16

Bethany

Kendrick had us exhausted from shopping plus Nadia brought things also.

Once we got to my mothers house she had made dinner. The kids had ate already and James had already went to eat with one of his coworkers.

It left me and my mom at the dinner table.

My mother broke the silence. "So not that I'm complaining on meeting my granddaughter and future grandson, but why the abrupt need to stay? Is everything alright?"

"Janet and I aren't seeing eye to eye right now. You're the only person that I knew I could come to." I responded as I ate a piece of the meatloaf.

She studied me for a second. "We're going to church tomorrow, and before you decline the offer, you are coming."

"Uh no I'm not." I denied her.

Judy chuckled. "Why not?"

"Cause God doesn't know me." I answered simply. "If he did, why did I go through all the hell I went through?"

"Cause you don't just talk to God when everything is bad and not working in your favor. You talk to God when things are good and amazing also. And if you deny God all he will do is put you through trails and strip you until you realize that you need to bow to him."

"Okay I guess."

"You're coming to church. I'll wake you up in the morning."

Finally I nodded. "Fine. What can it hurt?"

"Nothing absolutely nothing. Now tomorrow when you wake up I want you to ask 'What can it help?'."

I dropped the eye contact we had. "I don't think I have a dress that's church appropriate."

"Come as you are. Plus as long as you aren't naked, no one will judge. My church isn't like that. Now go get some rest. I can tell you're wore out from them kids."

I chuckled. "You don't want me to help you? Cause I don't mind."

"Child, go to sleep." She answered in a humorous tone. "If I needed help, I would have asked."

Pushing the chair out, I got up and nodded. "Okay fine. Night."

"Night."

Before I walked completely out the room. "Hey..."

She looked up at me as she grabbed another plate. "Yeah?"

"Thanks. I really appreciate this mom."

I hadn't realized I called her mom out loud until she smiled. "No problem at all. Your my daughter, it's the least I can do. Now go get some sleep. Seriously."

Smiling back, I turned around and went to my room. I fished for my charger out of my bag and plugged my phone up before going check on the kids.

I opened the door and they were both sleep with Nadia on one side and Kendrick on the other. Disney channel played on the television and I turned the tv off then closed the door behind me.

Walking back into my room I got under the covers and grabbed my phone.

I saw I had a message from Janet.

JJ 💞I know we aren't talking right now because you want space, but I still wanted to say Goodnight and I'm sorry. Talk to you soon.

I sighed before texting back goodnight and sitting my phone back on the nightstand.

For a while I stared up at the ceiling.

What the hell was I doing with my life?

My mind tossed for a while before I made a decision and grabbed my phone to send a text message.

To: JonnieBoi 📸I'm back for good this time. All the work you put on hold for me, tell them that I'm available whenever. Let me know, let's get back on this grind. Hit me back soon!

After sending the text I finally closed my eyes and let sleep take over me. Only because I was content. My life was going to get back on track.

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Since I wasn't able to sleep much, I hopped in the shower early in the morning.

When I came from out of the bathroom, I looked at my phone and I had a message from Jonnie.

JonnieBoi 📸Ahhh! I screamed when I saw that message bih! Meet me at the studio at 2! We back in action now!

"Wake up Bethany. It's church time!" My mothers voice interrupted the silence I had in the room.

I looked up at the door as she opened it. "I'm up."

"You're a morning person?"

Nodding my head I got out of the bed. "Yeah I am."

She smiled at me. "Same. Well you have a hour to be ready. So no need to rush."

My mother left the room and I sighed. She had no idea that one hour was not enough time in my world.

I through on the only dress I had packed and went into the restroom. My hair was down from the shower I had taken this morning so I left it be.

After getting ready quickly, I put my heels on.

There was two knocks at the door and I spoke. "Come in."

The door opened and Kendrick and Nadia stood there.

Kendrick had on some slacks and a button down and Nadia had on a white dress with her black flats.

"Aw look at y'all!" I gushed out.

Kendrick frowned. "I'm not used to my clothes being all buttoned and stuff, but the fit is nice."

Nadia shook her head at him. "He knows he likes it. Anyways momma look at me. Princess Nadia snatching daddies!"

"No ma'am!" I shook my head and shot her a look. "I don't know where you got that from but leave it where it's at. Cause you don't want anyone's daddy."

Nadia shrugged. "KD, tell her to stop breaking my shine."

Kendrick shook her head. "Nah. That sounded real funny for me to be agreeing with. Let that one go Nadi."

"Y'all have nicknames for each other?" I asked as I gushed again. "This is so cute!"

Kendrick laughed at me. "She's like the little sister I never got the chance to have, but Grandma Hanna said come downstairs and get breakfast."

I nodded again. "Alright. Come on then."

I got up from the bed and we went down the steps.

After eating and laughing through breakfast we all were on our way to church.

Once we got there Kendrick asked a question. "My daddy said these people aggressive, and that they try to push Jesus on you. That true Bethany?"

We got out the car and I finally answered. "Honestly it depends on the church Kendrick. We will see."

He nodded and Nadia came on side of us as we walked towards the church. My mother and James had found another parking space so we were going to meet them at the front.

