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"Sinai slow down, you know I can't chase you," I huffed pushing Saint's stroller in front of me. Maniya walked beside me, typing on her phone.

"Are you gonna spend time with your family today or just be all up in that phone?" I asked, side eyeing her. Amir left to see his mom so I decided to go sightseeing in Atlanta. Of course Mateo was following behind us, he kept his distance from me because he knew how I felt about him.

I've expressed how uncomfortable I feel around him with Amir but his excuse was that Mateo was good at his job and that I'm overreacting.

"I'm sorry it's Tai," Maniya giggled still with her eyes glued to the screen,

"This doesn't seem like a friendship to me," I said softly,

"We're just friends mom. I've told him I don't want a relationship," She replied putting her phone in her purse.

"It's not about not wanting a relationship, you aren't allowed to be in a relationship." I said sternly. I've been reading parenting books and I read that you have to be firm to get your point across - especially with teens.

"That's not fair," She said stopping in the middle of the sidewalk,

"Sinai stop there," I said calling out to Sinai who was skipping in front. She huffed and stopped coming back over to me,

"It is very fair. Me and your dad spoke about it and I don't think that's something you need right now," I said looking at Maniya, this was also something I read about.

"You guys can't do that," She groaned, "I'm 16 mama, about to be 17. You had Sinai at 17,"

"That's the last time you're gonna bring that up," I said pointing at her, "You can catch an attitude all you want but we've made up our minds,"

"That's so stupid. Where were y'all when I was being raped huh? It's too late to care about what I do with men, y'all weren't there." Maniya snapped. I really wish Amir was here because the parenting books didn't say anything about what to say next.

"Maniya that's not fair," I sighed,

"How? You were having sex at my age, at least I'm wise enough not to get pregnant and keep it," She snapped walking off.

I closed my eyes and practiced my breathing exercises, "She's angry Naala, she doesn't know what she's saying," I said to myself.

Mateo looked between us, "Should I go after her?" He asked fixing his suit. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes,

"Yes please," I said lowly feeling a headache coming along, "We'll be in here," I said pointing to the ice cream shop,

"Yay," Sinai squealed taking my hand. I looked down and smiled at her,

"You're not gonna be mean to mommy when you're grown right?" I said pushing Saint's stroller into the shop with one hand,

"No mommy, you're my best friend," She said leaning into me,

"You're my best friend too Bug," I pouted leaning down and kissing her head, "I love you," I whispered into her hair,

"Yeah me too mommy now ice cream," She said getting out of my hold and running up to the screen where all the ice cream was,

"Wow she played me," I mumbled to myself. I walked up behind her,

"What flavour do you want?" I asked pulling my wallet out of my purse,

"The blue bubblegum please mama," She said staring at all the ice cream in awe,

"Okay bug," I made eye contact with the cashier and she came over,

"What can I get you guys today?" She smiled widely, you could tell she loved her job.

"Hi, can I have two scoops of the blue bubblegum ice cream and a tiny scoop of plain vanilla," I asked her,

"Okay good choices," She cheesed. "Cash or credit?"

"Cash," I said handing her a $20 bill. She took it and I felt her eyes lingering on me for a while,

"Can I just say you're beautiful," She said with her bottom lip tucked,

My cheeks heated up and I looked away, does she want to scissor because that ain't it.

"Thank you," I said trying not to make eye contact. She walked off to go and get our ice cream.

I looked over at Sinai who was talking to another little girl who was standing by the ice cream. I watched them closely to make sure she was okay,

"Daaaaa," Saint squealed making me look down at him. No this boy didn't,

"What did you say Papa?" I asked pulling back the sun shield,

"Daaaaaa," He repeated kicking his leg. Now isn't this some shit, I carried this boy for 6 months, breast fed him for 7 and this is what he does? Says Dad first?

"No Saint it's mama, maaaa," I said making him look at me weirdly,

"Dumb baby," I grumbled pulling out my phone, "Let's see what your dad is doing,"

Before I could call him, the girl came back over with our ice cream, "Enjoy," She said with a smile, her hand grazing mine as she handed me the ice cream.

I took the ice cream quickly and turned away, balancing them both in my hand so I could push Saint.

