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I looked back at Cassie with wide eyes. She was about the same age as Kari. I had a feeling Slim was cheating around the time I left him but having the confirmation standing right in front of me hit different. Not only was he cheating, but he got us both pregnant around the same time.
“She’s his?”
April nodded in confirmation. “She is.” She looked down at Kari. “Her?”
I nodded slowly. “He doesn’t know.”
“Good. She doesn’t need to be around him. I wish I’d been as lucky. He pops up when he wants to see her. There’s nothing I can do about it. He’s threatened me if I ever try to keep her away from him or take him to court. I know he’ll make good on those threats. He takes her and brings her back whenever he feels like it, most of the time without me knowing. He just drops her off with his wife while he runs the streets.”
“Wait… wife?”
“He’s married. She’s very docile. Does whatever he says, whenever he says it. I guess he’s good to her because he can control her.”
I was quiet. I wasn’t sure if I should believe her or not. What if this was a ploy? What if someone I knew had seen me and sent her? I frantically looked around, making sure there were no suspicious people lurking. The park was relatively empty aside from a few parents and kids. Still, what were the odds of meeting Slim’s other baby mama?
“She has two brothers. They have different mothers too. All of us have the same story. You aren’t alone.”
I shook my head. “I have to go. I’m not looking for a family reunion of Slim’s baby mamas. I don’t want anything to do with him. If I wasn’t forced to be here right now, I wouldn’t be.”
I started to walk away, but she grabbed my arm.
“Nala—”
“No!” I yelled. “I don’t trust you. I’m not even sure if I believe you. Look, if you’re telling the truth, I’m sorry you have to deal with him. I’m just trying to make it out of this place with my life and sanity intact. My daughter doesn’t know him and if I can help it, she never will. Unfortunately, that goes for her would be siblings too. Please… I have to go.”
I walked away as quickly as my feet and the crutch would carry me. Grabbing Kari’s hand, I pulled her along as we made our way back to the hotel. By the time we got there, I was sweating and tired. I panted heavily as I took a seat on the bed.
“Are you okay, Mommy?” Kari asked softly.
“Mommy’s fine.”
“Who was that lady?”
“She was nobody, baby.”
“But—”
“Kari, please!” I said, a little too loud.
Tears formed in her eyes, and she poked her lip out. I immediately felt like shit. I never yelled at her, let alone raised my voice at her. Pulling her into my arms, I hugged her tightly.
“Mommy’s sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. Please forgive me.”
“It’s okay,” she said tearfully.
“No, it’s not.” I held her away from me. Gently, I stroked her hair. “I love you so much, Kari. You know that, right?”
She nodded.
“Mommy is under a lot of stress right now. There is so much you don’t understand that I wish I could tell you. I’ve made such a mess of things, and I’m so sorry… I’m so, so sorry.”
It was my turn to cry. Her little arms enclosed me, and it only made me cry harder. I’d give anything to be back in Cali away from all the drama, the bodies being dropped because of me, and the bullshit with Ahmad. I dug a grave for myself when I stole Slim’s money, and it was only getting deeper.
“Wanna do something fun, Mommy?” Kari asked, to make me feel better.
I wiped my eyes and looked at her with a light smile. “What do you wanna do?”
“We can watch my favorite movie and you can color me a pretty picture and I can color you one.”
