Chapter 1 --
I leaned on her car, watching all the cars drive on the free way, I took a handful of Mike & Ikes and put them in my mouth. Crystal walked out of the clinic with her head down, my eyes lit up. I walked to where she was and tried to help her into the car, she just pushed me away. Her eyes were puffy, from crying I guess.
I drove straight to her apartment, she got out of the car and walked away without looking back. She went into her apartment and went straight into her room. She laid in her bed and crawled into a ball. Tears slowly came down her face.
"Crystal? Baby? You going to sleep? You hungry? I'll get you some food, that'll make you feel better." I said. walking towards the bed.
"I'm fine, Santo." She said sternly.
"You don't need Daddy to be here for you? I'm just trying to take care of you."
"Seems like you already did that. Leave me alone, Santo. Get out of my face." She replied quickly.
"Then I guess you don't mind if I use your car, since you're going to sleep?"
* * *
I took her car and drove to my baby momma's house, my daughter need to see her Daddy. I pulled into the driveway and grabbed the keys, I made sure to lock the door, it's dangerous out here. I walked inside to find Keymyra, my baby momma, yelling. She gave me a kiss and handed me a plate of food, I smiled big and ate my food.
Mrs. Parker pulled into the driveway, yelling just like her daughter. I ran outside, and got my daughter out of the car seat. She smiled when she seen me.
"Santo, you're parked in my driveway. You want to park it there, then wash my car before you leave." Mrs. Parker said, walking towards the house.
"You got it Mrs. Parker. Say "Daddy's got it." I said waving my daughter's hand. "Daddy's got it all under control."
"Look at my pretty baby." I laid Ronnae, my daughter, on the bed. "One thing I know how to do, make some pretty babies."
Keymyra raised her eyebrow and smacked her lips, she knew it was true. My daughter finally fell asleep, I kissed her forehead, then I gave Keymyra a long kiss. I left and decided to go home, with my mother.
* * *
I looked all around the house, but she was nowhere to be found. I walked to the back yard, only to find her in some dirt.
"What are you doing in the backyard, momma?" I asked.
"I told you I was starting a garden, Chresanto." She replied, wiping some sweat from her forehead.
"You've been saying that for the longest."
"I know. I must be getting old, I'm doing the same thing I see my mother doing. I'm planting collard, mustard greens." She took a breath. "And all this over here will be my corn. Tomatoes. I'll get a nice little awning at Home Depot so I can sit here, tune your ass out, and sip my wine while my tomatoes grow. My cabbage over there, my beans, onions and sage."
"How's Crystal?" She added.
"She's alright, home sleeping."
"Chresanto August, I can't be giving you money every time you get one of these girls pregnant." She huffed.
"I know momma. We'll be --" I stopped.
A buff dude, about 6'6" walked to my mom. He stopped right in front of her and starred down into her eyes. Who is this big ass dude? My mom bit her lip and turned to me.
"This is Dominic. He's helping me with my new garden. He owns a landscaping business. Maybe you can work for him and make some money." She grabbed his arm.
"Momma told me you having trouble finding a job. I know how that is. I had that problem too, before I started my own business. I'll see you later?" He said in a deep voice walking away.
"I hope so." My momma bit her lip.
"So you got a new boyfriend now?"
"Momma gotta have a life too." She said walking into the house.
* * *
Crystal
"Why are you still with him? You always at the clinic." Zonnique asked.
I was on the phone with my girl Zonnique, she always talking 'bout 'Why you with him? He don't treat you right' Knowing damn well her man don't treat her right. She knew I was going to the clinic today, always on my case. I bit my finger as I thought about her question.
"It ain't Santo's fault. It takes two." I said, turning to the other side of my bed. "I shouldn't have stopped taking my pills."
"There you go again, blaming yourself. How many times do you call me on the phone about his ass?" She huffed. "Cut him loose. I don't care if yall got a baby together."
"Look. Santo don't put his hands on me, no matter how mad he gets." I replied. "He ain't crazy. Girl please, how long have you been with Jacob? Three years? How many times has that nigga gone upside your head?"
"How's your eyes?" I added.
She smacked her lips, she knew I was right. "It's fine. Shit, at least we living together. Santo just want to play your life and string you along. He's probably with his other baby momma when he's not with you."
"Please believe. He don't love that hoe." I said quickly.
"But he loves you. What does he say about getting a place together?" She asked.
"Santo wants to live with his momma. Santo, my Santo. He's a mommas boy, you know that."
"Shit! Then let him fuck his momma and let her be in and out of the clinic!" She replied.
"Zonnique, you crazy. You need to stop. I got to go."
She smacked. "Mmmmhm."
"Bye." Click!