"Oh let me help you," The girl said from behind the counter. She practically ran over and took the ice cream from me,

"Where do you wanna sit?" She asked me,

"Here's just fine," I said to her, "Sinai come here please," I said calling her over,

She came over and sat down, "I met a friend mommy,"

"I saw," I said softly, "What's her name?"

"I don't remember," Sinai said before putting her spoon into my mouth. I chuckled shaking my head, nothing matters to this girl when ice creams involved.

My mind drifted off to Maniya and I pulled her number up so I could call her. I was giving her space just like the books said but I don't play with that disrespectful shit, ain't no book gonna tell me about that.

The phone went straight to voicemail and I twisted my lips to the side,

"Niya, I know you're mad but we aren't at home. You can't just wander off, call me back or I'm telling your daddy. In fact I'm gonna tell him because you're gonna learn today. " I said into the phone before I hung up.

I put my phone down and took Saint out of his stroller, sitting him in my lap. I took the small vanilla scoop and gave him some, watching him kick his legs in excitement from the sweet taste.

"Now say mama," I said wiping his mouth, I tickled his stomach to make him say it but he just looked blankly at me,

"I don't think he's gonna say it mommy," Sinai laughed with a smile,

"Oh he's gonna say it," I mumbled to myself. "Come on papa bear say mamaaaa," I dragged with a smile,

"Daaaaa," He squealed making suck my teeth,

"Mommy your phone is ringing," Sinai pointed at my phone buzzing on the table,

"What's happening baby?" Amir's voice rang through the phone,

"Hi bae, how's it going with your mom?" I asked giving Saint a bit of his ice cream,

"Man, I'm ready to leave," He said quietly, "What are y'all doing?"

"We're in an ice cream shop, Maniya left with an attitude." I snitched straight away,

"What do you mean she left?" Amir asked raising his voice,

"She got angry at me and she left. I couldn't follow her because I've got the kids with me. I sent Mateo to go look for her but they still aren't back," I said sighing. "Amir she said really hurtful things to me,"

"Aight, I'm gonna call her." He replied, "But listen, Naala I don't want you getting upset over this,"

I sighed and put my head in my hands, "I'm doing everything this book has been telling me but I feel like it's taking us ten steps back baby. I don't need this right now, like I really don't."

"This is what I mean Naala. You getting upset?" He said softly. You know when you hear that one person's voice that just makes you want to break down - that's how I felt about Amir.

"Mmm, I'm sorry" I mumbled, my eyes burning slightly. I was tired of crying, it was all I ever did.

"Mannnn," Amir dragged out, "Don't apologise, where y'all at now? Send me your location and stop crying baby," He said after hearing me sniff,

"It's okay mommy," Sinai said putting her hand over mine,

"I'll send it now," I said wiping my eyes, I took the phone away from my ear and started sharing my location with him.

"I'm on my way Love, I'ma be with you soon - calm down," I said into the phone.

"I don't want you to leave your mom Mir, I'll be fine," She responded. One thing I always knew about Naala is that when she was upset about something, she would hide it until she couldn't.

We've been doing so well, I didn't want her to fall back into that stage, I'm on Maniya's ass when I see her.

"Give me 20 minutes," I said to her,

"Okay, I love you," She sniffed into the phone,

"I love you too mama now stop crying." I said before hanging up the phone.

I stood up off my mama's couch and walked into the kitchen,

"So are you gonna give me the money?" She asked with her hand on her hip,

"Money for what? I only came to check on you that's it," I said looking at her,

"I don't have to tell you what it's for," She replied leaning on the counter, there was something different about her. She'd lost weight and was pale as hell - Tonya must have got her hooked on that shit.

