Is It Worth It? (Sequel to 12th Avenue)

40

NORMANI

I sit at the table with the kids and hold my head in my hand. I squeeze my eyes shut and take a deep breath, I'm happy they're having fun but they tryna drag me in it and I don't have the range right now. I barely slept last night and the night before. As much as I don't want to admit it, I do miss Lauren here at night. With my stomach stretching, my feet swelling, and a bunch of other shit, it's easier to sleep with her.

Which is pretty ironic cause she's been calling me nonstop, but we ignore with ease over here. Talking to her is gonna piss me off, sleeping is different.

"Haha, I'm in first!" Eli laughs.

"Really?" I question with a quirked brow.

I send a red shell in his direction and drive right pass him when it hits. Yes we're playing Mario Kart.

"Blue shell!" Aaliyah yells out.

"Oh that's cold!" I say.

I get bumped down to fifth place and I shake my head, it's a catastrophe.

Amaiyah sends a lightning bolt to everyone and I get bumped down even further. She zooms her way to first place and I just sit back astonished.

"Hehe, sorry not sorry mommy!"

EYE—

My phone rings again, but this time it's Choie. I answer it and bring it up to my ear.

"Waddup. Waddup. Waddup."

"Wassup goofy?"

"Ally, Justine, and I coming to shake your funk! Q on his way to take the kids."

"Actual Angels. Bring y'all asses!"

"Be there in 20 mama!"

The call disconnects and I finish the race with actual energy.

"Hey, y'all going with uncle Q for the day," I say.

"Now?" Amaiyah asks.

"Yup, go grab your shoes, coat, hat, all of it."

They all get up and leave out the kitchen, except for Aaliyah who turns back around halfway. She stands in front of me and chews on her bottom lip.

She fiddles with her fingers, "Um, Mani?"

I nod, "Wassup sweetie?"

She clears her throat, "Um. I know that um, you and my mamá are getting a divorce. I have ears and eyes."

I slowly release a breath, "Yeah, we are."

She nods and stares at the ground, "You're not gonna leave right? I'm still gonna see you?"

"Of course, I love you. No matter what happens with Lauren and I, I'm not going anywhere."

"I love you too. You promise I'm gonna see you?" She asks.

"I promise," I say.

She hugs me and I give her one while rubbing her back. I'm never discarding my relationship with Aaliyah no matter where Lauren and I end up. But damn, this some hard shit.

Soon enough Quincy comes to get them and Choie and em arrive. I'm starving so I made us go to Wendy's. We order a bunch of stuff and before Ally could pull off I ask for the food bag.

I grab the bag from Ally and pull out my fries and take a frosty from the cup holder. Yeah it's too cold for a frosty, and what about it?

I dip the fry in and moan at the taste, this was a big crave. I dip a couple more then pull my burgers out the bag, 's' plural. A bitch gotta feed her baby.