“Girl, bye. You’re going to marry him in heaven or something?”
“I wish. Rere, I feel bad, awful, and that’s why I’m glad Keisha is not around right now. It wouldn’t be good for her pregnancy, but I have a secret that involves her. I just found out myself, so it’s not really my fault that she doesn’t know.”
“As much as I want to ask what it is, I’m not because you know my relationship with Keisha, and I don’t want to be in it. Whatever it is, just promise me that you’ll tell her as soon as you can. Shit, I have my own shit with my child that I have to fix one day. I can’t have my favorite niece hate me too.”
“Hate? Rere, what the hell are you talking about? Is this about Bre being pregnant?”
“How do you know? Uh, don’t answer that. I know you have your ways.” I smirked.
“Sure do, and I heard how things played out with y’all. I’m not going to judge, but you were wrong.”
“Kourtnee!”
“Look, I’m just being honest, and you were! She was only sixteen, and you sent her right into the arms of the beast.”
“Well, she’ll see what I’ve been trying to tell her.”
“No, Rere. Listen to what I’m telling you. You. Sent. Her. Right. Into. The. Arms. Of. The. Beast.” She clapped.
“What are you saying, Lovebug?”
“I came across your sister, Cookie’.”
“Your sister too.”
“Allegedly...anywho that bitch was quick to tell me that her punk ass son Marco was cool with Bre’s boyfriend. And that he’s witnessed him abusing her.”
“Abusing her?”
“Yeah, sis. I know you were trying to teach her a lesson or something. But sometimes those self-made lessons make shit way worse. You need to reach out to her, she needs you.”
“Abusing?” I repeated again. I didn’t completely let my baby go, I had ways of keeping tabs on her through Kingsley, but he never told me anything like that. Last I heard she was fine and due any day now. I mean, Kingsley told me she was staying with him for a while, but he never said anything that would make me concerned.
“Rere, I know it’s not your fault, but it’s time to forgive your baby girl and bring her home. You know I know what it’s like to have one of my kids hate me. Kiara still hates me and probably will always do. Fix shit before it’s permanent.”
“I don’t know how,” I said as I started to cry. Did I really push my baby into the hands of a beast? Who was Jemar? Who did my baby really fall in love with?
“I know-how. Kamille told me before I got here that Bre had her baby yesterday.”
∞∞∞
I was probably outside of Bre’s room since I saw Wayne and Eric standing outside then walk in. I waited about five minutes until I found the courage to walk in myself. I honestly didn’t know how she would take seeing me or if she would welcome me. So, I listened to my kids as they stood around Bre, offering encouraging words and knew this was my moment to come in. I walked in slowly and took a deep breath.
“And she’s going to be a great woman because everything she’s been through only made her strong. And that’s how I raised her.” I said and looked around at my kids. I missed them, and I missed moments like this, where we were all together.
“Hey, mommy,” Alexis said. I looked and saw her on the couch with her tablet in her hand.
“Hey baby,” I said as I walked over to hug her.
“Did you come to see the baby?” She asked, her eyes were lighting up.
“Yes, and I came to see my baby,” I said as I looked towards Bre. She was avoiding eye contact with me, and I deserved that. After the way I treated her, I’m not sure if she would ever forgive me.
“Come!” Alexis pulled my hand over to the nursery bed, where my newest grandchild was resting. She was making faces and moving her mouth as she slept. She was so beautiful.
“She’s gorgeous,” I said, never taking my eyes off of her.
“Pick her up, mommy.” Alexis encouraged. I felt the room tense up and looked at Bre to see if it was okay. Her face was hard to read, and I was scared that my unknown presence was too soon.
“May I pick her up?” I asked.
“Sure, just wash your hands first.” She said nonchalantly, but not mean. I smiled, placed my purse down on an empty chair then walked to the sink to wash my hands. After I finished drying off my hands, I went to pick up my grandbaby. As soon as I picked her up, she started to stir in her sleep, but instead of crying, she looked at me. I snuggled her and saw a little smile on her face. I don’t know what came over me, but I burst out crying.
“I’m so sorry.” I cried out. I started to put the baby back in her bed and grab my purse. This was too much, and I felt like I wasn’t even welcomed. And I had nobody to blame, but myself. I caused this rift in my family and made my kids feel uneasy around me.
“Don’t go, mama.” I heard Bre call out. I stopped my tracks and slowly turned around to face her.
“I don’t want to make it tense in here. Y’all were having a moment, and I ruined it. I’m sorry. I just heard the news that you had the baby and thought it was time I apologized. However, I don’t think now is the time. Just call whenever you would like to talk. Congratulations, I know you’re going to be
