Carl Weber - Baby Momma Drama

The second I hit the door I headed for the bathroom, and my daughter, Maleka, was right on my heels. “Mommy! Mommy! Guess what Auntie Jazz brought me?”

“What?” I whined, closing the bathroom door then quickly pulling down my panties so I could relieve myself. Maleka slid into the bathroom as the door shut.

“Skiing Barbie and her snow lodge!” She shoved a Barbie in my face.

“Damn,” I mumbled as I relieved my bladder. I’d just put the same Barbie and ski house on layaway at Wal-Mart this morning. It was the only thing that Maleka had asked Santa to bring her for Christmas, other than a swing set, and where the hell was I gonna put a swing set living in the projects? Now, what was I gonna get her for Christmas? I pulled my maternity pants back over my huge belly and waddled into the living room, where Travis was sitting in front of the TV

“What’s up, baby? I got a surprise for you.” He patted the cushion next to him.

I ignored his smile. I didn’t give a shit about his surprise. “You know what Jasmine did? She went and bought Maleka the Barbie stuff I was gonna get her for Christmas”

“So get her something else,” Travis said nonchalantly. He knew how I felt about my sister but he just couldn’t understand why. If I didn’t know better I’d think they were fuckin’, ’cause the two of them acted way too chummy whenever they were together.

“What do you mean get her something else? The only other thing she asked for was a swing set. Where do you suggest we put a swing?” Travis just shrugged his shoulders, never taking his eyes off the TV. I waved my hand at him in disgust. “Where the hell is my sister, anyway? I saw her car parked out front.” Travis pointed to the ceiling.

“She’s upstairs in your room.”

“What the fuck is she doing in my room?” My eyes got wide.

“Well, when she came over to drop off Maleka’s toy she asked if I knew where her diamond earrings were. Something about she was going to a club in Petersburg. So I told her they were in your jewelry box upstairs.”

“You told her what?” I became one big attitude. “What’d you do that for?” I headed for the stairs without waiting for his excuse.

“They were her earrings and she wanted them back. What’s the big deal? She loaned them to you for the NCO ball at the base last month.” I could hear him talking but I didn’t pay him any mind as I walked up the stairs. I loved Travis, but for a sergeant in the army he could be so stupid sometimes. When I reached the second floor I took a deep breath before I peeked into my bedroom. My worst nightmare had come true. There was my sister, with about fifteen outfits laid across my bed. Damn, why’d he let her upstairs?

“Umm, what are you doing?” I placed my hand on my hip.

“I was just about to come downstairs and ask you the same thing.” She grabbed a pile of clothes that I had borrowed and never returned. “I thought you said you couldn’t find these.”

“I couldn’t. Where’d you find them?” I tried to look surprised, but she wasn’t buying it.

“In your closet” I didn’t say anything. I just stared blankly at her as she picked up three more outfits. “And how the hell did you get these out my house? I never even wore them.”

“I did. They looked cute on me.” I smiled and Jasmine grabbed the rest of the outfits off the bed.

“You know what, Steph? If you wasn’t pregnant I’d whup your ass.” She pointed a finger in my face and I laughed.

“You mean you’d try. You might be a few inches taller than me, Jasmine, but you can’t beat me. You never could.” I took a step closer and she took a step back. Jasmine was a real wimp. She was scared of my big, pregnant self. “What the hell are you doing going through my closet, anyway?”

“I came over here to get my earrings ’cause me and Becky are going to a club in Petersburg tonight. Not only did I find my earrings but I also found my two gold chains, an ankle bracelet, and another pair of earrings that belong to me. So I decided to see what else you had of mine.”

“Well, you got your shit. Now get out my apartment.” I turned the attitude up high now, especially since I had a lot more of her stuff in my dresser and wanted her outta my room as quickly as possible.

“You don’t have to have an attitude, Steph. I know you were just borrowing this stuff. I just wish you’d return them, or at least tell me you got ’em. I mean, it’s just stuff. If you really need it, you can have it. You are my sister, you know.” Would you believe she said that shit with sincerity? She just didn’t get it. She never got it. I couldn’t stand her ass.

“Just get your shit and get out.” She tried to reason with me but I kept on my bitch face and led her out my room. I followed her down the stairs then straight to the front door, where my daughter ran up to her, hugging her leg.

“Thanks, Aunt Jasmine. You’re the best auntie ever.”

“You’re welcome, baby.” Jasmine tried to bend down and kiss her but I grabbed Maleka by her dress and pulled her toward me.

“Maleka, get in your room,” I told her.

Jasmine looked at me and tried to smile but I could see she was finally starting to get pissed off, and I was glad. She thought she was all that ’cause that drug dealer of hers left her a little money. Fuck that bitch. At least my man was home to keep me warm at night.

“And why the hell did you buy Maleka that damn Barbie less than a month before Christmas?”

“Look, I was in Toys ‘ ’ Us buying a gift for Derrick’s son. Big Momma said Maleka was asking for it. Don’t you remember that’s what Aunt Lynn used to do when we were kids? She’d just surprise us with new toys whenever she came by. Remember how much we loved her for that? That’s the type of auntie I’m trying to be.”

“Ohhh, so you trying to buy my daughter’s love?”

“No, but I know things are tight with you going to school and all. I mean, come on. You been living in the projects for four years. Maleka’s only got two Barbies. I’m just trying to help out.”

“Well, we don’t need your help. And you don’t have to worry about me living in the projects no more, ’cause as soon as we’re married Travis is gonna move us on base. Then he’s going to buy us a house.”

“Well, then you’re a lucky woman, Steph. And Travis is a good man. Just don’t blow it, okay?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I love my man. Now don’t be coming by here when I’m not home. You ain’t got no reason to be around him when I’m not here.”

“Oh, please. You have got to be kidding me. You been with Travis three years and you don’t trust him?” She shook her head and gave me a pitiful look.

“I didn’t say I don’t trust him. It’s you I don’t trust. Him, I trust completely.” I smirked at her. A look of shock crossed her face.

“You know what, Steph? I hope Maleka doesn’t grow up to be like you, ’cause you can really be some kinda bitch.” Finally the girl had a reaction other than that nicey-nice shit.

“Is that so? Well, let’s pray she doesn’t grow up to be like you and fall in love with a drug dealer who pretends to be a lawyer.” I started to laugh as she fumed. I’d really struck a nerve. I was gonna have to remember to use that one again. I watched her get into her Lexus, then looked over at my beat-up ’92 Honda Civic. God, I hated her.

When I walked back in the living room Travis got up and kissed me. I liked the way he kissed. His kisses had a way of making everything better, and I loved him for that. The funny thing is, when we first met, I was just using him because I didn’t have a car and he seemed like he had a little cash. Don’t get me wrong. I thought he was cute, and the sex was good, but I was into bad boys. Hell, probably the only thing my sister and I have in common is our love for thugs. If it wasn’t for Big Momma, Travis woulda been history a long time ago. Thank God she talked me into staying with him, ’cause I really love the guy now. Although I have to admit I still wish Tupac was my baby’s daddy.