“Call it what you want, but I want to make you aware that you’re dealing with a person with mental health issues. I’d also like to point out that he’s your client, and it breaks the rules.”
“Ma’am, you do not have to tell me that.”
She tossed her palms in the air with a smile on her face. “I’m just saying. He’s also our friend’s brother.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know that too, Will. I was just coming to tell you how fine he is and what he said to me, but you're taking it overboard, per usual.”
She leaned up in her seat with that same goofy smile. “What did he say?”
“Oh, now ya ass want the tea? I’m good.” I stood from the chair and headed toward the door.
“Uh un! Come on, sis. You can’t leave me on the cliff.”
“We need a ladies' night tonight. Call Kenz to set it up, andmaybeI’ll let you know what he said. Bye.” I walked out of her office and back to mine to prepare for my next client. Mr. Ghana did have me flustered, being that I hadn’t had sex in six months. I’d never breach the doctor-client privilege, but I had to admitthe man was fine. It was just too bad he had to be who he was. Otherwise, I’d let that man do exactly what he said he’d do.
By the time I was done with my last client, it was time to close the office. Kenzi confirmed that we’d hang out tonight, so I was excited to finally have some girl time. We hadn’t had one since she left for Memphis, and I truly missed having girl time with my girls.
Willow and I got inside our cars, and I followed her to Kenzi’s. My phone rang with an incoming call fromStupid Ass Nigga—a nigga I didn’t want to talk to but had to since we shared something that forced communication for the next seventeen years.
“Hello, Chris,” I answered dryly.
He chuckled lightly. “Trust me, if I didn’t have to call you, I wouldn’t.”
“Too bad our dreams can’t always come true, huh?”
“Anyway, you didn’t put her cereal in her bag or those puffs that she likes.”
“Oh, I didn’t? Darn it. I guess you’ll just have to run out and get her some then, huh?” I asked sarcastically.
“I swear, you always doing something to piss me off. It’s like you live to torment me.”
“Chris, she’s your daughter too. Tell me why I have to purchase things for her foryourhousehold? Why do I have to pack a bag at all when you’re her father and should make sure she has everything she needs?”
“Don’t do that shit, Autumn. You know I do anything and everything for my daughter. You didn’t exactly write me a damn list of her needs either.”
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist.”
He huffed into the phone. “Whatever, man. I have to bring her to you tomorrow afternoon. I gotta go to an event for Brenai that I forgot about. I’ll come pick her back up once it’s over.”
My face twisted as I rolled my eyes. I hated it when he spoke her name to me. It was the same bitch he committed adultery with while I was carrying his daughter. He swore they didn’t start messing around until after our divorce, but photos and video footage determinedthatwas a lie. Although Christopher and I had checked out of our marriage since before the divorce, and I ended up pregnant because I slipped up and had sex with him when I was ready to end shit between us, I still expected him to have some kind of loyalty to me.
But that was too much like right.
Brenai had been his assistant since he started his own non-profit organization for his youth program, helping the young kids navigate through school and offering job opportunities to keep them off the streets. I didn’t consider me and Brenai friends, but I thought we had mutual respect. But my respect and hers were on two totally different levels.
I didn’t expect her loyalty, but I did expect the bitch to have respect for people's marriages. So much for whores having any decorum. The thing about it, though, I wasn’t even mad at the tramp for shooting her shot. It was Chris who got all the smoke and hands. If it was that easy for her to slide into my spot, then she could have his tacky ass. The sad part about it was he was still trying to crawl between my legs, and if I were a petty chick, I’d let him and send her proof that his ass would never get over me.
“Yeah, okay, Chris. Is that all?”
“Yeah, man. Enjoy your evening.” He hung up.
I shook my head as we finally made it to Kenzi’s, seeing three bikes in front of her house. I knew her husband was one of the leaders of the Motor City Rebels, so it wasn’t uncommon for us to see him and his crew on their bikes.
It kind of fascinated me, seeing my girl riding on the back of his bike as if she belonged. She even had a cute biker jacket with "Mrs. Santana" on the back in hot pink and black lettering. She was a doctor during the day and a rebel chick by night, and I loved that for her.
“I have to tinkle so bad,” Willow said when we met up on the sidewalk. My good sis was so prim and proper. I joked with them all the time, saying we were the three composites that made up the elements: earth, wind, and fire. I was the earth—firm and steady. Willow was the wind—light and airy, and Kenzi was the fire—hot, blazing, and would burn the world down about those she loved and cared for.
“Say pee, Will.”