VIXEN

44.

Lorraine.

As time went by, Chresanto still continues to hide. He wasn't here to celebrate Christmas with us, or the the twins first birthday. I try to go see him every once in a while, but sometimes he just doesn't open up to me. I honestly think its something much more than depression, he must be doing something else.

Once Lamarr and Laila started to walk, Lorenzo cherished every moment. I couldn't get enough of it myself. They had also started to speak a little, they mostly say "mama" and "dada." Lorenzo also loves hearing them say that. They make him so happy. "I know your upset about Chresanto," Lorenzo said sitting next to me. "I'm just worried."

"Me too."

"I just hope he's okay," I said looking at my phone for any messages or calls from Santo. None. It made me want to go over and see if he's okay, but Lorenzo is about to leave for work in a few. I've tried calling him a few times, but they all went to voicemail. "Bye, I gotta go," he said kissing me, then Laila and Lamarr.

Not too long after Lorenzo left, I heard the door open and shut downstairs. I got up from the bed and peeped out side the door, but only to bump into someone. "You alright?" He said quickly grabbing me quickly, making sure I didn't fall.

"I should be asking you that," I said standing to my feet. "I know I've been distant, that's why I came to talk to you."

"About what?" I said sitting on the bed. Chresanto sat next to me, picking up Laila and Lamarr. "Y'all have gotten so big," he said hugging them tight. "Where's Bri?"

"She's with my parents." I studied him, he seemed a little slimmer, and his skin has grew kind of pale. "What have you been doing?" I asked worried. "Nothing," he said quietly, and I could tell he was lying. "Your lying, tell me the truth."

"I'm hungry," he said as if everything I said went through one ear and out the other.

I watched him as he quickly ate, as if he hadn't ate in a while. "When was the last you ate something?"

"Too long," mumbled with a mouth full of food. "What's wrong, Chresanto?" He stopped eating, and stared down at his plate. He took something out of his pocket and sat it on the counter, making me freeze in shock.

"You need help Chresanto," I said sincerely. "I need you to help me."

"What do you want me to do?" He looked me in the eyes, and they looked sad. I wanted to help him, but I couldn't. He did what was unexpected, then looked down in shame. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did," he said making me laugh a little. "Not that, but what happened to Bri's mom?"

"I left her when she needed me the most. She was on drugs, and I wanted what was best for Bri, so I left her. I didn't want Bri growing up around someone who was a drug addict. This was about six years ago. Now I realize that I could have helped her, instead of leaving her. I feel guilty of depriving Bri from her mom, she always ask me, "Where's mommy?" and it makes me feel terrible because I never have an answer," he said slipping a few tears. "Do you still love her?" He slowly nodded his head. "Do you want to find her?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know what I want." Chresanto slept on the couch next to Laila and Lamarr. I stared at the item he left on the island, making me wonder how Lorenzo would react to this. Speaking of Lorenzo...

"What's Chresanto doing here?" He said rushing into the kitchen. "He came over to talk to me."

"About what?" I held up the item. Lorenzo grabbed it from my hand, examining it. "Are these...?"

"Yeah," I said answering his question before he even finished it. "You need to talk to your brother." He sighed heavily pinching the bridge if his nose. "I can't believe this shit," he muttered angrily. "Should I wake him up?" He said looking back at me. "No, he just went to sleep." He slammed the item on the counter and went upstairs.

I sat on the couch, and rubbed my round stomach. To distract myself, I wondered what gender was I having, but I wouldn't find out for another month. I was hoping for a boy, but it really doesn't matter.

comment if she should have a boy or a girl, and some name suggestions.

What do you think Chresanto has been doing?

Should Chresanto go find Bri's mother?

I tried to make it little bit longer than usual.