Him 2: Problems

7.

Nicki

"Rashaad! Baby come eat!" I yelled into the living room. I sat his and my plate down at the kitchen table. I two cups and filled mine with water and his with apple juice since he believes that's the only thing he can drink.

"Im ready. Im ready. Im ready. Im ready to eat. To wheeeet. Eat wheeeet. Eat you heard what I said. Im ready to eat." Rashaad came in the room two stepping. It look like one of the moves Roc be doing all the damn time.

"Sit down and eat then." I laughed. I sat down with him and we started eating. Most times we eat in silence but Rashaad wanted to ask me something I know it. Whenever he has a question he looks at you and at the same time still do whatever he is doing at the time. "Yes, baby, what is your question?"

"Where's my father, ma?" He put his fork down and continued to stare at me.

Rashaad act just like his father its a headache. "He is..." I swallowed. "Around. I guess. Why?" I chuckled.

"Because you have a father. I don't." He looked down in his lap. "Why isn't he here?" He began to fiddle with his TMNT shirt.

"Ummm." I pushed my food away. "Its was a lot that happened when you was born so I made him leave. I didn't want that kind of influence around you." I smiled slightly.

"Oh." He looked so disappointed. "Can I go to bed early? Im not hungry." He said not looking at me.

"Yeah, baby. Go head." I nodded.

He ran upstairs and I guess closed his door. Damn. I expected him to ask me sooner or later but he is only 7 years old. It seem like yesterday I just had his goofy ass. Just then the one and almost the only person I feel comfortable talking to about any of this walks right into my house.

"Hey hey, sugar plum what's for dinner?" The tall afro puff man walked in and sat down at Rashaad seat and began eating his chicken salad.

"I gave you the key for emergencies." I grinned.

"And?" He said with a mouth full.

"Whatever hurry up so I clean up." I said a bit annoyed.

"What's wrong now, drama?" He asked.

"Jacob seriously, hurry up." I said clearing my plate back into the bowl I made all together.

He chewed on his food even slower. "Im capable of eating until tomorrow." He grinned.

"Fine. Wash the dishes for me then. I going to bed." I threw my dish towel on the counter and went up to my room. Took a quick shower and threw on some old sweater I found a while ago in my closet.

"Nicki." Jacob knocked on my door.

"Yes." I breathed.

He walked in my room and laid next to me. He sighed like he wanted to tell me something. "You want me to braid your hair again?" I smiled.

"Yes please." He smiled vibrantly.

"You know the drill homie. Get the pins and the comb." I ordered him around.

I threw my feet over the bed and waited for him to sit down. I already know that he wanted a zig zag part. I parted it down the middle and started on the right side of his head.

"Damn girl. Why you gripping it so tight for?" He winced in pain.

"Sorry you know you got dry patches. Can I ask you something?" I asked in a daze.

"Don't you always?" He laughed.

"Do you think I should Rashaad see his father?" I asked. Jacob's body temperature raising at an increasing paste. "You alright?"

He didn't say anything so I just kept on braiding his hair. As soon as I pinned the ends up he got up and looked me in my eyes. Here we go.

"You can do whatever you think is right for your son. Long as that nigga stay the hell away from me." He breathed heavily.

"What happens to the spread the peace hippie we all know and love?" I joked.

He came closer to my face. "He right here. As always." Then he crashed his lips into mine. This was the first of any kind of human compassion Ive had in a long time.

Our lips moved in unison as I fell back with him on top of me. There was so much feeling in this one long kiss that I feel like I was missing more than ever. Jacob been through thick and thin with me over these past years. Its just felt right. But then it didn't.

Then he stopped. I held on to his neck so that he wouldn't leave me. "Stay with me please." I whispered. He put his forehead against mine.

"You aint gotta beg." He said.