“It’s not for you.” She said. I took the gift out of the bag and saw that it was a pink baby gift set. It had a pink and white swaddle blanket, pink leather loafers, white crocheted Bunny Rattle, and a teddy bear
“Awww thanks, Chi. But why did you get pink? I don’t know what I’m having yet.”
“Godmommy’s intuition. Merry Christmas, baby mama,” Chianne said while rubbing my now growing belly.
“Thanks,” I said dryly.
“No, no, no. We are not going to let that asshole ruin this day for us. I know you’re sad, but don’t let this ruin Christmas.”
“It’s not just him, though. This is my first Christmas without being home and around my family. No Christmas breakfast, no hearing Alexis and my nieces screaming about their present or hearing my mom say how she didn’t do much, but seeing hundreds of gifts under the tree.” I said while starting to tear up. I missed home and my family. And if I would’ve known that my mother was cutting my phone off, I would’ve answered my siblings’ calls. I was even ignoring my dad’s calls, and I know he was pissed. After dealing with my mother, I couldn’t face my father and see his disappointment.
“I know it’s hard Bre, but you still got me, and I’m not going anywhere,” Chianne said as she wrapped her arms around me.
“Can I use your phone?” I asked her. She probably thought I was about to call Jemar again, but I was over him for the moment. I needed to hear voices that meant something to me.
“I thought you were done with me,” Eric answered. I scrunch my face up because I was confused. But, I brushed it off because he probably thought it was one of his many hoes calling him to wish him a merry Christmas.
“Hey, big head,” I said.
“Bre?”
“Duh...who did you think was calling you? Chianne? You have her number?” I questioned while looking at Chianne. She was pretending to be focused on picking out something to wear for the day.
“What’s up? Merry Christmas!” He said, trying to change the subject. I’ll ask Chianne about that later.
“Merry Christmas!” I said.
“We’ve been calling your baked bean head ass.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I was going to call, but your mother had my phone cut off yesterday. I don’t know when I’ll get a new phone. I’m at Chianne’s.”
“That’s where you’re staying?”
“No, just wanted to spend Christmas with her.” I lied. I did want to spend Christmas with my bestie, but I was hoping to spend the day with my baby’s father.
“Where is your baby daddy at?”
“Look, I didn’t call for all that. I wanted to call y’all and say Merry Christmas, but if you’re gonna act like your mama, we can end it right here.”
“I’m sorry. You’re my little sister, and I’m just worried. I miss your egghead ass.”
“I miss your bean pie head ass too. What are y’all doing?”
“We just finished opening up gifts. Ma and Raquel are in the kitchen cooking breakfast. And Alexis is playing with her new toys.”
“Where is Wayne?”
“He spent Christmas morning with Aniyah and the kids. They’re supposed to come by later for dinner. Dad is supposed to come too.”
“Don’t tell him you talked to me. I don’t want to add any more fuel to whatever fire is brewing within him.”
“Well, you need to handle that soon because he’s been on my ass about being your big brother and not looking after you.”
“I will.”
“Is that Bre?” I heard Raquel ask in the background. I rolled my eyes instantly because I wasn’t in the mood for her twenty-one questions. Raquel was a cool big sister, but she could be like my mother at times, and I didn’t feel like hearing that shit now.
“Bre?” Raquel said into the phone.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey? I’m not about to get into your shit now, but we need to talk soon. I want to see you before I head back to school.”
“Okay.”
“I’m serious, Binky.” She had to add that stupid ass nickname she gave me. I rolled my eyes hard.
“I hear you. I don’t know when I’ll be able to get a new phone since your mother had mine disconnected, so I’ll call you when I get a chance.”
“She did that?” She said, sounding shocked.
“Yeah, and I’m not surprised. She washed her hands with me, and I did the same.”
“You know you can always ask me for help. I’m making good money now, so I’m more resourceful.”
“Don’t worry about me. Use your money for school. I’m good. -Look, I have to go now, but I’ll call you. Tell Alexis and Wayne I said Merry Christmas,” I said quickly and ended the call. I was hoping that she took the hint and wouldn’t call back. I had to get my shit together and soon because it wasn’t just me that I had to care for. My baby would be here in about five-six months, so far I did nothing to prove that I was prepared. I barely had a roof over my head, and I needed some type of stability in life to prove my mother wrong.
∞∞∞
“Bre!” Chianne yelled from the living room. I got up from the bed and made my way to her.
“Yes?” I said as I saw that she was standing by her front door with her arms crossed against her chest. Chianne has lived with her dad’s grandmother in a three-bedroom house since he was in prison. Her father, Kyle, would be getting out soon and made plans for him and her to move to California to start over. Chianne already had it in her mind that she didn’t want to go, but I encouraged her to hear him out at least. I mean, I
