Tough Love *COMPLETED*

5/5/89 • Short

Christopher Brown

As I slept peacefully with Aya's curly haired body encased in my arms, I was awaken by the sound of my alarm going off. My eyes popped open, and I stared at the ceiling for a moment, trying to collect myself.

I glanced over at Aya's sleeping figure, only to see that it wasn't Aya, but a large pillow and a wig on top of it. I shot up, looking around me, noticing that Ayden wasn't in his crib. I rubbed my head and shuffled over to Royalty's room, seeing her and Kenya weren't in there either.

"Babe?!" I called after her to see if she was still in the house. No reply.

I rushed downstairs and went into the living room, pulling back the curtains. I saw that her car wasn't in the driveway and I furrowed my brows. So we just leaving without saying nothing now?

"Where the hell did they go?" I mumbled to myself. I smelt something sweet coming from the kitchen which automatically drew my attention. I crept into the kitchen to see a stack of waffles topped with syrup, whipped cream, and strawberries, a fruit bowl, and a cup of apple juice on the side.

"What is all this?" I smiled to myself and took steps closer. I noticed a small note on the side of the plate.

"It's your birthday, so I whipped up something quick. Don't take too long eating, because this is where the fun will begin! Read back when you're done.

~ XOXO, Ya Baby Muva"

Being the hardheaded person I am, I turned the card over anyway and read it.

"I knew you couldn't be trusted, boy you ain't shit. Now stop being nosey, and eat up quick!"

I chuckled, shaking my head. She knows me a little too well.

After I was finished eating, I noticed another small slip of paper by the garbage can. I tore it off the wall and picked it up.

"I see that you're finished, I hope it was nice. Now head to our favorite place to get Italian ice!"

This little girl always doing some shit. I wasn't even planning on going nowhere today, surprisingly, but here she go planning shit. Lord knows I love her though.

•

After I arrived at Rita's, I sat outside in the parking lot for a moment to see if I spotted her car. I saw a few cars in the distance that looked like they could match the description. I sighed deeply and got out of the car, walking into the building. I looked around, seeing no sign of her inside. I scratched my head and figured that I should just order some Italian ice while I'm here.

"Can I get a small cup of lemon ice?" I asked the cashier.

"Sure, and the name?" He didn't type anything into the register, which confused me.

"Chris." I prepared to dig into my pocket for my wallet. He reached to the side and handed me a cup of lemon ice already made. I furrowed my brows and hesitantly took it.

"Your girlfriend came in here earlier and bought it for you." He smiled at me. I mentally facepalmed and looked down at the cup, noticing the small piece of paper wrapped around the red spoon.

"Lemon isn't my favorite, but in your case, that's not exactly true. Meet me where messes are made, and where I see the child in you."

My mind immediately went back to my bedroom, but that wouldn't make much sense because I was just there. Wait— She meant the park. I need to get my head out of the gutter.

"Okay, what bullshit she finna have me doing now?" I pressed my lips together. I spotted her curly hair and the yellow outfit I remember so well, but noticed our kids weren't with her.