Still In

VIII

A month later...

Tanya

So, it's been about a month since I had D'Andre and it's been hard. Dave has been 'busy' the past couple weeks so I've had to take care of the boys myself. Kianna, Mama Leslie, Grandma Angela, and my brothers have been helping a lot though. If I needed the break, they'd take Daniel for the weekend or they'll come here and watch both of them.

I haven't mentioned it but I know Dave's still in the drug business. Throughout the pregnancy, he would basically promise me that he would quit and find something legal to do by the time the baby comes. I'm not rushing him because I know it's easier said than done but it's not like I pressured him into making the promise. I know I told Kianna that he had quit the game but I basically lied to her. I'm not stupid and it's not like he wasn't making it obvious.

For example, yesterday I was going through the closet to pick out which clothes I wanted to steal from him. At the top, there was a Nike shoebox that was never there before. The box said in all caps 'LEFT TO SELL'. Kianna also told me about how Cash came to her house to pick up something for Dave.

"Here, baby." Grandma Angela said, bringing me a turkey sub with a bag of Cheeto puffs.

Today was one of the days when I needed a little break. My grandma offered to come over and watch Daniel while I took care of the baby.

"I could've gotten it myself, grandma." I said. "Thank you, though."

"No problem."

She went back in the kitchen and came back out with her own sub. Daniel was upstairs taking a nap and D'Andre was sleeping in his swing in front of me.

"How's Aunt Cassie?"

"She moved to Michigan with her husband."

"Michigan? Why?" I asked.

"Wanted to be closer to her in laws." She said.

"What about you?"

She shrugged. "What about me?"

"She moved away from you to move closer to his parents."

"I still have y'all around so I'm good."

"Guess I'll take your word for it."

The door unlocked and Dave, Sean, and Rashad came in talking loud as hell which caused D'Andre to wake up and cry. I threw my head back and just stared at the ceiling. Grandma picked him up and started bouncing him. She mugged the three clowns before going upstairs.

"Sorry baby." Dave said, kissing my forehead.

Sean sat down next to me and grabbed one half of my sub. Before I could stop him, he took a bite out of it. I took a deep breath and bit into the other half. Rashad sat on the other side of me and took my bag of Cheetos, opening and eating them. Feeling myself getting upset, I stood up and went upstairs. I went in me and Dave's room and closed the door, locking it. I sat on the bed and finished my food.

There was a knock on the bedroom door but I didn't respond. I thought it was Dave and I didn't feel like talking. There was another knock.

"Tanya, it's me." It was Grandma.

I got up and unlocked the door before opening it. She had the baby in her arms and Daniel was standing next to her. I guess they woke him up too.

"I'm gonna go, okay?"

"Yeah." I said, taking D'Andre from her. "Thank you."

"Anytime." She said before kissing my cheek.