.

***

"So Justin's in jail?" Maejor asked once we got to his house. "Yes!" I repeated for the sixteenth time.

"He's being framed for abuse? Oh my Lord, of all things?"

"I know right, I knew he shouldn't of associated himself with Nicole," I muttered.

"Then who should've he associated himself with?"

"Me" --- I gasped -- "I mean, anyone but her. Yeah, I swear I did not mean to say that."

They just blinked at me and I took a deep breath,"Yeah, totally did not mean to say that. But yeah, what're we gonna do?"

"The first thing you're gonna do is go talk to some officials and see if it's okay that Khaila stays with you. She doesn't need both of her parents in jail."

"Okay, you guys will watch her for me?"

"Of course, now go ahead 'fore y'all get in some more trouble." I nodded and kissed Khaila's forehead,"I'll be back soon."

"Oh my God, you're leaving me too?" She said, her bottom lip trembling. "What?"

"You're leaving me like daddy is! Not you too, mama, please," she begged, pulling on the hem of my shirt.

"Khaila," I got down on one knee,"I'm coming back, I swear. I'll never leave you, I promise." I kissed her forehead. "Okay, mama."

"I love you."

"I love you too." I hugged her tightly and walked out to the car me and my mother purchased together.

***

"Yes, I have already been notified that Mr. Bieber has been taken into police custody. It was very smart of you to remove the child immediately."

"He didn't do it, but that's not the point. I'm here to see if Khaila is allowed to stay with me while Justin is gone, you know, since he won custody and I am only allowed to keep her on weekends?"

"The court has said you can try to win her back. Have you tried?"

"I am in the process right now, ma'am. I got a job, I am in a stable home and I am saving to get my own spot right now."

"Does Khaila enjoy spending time with you on weekends?"

I smiled,"Yes ma'am, she sure does." She chuckled,"Then I don't understand why you haven't came back and talked to us? You have a child friendly living area now, so now it's up to Khaila."

"What choices does she have?"

"She either picks between staying with your or with a foster family. Justin's house isn't an option anymore."

"Even if he's innocent."

"Yes, because he's been around these abused kids with his daughter. And that's endangering her as well."

"Okay," I nodded. I knew I didn't want that bitch and her kids around my daughter. If only Justin's bitch ass listened to me.

"So, come back and we'll ask her who she wants to stay with, kay?"

"Yes ma'am," I stood and shook her hand,"Thank you so much."