"Mama you on drugs now?" I said in disbelief,

"Mind your business. Give me my money " She mugged me,

"What about my house that you sold?" I replied, "That house was in my fucking name so I don't know how they let you sell it,"

"Boy gone," She waved me off, "You gon hold money over your mama's head when you got that gold digging bitch in your bed,"

I scrunched my face up, "Mama what's your problem with Naala? She hasn't done shit to you,"

"I think she's using you for money. Can't you see the pattern? Every man she's with has money," My mama said looking stupid as hell, "I'm only looking out for you son, these bitches don't love you,"

"You got one more time to call my wife out her name mama. I've been respecting you but you're making it so hard,"

"Over my dead body will you marry that girl," She said with a face of disgust,

"Better start digging your grave then," I laughed pulling up my jeans, "I'm out, send me my money mama I'm not playing,"

"I hate you!" She screamed behind me, "Just like your deadbeat father, good for nothing niggas. I hope you die," She said following behind me,

"Yo what the fuck is wrong with you?" I asked turning around. How can my own mama wish me dead?

"Get out Amir!" She screamed, "I thought I had a son but no I have a bitch,"

I clenched my jaw and turned around, "You're so lucky right now," I mumbled. Everything in me wanted to slam her head against the wall but that was my mama.

"Yeah walk out just like him. Left me raising two children with nothing and look how y'all repay me. Your sister is a whore who sleeps with men for money and you're a pussy ass nigga," She said from behind me,

"Alright mama, Ion got time for this," I said opening the front door.

"Bastard," She cursed under her breath slamming the door behind me. I shook my head and got into the sprinter that was waiting outside for me,

"Take me here," I said showing him my phone. The man nodded and pulled off in the direction of the ice cream place.

I started to think about my mom, that didn't even seem like it was her. She would never wish death on me, that hurt me the most. But I couldn't help someone that didn't want to be helped, and I definitely wasn't going to fund her drug habit.

I stared out the window, thousands of thoughts running through my head. Maniya being one of them, I don't know why she picked a vacation to act like this but because of that, we're gonna be on the next flight out of here.

As the driver was speeding down the streets, I caught a glimpse of a young girl standing on a corner, and she looked exactly like Maniya's dumb ass. If she was here then where the hell was Mateo?

"Rick, pull over quickly," I said tapping the driver on his shoulder. He nodded and pulled into the side street letting me jump out,

"I know you ain't that stupid," I said loudly making Maniya jump.

"How did you find me?" She asked rolling her eyes,

"I hope them shits get stuck, get your ass in the car now," I said grabbing her arm,

"Ow, get off me," She said pulling out of my grip, "I'm not coming with you,"

"What do you mean you ain't coming with me?" I asked her, "Maniya you already in so much trouble so I suggest you get your ass in this fucking car before I lose it," I gritted out,

"Mama snitched already huh?" She said shaking her head, "Of course she told her precious Amir,"

I sucked my teeth and took her arm again, "Are you crazy?" I said to her, "Get in," I said shoving her into the car.

"Stop pushing me around," She tutted sitting across from me.

"Rick carry on to the location man, thanks," I said sitting back into my seat,

"I don't want to go anywhere with you," Maniya said crossing her arms.

"Ion give a fuck!" I shouted, "What's up with you? You never acted like this before,"

"Nothings wrong," She shrugged. "Y'all are so dramatic,"

"So you didn't storm off from your mom?" I said to her,

"I did because she wasn't saying anything I wanted to hear. I don't have to listen to her if I don't want to,"

I chuckled throwing my head back, "You're ungrateful you know that?"

"Your mama breaks her back to take care of y'all, especially you! She cooks, she cleans, she drops you to school even though there's a straight bus that would get you there quicker. She stays up to make sure you're safe, worries herself to death to make sure you feel apart of a family,"

"I didn't ask her to do all that," Maniya mumbled,

"That's the point! She does it because she loves you Maniya, can't you see that? That girl has been through hell and back but she still pulls herself together for y'all. I can't believe that you can sit up here and not acknowledge that." I said fed up,

"I do acknowledge what she does for me," Maniya answered looking at me,

"How?" I asked her, "By being rude to her? Or giving her a hard time?" I said to her,

"Okay I'm sorry," She mumbled,

"I don't care for your sorry. You can explain to your crying mom why you're sorry." I replied turning to the window.

