Page 47 of Maybe I’m the Problem

“For the number of people coming and the time of night you’re having the gathering, I’ll charge you $650, and that’s still cheap.”

I wrote the check for an even thousand and gave it to her.

“Pinkie, this is too much.”

“It’s fine. Go do something nice for yourself with the extra money.”

“You know, Law takes good care of me. I don’t need anything.”

“I’m sure he does. How is he?”

Ms. Mae grabbed my hand and looked at me with compassion in her eyes, “Pinkie, you know whatever he did with you was a mistake, right? He’s never going to leave Summer for you.”

“I never said I wanted him to.”

“I know. I know, but all I’m saying is please leave him alone. My granddaughter is on the way, and I don’t want any problems between those two.”

“What makes you think I’m the problem?”

She looked at me funny. “We both know you’re the problem.”

I removed my hand from hers and put my checkbook back in my purse. As sweet as she was, she couldn’t think that I was fucking up Law’s home. I never said anything to Summer; she always bothered me. Law wasn’t even giving me the time of day, and she was still doing dumb shit. Just like she slipped and liked one of my pictures last night and tried to take her like back.

“I’ll see you next week. If you need more money, just give me a call.”

32. LAW

I wasn’t expecting Pinkie to be at the restaurant when I pulled up. As soon as I noticed her car, I pulled to the back, sat my ass back, and waited for her to leave. It was sad that a grown ass man had to hide from a bitch in order not to fuck with her again. The guilt that consumed me every time she was around was eating at me every day. It was mostly because I enjoyed the shit and wouldn’t mind doing again but then there’s my girl, Summer. I was never leaving her. Never!

I was hiding from her ass like a damn tenant that hadn’t paid rent. Women always wondered why it was so hard for a man to stay faithful, but when you had bitches like Pinkie that was willing to take the dick and be quiet, you’d be a damn fool not to want to give it a shot. If a nigga told you he wouldn’t, check that nigga’s nuts because he may be a bitch.

Once she pulled off, I got out of my car and went inside. I was only here for a split, and that was to grab some money from the safe to deposit in the bank for my mama. In and out so I could get back to Summer. Her blood pressure spiked last night and wouldn’t go down. The longer it stayed up, the more the doctor was thinking about taking her into surgery to have the baby. When I left this morning, it had gone down but was still higher than it should’ve been.

“You came just in time, your lil’ side piece just left.”

“Mama don’t do that. Leave that in the past.” I punched the code to the safe and filled the bag.

The only time my mama was in her office was when she was doing payroll or on the phone. She stayed on her feet until the close of business and that’s why people didn’t mind working for my mama. She was hard but had a heart of gold.

“After I get done doing this catering job for her, I’m leaving her alone. She’s becoming obsessed with you. Do you know she asked me how you were doing?”

“That’s your friend mama.”

“Don’t make me slap you. I’ll forever ride for Summer even when you’re wrong. You better continue to stay on the right path. I’m praying for you.”

“I need it because I’m just not an ordinary nigga. Everybody wants me.”

I made it to the bank and back to the hospital to see LJ baby mama in the room with Summer. Summer really didn’t vibe with females too well, but they hit it off well. Summer could use a friend other than me. They both looked at me like I was disturbing them when I walked in.

“Did I fuck up y’all girl talk or something?”

“Yea, you kind of did. Can you give us some privacy?”

“I’ll be at LJ house.”

LJ had the weed and the alcohol waiting on me when I got there. Obviously, his baby mama was venting to Summer about him and that’s why I had to leave.

“We got to smoke outside. My baby in the room sleep.”