Clouded Soul

35

~ Dominic

Turns out Mercy was even hungrier than she let on. I watched her eat up three grilled cheese sandwiches and two cups of koolaid. Afterwards she acted as though she hadn't just savagely gobbled those sandwiches by wiping the corners of her mouth and letting out a tiny burp.

"Well damn," I say scratching the back of the waves.

Her face went red and she held her head down embarrassed. What was she embarrassed about? I didn't except her to eat at all — I'm proud actually.

"You stay acting embarrassed. Pick yo head up, Ma. Fuck you embarrassed for," I asked biting into my sandwich.

"I don't know," she mumbled.

"Exactly. You want something else or you just want to watch some TV until you go to sleep," I ask pulling her back over on the bed.

"I'm good but before we watch TV, I'm gonna go wash," she says pinching her thigh and when she saw me looking she stopped.

"Do I need to come in there and make sure you gon wash and that's all," I ask grabbing her hand.

She shook her head quickly and sighed. Even though she didn't want me to, I felt like I should anyways.

"Really — I don't need you in there. I won't do anything."

"Alright. Straight in — straight out. I'll give you 15 minutes," I say lifting her hand and kissing it.

...

When she came back she was wearing some basketball shorts and a Thor T-shirt. She crawled in the bed beside me, laying on my chest. Before we could start the
movie, Shauna popped back in my room. This pop in whenever I want shit was starting to piss me off. One day I'm gon be in here getting pussy and she's gon mess around and walk in without knocking.

"You two good," Shauna asked leaning against the door frame.

"Yes ma'am," Mercy and I said in unison.

"Okay well...I have to leave...again," she sighed.

"Okay. Be safe, Shauna," I said and Mercy nodded, still laying on my chest. Shauna left and Mercy looked up at me biting her lip. She was too cute.

"Why do you call your mom by her name," Mercy asked softly.

I really didn't feel like explaining myself to her. Shauna wasn't like my mom so I just never called her that. Besides if Mercy didn't know the real Shauna then she wouldn't understand that either. Instead of replying, I shrugged.

She sighed and looked back at the TV.

...

"Dom wake up please," I hear Mercy say.

Groaning, I sit up in bed. She's looking at me with tears on her face. If I was barely up before, I was wide awake now.

"What's up, Mercy," I asked pulling her into my lap.

"I got scared. I-I don't want to go to sleep anymore," she said hiding her face.

"Mercy, I'm deadass right here. No one will hurt you, okay? I don't know what else to tell you baby. Will it help if I hold you until you go to sleep?" I sigh.

"I don't know..."

"Alright gimme a minute," I say getting up.

If nothing else could calm her, a blunt would. Shit always calmed me. After we smoke, I can hold her until she goes to sleep. If she still wakes up...well then damn.

...

"Ma," I said looking over at her.

She was geeked as fuck. Her eyes were red as shit and she was just smiling at me.

"Dominic...I love you, you know that right? I love you," she said passing me the blunt.

"Alright Ma," I chuckled not really wanting to say it back. Hell, I don't tell Shauna I love her so I wasn't quick to say it to Mercy. I guess I did though. I just wasn't ready to admit that shit.

I pulled her close and wrapped my arms around her.

"Get some sleep," I told her softly.

"O-Okay but...you promise — deadass — you won't go?"

I nod my head and kiss her shoulder. She bit her lip and shut her eyes.

"Good night, babygirl," I said after she'd fallen asleep.

~ Shauna

I didn't want to leave but I had to go. Andrew was in the hospital again and he coded twice. What are his doctors even doing?

Wildly, I drove down the road to the hospital. When I got there, I checked myself in and went up to his room to see him. There he was laying on his bed in a coughing fit.

"Drew," I said rushing over.

When he saw me he smiled and sat up. I snatched the water from the counter and gave some to him.

"Hey Mama — must've called you again."

"Boy shut yo mouth. Rest up. Lemme see it. Are you okay," I ramble.

He laughs at me and grabs my hand firmly.

"I'm fine — on God, Mama," he lied.

"Andrew Leon Vincent...they had to bring you back twice. You're not okay, babyboy. You're dying," I scold.

He sighed and laid back down.

"How's Dominic and his girlfriend," he changed the subject.

"They're doing fine. You want to see them," I asked rubbing his hand.

"Nah. If they want to come see me I won't mind," he said sighing.

"I'm doing everything I can for you baby. You'll be fine and get to leave this place and come home soon. Tomorrow they do surgery," I say hopefully.

He nodded his head but didn't say anything. Ever since he was 10 he's had cancer. A tumor was growing in his chest and tomorrow he'd have surgery to get it removed. Dominic was supposed to come tomorrow for support but I'm not sure if he still will after what happened to Mercy.

"Thanks Mama. Can you spend the night?"

I nod.

"I won't leave your side baby."

He never showed it but I know he was scared. Wether he wanted to accept it or not a tear rolled down his cheek. My baby — I was going to help get him better.