SPREAD THIN [ABOOGIE] - CURRENTLY EDITING

[CHAPTER THIRTEEN] "Everyday"

A few weeks later in Los Angeles.,

After traveling to her east coast cities for her nail tour, Mariah was still pregnant and working. She had a few clients book last minute in San Diego, so she was finishing up with that before it was time to get on the last plane.

"Thank you for so much for waiting!" After getting her $115 set done, she tipped $200 and took a picture with Mariah before leaving.

"Are you finished now?" Nicole asked coming back into the salon with Zein. "You know we can't reschedule another flight."

"I know.. I'm ready this time." One of the guys working in the salon offered to clean up for her so she only tidied up before grabbing her purse and things. "I just don't know how to say no." She grabbed the handle on her pink suitcase.

"I mean.. I don't know if it's my place."

"You can say how you feel. I can't fire you for speaking your mind."

"It would be cool if you weren't 36 weeks pregnant.." She whispered at her. Mariah just nodded her head and zipped up her suitcase. "Well let's go." She grabbed Zein's hand and followed Nicole out.

"Did Andre call again?"

"Nope. He just changed the ticket time." Mariah was supposed to be back in time for the family barbecue. Everybody wanted to see her and Zein. But, mostly Zein. She had her c section schedule in three days. Deandre's family was having a barbecue for Dawson's birthday. And she didn't want to miss it.

When she got into the car with Nicole and Zein, she checked her voicemail. She had a few missed messages.

From Deandre: "I hope you're putting your feet up for four hours a day. Please don't forget baby. I love you. Kiss baby girl for me."

From Michaela: "Girl I saw the cutest bassinets for the girls! Did you open the other one yet?"

From Lucinda: "Stupid bitch!"

From Lucinda: "You're supposed to be here by now. You can't keep Zein from us! She's our granddaughter too!"

Mariah looked down at her phone in shock. Nicole heard some yelling but she couldn't tell who it was. Only that it was a lady. Mariah erased the messages and powered off her phone. She didn't want problems with her mother in law. Deandre needed his mom right now so she wasn't going to tell him about it. Words didn't hurt her. But, if Lucinda came out her physically that was another thing.

When they got the airport, Nicole went to check them in. But, she came back to the car with bad news, "We have to drive.."

"I'm too pregnant?"

"Yeah I couldn't lie." Mariah nodded and rubbed her belly, "Is he a fast driver? I'm not sure I can take a slow three hour drive. I'm already naming one of my babies after Dawson, I don't want their birthday to be exact on his." Nicole looked over at the driver.

"I'll do what I can."  He gave them a head nod.

"Buckle up girl!" Nicole said helping Mariah put her seat belt back on. Since they missed the barbecue, they went straight home. Mariah knew she had some apologizing to do. It seemed like all she ever did was apologize lately.

"Anybody home?" She called out when she opened the front door. Dave was sitting in the living room with the dogs. "Hey y'all." Nicole went to put the stuff up and Zein ran to her play area.

"Hey, where's Andre?"

"I think he's still at mama house. He let me take the car home."