Chapter 19
"Why do you love to make me cry Benjamin?" —Angel
Kianna removed her hands from over my eyes and I was shocked at a house full of people all staring back at me, with smiles on their faces. My hands flew up to my mouth, as I looked around. Everything was so beautifully decorated. There were a lot of tables covered with food and drinks, balloons, decorations, music and people everywhere.
The color scheme I was seeing the most was blue. I wasn't sure if that was because it was Kianna's favorite color, or because the baby was a boy. I nearly came to tears when I saw the huge blue banner hanging across the living room that read: Congratulations it's a boy!
I couldn't believe it, the girls had thrown me a surprise baby shower. I looked down at myself now realizing why they had me out the whole day getting so fancy. I felt better now that I had on the yellow Herve Leger dress with the matching flats. My hair was curled up and full of volume resting on my back and I had on light makeup.
"I don't know...I'm so...so..." I didn't even know what to say. I was speechless. I had no clue who most of these people were, but I was still grateful that they were willing to come out and celebrate something with me, though there was a chance I'd never see any of them ever again. Humanity could be really sweet sometimes. I couldn't help it when I burst into tears. "Thank you everybody."
"Aww!" Everyone cooed in unison.
Kianna started rubbing my back and Nicole came over to console me as well, as the girls guided me through the house. Every room had people in it and even more food. I wondered how much all of this costed them and who paid for it. There was even a guest room with a galore of presents.
The girls were just introducing me to different people as we went around making small talk. Eventually they broke away from me to go do their own thing. People kept complementing me on how good I looked. Asking me if I was a first time mom and if I was scared or excited. I even had other moms giving me advice already.
I was feeling a little hungry so I excused myself from this conversation I was having with this woman, who was giving me advice on how to punish a child without hitting them. Apparently she was a mother of two. I already loved my unborn child but I knew I was implementing whoopings. I didn't care what anybody had to say about it, I was not raising some spoiled brat who would walk all over me because I couldn't be a real mom and discipline them when it was needed. I was not religious but spare the rod, spoil the child was very true.
I bump into Kareem in the kitchen doorway, who's looking nervous and fidgety as hell. He had nowhere to go which is why he was still here. Police had long ago questioned him in some shooting he was involved in. He cleared his name and was let go, but Capri and Kianna was housing him I guess until they were able to find somewhere else for him to go. I felt bad that I would be going back to my own house soon. I think in a week or two, I would miss it here and Kareem as well. If Money found out I'd gotten attached to this kid he would lose his shit.
"Angel can I talk to you?" He looked so nervous, fidgeting with his fingers and looking all around. I'd never seen him like that, he usually always had his little chest out.
"Yeah, sure. What's wrong?"
"Angel, I need to talk to you."
I look over and see Tammy standing there. Of course she was more dressed up than me, making it look like this was her event. Her arms were folded but not in an arrogant way. The last time we left off it was on a bad note. It was the whole back and forth at the clinic. I assumed she wanted to apologize.
"Sure, but Kareem asked—"
"No it's alright, go ahead." He said.
"You sure?" I asked arching an eyebrow. He just nodded his head and watched as Tammy pulled me away.
Tammy and I stepped outside since it was the least clustered area, though there were still people out here too. We stood off to the side by some large flower pots, silence all around us. She doesn't know what to say and I was definitely not saying anything first. She was the out of line one that day, so she was going to be the one to find her voice here.
"I wanted to apologize for the other day. I didn't mean to hurt you, no matter what I thought about the situation, it wasn't my place and I shouldn't have said what I did and I'm sorry."
I nod my head up and down, I honestly didn't want to apologize to her for what I said, because what I said was in defense. She may have been right about some of the things she was saying, but it wasn't her place.
"Do you accept my apology?"
"Yes." I said, truthfully. My whole outlook on life was changing and life was too short to hold grudges. We go in for an awkward hug but it feels more natural once we wrap our arms around each other.
We go back in the house and Tammy runs over to her husband Michael when she sees him. I smile at how happy they look. I was too hungry to go and look for Kareem so I go toward the kitchen. If he happened to run into me again or vice versa, then I guess we'd talk then. There were so many food choices, a lot of them were from various ethnic backgrounds too.
I take out a small portion of green beans with some stew chicken and rice. There was still something about not wanting to pile my plate and seem greedy even though I was eating for two. I found a corner to sit in and eat. The food was really good and the music was nice. There were way more females than males here, but there were still some guys lingering around.
I noticed this woman who kept looking at me. She would smile every time we made eye contact so I would smile back. I was trying to figure out if she was part of one of the women's family or one of their husbands. Could of also been somebody's family friend or a plus one. I got the feeling she wanted to say something to me, but wasn't sure if she should.
I've never been to an event like this, with so much people. Everyone was having fun and I wondered if this is how Money felt at the barber shop and when he went out to parties occasionally. The feeling was so nice, I was having a lot of fun and wanted to do stuff like this often. I was definitely glad I made friends.
"Hello, I'm Lena."
I was startled when my head turned to the side and I saw the woman from earlier who kept looking at me. She was bent low so she was as close to my level as possible since I was sitting. She had her hand extended out. I grab a napkin and wipe my mouth before taking her hand.
I swallowed my food before I spoke, "Angel. Thank you for coming out, I really appreciate it."
"Oh, no problem honey."
The baby started kicking and I got excited and started smiling. I placed my hand on my stomach and looked at Lena excitedly. I immediately asked her if she wanted to feel it. I hope I wasn't coming off weird, she didn't even know me. "The baby is kicking, do you want to feel it?"
She did, but I couldn't tell if it was because she wanted too or didn't want to decline and seem rude. I realize she's uncomfortable with it so I smile and curse myself out for being so dumb. I was still working on my people skills. "Did you want to ask me something?"
"Actually yes, but I don't want you to take it the wrong way."
"No no, go ahead." I say bracing myself for what I hoped wasn't something too personal or rude.
