Still In

XXV

Leslie

I walked into the hospital wishing I had a switch in my purse. Angela called me and told me everything that happened. She also asked me to go see about Daniel because, as she put it, 'the two adults there were acting more like children'. I love my kids from the bottom of my heart but I knew how dumb they could be especially together.

"Hi, I'm looking for Daniel Jackson." I said to the nurse at the station.

"And you are?"

"Leslie Jackson, his grandmother."

"Okay, can I see some i.d. please?"

I opened my purse and pulled my i.d. out, handing it to her. "Here you go."

"Thank you." She scanned it and handed it back to me.

The visitation pass came out the machine and she handed it to me. "Room 202."

"Thank you."

I put the sticker on and went to the elevator. I got on and waited for it to get to the second floor. When it did, I got off and went straight to my baby's room. Walking in, I saw Dave sitting on a chair by the bed and Bianca in a corner on her phone. Daniel was asleep.

"Well, hello." I said.

"Hey, mama." Dave and Bianca said.

"What you doing here?" Dave asked.

"Is my grandson not here?"

"Yeah."

"Oh okay."

"I meant how'd you know he was here."

"Angela called me."

"Angela? As in Tanya's grandma?"

"Yes and speaking of which, I need to speak to you."

"Now?" Dave asked. "I need to be with my son."

"Well, from what I hear, that baby is better off by himself. Outside, now."

I walked out the room and waited for Dave to come out. As soon as he did, I slapped him upside his head.

"Ow, mama. What was that for?"

"Boy, what the hell is wrong with you? Tanya told Angela what happened and Angela told me. You left those kids with your irresponsible ass sister without telling her what Daniel was allergic to and without a bag for either of those kids? What kind of irresponsible dumbass does some shit like that?"

He sucked his teeth. "Man, Tanya talk too damn much."

"Oh, did you think I wouldn't find out regardless? You must not know your mama."

"I just forgot." He said.

"You forgot? The bags are forgettable but what your son is allergic to is something that should've been the first thing you told her. Where were you in such a rush to go?"

"I needed to see somebody."

"You had to go see your little hoe."

"Tanya told that too?"

"No, you did." I said. "Let me tell you something, Khamere: you're fucking up. The shit that you're pulling right now is gonna hurt you in the long run. You're beyond lucky that Tanya is that type of woman she is but that doesn't mean to take that shit for granted. One of these days, she's gonna get fed up and I would hate to see the effects of that."

"I hear you."

"Do you? Cause your actions tell me otherwise."

"Yes, I hear you ma."