Conflict Reloaded

Chapter 22: Communication

(Ashley)

I happily held my nephew as I played with him and talked 'baby talk' to him.

There was a knock on the door. I got up then went to answer it. There I see Jahlil. He stole Harvey from me as soon as I let him in.

"Hey what's up Ashley?"

"Not much. I was tending to my baby until you took him from me. What's up with you? What brings you by?"

He sat on the couch while messing with Harvey. "I was just in the area and wanted to stop by."

"Oh, how's Janelle doing?"

"Janelle got out the hospital earlier. Tanisha's dramatic ass took her home."

"Don't call her that. That's your mother Jahlil."

I sat beside him and took Harvey from him. I laid him against my shoulder and rubbed his back.

"Be that as it may, you call Shelby by her name. That's your mom, right?"

Ooo, good point. Shelby is my mom, but that's only because she couldn't keep her legs shut. She probably never really intended on having me.

"Two different situations. Janelle earned her title. She's a good mother. Better than mine would ever be. Sh-"

"Man I didn't come over here to hear that shit. I know you mean well, but she lost that title when she tried to take it away. I'll see you later Ash."

I tried to stop him, but he left before I could.

(Janelle)

"Yeah Tanisha, I'm okay." I hugged her tightly as a sob escaped my mouth. Really, I was scared. Never thought I would see this day again. The day where I'd be standing in this big house.

I want to say that I'm clean. I want to use this second chance from God wisely. I wasn't thinking straight, and that was obvious through the appearance I had goin' on. I took that shit out my hair and off my nails. Still, I can barley recognize myself when I look into a mirror.

As we stood there hugged up, Jahlil came into the house. He walked straight past us and into the kitchen.

"Janelle did you hear me sweetie?" I looked up at Tanisha. "Don't worry about a thing. We will get you the help that you need. Real soon. Don't worry. Okay? I love you so much sister." She kissed my head and gave me another warming hug.

"I love you too Nisha!"

Before long, she had to leave. We said our goodbyes to each other then she left. I went into the kitchen to see Jahlil sitting at the table.

"Hi son."

No response.

"H-Happy belated birthday. Was last week, huh? I wish we could've spent our birthdays together as we used to. Instead I was in a hospital. Umm, I love my gift! Saw it on my bed. You are really the perfect son."

He didn't respond to any of my babbling, just stared down at his phone. My anger got the best of me so I knocked it out his hand.

"DON'T YOU DARE IGNORE ME JAHLIL! I'm sorry for what I did. And I'm sorry about your father. I did what I did because I had an addiction that I had no candy to satisfy. My mind wasn't right. It's like a blacked out! I wasn't thinking of you or anybody else. Selfish, I know."

He stood up and got directly into my face.

"YOU BETTER KEEP YOUR FUCKIN HANDS TO YOURSELF. LOOK AT YOU. YOU PATHETIC. 'FESS UP TO YO SHIT. YOUR MIND WASN'T RIGHT? JUST SAY THAT YOU YOURSELF FUCKED YOUR MIND UP. I'M SO SICK OF YOU BLAMING EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY ON SOMEONE ELSE. MAYBE YOU ARE BRANDON REALLY WERE SOULMATES, YALL DID TRY TO LEAVE ME ON THE SAME DAY!"

I took a step back then wiped my face. "I'm sorry! Okay! It's my fault. I did the drugs. I tried to kill myself because I didn't have at least a single line. I'm sorry Jahlil."

He sat back down and shook his head.

"A set... Of my grandparents died in one damn year. My dad died in the same damn year. Death is all around me. And you had the nerve to try and leave me. Try that shit again and you might not make it. I lost pretty much all of the respect I had for you."

He picked up his phone then kissed me on my head. "I can't even bare to look at you right now."

He wiped his face then went out the kitchen door, leaving me standing there all alone.