Page 31 of When It’s All Said And Done

“Just let me think for a second. Look, go home we’ll talk when I drop Nyla off for the weekend.”

“You’ll only have to walk her next door.”

“Next door?”

“Yep. Hello, neighbor.”

“Ain’t no fuckin’ way you brought me the house next door to you.”

“Yes, yes I did. You’re safer this way.”

“Nas…”

“Ain’t we’ll talk this evening after you dump that lame ass nigga.”

Chapter 11

Nessa

“Ma, where are you?” I called out for my mom, Daphne, as me and Nyla entered her apartment.

“Every time you come over you be doin’ all this hoopin’and hollerin’,” she shook her head as she came out of her room. “At least you brought my grandbaby over this time. Nyla Pooh.”

“Grannnyyyy,” Nyla exclaimed as she ran towards her.

“Grandma missed me. What’s been going on with you? Haven’t seen you in a lil’ minute.”

“Everything has been great! I’ve been spendin’ time with my dad now that he’s home.”

“Nas home?” She asked as she snapped her head in my direction.

“Uh, yeah, he’s been home for a lil’ minute,” I answered.

“Nyla, you wanna eat some muffins and watch Bluey?”

“Yes ma’am.”

While she got Nyla situated, I made my way into the kitchen. My mom had an awful drinking problem growing up. It wasn’t until about three years ago she decided to get her life together. With the help of her AA meetings and me staying on her she’s been doing good. I was happy that Nyla wouldn’t experience anything I had to. As I searched her cabinets for any hidden liquor, I was happy when all of her old hiding spots were clear.

“I earned this sobriety chip,” she expressed as she held up her chip. “And I plan to keep earnin’ it, Nessa.”

“I’m just makin’ sure ma,” I assured her. “I haven’t been here to check on you lately and just wanted to make sure you didn’t slip up.”

“I understand and I really am sorry I scared you like that, but I am determined for history not to repeat itself. And now it makes sense why you haven’t come over. You’ve been spendin’ time with Nas?”

“I mean we’ve been coparentin’ Nyla.”

“And that’s it?”

“For the most part. Ma, you know I’m with Desmond.”

“I know that, but does Nas know that?”

“Yeah, they’ve met.”

“Did they fight? You know Nas didn’t play when it came to you.”

“No, they didn’t fight and Nas has to respect my boundaries. And I’ve been standin’ on that since he’s been home.”