Confessions Too

Chapter 60

I can't believe Brooke had the nerve to call and ask for anything. I really can't believe Norris took Naomi from her. This leads me to believe, he got somebody else on the side playing house. The kids was always with me whenever Norris wasn't home, which he was never home. So, who he got watching this newborn? I know I shouldn't care or even be helping her. I know if somebody took Cori from me, ill be raising all kinds of hell. From one new mother to another, I can understand how or what she's feeling right now. Not knowing if she's ok, who's she with, or where she's at. I could be a heartless and not help the bitch. I know she had to swallow her pride to call me for help. I know if I was in that position, I would have swallowed my pride too. I wasn't sure how the hell I was going to help her or even why should I even help. I don't see how I can help. Hell, me and Norris ain't even speaking. The fact ill be defending his side bitch, that'll make me look crazy as shit. The situation within itself is crazy. I left the condo and headed to see Norris. I'm sure he not at the house, so I headed straight to the office.

Gabby, Daphne said. I haven't seen you in seems like forever. How are you? I can't complain, how are you? I can't complain myself, Daphne said. Is Norris here? Yeah, I think his wrapping things up with a client. Let me go check real quick. Thank you! While standing in the lobby, I couldn't do nothing but stare at Connor's door. I wanted to go in and speak but wasn't sure what ill say. I wasn't even sure if he was in his office or not. I stood in front of his door, contemplating if I should knock or not. Gabby! I turned around and Connor was standing behind me. Connor, I thought you were in your office. I just made it here, Connor said. What you even doing here? I needed to talk to Norris, I figured he wouldn't answer the phone. Sooo, I came here. I haven't heard from you, how are you? How is Cori? Where is Cori? I'm fine, she is amazing, and she's with my mom. My mom suggested I get away for a second while her and Tori bonded with Cori. We need to talk, Connor said. Can I talk to Norris first? I think our conversation is more important. I was on the fence about going into Connor's office. It'll be kind of awkward if Norris saw me coming out of his office. At the same time, fuck it. He is the father of my child; I can't keep treating him like my little secret. We can talk for a minute, I said.

I miss you, Connor said. I miss you too. I know this situation has gotten so far out of everybody's control. I never meant for things to go this far, Connor said. I just wanted to give you the life you deserved. I know and I appreciate you for that. I didn't mean for things to get this bad. In the beginning, you were my escape from everything. You gave me everything I begged and waited for Norris to give me. It's like you gave me everything I needed and when I needed it. Kind of like the right place at the right time, almost. I didn't think we would get a beautiful daughter out of it. That's not how I imagined bringing my first child into the world. Neither did I, Connor said. I don't regret any of it. I mean, I regret how complicated things is. I do too, I said. It seems like things get more complicated as time goes on. What you mean? With the whole giving birth thing. I didn't want you to leave the room, but Norris is still my husband. That wasn't the best time to deal with who im pregnant by or who I was creeping with. I know, that's why I didn't make a big deal about leaving. You were already having a hard time and I didn't want to make things worse. I knew Norris was at the hospital with you. That's why I didn't come by to visit or see Cori. I didn't want you to think or feel like I didn't want to be there. I knew you did, I said. I didn't want to add to the stress or make the situation worse. So, I stepped back to let things die over some. It's not that simple, well not anymore. What you mean? Norris ended up signing the birth certificate. The second that left my lips, the look in Connor's eyes changed. He did what?

