Secrets & Lies

Chapter 12

Jade

I was in the kitchen fussing with Big mama for her allowing Marneeka to go out with a boy.

"Mama, you don't even allow me to be her mom" I yelled.

"Look how that turned out Jade. You're not ready for her" she said shaking her head stirring what ever she was cooking.

"Mama, how am I not ready. You let her undermine me and you let her disrespect me mama" I cried.

"She hates you because of Malique, she loved him Jade and you didn't protect them." She said wiping her tears.

When I overdosed the first time I was bathing my 4 month old son, Malique. Marneeka came home from school and found me in the bathroom passed out on the floor and Malique in the tub under the water. She never talks about him and neither do I. I push the thought of him out of my mind.

"Mama, I can't change what happened. All I can do is change things with Neek." I told her crying.

"You're not ready to be a mother Jade. You're back with Roy and he isn't right" she said shaking her head.

"You were ready mama? Did you leave daddy" I yelled.

She slammed the spoon down on the stove.

"What are talking about Jade. I was an amazing mother" she angrily said.

"Mama, don't try to act like you didn't know about daddy coming into my room at night. I saw the way you looked at him when I told you I was pregnant. You got Marneeka tested behind my back just to make sure the church wouldn't know. Luckily she was Roy's but you knew mama and did nothing" I cried.

She started crying just standing there.

"Do you know what it's like to be with a man right out of grade school, no trade, or education. I needed you to have shelter. I needed you to be taken care of. I needed to stay long enough to take as much as I can so I can leave. I tested Neek praying she was his so I can get him locked up. Your daddy knew people in high places, he would've never got locked up based on our word. When he died Jade I was happy and thanked God. So you think I was horrible but I was making a way" she cried.

"Mama, well I'm making a way for her" I told her.

"By allowing Roy into her life. History will repeat itself. He is going to touch her and sell her body when no one wants you anymore because your old. I can change that and I am Jade" she got up to go back to the stove.

I just sat at the table upset when the doorbell rung.

"That's Roy, go ahead and get the door" she mumbled.

I went to open the door and it was a police officer.

"Ms. Gertrude George" the officer said.

"That's my mama, hold on " I told the officer running to get Big mama.

"What's the matter officer" Big mama came running to the door.

"There was a shooting, a young girl was caught in the crossfire. She is at UF Health" the officer said. Big mama dropped to her knees

"Mama get up we have to go." I told her frantically.

We got in her car and I was driving. I didn't know how to work her Benz but I just needed to get it started and going.

Big mama kept calling Neek's phone and it just went to voicemail.

"Jesus I need you. Jesus we need you. Lord protect my baby. Protect my baby Lord" Big mama cried out in the passenger seat.

We arrived at the hospital and ran to the nurse desk.

"Marneeka George" my mama said to the nurse.

"She is in room 407." She said pointing down the hall. As we were headed down the hall I saw Marcus.

"What are you doing here" I said to him.

"I was at the bar when the shooting happened. You're her mom huh" he asked.

"Yes Marcus. Right now isn't good-" I was telling him before Roy walked in.

"Jade" he said and it made me jump.

"Roy, this is the young man who waited. His name is Marcus" I told him.

As I was introducing them the doctor came.

"Who is in charge" the doctor asked.

"I am" Big mama and I said at the same time.

"I have legal custody of her" Big mama said looking back at me.

"Well maam, she was shot in her shoulder blade. She is okay. We do need to get the bullet but we can't do an X-ray" the doctor said.

"Why, I'll sign off on it" my mama said fumbling in her purse for a pen.

"She's pregnant" the doctor said.

We all froze and Big mama almost fell back when Marcus caught her. She sat down in the chair and put her head in her hands.

"I did all I can to prevent this. She just got her period not too long ago. I had the talks with her. She assured me she was still a virgin." Big mama said thinking out loud.

"Mama, let's hear from Marneeka" I told her looking back up at the doctor.

"She is awake but she is asking for someone name Marcus" the doctor said.

I looked back at Marcus wondering why would she want to see him over her own damn family.

"Make it quick, her family wants to see her" I said to him.

"Baby, if you don't mind. Imma go in with you " Big mama said to Marcus. He helped her up and they went in her room.

I sat out side the door with Roy and he just kept staring at me.

"What Roy" I said turning towards him.

"This was not suppose to happen. You were suppose to get our daughter back before this even happened " he fussed.

"Roy, I know Marneeka. She hates kids. She is going to get an abortion" I assured him.

"Not with mother of the church Gertrude in her ear. You fucked up again Jade" he said.

"Roy, why you want her back so bad. To turn her to the streets. Do her how my daddy did me" I fussed.

"If I put her on I know some good money would come in. But naw, I want to bond with my child. You better not be messing with that young boy anymore either." he said talking about Marcus.

"Well we will handle this as soon as they come out. Marcus was just business. I told you that." I told him.