Unintentional

Crossroads

Jacey

"Aye man, I need a favor." I spoke into the phone with one hand on the wheel. I was just a few feet away from my mom's place so I had to make this call quick. "Anythang big homie, wachu need?" I smiled at my old friend's country accent. I have one too, but I got real good at hiding it. "I need you to take care of sum fa' me." I said as I ran down all the info he needed to know.
"No prob, I gotchu." He mumbled into the phone before I hung up just in time for me to pull in the usual crowded driveway. The left side of the pavement was occupied by my youngest sister, Alissa's car. She was always movin back and forth from Louisiana to Texas, which had me wondering if this was more than just a visit.
As usual, the door was open through the screen, so I let myself in. I spotted my 1 year old niece clumsily toddling across the living room floor, looking at me with a grin. I bent down to pick her up. "Hey, that's my baby!" Lacey shouted, tugging at the bottom of my jeans.
I put Shandi back on the ground and smiled as I watched Lacey hold both her hands and guided her a few feet away before Shandi plopped back on the floor. "I don't think she gets it yet." Lacey mumbled, shaking her head. I shook my head and turned my attention to my mom and sister who were in the kitchen, huddling closely over the stove.
"Wassup ma." I smiled, giving her a playful pinch. "Boy get back before you burn me! And if you burn me, I'm burnin' you." She threatened pointing a greasy spatula at me. I turned my attention to Alissa. "So you movin' back again or nah?" I smirked. She slightly turned her body to where ma couldn't see her giving me the finger. "And if I am, who got a problem wit it?"
I rolled my eyes. "The main nigga you gone be askin' to babysitt." I shot back, even though I love my niece; especially Shandi. She's always so quiet, and independent. She don't cry too much, and she almost done potty trainin'. She was damn near grown already. I turned back to Lacey. I wasn't trying to stay too long, 'cause I already knew my mama was gonna drill me with questions about me and 'Ree. The last thing I wanted to do was slip up and tell them about the baby.
Nyree hasn't told me yet, but I know she wants to wait it out, and see what happens. I didn't wanna go against her and piss her off. "C'mon Lacey, time to go home." I called to her as I handed over her shoes. "Already? Can I bring the baby?" She looked up at me hopefully. She looked so much like Nyree which kind of hurt me saying no to her.
"Sorry kiddo, the baby has to stay with her mama. You can come see her later though." I suggested. She thought it over long and hard. A smile played at her lips as she looked up and asked, "Can we have a baby?" I literally choked on my own spit. Fuck! I was giving myself away. What the hell do I say to that? "Yea, can you?" Alissa chimed in with a wink.
I bit back my guilty grin and grabbed Lacey's hand, trying to get to the door. "Hol' up!" I heard my mom shout from where she was standing. I paused and slowly looked back at her, trying so hard not to look her straight in the eye. I could never lie when it came to my mom. I knew what she was gonna ask me. I knew I had fucked up.
"What the hell are you smilin' about? You know for a chocolate boy, you still blush." I bit my lip, and shook my head. "John Edward; don't play with me boy. What yo guilty ass tryna hide na'?" I groaned at Lacey. 'Thanks a lot kid'. I shut my eyes closed and exhaled, "We're kinda already having one."
I squeezed my eyes shut tighter when I heard them both screaming. Alissa dramatic ass started cryin'. "Damn 'Lissa, all that cryin and shit. You pregnant too?" The waterworks quickly stopped, and she gave me the finger yet again. I cringed at the evil stare my mom was giving me. "So we keeping secrets from ya mama now?" She accused with her hand on her chest in disbelief.
"We just found out today ma, I wanted to tell you, but 'Ree wanted to wait a while" I slightly lied. We did just find out today, but of course I've known for a while now. Her expression softened slightly. She understood then all too well. My mother would've had 18 kids if it hadn't been for a few tragic events. To this day she never attended any of her grandchildren's baby showers. To her, that was how she lost my twin brother and sister.