Just Be A Man About It

27.

Amar

"Amar why are we here, again?" Jamie asks.

"Because Trey is trying to hurt my mommy," I say.

"Why?" Malia asks.

"I don't know. I just know he wants her back but she doesn't want him back."

"Amar, do you miss him?" Malia asks.

"No, not really, He used to call me names like Stupid, Dumb, Ugly."

" You want me to fight him for you, Amar?" Malia asks.

"I want to fight him myself Lia," I say.

"I just hope he doesn't try to hurt Mommy," Malia says.

"She'll be okay. I know Mama Mi-Mi is strong. She'll fight back," Jamie says.

"She can't really. She'll hurt our baby sisters." Malia says.

"True," Jamie says.

I walk out of the room and they follow me. I knock on Daddy's door.

He pulls it open really fast. It almost scared me.

He looks down at us and takes a deep breath.

"I'm sorry Amar. I was hoping that your mom was knocking." He says.

"Why?"

"Because I know she needs my support right now," Malik says.

"Oh well. Um, can I talk to you about something, Daddy?" I ask.

"Sure. Um, Jamie and Malia, I heard Micah say that he was going to the pool. You guys wanna go?"

"Yea!" They both shout.

"Well go put on your bathing suits and I'll text Micah and let him know y'all are going." He says.

They run back to the room and I follow Daddy Malik into his room. He closes the door and texts Grandpa Micah, at least I think he did. He puts his phone down and gives me his undivided attention, at least that's what I think it's called.

"So, what's up?"

"Well, I just wanted to know why we are here. What's the real reason, cause I know it's not for a vacation? I know it's not for us to 'have fun', so what's up?"

Daddy looks shocked by my question and shakes his head.

"Look Amar, I'll tell you the specifics when you get older, but right now, just know that your Mom really needs us to be there for her in her time of need and confusion," Daddy says.

"Daddy, please just tell me. I can't wait until I'm older. There's no telling what will happen when I get older. So please just tell me?" I ask.

Daddy comes over and hugs me. I didn't know why he did that until I realized I was crying. I was crying and I couldn't stop. I didn't want to stop. I just wanted to cry and cry and cry. I needed to cry. With everything Mommy and I have been through, I had to be a "man". I couldn't cry no matter how bad I wanted to. I had to be strong for Mommy and I know she has to be strong for me, but being so strong is not working for me. Daddy looks at me and wipes my tears and a few of his own.

"Amar, don't freak out and don't tell your Mom I told you this, but she's here to see if she can get Trey's time in the psychiatric ward extended. You know that lady that came with us?" Daddy says.

"Of course I don't know her, Daddy."

Daddy laughs.

"No. Not like that, Amar. I know you don't know her. I was just saying you know she's on this trip with us for a reason."

"What's the reason?" I ask.

"She wants Trey to get more time too. She also wants him to stay in the psychiatric ward."

"Why does she want him there? Did Trey abrusive her too?" I ask.

"The word is 'abusive', Amar-"

"That's what I said, Daddy."

Daddy Malik laughs and then he says, "And yea he did but not like he would do to your Mom. He wouldn't hit her or beat her. He was just really violent with his words towards her."

"He just needs to go to jail."

"I hope he does. I think your mom will feel better if he does." He says.

"I hope so. I hope he never comes back into our lives! Ever!"

Someone knocks on the door, and Daddy goes over to it and answers it.

"MOMMY!" I shout.

She gives me a weak smile and bends down to hug me. She holds me longer and tighter than she usually does. Something's wrong. She never holds me this tight.

"Hi, Baby Boy. My sweet baby boy."

She runs her fingers through my curly hair and I can feel something wet coming through my shirt.

"Mommy, are you okay?" I ask.

"Yea baby. Momma's okay. At least she will be, baby. You wanna go down to the pool?" Mommy asks.

"Nah, I kinda just wanna watch movies with you and Daddy, Mommy."

"You sure, baby?" Mommy asks.

"Yea. I'm sure."

I climb in Mommy and Daddy's bed and cuddle up in the middle. Mommy comes and lays next to me. I cuddle up with her and my baby sisters. Daddy rents a movie from the movie channel and lays next to us. I feel so safe when I'm in between my Mommy and Daddy. I feel like nothing can hurt me.

About a few minutes into the movie, Mommy falls asleep and Daddy was slowly going in and out. 

"Daddy."

"Yes, Amar?" Daddy says, sleepily

"If you wanna go to sleep you can. I'll make sure you and Mommy are safe."

"Thanks, lil man, but I think I'll be okay."

"Okay. Just offering."

As soon as I said that, I could hear Daddy Malik snore in my ear. They were making me sleepy. I couldn't help but slowly lower my eyes. I tried to stay awake as best as I could, but the more I didn't fall asleep, the sleepier I got. My baby sisters were kicking up a storm. I think they were hungry. I was hungry too, but I stay in the bed. I look up to my Mommy. Then, I rub my Mommy's belly. My Mommy smiles in her sleep. I keep rubbing her belly, and I kiss Mommy's belly until my eyes finally shut closed.

Goodnight Amira. Goodnight Ameena. I can't wait to finally meet you guys.