Page 14 of When It’s All Said And Done

After I hung up the phone, my mind shifted from my anger towards Nas to my relationship with my mother. After she kicked me out before I found out I was pregnant, I hated her with a passion. It wasn’t until she ended up in the hospital for days due to alcohol poisoning. With her life being up in the air it terrified the fuck out of me. I never left her side other than to throw up and grab food. Once she was better, I brought her to my apartment. I was skeptical that she’d go back into her old ways, but when she saw Nyla, something changed her. That was two almost three years ago.

If it wasn’t for Mama Eva in my ear on some honor thy mother and father, I would’ve never gone to the hospital. The way she did me had me ready to hold a grudge until I was dead and gone. Our relationship still isn’t perfect, but it’s been a work in progress. A progress that takes a lot of time and patience because I be wanting to turn her ass every way but loose when I think about the past. As for the present, she’s been keeping her word when it comes to Nyla. That was her only saving grace when it came to me and her.

Loud banging at the door caused me to jump up from the couch. I didn’t know what time it was, but the sun had set. Getting off the couch, I made my way to the door before checking the peephole. When I saw Nas standing there with Nyla, I immediately opened the door. Nyla jumped from his hands into mine before I walked her into the house. Once I had her settled into her room, I made my way back into the living room.

“Y’all must have done more than just get ice cream,” I suspected as I noticed Nas standing by my door.

“It’s a time limit on me spendin’ time with my child?” He countered before getting comfortable on my couch.

“I didn’t say that I just asked a question.”

“I think I should be the one askin’ questions.”

“And what questions should you be askin’?”

“When you was gonna tell me you movin’ that nigga in here with my child? And do you even really know that nigga?”

“That’s none of your business. It’s my relationship and I can do as I please.”

“That’s where you got me fucked up. If a nigga gonna be around my child in close proximity like that it becomes my business. Matter of fact, I need to meet that nigga,” he commanded as he stood to his feet. “Make that shit like tomorrow, Nessa.”

“Nas!”

“Nas my fuckin’ ass! You heard what I said, and I’ll be over here tomorrow around eight to have dinner. You remember my favorite, right? Make it happen, Baby Mama.”

I slammed the door behind him out of pure frustration. His reasoning for wanting to meet Desmond were completely understandable but them being around each other had me stressed the fuck out. I had asked Nyla how she’d feel if he moved in not thinking she’d tell her dad. Hell, I didn’t think her dad would be out or I wouldn’t have even offered that to Desmond. Nas has always been protective and with him having a child he’s never been there for had him in full protective dad mode.

“Hello,” I huffed into my phone as I plopped down on the couch.

“Damn, what’s eatin’ at you?” Yas wondered.

“Girl, it’s been a long fuckin’ day.”

“Tell me about, literally. Actually, start from the beginning of Nas getting out and you just tellin’ me this through a damn text message. Ya know what, don’t even worry ‘bout it, I’m on the way. We gotta discuss this shit face-to-face.”

“Ok.”

Almost thirty minutes later I opened the door to let Yas in. The hug she gave me relieved so much stress I’d been feeling. I needed her here more than she wanted to come pop up to get the rundown. While I went to go check on Nyla, she went to warm up some leftovers I’d cooked last night. When I walked into Nyla’s room, she was fast asleep.

“Alright, I’m ready. Lay it on me,” Yas instructed with a mouth full of food.

“Giiiiirrrrrrrllllll,” I dragged as I popped my lips together. “I don’t even know where to damn begin.”

“Start with when the fuck did Nas get out?”

“Like a few days ago. I’m not sure of his exact release so I can’t tell you that for sure.”

“Your text said he was spendin’ time with Nyla, but my question is: did y’all spend time together?”

“He came over on my off day.”

“And…”

“We fucked,” I mumbled but she heard me loud and clear and it caused her to choke on her food.

“How the fuck did it get to that?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I was completely thrown off when he popped up over here, but we were just supposed to talk. Then my feelings got in the way, and we did a little more than talk.”