The Other Woman (Norminah)

Ch. Seven.

Normani Kordei Hamilton.

I squint but still can't see properly, but I press the answer button anyway.

"Hello?"

"Baby!"

"Hey Trey." I bite the inside of my cheek.

"Oh shit." He mumbles. "I didn't think you was gonna be awake."

"Then why did you call?" I sigh, sitting up and looking at the darkness outside. I then pull the phone away from my ear to check the time.

05:54.

"Because - it doesn't matter. Baby I haven't been sleeping right without you." He says, causing me to scoff on the inside. "I know you're still mad about me not being able to meet your parents but I can make up for that. Please talk to me baby."

"I am talking to you T." I reply, rolling my eyes. "Are you drunk?"

"No baby. Like I said, I couldn't sleep without you. And I'm sorry. Am I forgiven?"

"If I say yes will you hang up and let me sleep?" I ask, stifling a yawn.

"I love you." He says simply.

I bite my lip. "I love you too. Night T."

"Goodnight beautiful."

I turn my phone off and put it down on the dresser.

I close my eyes in an attempt to sleep. But I can't.

So I decide to just take a shower and get ready for the day, despite only getting four hours of sleep due to certain Latinas.

But they're not the only ones to blame. I was a little tipsy, so it took me a while to fall back asleep.

After my shower, I get my shoes on, ready to take Pres for her walk. I'm too lazy and too hungover to be jogging.

I get the leash from the hook on my door and then go into the kitchen, where she insists on sleeping.

I think it's because the sun hits her best there.

But she's not there.

So I decide to check in the living room.

Where I find the tv on, on some or other Indian channel, with Dinah under the blankets on the couch and Preslee resting on her legs.

"Well good morning." I bite my lip.

Dinah's looks up towards me and  gives me a tired smile. "Good morning."

"Woah you look like shit. How many hours did you sleep?" I ask, sitting in the recliner opposite her.

"One." She yawns.

I give her a confused look.

"Walz and Lauren were still having their own little party until like three. So I decided to come out here and watch some Tv." She explains.

"And Preslee?"

"She heard I was up and decided to come make herself comfortable. Not that I mind." She shrugs.

I nod and then look at the TV with a frown.

"You know that they're not even speaking English, right?" I ask, watching as two women, dressed in Sari's, argue in some language.

"I know." She nods. "I just couldn't find the remote."

"Lazy much?" I joke. She rolls her eyes in response. "Is this Telemundo?"