Running Out

Intro

Nina
"We're here." The taxi driver told me pulling up to an old building.

I rubbed my eyes, tapping the shoulder next to me "Layla wake up."I said softly to my 3 year old daughter, she reached her arms out for me to carry her as if she didn't know how to walk.

I rolled my eyes lifting her up and standing her on the sidewalk before fixing up her coat and adjusting her scarf due to the very cold November weather. She wasn't used to such cold weather because she was a California baby.

"Mommy, where are we?" Layla asked, grabbing her small backpack as both me and the taxi man retrieved our suitcases from the car.

"New York baby." She nodded her head and took in her new environment.

I looked at our 6 Large suitcases wondering how in the hell I would get all of it in by myself.

I definitely did not think this all the way through.

Ten minutes later I had successfully gotten two out of six suitcases up the set of stairs.

Grabbing the third one I took One step up the stairs and slipped on ice causing me to fall on my ass.

I heard Layla giggle as she covered her face. Before I could scold her for laughing at me a really nice black Escalade pulled up to the front of the building and the person in it rolled their window down, revealing a Dark skin man.

"Do yall ladies need some help?"I side eyed him, not sure of his true intentions and politely declined.

However, he did not take no for an answer and grabbed our bags without warning, carrying them up the stairs so effortlessly and into the building before coming out for the rest. I grabbed layla's hand and followed him into the building immediately feeling comforted by the warm air.

The man who had helped us rang the bell on the counter waking the sleeping man behind it.

"Marve, wake yo ass up!" He yelled, causing the man to shoot up from his position.

Both me and Layla giggled and looked at each other "these girls out there struggling to get their stuff in here and your old ass in here sleeping." He chuckled.

"Oh, man, I'm sorry. I'm guessing your Ms. Carter" I nodded my head holding my child's hand tightly. "Okay, give me a minute while I run to the back and get your keys." I smiled, giving him a thank you before he disappeared into a room in the back."Hey little mama. What's your name?" I seen the man who helped us now squatted down in front of Layla.

She smiled shyly and looked up at me for confirmation, I gave her a nod and she replied."I'm Layla, but my mommy calls me pookie." "Well, nice to meet you pookie, I'm Hakeem." He shook her hand and stood back up.

"Thank you so much." I said, shaking his hand."No problem, I live right down the block, we like a family in this neighborhood.So I had to help."

He gave me a big smile. "Well, thank you again Hakeem, I'm Nina." Before he could say anything else the older man named Marve came up to us with a set of keys.

He grabbed my bags and put them on a cart as Hakeem wrote something on a paper and handed it to me.

"This is my number, if you need anything or have any questions, don't hesitate to call."I smiled and took it.

He walked out of the building and both me and Layla proceeded to follow Marve to the elevator and up to our new apartment.

I waited for Marve to open the door as I looked down at a pouting Layla.

"What's wrong mami?" Marve finally got the door opened and was now putting our bags in the living room.

"I'm seepy."She yawned missing the L as usual.

"I'll put you down for a nap once we get settled in." I kissed her forehead and continued into our new home.

I looked around the unpleasant apartment it was definitely a downgrade compared to what I was used to. But it was a low price and this was Brooklyn, not the finest area of New York. The apartment was not finished at all.

There were 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, with a nice sized living room, and small kitchen. It was very small but it was what we needed. Both bedrooms had beautiful views of the not so pretty city .

It was 3 in the afternoon and the movers wouldn't be here until 8.I was smart enough to pre order all furniture and decorations ahead of time So we could feel at home as soon as possible.

I pilled the two large quilts I had packed and laid them on the floor before laying down with Layla.

I grew up very wealthy, My dad owned part of the LA Lakers as well as a chain of restaurants and clubs in California. My mother was a very known celebrity Wedding dress designer.

So to say we were packing would be an understatement. I had an older brother Cassius and younger sister named Imani. They were also my only friends.

My mother was a very religious woman so every small mistake or wrong doing was a sin to her and she would beat the shit out of us. She didn't abuse us but we constantly got whooped for doing things she didn't think was right.

I would be the one to have a baby at 15.

Since Layla was born, she despised her and called her the devils spawn. She treated her as if she wasn't a part of the family.

My dad was the complete opposite, of course he was disappointed with my recklessness, but he immediately forgave me and loved Layla as if she was his daughter as well.

I had turned 18 last week and as a gift for my birthday, my mom gave me my 1 week notice to get the fuck out of her house.

My dad completely disagreed and offered to buy me a house close by and continue to pay for our living expenses. However, I refused his offer of paying for everything but school.

I wanted to be independent and moved to New York with my 30,000 dollars I had saved up that was now down to 15,000 due to living expenses. I had a plan to go to school, get a job, and keep my baby clothed and fed.

Now I'm here, a single mom running out of money and time.