Kataleya
North Chicago
"Welcome to Ruby's diner how may I help you?" The couple offered a warm smile as they placed their menu's on the well waxed shiny table .
"I'll start off with a pink lemonade , and for my husband I'll have a beer"
Nodding I jotted down the two drinks on the pad as my phone began buzzing in my back right pocket . Slightly biting the inside of my cheek I ignored it .
After completing the couples order , I bristly walked towards the kitchen area to ring the bell and signify that they had another batch of food to make .
" my flower ! Look at you!" Was all I heard , followed by a rough slap on my ass . Wincing I rubbed the aching spot and rolled my eyes .
" late again Stacey"
This wasn't my regular shift , this was my bestfriends Stacy shift . Whom was either late or absent every chance she got .
This was my 4th time this week working extra to cover up her tardiness , I couldn't complain because it was extra money . But I also missed my 3 month old daughter Nyla , thinking about her caused a small smile to form on my face.
" bitch ! You know you love me , now tell stank ass that I'm here so you can clock out and get to my sugar plum" she responded back as she skipped over towards the kitchen , being greeted by a bunch of whistles and hello's .
" how about you tell me!" Our shift leader Samantha yelled out from behind me , pursing my lips to keep from laughing I shook my head and decided to keep quiet.
" go on home baby , I'll see you next week on Tuesday . I'll deal with late late" sam spoke as she patted my shoulder while walking by and shaking her head , clearly going after my ratchet ass Best-friend
" don't have to tell me twice" I mumbled while heading towards the back break room to gather my left over lunch and jacket
The walk home would be long , but trust it was well enjoyed after working a full 12hr shift . I would take the bus but it came an hour later and I was in a rush to get home to Nyla .
Grabbing my phone out of my black fitted dickie work slacks , I checked my call log and noticed that I had 3 missed calls from my baby's father Bryant .
" fuck ! He's going to ask about thanksgiving" I mumbled to myself already knowing what he was calling for .
" hello ?" On the third ring he decided to pick up , which was good because I was on the verge of hanging up .
" hey , calling about thanksgiving huh?" Cutting straight to the chase I heard him sigh on the other line , followed by a yes .
" Bryant you already know how I feel about sending Nyla , they already called her a—bastard's child" I spoke in one quick breath . Not wanting to think about the argument with his mother and sister again
The line went silent just enough for me to heat his breathing before his voice bellowed through the phone again like a strong blow of wind
" kataleya they've changed I told you that !" He semi shouted in the phone
The answer was still NO
I'd be a monkey mouthed fool to send my child somewhere that she wasn't wanted or welcomed.
" Bryant the answer is still no , I'm not dumb . You only want her to show her off on Instagram like a fucking toy and act as if your really there when In reality you've only seen her twice , goodbye!" And with that I hung up in his face and put his contact on do not disturb . Noticing that I was halfway home I did a sigh of relief and picked up the pace .
I only lived 10 minutes away , so the walk was pretty much an exercise .
"Look I cant keep giving you money everytime you decide to change Nyla's formula — that's her damn father's job !" My mother complained once again , followed by a harsh slam .
I looked down at where she slammed the money and shook my head , she promised that she would help me but I did understand where she was coming from , this was my baby and here I am —looking for handouts .
"Nobody told you to go and get pregnant"
SLAM !
Tears threatened to spill out of my eyes as if I were ready to pour them into a cup . I bit my lip and looked over at my sleeping baby , her life would be better than mines and that was a promise .
" what a life" I mumbled while pulling my silver Dell laptop from under both of my big firm pillows that I got from Walmart .
Since I still had a dream , I took online classes at Harper college .
Didn't have time for on campus classes because of my horrible unfit work schedule , that went up and down like a damn seesaw
After logging into my student portal I darted straight to my class schedule with the mouse and clicked on the subject anatomy to began my book questions .
" let's see—"
Was all I remembered mumbling before diving in to the questions , tonight would be a long night for me and I was grateful that my mother had the decency to put Nyla to bed before I made it home .
4 long and hard hours had passed before I finally allowed myself to stop working , oh yea and I also had to stop and nurse miss Nyla .
" still hungry mama ?" I asked her in my baby voice , looking at me with big brown eyes her bottom lip began to tremble as if she were saying bitch feed me .
Taking that as a yes in baby language , I closed my lap top and placed in onto my dresser . Feeling how hot the bottom was I winced in pain and decided that it would be a minute before I started English .
" is mamas fat baby mad at her ?" I asked as if she would speak .
After lifting my already milk stained shirt , I propped a small pillow on my lap and grabbed Nyla from her donut that she sat in . She snuggled into my arms as I cradled her , letting me guide her to my swollen nipples .
Leaning back , I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep . Knowing that if I moved the slightest inch she would start to scream bloody murder .
" nobody told you to get pregnant"
Was my last thought before I drifted into a light slumber .
