Conflict Reloaded

Chapter 18: Chances Are...

(Jahlil)

I sat midway down the stairs, to watch my mom sit in her spot and cry. Each tear puts more and more pressure on my heart.

I did this to her. Jamarcus and Lisa was fuckin, but I did this to her. I told her that her husband and her friend were having an affair.

My mother is a broken woman again.

And again, there ain't shit I can do to help her. All I can do is be here to support her. Kim hated to see me go, but she agreed that my mom shouldn't be left alone. Here we are in this four bedroom, three bathroom home. Just the two of us. Khalil hardly comes around. He's always with his grandma since he is so close to her.

Brandon... I meant Jamarcus, went straight to jail. I almost wonder if Brandon possessed his body. They started acting just a damn like. He started showing his ass at the hospital. He even had the nerve to put his fuckin hands on my mother. I'm glad that they got that muthafucka before I chocked him to death, or else I'd be the one writing letters to my mom from a jail cell.

Tired of livin' this fucked up life. Shit always be so hectic. I mean, can we not have just one happy chapter in our lives?!

"Come here son.", my mom whispered. Didn't know she seen me on the stairs. I got up and walked over to her then sat beside her chair. I put my head on her lap. One of her hands rested against my head while I felt the other one go up and down my back slowly.

"You have anger issues baby. And they scare me. I saw a side of you that in never knew existed. Calm down baby boy. Don't act out on anger."

"Bu-"

"Shhhh. Just relax. We are okay. Look, we're right back to where we started. Just Us. I don't want it to be only us though. You have the chance to be with someone you truly love. I know it probably sounds weird and unlikely for me to be talking about a relationship, but you've got to take chances in life. Even I will again someday. Not any time soon. But one day. Because I know that my soulmate is still out there for me. Unfortunately, it wasn't Jamarcus and it wasn't Brandon. Or maybe it is one of them. Who knows what type of tests God might put me through? Love is complicated. Love can be hectic. Love can be trying. Love can be pure. Love can be sweet. Love can be beautiful. And if no one else has told you this, listen to me well. Love is war. Fight for your love son. Fight."

(Malia)

There was a knock on my door, so I waddled downstairs to answer it. There I see a soaking wet, tall, handsome male.

"Jahlil, what are yo-"

His lips pressed against mine. I wrapped my arms around him and deepened the kiss. He still had the ability to take my breath away and make my heart flutter.

I wanted more, but he pulled away from the kiss to look into my eyes. I don't know what's gotten into him, but I do know that I won't let him slip away from me again.

(Janelle)

So here we all are. Me, Tanisha, Randy, Tameka, Phil, Emily, and Quincy. We all look from one another, not knowing what to say. We all took the tests on the same day, and we are all here to get our results on the same day. We wanted to do this together, as a family.

Today could be the day to change all of our lives. Due to a man with no remorse, us girls are at risk. Due to a man with no remorse, us girls put guys at risk. Jamarcus isn't here to get tested. Fuckin' around with Lisa, he probably should be here. I don't give a damn about him though. His dick could fall off for all I give a fuck. As a matter of fact, I should have cut it off and shoved it down his throat. Fuck him.

"Mrs.Redding?"

I looked at the nurse in front of me. Every one else had their envelopes in their hand.

I took mine from the nurse then she walked away.

One by one, we opened our envelope to read our results.

"Negative."

"Negative."

"Negative."

"Negative."

"Quincy, you go please."

"Negative."

I took a deep breath then looked over at Emily.

"You go.", she told me.

I looked over the paper. Negative, thank you Lord."

Emily gave her envelope to Quincy. "Please, I can't look."

Quincy took a deep breath, like I did, then looked over the paperwork.

"NEGATIVE!!!!"

I got up and shot over to Emily to hug her. We were both bawling like babies.

Well God, Thank you for not giving me even more bad news for one month. We are all so lucky and we're truly blessed.