Page 66 of Still Yours

“You look fabulous, daughter, and you didn’t tell me you had two kids when we spoke over the phone. When am I going to meet the husband?” she asked as she watched her daughter strut up the four steps on the porch in her eight-inch Louboutin stilettos.

“Soon enough, because he’s been working and doesn’t have time during the day like me. These are your grandkids, Ethan and Beauti.”

“Let me get you all out of this cold. Bring them inside, and I'll meet them.”

They stepped into her warm home and headed to the living room. Pretti put toys and a cover on the floor for her kids and then sat on the couch with her mother. She looked around and was pleased with the way her mother was living. Had she been living horribly, she wouldn’t put her babies on the floor to play. Her being clean made a good impression on her.

“So, you sell that many dresses to afford this home? It’s really nice, and I have to admit you always had taste in décor.”

“Yes and no. A lot of things happened when your father and I left you. I begged him not to make me go and leave you behind, but he beat me because the only way we could get the money after ten years was if we both left, not leaving a trace of our existence. I always knew I would come and find you. The whole time we were there being tortured, I thought about you. I tried to run away so many times, but they always caught me.

We were enslaved. We were sold to rich people and were to do whatever they said–from sexual acts to cleaning their homes. They promised us two million dollars apiece in ten years. Our ten years came, but your father was dying. They wanted to keep me after your father died from cancer, but I ran again. I ran to a cop’s house that I met while running some errands for my owner.

I told him everything, and he took me to his home. He called my owners, threatened to arrest them, and opened an investigation into their organization. They were supposed to be a church and believe in Christ. A week later, a four-million-dollar check was on my cop friend’s doorstep. Then I left and came to New Jersey.”

Pretti sat next to her mother, speechless. She never thought any of that would happen. All she knew was they left her and weren’t coming back. She never thought about what she would say when she finally saw her parents again because it was in her head that they could be dead. She was content with the thought of them being in a grave. She had built her own family and new life in New York. She had her husband, kids, and her new friends. She looked up to Dexz’s aunt as a mother when she needed that kind of love, so she didn't know where her biological mother would even fit in her small family.

“You have everything you need right here. You have your home, money, and business. What do you want from me, Michelle?” she asked, calling her mother by her real name. She couldn’t bring herself to say mother again.

“I just want to be a part of your life and spend time with my grandkids. I'm alone, and I need someone to love and love me back. I don't want a man, I don't want to find our family, and I don’t want to be in a harmful cult. I want to live life with you, baby girl. I love you so much, and that never changed.”

“You left me for money, so how could I trust you?” Pretti cried out, trying not to be loud. Beauti sensed all her emotions, so she had to stay calm for her daughter’s sanity.

“Joining that fake cult with your dad was the biggest mistake of my life. I will never join anything, not even a church anymore, but I will do anything to be in your life. I swear if you want me never to leave this house again, I will. As a matter of fact, I have something for you.”

Michelle walked off, disappeared down the hallway, and came back with a white envelope in her hand. She sat down next to Pretti and handed her the envelope.

“What is this?” she asked as she gazed at her name on the envelope.

“It’s a hundred grand check I’ve been holding for the last five years. I said I would never spend this money because I owed it to you.”

“I can’t take money from you, and one hundred grand is chump change to me these days. My husband spends that on me every month. That’s how much is in our kids’ account so far, so I won't take it. You don't have to buy my love. I need you to prove to me you can be trusted as a mother again.

I don't want you to get to know my kids only to disappear from their lives. They don't deserve that. Ethan has already been through a lot. He’s not my biological son, and he has Down syndrome. His mother did drugs while she was pregnant with him, so he doesn't need to lose anything else in his life. If you’re serious about being a mother and grandmother, you have to show me through them, because I am too grown to be babied or taught anything.” She glared at her mother seriously.

“Trust me, you don't have to worry about me ever leaving you again. At this point, I have no religion. Whatever the universe wants for me, that’s where I’ll go. I know the universe won’t steer me wrong, and I think it brought me here to you. I love you.”

Michelle stood up with her arms out, hoping her daughter would take her in for a hug, and sure enough, she did. Pretti felt like her mother was sincere and really wanted to start over, so she gave her a second chance. However, she was going to take it slow with her and share her kids in doses until she felt safe giving her mother her heart again.

Epilogue

BABY #3

Dexz sat in front of Pretti at a high-priced steakhouse, watching her gaze out the window. She looked sad, and he wanted to know why because she looked too beautiful in her little black dress to be in her feelings.

“What’s wrong, sexy lady?” He reached over the table and gently turned her face to see him.

“I made up with my mother today and promised she could come to our house to see you for the first time. She met the kids, and they seemed content with her for the three hours we stayed. I should be happy, right?”

He cleared his throat. “Yes, of course you should if that was your decision. That’s what you want, right?”

“You saw how hard I was praying at church last Sunday, and God told me to forgive. I’m hoping I’m making the right choice.” She sighed and picked up her water to take a sip.

“I know our folks’ pasts almost ruined us, but it’s what got us here today. We’re young, wealthy, and stress-free. Holding onto grudges only gon’ fuck you up mentally. You’re grown, so control how you want your relationship with her to go. If she starts moving funny, you can cut her off for good. But like I told you, I can feel her out for you because after that nigga Lunden, I can smell a snake from a mile away.”

“I invited her to the New York shop tomorrow for lunch, so you can meet her then. She is very likable and soft-hearted like me, so I think you will like her. But if you see any signs of bullshit, let me know right away. I will not allow her to do anything to me again.”

“You know I got you, love. Now where the fuck is the waitress? The bitch ain’t even brought us a menu, and we about to spend a few grand.” He shook his head. Dexz hated waiting at restaurants for long.

Pretti giggled. “Here she comes behind you now, and be nice.”

“I’m sorry it took me so long; the spot is busy tonight. Here are your menus, and I can take your drink orders,” the waitress said pleasantly, and Dexz let his wife order their drinks. After taking their drink orders, the waitress set the menus on the table and walked off.

He picked up his menu, ready to pick his steak dinner. When he opened the leather booklet, he was stunned to find a picture taped inside it. He smirked and then looked at Pretti, who was already smiling.

“Baby number three, huh?” He stared at the ultrasound.

“Yup. I am five months! We’re having a boy. I've known, but I wanted to surprise you with the gender.”

“I was wondering why you weren’t drinking, and yo’ ass has been lookin’ pregnant. I’m happy though, and I can’t wait to see my lil nigga.”

“I guess I am going to need my momma. If she is a good woman, we’re going to have to recruit her to the babysitters’ club with your aunt and cousin.”

He chuckled. “That’s damn sure cheaper than hiring another set of hands. Plus, we ain’t stopping at three.”

THE END