"I didn't mean the things I said to her. I was angry dad, I promise," Maniya spoke up,

"She didn't tell me what you said and I don't wanna know to be honest," I said to her, "All I know is that it fucked with her, so you in trouble now,"

"I'm grounded?" She asked looking up at me,

"Grounded?" I laughed. "You on punishment. No phone, no laptop. I'm taking that TV and that little camera. You go to school and back, you make your own meals and you get a job. If you can't respect us then you have to start working for your own shit,"

"I can work with that," She sighed,

"Ion care if you couldn't. You're gonna learn Maniya, nothing in this life is free, and if you gonna be ungrateful then you'll learn the hard way," I finished. She sighed looking away from me but not saying a word.

We rode in silence till I saw the ice cream place, "Stay here." I said to her getting out of the car.

I walked in the shop and Sinai spotted me immediately. "Daddy," She smiled, her lips were stained blue - I'm guessing from her ice cream.

"What's up Stink?" I said lifting her up. She hugged my neck and then whispered in my ear,

"Mommy's upset because Niya shouted at her and Saint keeps saying da,"

I smirked at the thought of Saint saying my name. "For real?"

"Mm hm," Sinai nodded. I got over to the table and leaned down kissing Naala's lips,

"She's in the car," I said standing up straight,

"Oh thank God," Naala sighed holding her chest, "Was she okay? Did she get hurt?" She bombarded me with questions,

"Nah she was cool," I said helping her up. I looked at Saint and smiled touching his cheeks,

"So you like me huh?" I asked him.

"Daaaa," He squealed wiggling in his stroller. Naala mugged him,

"Such a sell out," She pouted pushing the stroller.

"Don't be jealous," I laughed opening the door for them to walk out,

"Wait," A girl came running out, "I wanted to say bye and you're still as beautiful as you was when you came in," She said looking at Naala making Naala look down and smile,

Let me find out my girl wants to bump coochies with this girl, tuh.

"Thank you," Naala said leaving out the door,

"You got a crush on her or something?" I asked Naala as we walked down the sidewalk. I was still carrying Sinai who laid her head on my shoulder. She was too quiet so I knew she was asleep.

"She has a crush on me," Naala gushed, "I've never been interested in girls," She added looking deep in thought,

"Yeah you never will be," I said side eyeing her making her giggle,

"Don't worry, I've only got eyes for my Mir bear," She said to me,

"Ion like that name," I said shaking my head.

"Do you prefer my pumpkin?" She said turning around,

"Nah that's ugly," I replied, "Think of something else,"

I opened the door and sat Sinai in a seat. Naala got in with Saint and I folded the stroller up putting it in the trunk.

"Thanks Rick," I mumbled when I got in.

"Mama I'm —"

"I really don't want to talk to you right now. You hurt my feelings Maniya, you really did so please respect that I don't want to hear from you at the moment." Naala spoke lowly.

"I'm sorry," Maniya said with a pained expression,

Naala hummed and looked out of the window, ignoring her.

"The jet is ready when you are baby," I said putting my hand on her thigh,

"I want to go home now," She replied still staring out of the window. I nodded and wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

I think Maniya's broke my baby again.

5 days later... [Still Amir's point of View]

Baby!" I shouted down the hallway looking for Naala. I looked into our room and Saint's and she wasn't in there.

I jogged down the stairs and into the kitchen. Naala was at the counter wearing one of my hoodies and a pair of cotton shorts. Her hair was up and she had on her glasses whilst scrolling on her laptop.

"You didn't hear me calling you?" I asked making her jump,

"No Mir, I didn't. Did you need something?" She asked looking up at me,

"Just wanted to see your face," I shrugged taking a seat beside her and looking at her laptop. "What you doing?"

"Trying to find a venue," She sighed turning her laptop to face me, "Do you like this?"

I looked at the screen, "It's nice. If you like it then I love it."

"Stop doing that," Naala groaned putting her head down,

"What am I doing?" I chucked getting up and walking to the counter. I saw a fresh tray of cookies so I grabbed one and bit into it, "You just made these?" I asked, looking at it.

"Mmm, Nai has a bake sale tomorrow - that was my practice tray," Naala said softly,

"You sound stressed," I said finishing the cookie,

"I am stressed Amir. All the good wedding planners are booked so I'm trying to do it on my own and everytime I ask you're opinion you say 'if you like it then I love it'" She replied mocking me,

"But that's the truth," I shrugged.

"Oh my God," She mumbled. I wiped my hands off and walked over to her pulling her into a hug,