Petals.

Part 9

Jai hadn't heard a word from Juju in 3 months now, life was dull without him there to brighten it up. Angel had proven to her he was just going through a phase earlier when he pushed her out the bed because she forgot to wash the sheets. Even though she didn't land on her belly it scared her to death knowing that he could have, there was no way she could stay with him. She felt even more trapped in their 2 bedroom house in North Memphis, to her she felt like now she really was in deep shit. She didn't have no way to get rid of Angel and though she traveled every now and then she didn't know anywhere but Memphis. Memphis was a very small place to its residents, thinking she could outrun or hide him was impossible. They were bound to run into each other and he had goons in every part of town that were ready, willing, and able to snitch on her if they caught her out in public. She had lost weight instead of gained more from all the guilt on her mind, it was mentally torturing her that she keeping her and Juju's unborn from him. She didn't know why she started texting him now but it was time to let him know the truth.

Jai: Julian plz dont be mad, know i was doing what's best for the baby but this is your daughter inside of me. Sorry 4 lyin & i hope u find it in u heart 2 4give me, its u i want 2 be with

A minute later Juju was calling, "Hello" Jai answered

"Jaielle I swear to God you betta not be playin wit me, i will neva speak to you again if you are" he said, She couldn't tell if he was happy or sad but she didn't know when the next chance would come around to talk to JuJu. "Baby I promise you im not lying, you know like I know what Angel would do if he knew this was yours. He thinks its his and he's already pushed me on the ground, he'll do even worse if he knew this was your little girl in me"

"He what? Got damn Jaielle why are you allowin this mane to play with my childs life, ima fuck around and kill him"

"About that" she said biting her bottom lip "It's gonna take killing him to keep him away from me. I dont wanna put you in the middle of that but i'm just saying that's the only choice"

"Dont worry about that, I got some niggas who a handle that pussy ass nigga. You just pack your bags and be waiting on me to pull up"

"I can't leave yet, i want to leave when he's handled, I don't wanna be paranoid waitin on the say so that he's dead"

"I feel you but lay low for now he'll be handled before no time, OK"

"OK," she said, glad that things worked out her way with Juju, she was half expecting to get cussed out and hung up on.

"And Jaielle"

"Yes Baby" she asked

"I love you and I wanna see you"

"I love you more baby and you can see me Friday, i have to study for finals. Meet on the river, we'll have a picnic to celebrate our little girl"

"Thats cool. You picked out a name for her yet"

"Naw, i was going to let you do the honors. But i'll talk to you later we're hungry"

"Aight Mama. Love you"

"Love you more"

Jai hung up, rolling out the bed she had a taste for 2 dill pickles, some granola bars,french fries with teriyaki sauce and pizza with mustard and honey. Being assured that everything was finally going to turn out right in her life had gave her big and odd appetite. A look of horror showed on her face as she opened the door and seen Angel sitting on the couch, he had said he was going to the shop she didn't expect him to be back so soon. "H-Hey Baby" she stuttered, her mind was going a mile a minute as he gazed into the tv. "Hey, you feelin straight, thought you was in there sleep" She gave a sigh of relief when she realized her cover wasn't blown. "I was but I'm hungry now, you want something" she asked giving him a kiss on the forehead, "Na, I'm good, I ate some noodles." he said casually flipping back and forth between football games. Jai went into the kitchen with a little pep in her step, she was ready to start her new life with her child's father, the day couldn't arrive fast enough.

If it wasn't for Rodji and her girls stopping by every now and then, Vixen would of went crazy sitting around the house. She couldn't remember the last time she watched so much tv, her body had grew even bigger because of all the cravings for fried foods she had. She 3 weeks from her due date so exercise was out the question unless she was playing with Rodji or burning calories the grown folks way with Rod. They had moved into a 3 bedroom apartment in another area of Whitehaven, not taking any chances with the first baby mama popping up. Besides the late night private calls from Lajinae playing on her line, she didn't hear much from the jealous broad. Eventually she got her number changed the 1 hour long voice mails she would leave had gotten annoying. "Baby bring me and the babies some peanut butter cookies, we are starving," she said into the phone talking to her fiance

"I got yall shawty, give me 20 minutes"

"Ok"

"Vickie i wanna go outside, can I" pleaded Rodji, she wanted to tell her no but how could she when Rodji was looking at her with big puppy eyes.

"Yea baby girl, go put your jacket on and don't leave off the sidewalk.

The little girl rushed to throw on a jacket and go play with the others outside.

Vixen was about to get started on dinner when she got a call from an unknown number, she started to press ignore but she remembered the call from somewhere

"Hello"

"Vixen" said the voice on the other line

"Who is this"

"Cash. Girl I got locked up"

"What?" she yelled in shock, browing the ground beef

"Mane i fucked around and got jammed up in Macy's."

"Whats yo bond, ,me and Jai will be down there asap"

"Thanks B, but i got the 6500 for it, yall got kids to take care of. I should be out by the weekend, I was just calling to give you the scoop just in case yall tried calling my phone"

"Aw ok, cool,cool. Need me to call Tino"

"Hell naw, that aint my man no more he can't come save me" she said, with a hint of hidden sadness in her voice

"Ok, well i'm on the phone if you need me"

"I know, thats why im glad i got you and Jai. You just don't know how much yall are like fam to me B"

"Same here, nothing but love from me and the kids"

"100. I'm finna hang up and call Jai, I'll see this weekend cuz i know these punk ass laws aint finna use the phone no more, i been calling people all evening"

"Aite Cash. Hit me up"

"Aite B"