Rectify

57

Jeremiah
3:24 P.M.
Houston

"Last day together," I said to Angel. "Yeah," she nodded. Angel and I were sitting in the car after school talking. "Do you have to be hone at a certain time or you want to come back to my house?" I asked her. "My mom still has to work today so I'll come back to yours," she said.

We were already sitting in my car, so I just backed out and drove home, holding her hand the whole way. We got to my house eventually and I got out before opening the passenger door for her. As soon as she got out I closed the door behind her before taking her hand into mine.

I unlocked the front door to show the balloons. "Surprise!" Nia and Michael yelled as they came around the corner near the foyer which scared Angel. "It's nothing big, its just us but we have all of your favorite food and stuff so just enjoy," they said. "Thank you guys," they gathered in a group hug. "Of course, anytime," Nia said.

"Let's go eat something," I told her. "Alright," she followed me all the way to the kitchen. For the next few hours we ate, cuddled, and played. Eventually, it was time for her to go. Her mom had come over because they were making the drive to Gavelston right then.

"Jem...I can't leave you," Angel said as she wrapped her arms around my body. "You can, this is for you. You're gonna have a nice house and new people alright. Fresh start," I explained to her. "I need you there," she cried. It broke my heart to see her like that. "I love you," I told her. "I love you too," she replied.

"Alright Angel, it's time," Ms. Sandra said. "Call me tonight. Please," she said. "Of course," I promised her. She let go of me and that's when I realized she had been tearing up. "I love you Ang," I said to her. "I love you Jem," she replied. She turned away from me.

I watched from the door as her and her mom hot in the car. Nia and Michael were standing closer outside waving their final goodbyes. Ms. Sandra pulled out the driveway and that was it, they were off.

Michael and Nia came back too the door. "You alright Jem?" Michael asked. "Uh, yeah," I turned around and went back inside, walking all the way back to my room. I laid on my bed, thinking about Angel.

Nia knocked on the door just a minute later. "Come in," I said. "Sorry about Angel, but Jem you have to pack. Your summer program leaves in two days and I want to make sure you have everything," she said. "Okay," I nodded.

"Thank you," Nia replied. "How's the baby? Is he kicking?" I asked. "He's moving around, but not really kicking," she said. "You said the baby is coming around August 1st?" Jeremiah said. "That's my due date," she nodded. "Well he better stay in until I come back, July 30th," I told her. "I really do want you to be there," she said.

"Even if I am not, call me or text me. I want to feel like I'm there," I said. Nia nodded and squeezed my hand, "Of course," she smiled.

* * *
2 Days Later

Nia
5:32 A.M.
Airport

"Alright Jem, I love you. Stay safe and always stay with someone. Call me when you get on the plane and when you land. Then again when you get to the hotel. I left money in your bag if you want something before you board or on the plane. Be careful," I explained to Jeremiah. "I know, I know. I'll be safe and I'll call you. Thank you for the money," he nodded.

"We are so proud of you for getting selected for this program Jeremiah. You are going to do amazing and I can't wait to see what you create," Michael said. "Thanks Michael," he smiled.

Jeremiah then reached for something in his bag, taking out a small blue bag. "It's for the baby, if I don't make it back in time," he said. My heart melted right there and I started to tear up. "Don't worry about that," Michael said. "I just want him to have something, take it and you cant open it until he's here," Jeremiah said.

I took the bag from him. "Thank you so much, we will keep it safe," I told him. He smiled before taking his suitcase from Michael and walking to join the group of school kids but turned around just before he got there. "Hey, I love you too!" he said to me. I smiled before making sure he got with his group and then got back in the car with Michael. 

That's when I just lost it. "He said he loves me! And we're not going to see him for three months. What if he's not here for the baby? I want hime here," I stressed. "Calm down Nia, if he's not there we can't do anything about it and he'll meet bug when he gets here," Michael told me.

* * *

4:37 P.M.
Jordan's Joys

"Nia, hey, what's up?" Michael asked. After we dropped Jeremiah off, Michael had to go back to work at the restaurant while I sat at home writing for the album. So, I was currently taking a break from writing to visit him and keep him company.

"I wanted to see my handsome husband and bug wanted to see his daddy," I said. He cracked a small smile, "Alright, you hungry?" he asked. I cocked my head to the side. "Duh!" I laughed. "Alright, I gotchu!" he said. He walked to the back where the cooks were and a young boy came to the front.

"Hello," I smiled. "Hi, I'm Adrian," he said. "I'm Nia, Mr. Jordan's wife. Nice to meet you Adrian. I heard you are really smart," I said. "Oh really?" he cracked a smile. "What do you want to study?" he asked.

"Um hospitality I guess, I want to open a restaurant like this one day," he said. "That's nice, as long as you put your best foot forward, you can do it," I let him know. "Thank you," he nodded. A customer then came behind me and I moved out of the way to let Adrian take their order.

The restaurant was busy actually, people were sitting down, soft music was playing, the food smelled amazing, as usual. I was so proud of Michael for this community he created through food and for doing what he loves.

A few minutes later Michael came back with a burger all wrapped up for me. "Special burger for a special lady," he smiled. "Thank you Mikey, I love you and bug loves you," I rubbed my stomach. "No problem," he nodded.

I unwrapped the burger to see the works. Mike's signature sauce, jalapeños, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce. I took a bite and nearly moaned. "It's good?" he asked. I nodded as I still had a mouthful of burger. "Alright well, Ivan's closing tonight, so I will be done in about an hour just have some paperwork and rounds," he said.

I took another bite of the delicious burger. "I'll leave you and your burger to it," he chuckled before walking away.

I finished my burger in about five minutes and spent some time scrolling through socials. I didn't do it often, but when I did I made sure to avoid my comment section. I then saw a video of a mom rocking her baby to sleep on my Instagram feed. I could only hope that bug and I would have that bond.

Bug kicked me and I rubbed my stomach straight afterwards. He followed my hand kicked me again. "Alright, I finished cleaning for the night, so lets go home," he said.

We went all the way back home to an empty, quiet house. "He's really not here," I said, trying to hold back tears. "Yeah," Michael sighed before wrapping his arms around me to comfort me. "Alright my beautiful wife, lets get you in the shower," he said. So, he left me in the bathroom, I took my shower, and when I came out I saw pajamas picked out for me.

I got moisturized and then put on my pajamas to see Michael on our bed, already bathed and dressed for bed in his shorts. "Here's Nia. Nia come, Jem is on the phone," Michael said. I rushed over to the bed. "Hey Jem, how is it?" she asked. "It's nice, we did some painting today and now I'm in some bougie hotel situation with my roommate, cause it's two to a room," he explained.

"Oh, is your roommate nice?" I asked him as I moved onto our bed, to sit right behind Michael. "Yeah, he's taking a shower or something," Jeremiah said. "What did you have for dinner?" I asked. "Um some like Italian food I had chicken parm, it was pretty good, your food is better though," he said. Mike laughed, "That's my boy," he said.

"Anyways, I'm gonna go. I promised to call Angel before she goes to bed so, I'll call you back later," he said. "Alright, tell her we said hello," I waved. "Bye," he hung up.

Michael looked up at me and placed his hand on my stomach. "Is bug moving around in there?" he asked. "No not really, he's been calm today," I said. Just as I said that bug started to shift and move around. "There's my boy," Michael smiled.

I loved seeing how happy he genuinely was when he felt bug move. "You're gonna be an amazing dad," I told him. "You're going to be an even more amazing mother," he gave me a quick peck on the lips.