Chapter 4

Nicki walked into the house and was hit by the smell of Vanilla Bean and coffee. She knew her mother was over. She dropped her work bag by the door and pranced down the hall with the food in her hand and drinks in the other. She smiled seeing her son coloring and talking to her mom about her and how he loved when she cooked pancakes.

“Mommy’s panny cakes taste like clouds with syrup. Clouds taste good.”

“Really?”

Mama Maraj chuckled watching his face. He looked so much like his mother. His round face and big hazel slanted eyes. She was so busy looking over him in aww and listening to him talk she didn’t notice when Nic had come in and put the food on the table and started taking things out the bag.

“Mommy!”

“Mommy’s Man.”

“Gran Gran why didn’t you tell me mommy was here? I wanted to give her kiss before she saw you!”

“Sorry baby, I didn’t know either.”

He slid out of his chair and ran full speed into Nic’s arms. She gave him plenty of kisses before he squirmed out of her arms. He hurried back into his chair and chanted eat until he had a plate of fries, chicken and juice in front of him.

“Nancy went home?”

“Yes, she said she had an emergency and that’s why I’m here.”

“Thanks, how have you been?”

“Good, Caiah and his GF running around with their lovely dovely selves and your father has been at work.”

“Oh, they’re so cute and that’s good.”

She became quiet as she smacked on her chicken and watched over her son, LJ, as he ate. She snapped out of her gaze when a warm hand touched her’s. She gazed into her mother’s beautiful face and smiled.

“Are you going to tell him?”

“Who?”

“His father? You can’t keep him a secret.”

“What if he doesn’t want him? What if he doesn’t want…. Me?”

“This isn’t about you, this is about LJ. Don’t be selfish.”

“I’m not, but I been thinking about him for five years.. Since that night! We made a beautiful baby together and he doesn’t know!”

“Because you left! You ran from your problems instead of facing them!”

“Whatever Ma, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

“There you go again.”

Nicki shook her off and got up from the table. She cleaned her plate staring into the darkness that covered the yard like a blanket of emptiness. She had felt this way since the night she slept with a familiar stranger. Every part of her yearned for him. She couldn’t shake him plus they had a child together. She breathed in and out as the tears raced down her face. Mama Maraj wrapped her arms around her daughter and kissed her cheek.

“It’s okay baby. Maybe you guys will run into each other again.”

“What if we don’t? He doesn’t even live in NY anymore.”

“Well, he visited that time, so he’ll be back.”

“I guess.”

She smiled into the window at their reflection. Her mother was her world and she loved her. She looked over at her son who was still in his own world downing the juice she had given him. He looked up to see her looking and bucked his big eyes. She smiled and bucked her’s back.

———

[Day of the Reunion]

“Ugh, I think I should wear something else.”

“Nic, you look fine. I like this dress very sexy.”

“I don’t want to be sexy, I want classy, Lauren.”

“Bitch you’re classy anyways!”

Candi shouted drinking a home made Margarita. She smirked looking over Nic’s curves. Nic was dressed in an all white curve fitter, red no heel pumps and gold jewelry around her wrist, neck and waist. She looked beautiful with her curled hair and light make up.

“You look perf.”

“Really?”

“Yes, let’s go.. We have an hour drive!”

“Grab the snacks.”

“Wait, I got to give LJ his kisses.”

“I don’t know why you just don’t bring him.”

“I don’t want him there, I rather him be here with my father.’

“And why is that?”

“Jeremy.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“I still can’t believe you had sex with him & made such a beautiful baby and you’re still wanting to hide it.”

“I just don’t think he’s ready to know.”

Go kiss your son so a bitch can feed her face. They all laughed at Candi who was already tipsy.

———

Karen giggled at SB slapping her ass as he walked past tying his neck tie. Karen smiled at the beautiful man before her. I’m the luckiest woman in the world. Married to the high school Quarterback, Millionaire Jewelry Dealer and World’s sexiest man alive. She looked at her reflection and blushed at him staring at her as if she was the only woman on earth for him.

She’s gorgeous and everything I could ask of in a wife, but I feel incomplete like I’m missing something. Her well manicured nails, nice skin, beautiful smile, nice ass and wide hips were enough to make any man want her and I had her. I’m still half a man with my millions, wife and advantages.

“Are you ready Mr. And Mrs. Samuels?”

“Yes, we are.”

“Yeah, give me a few seconds to grab some important papers.”

“Are you going to work after the reunion?”

“I have to meet with a client about his piece. This is more of meeting than work.”

“Whatever Lloyd.”

She walked out the room and down the hall. He ran over to his closet and knocked on the wall. Out came a dresser that held his client list and pulled out a file then looked over the picture of his young self and his ex best friend. He stared at it then slammed it back closed.