My blood pressure was still pretty high after having Cori. My doctor gave me something to help me sleep. When the nurse came in with the forms, I was sleep. She didn't want to wake me seeing how difficult my labor was. So, she gave the papers for Norris to sign. He knew I was going to name her Cori, so that part wasn't hard. He just signed the papers as Cori Lee. I know you mad, I can see it all over your face. I should have called you and told you sooner. I've been so scared to call you and tell you. With everything that is going on, you being mad is the last thing I need right now. I've been so stressed about everything coming out and Norris purposely not signing the papers, it's all becoming too much for me. I began to tear up a little. Look, I don't mean to add on to your stress. Yeah, him signing the birth certificate not sitting well with me. I understand if you was unaware of it and it wasn't nothing you could do after it was done. I knew this wasn't going to be easy to deal with. I knew having to explain all of this wasn't going to be easy for neither of us, especially you. I just need sometime to figure out how to deal with all of this, I said. I know coming clean about everything is the best thing to do, but I just can't do it right now. I understand, trust me. It seems like I just keep digging this hole deeper and deeper. Norris asked why Cori was so bright. I completely froze when he asked. Why? I didn't want to tell him the truth in that moment. I had just given birth, I was still in a lot of pain, and I was exhausted. I knew the moment the truth left my lips; things would have gotten ugly right then and there. So, I ended up telling him I was half white. What? Norris knows I never met my father. I told him my mom showed us pictures and she told us that the white man in the pictures was our dad. He believed that? Yeah, I was shocked he did too. I know constantly lying isn't helping the situation. I just need a second to breathe. Connor stepped closer to me and wrapped his arms around me. I know none of this is easy. I don't want you to worry about none of that right now. I just want you to focus on being the best mother to Cori as you can possibly be. When she turns 6 weeks, then we can deal with everything. Right now, just be Cori's mother. We'll deal with her last name later. If you have to lie to keep Norris off your back, cool. I know I shouldn't be telling you to lie to him. For the moment, ill go along with whatever you choose to do. Thank you so much for being so understanding. My family didn't think you would be so understanding. I'm willing to go along with whatever that will keep you sane and Cori safe. I promise we will deal with things later, I said. I know, you should be going before he catches you in here. I'll call you later. Good, Connor said before kissing my cheek.

Gabby, I thought you left. No, I went to the restroom. You can go in now, Daphne said. Thanks! It was good seeing you again. Same to you, I said. I thought Daphne said you left. I went to the restroom while she checked to see if you were free. What you doing here anyway? I needed to talk to you. About? Everything pretty much, I said. I'm listening, Norris said while leaning back in his chair.

A lot has happened over the last few months. We just need to get on the same page about where we go from here. And where is that? It's clear we're unhappy and been unhappy for a while now. It's no point in really staying in this marriage. The more we stay tied to each other, the more damage we cause. With me finally being a mother now, I don't have time for the extra stuff. I just want us to get on the same page and go about things the right way. The right way would be me signing the papers, huh? Yeah, that would be nice. I'm not signing those papers Gabby. Why are you doing this Norris? Like seriously, you put me through enough shit. Just let me walk away from this disaster of a marriage and start over with my life. Start over with Connor? What? I know y'all have been calling each other for the past few months. Been calling each other a lot actually. Yeah, when I found out about you and Brooke; I need somebody to confide in. I couldn't turn to my sisters and I tried turning to my mom. Seeing how Connor has been a good friend to the both of us, yeah it was easy to turn to him. He knew everything from both of our sides. So, that made it easier for me. He was a listening ear when I needed it the most. Yeah, we may have crossed some lines by doing that. I needed somebody, I said while shrugging my shoulders. So, that makes it ok? Never said it did, but nothing you did was ok either. The constant lying, cheating, putting your hands on me, the threats, just the way you treated me in general wasn't ok at all. I put up with it for so long and I refuse to put up with it any longer. Just let me free out this marriage and you can continue to live your life how you see fit. That's all im asking you for. I'll think about it, Norris said. While you thinking about it, think about giving Brooke that baby back. She called you? Yeah, that's how desperate she is.

We both know you've never been alone with a baby. While you was at work or out creeping, the kids was with either me or Veronica. You took the baby from her without taking any breast-milk. You might not understand how important it is for a baby to be breastfeed. That baby needs Brooke right now. Are you seriously standing in my office defending her right now? I'm not defending her; I could care less about her. It's about that innocent baby. Rather you want to hear it or not, that baby needs her mother. Her MOTHER, not whatever random woman you have watching her right now. You know she can easily call the police and say you kidnapped the baby. Not with what I have on her she won't. With you kidnapping the baby and her background, both of y'all can lose that baby all together. If you won't give the baby back to her, at least let her come breastfeed the baby. Or you can just get the breast-milk from her. Again, why you defending her? I'm defending that baby. I know if it was me, I would want somebody to defend Cori too. Ok, ill think about it. I know you just saying that to get me out of here. Think about Naomi in this situation. Whatever Brooke did to piss you off, I don't care to know. You know my heart and know I won't stay quiet when it's innocent kids involved. Yeah, I know. With you knowing that you should understand why im stepping in. I've always stepped in with you and Veronica KNOWING you cheated with her. I'm stepping in yet again for somebody you cheated with. Naomi can't speak for herself or defend herself. So, im making it my business to speak for her. Ok, ill reach out to her. Good, go get her baby from whoever you left her with. She's going to want to know where she is or who she's with.