Page 111 of A King’s Obsession

"MY WATER, MALACHI! MY FUCKING WATER BROKE!"

My eyes darted toward the parking lot like somebody out there might have an explanation for what the fuck I'd just heard.

"Are you sure? Right now? Right now your water broke?"

"NO, MALACHI! NEXT FUCKING THURSDAY!"

"Well, goddamn! I'm just asking!"

Jru's head snapped toward me, her eyebrows pulling together.

"Baby, where you at?" I demanded, already reaching for my keys.

"AT HOME! WHERE THE FUCK ELSE WOULD I BE?"

"Okay, okay. Don't panic."

"YOU THE ONE PANICKING!"

She had a point.

I started pacing in front of the bench, trying to remember everything we'd discussed with the doctor.

"All right, listen. Get your hospital bag and—"

"Malachi, I'm eight months pregnant with twins! I'm not carrying no damn bags! WHERE ARE YOU?"

"Fuck! Okay! I'm coming!"

"Call the hospital, Malachi! And hurry!"

"I got you, baby. I'm calling right now!"

I ended the call and turned toward Jru, who was watching me with both hands covering her mouth.

"Oh my God!" she whispered. "Ashlynn's having the baby?"

"Babies, Jru! BABIES! Two of them motherfuckers! TWINS!"

Her mouth fell open.

"TWINS?!"

"YES, TWINS! AND BOTH THEIR ASSES TRYING TO COME OUT TODAY!"

"Oh my God, Malachi!" She grabbed my arm, her eyes filling with tears. "Ashlynn's having twins? Why didn't anybody tell me?"

"JRU, HOW THE FUCK WAS WE SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU? YOU BEEN MISSING FOR SIX MONTHS!"

She blinked, then pressed her lips together.

"Okay, you got a point."

"YOU DAMN RIGHT I GOT A POINT!"

She looked toward the parking lot, already shifting into motion. "Is she by herself? Has somebody called the hospital? Malachi, we have to go!"

I stopped.