People were all outside and most smiled and said good-morning to us.

"KD why they so friendly?" Nadia asked Kendrick.

Kendrick shrugged. "Cause they love Jesus, Nadi. People who love Jesus are nice."

I smiled at them interacting as we entered the church itself.

The choir was singing and Nadia spoke. "KD you can sing better than them."

"Ssh Nadi, can't hurt the church folks feelings." We sat down by my mother and James and got settled as the pastor prepared to preach.

<> <> <> <> <>

As we exited church, James stood talking to a woman. He motioned us over.

When we approached him he smiled. "I've been waiting on y'all. This is my coworker Tika, this is my step daughter Bethany. Her daughter Nadia and their friend Kendrick. Guys meet Tika."

Me and the chick had a stare off because I think she knew of me just like I knew of her.

Finally she smiled at the kids but her eyes were fixated on Kendrick for a few. "Well, how wonderful to meet y'all."

"James do you mind taking the kids home with you and momma? I actually have something I need to do before I come back to the house."

James nodded at me. "Of course. Come on kids, I have to go to the grocery store and y'all can come if y'all want to."

"We can get something?" Dia asked James.

James smiled at her. "Of course. Whatever y'all want. Bye Tika."

She waved him off. "Bye James."

When they were out of sight I asked a question. "So it seems that we know of each other?"

The woman chuckled at me. "Of course I know who you are Bethany. You killed your husband, self defense of course, but I think the whole town knows who you are."

I didn't smile back at her light hearted humor.

Tika raised her hands up in surrender. "Okay fine. I know who you are Bethany. You are dating my ex wife."

"You mean your current wife?" I corrected for her.

Tika shook her head. "No my ex wife. She called me yesterday and demanded I come to her house. She told me to sign the divorce papers because she was falling in love with some Bethany woman. Nice to put a name to a face. How do you know James?"

Janet had got her to sign the papers?

Yep, that's my baby. Getting things done when she needs to get things done.

"Uh he's my step father. He's married to my mother." I answered shortly. "How long have you known James?"

"About 3 or 4 years. We actually work in the same office. What's your moms name again? James told me she was a judge and he always says her name but I can't remember it."

"Judy Hill." I responded kind of wondering why she was asking all these questions.

She noticed my stance as she quickly retracted. "I was just wondering that's all. I told Janet that I would help with the adoption process."

Tika was way to friendly for my likings, but I could tell that she was putting on some sort of a front.

Just couldn't tell what would make this facade of hers diminish.

"Kendrick's a good kid." I complimented the young boy.

"Well, that's one thing they never said about his mother." She joked but I didn't feel like we knew each other that well to be in each other's faces joking.

"Okay. I guess."

Tika's smile finally fell. "Bethany... we aren't going to have a problem here are we?"

Her tone was totally different than the first one I was introduced to.

I chuckled. "Well honestly sweetheart, it's totally up to you. I'm not ya friend and quite frankly you aren't fooling me with this whole happy and holy act. So drop it please."

She smirked at me. "Ah Damita always liked them feisty. Don't worry sweat heart, if I wanted to, I would have been handled up on you."

Walked me? Ouuu I didn't like this tramp.

Tika had called JJ by her middle name and it irritated the entire fuck out of me.

"Handle me? Oh I would love to see that happen." I challenged her motion.

She chuckled. "Keep it up and you might."

My hood mentality payed a visit into my next sentence. "Honey, before you ever handle me, I'll straight up walk you."

A church lady walked passed and smiled at Tika and she smiled back. "Morning Mrs.Josephine."

The heffa was phony and I couldn't stand it.

She finally spoke to me once the lady got a good distance away. "Walk me? And risk your girlfriend leaving you? I mean I'm sure she hasn't seen this temper of yours yet. Bet she'd love to find out."

My fists clenched, I wanted to walk this bitch. I remembered where I was and calmed myself down because I couldn't act up on Christian grounds.

"You know what, for the sake of Jesus himself, imma walk away. So this conversation is over." I dismissed myself as I turned around and tried to walk away.

"Treat her well." She spoke where she knew I could hear her. "Lord knows the ones before you didn't."

My footsteps stopped immediately as I whipped around.

For some reason I wanted to know what she meant by that. "What did you just say?"

"The ones before you, do better than we did. Lord knows Janet deserves the best. Most people just couldn't supply it for her, unfortunately she's settled for you."

My facial expression worsened. "I'm not about to do this with you right now."

"She's a good person. You mean the world to her, I can see it in her eyes. Don't know why she is interested in you, but hey sometimes muts attract beauty."

My alarm went off and I realized I told Jonnie I would meet him.

"Okay lil mama, I'm on church grounds so I can't handle up on you like I want to, but when I catch you outside of here, it's gonna be no words." I walked towards my car before she could think of a response.

She didn't rub me right. It was something about that woman that I just couldn't put my finger on.

Plus she was JJ's ex.... I had no reason to be buddy buddy with the woman. At least not as far as I knew.

—

So I've decided to double update for a while. It's just a better method for me. It keeps me writing and thinking and it's better than writing one chapter and getting stuck. So, from here on, this book is on Double Update Mode. 🤷🏾‍♀️🧡