Safety Net

18| three words, eight letters.

"Well, you know after his father was killed he hasn't been the same ever since. It was his fault anyway. Michael would still be here if it wasn't for him." Veronica shook her head as she spoke negatively of her son and I couldn't help but to be defensive.

I folded my arms getting ready to say something but she continued to talk. "Then I thought he'd be good when he met Ivy, but he ran her off too. I don't like overgrown ass Latoya but I guess that's the best he can do. He's just such a draining person."

"Look lady, I don't know what your problem is, or what you think you're doing but Meechie is not like that at all. He is the most genuine and sweet person I've ever met and nothing you say will make me change my opinion. You have so much to say about his character but you're never around. In the months I've been here I saw you once: when you hired me to take care of your son, which as a mother you should've done but instead you went on a trip." I had to take a deep breath since I was rambling, but she got the gist. Veronica stayed where she was with her mouth agape.

But I don't give a fuck. She's not gonna talk bad about my man straight to my face.

The smell of cinnamon woke me up this morning. After I brushed my teeth, I looked around for my slides but I couldn't find them so I went in my closet and put on the black Ugg slippers my sister got me for Christmas last year.

I was walking down the stairs when I heard Saija talking to somebody. "He is the most genuine and sweet person I've ever met and nothing you say will make me change my opinion." I heard her say and I couldn't help but smile. After listening some more, I realized she was talking to my mom.

It was nice hearing somebody defend me for once. Trinity was her favorite and wanted it to stay that way so she would never disagree with what she says. Hassan tried his best to stay away from her. He loved her because she is our mother, but he stayed his distance because he didn't like her.

And then there's me. The stupid one who is always trying to have a relationship with her even though she doesn't give a fuck about me and tears me down every chance she gets.

"You need to leave." I made my presence known as I stepped further into the kitchen. I saw her face light up, but she just didn't know I was about to shut all this shit down. "And leave the key too." I came up behind Saija, wrapping one arm around her waist.

The anger was visible on my mother's face as she removed the key to my house off of the ring. "When this one leaves you, don't come crawling back to me. Your father would be so disappointed." She told me before walking the short distance to the front door and slamming it.

I try to take Hassan's advice and not let the things she says get to me, but how could I when she always saying shit like that? Saija went around me to grab the tray of cinnamon rolls then sat on the counter.

"I made these from scratch." She lifted one to my mouth and I took a bite. It was good as hell too. "I know that's your mom, but fuck her." She said making me laugh. "I'm serious. I don't like how she talks to you. You don't deserve that."

"I feel you. She been taking her anger out on me ever since my dad passed and I just take it cause she's my mom you know?"

"Yeah, but you can't make excuses for her. You lost your dad too. How did he die?" She asked. "Only if you're comfortable." I didn't mind. I usually refrained from talking about it, but it didn't feel like that when I was with Saija. I feel like I could say anything, free of judgment and criticism.

"Dad! Did you see that?!" Young Demetrius ran to his father, out of breath. He finally did a kick flip successfully after working on it for two weeks.

"Yeah, gimmie some." Michael raised his hand up for his son to give him a high five. Skateboarding was Meechie's thing at the moment and Michael made sure to take him to the skate park at least once a week. "You gone be the next Tony Hawk, son."

"No, I wanna be the next you, just a skater too." He replied, putting a smile on his father's face. Michael grabbed his son, engulfing him in a hug.

"Be better than me, son. I love you so much, you know that?" Meechie nodded as he sipped on the ice cold bottle of water.

"I love you too." The sound of a skirting car caught their attention. The car was driving so fast that Michael couldn't react, his only thought was to protect his son and that's exactly what he did.

"The man died right in my arms." I shook my head remembering it like it was yesterday. The shit still haunts me.

Without saying a word, Saija hugged me and rubbed her hands up and down my back. I really needed it.

"Him dying isn't your fault, babe, I hope you know that." It's hard to believe it when that's what I'm constantly being told. "Your dad chose you because he loved you. He wouldn't have had it any other way, alright?" I nodded and she wiped the stray tear away that fell from my eye.

"I love you." I told her again. I know that I meant it and I needed to know if she did as well.

"I love you." She smiled widely and so did I. Her arms wrapped around my neck as she pulled me down to kiss her. My hands traveled down to her ass and the kiss deepened. Things were starting to heat up until we were interrupted again.

"If it's your mom I might just punch her." She joked, but I think a part of her was serious. "Be quick." I nodded and jogged to the door.

"Can I help you?" I asked the woman I didn't recognize as she stood on my front step.

"I'm looking for my daughter, is she here?" The woman said and my mind instantly went to Saija."Her name is Meacco or.." She opened up the folded piece of paper, "Saija now? Is she here?"

"I uhh" I didn't know what to say. Should I lie?

"Meech who's at the door?" She came up on side of me. I watched as her face turned into a shocked expression. I looked between her and the woman and they did resemble each other a lot. "Mama?"

*waves in neglectful writer*

i did find inspo for this book again so updates may be coming faster! hope y'all enjoyed & thx for reading xoxo 💕