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  “I went to my gynecologist and I tested positive for Chlamydia. I know Foster gave it to me and we both know Bernadette gave it to Foster. I know Burnie was your girl, so I just wanted to let you know, so that you can get tested. My HIV test results are negative but I’m going back in three months to be retested just to be positively sure.”

  Damn. More bad news huh?

  “Thanks for the heads up woe. I’m sorry ya dude putting you through this shit but I’m cool. I’ve always strapped up with Bernadette. The only woman I’ve ever hit raw is standing next to you. Look, I gotta go. Natalie, call me baby.”

  Chauncey hugged us and left. About fifteen minutes later, I’m treated for my minor injuries. We left after we updated Burnie’s emergency contact list. While Chauncey was here, he gave the nurse, Bernadette’s father contact information. He lives in New Orleans. Her mother died, giving birth to her. I feel terrible. I didn’t like Bernadette but I damn sure didn’t want to hurt anybody.

  ***

  Megan and I decide to grab some Mc. Donald’s for lunch. I’m grateful that Nana is keeping Courtney while all this chaos is going on.

  “I have to run into Walgreens real quick and pick up my prescription. Can you stop right here please? I’ve also been craving some chips.” Megan is starting to get cravings and I can’t believe she is having a baby. I’m happy for her but I feel so bad that she’s under all this stress.

  I pull into a Walgreens, park and we exit out the car. While walking inside Walgreens, we spot Foster. At first I have to do a double take because he looks so ill. You can tell the drugs are taking a toll on him. I try to avoid Megan seeing her husband but it’s too late.

  “Oh my gosh Natalie, look its Foster! Who is that he’s with?” Megan’s voice is trembling.

  “Look, let’s grab your chips, get your prescription and get out of here.” I hold Megan’s hand and we walk down the aisle avoiding Foster.

  Chapter 23 - Megan

  Two days have passed since I was told I have Chlamydia. I’m taking my antibiotics and feeling okay. I just want a healthy baby. I started taking my prenatal vitamins and eating healthier. Natalie told me I could stay with her rent free until after I have the baby. I thought that was very nice of my best friend. I didn’t feel comfortable invading her space like that but I have nowhere else to go. The money I did have saved up, I’m going to use for the baby and I’ve been paying co-pays and helping out with things around Natalie’s apartment. My money is going so fast.

  My cell phone started ringing. I noticed the number is unfamiliar.

  “Hello.”

  “Is Megan Edwards available please?”

  “Speaking, may I ask whose calling?”

  “This is Credit and Loans Financial Union. Were calling on behalf of not receiving payment for this month and last months mortgage payment. If we don’t receive payment within thirty days we will be forced to start the process of foreclosing your home. Would you like to make a payment arrangement?”

  I can’t believe what is going on. I was always under the impression that Foster and I owned our home. Foster built that home from the ground up. I chose the land and he created everything from the number of rooms to how the kitchen was designed. Everything I thought about Foster is a lie.

  “Mam, I’m sorry. This is all new information to me right now. Um, how much is the mortgage.” I feel so stupid. Foster has misled me throughout our entire marriage.

  “It’s $4,500 a month. Foster acquired a loan through our company to finance your home.”

  “Um, could I call you back after I communicate with my husband about making payment arrangements?”

  “Yes mam, we will be here until 6:30 p.m.”

  I couldn’t believe this shit. What else is Foster hiding? I quickly dialed his cell phone.

  The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable. PLS001

  Oh my gosh, his phone is disconnected! He’s had this number for years. What is Foster doing with his finances?

  I snatch my purse off the couch and hop into my BMW. I broke all the speed limits rushing to my house.

  ***

  Fosters car is in the driveway. He is home. My heart starts beating so fast and I immediately have to throw up. I open the car door and release all the contents in my stomach right in the driveway. Foster must’ve heard me hurling and barfing.

  “Megan? What are you doing here?” Foster looks like he hasn’t shaved in weeks. He looks horrible. Foster runs to my aid and helps me out the car. I snatch away from him.

  “Don’t touch me. You keep your filthy hands off of me. You hear me?!” I’m angry that he’s putting such a toll on our marriage.

  “Look, I don’t want to fight, what did you come here for?”

  “I got a call from a credit union and were two months behind on mortgage? They are threatening to foreclose the house. I thought we owned this home? Plus, your cell phone is disconnected. What is going on?”

  “I’m just going through some financial hardships right now. I haven’t been going to work. I’m working through some stuff right now. I never wanted to tell you about us not owning this home. A man is supposed to take care of his wife.”

  “Well, I guess you failed at that huh? Foster you’re on drugs. You have a problem. Let me enroll you into rehab, please?”

  “I don’t need any damn rehab Megan. I’m just going through some shit. Bernadette is lying up in the hospital and you’re out doing you and not being a wife. I can’t do this anymore Megan. I want a divorce!”

  “A divorce? We took vows for better or for worse. How am I not doing my wife duties when you are the cheater and kicked me out of our home? You have so many skeletons in your closet. I don’t know you anymore. We’re having a baby Foster. You’ve always wanted a baby. Why are you doing this?” I couldn’t control the tears streaming down my face.

  “Megan, I have love for you but I’m not in love with you anymore. I’ll be a father to my child but you and I are done. I’ve already started drawing up legalized papers.”

  Foster turns around and starts walking back into the house.

  I stood in the driveway feeling like I just got hit by a car. He just said he wants a divorce!

  I have to pull over because my tears are clouding my vision. Every time I blink, my eyes fill up with tears again. In a short matter of time, I’ve lost everything I’ve worked so hard for.

  Chapter 24 - Natalie

  Eight months later…..

  Megan is depressed and never leaves my couch. The only time she left the house is to make her appointments to check on her unborn. I feel so bad for her. She’s now seeing a psychiatrist and taking anti-depressants. I try to cheer her up but she never wants to do anything and is always crying.

  Megan kept her word and decided not to find out the sex of the baby. Foster hasn’t came to one prenatal appointment. He hasn’t called to check up on her or to see if she needed anything.

  Bernadette is out of the hospital and living with Foster. She’s paralyzed from the waist down and in physical therapy. Foster caught up on the bills and like he said, he served Megan with divorce papers and they are still in the processes of getting it finalized.

  Chauncey is still hoeing around and being a gigolo around town. He would stay a few nights at my apartment. He would give me cash to pay the bills. Courtney is fresh from head to toe. I was even able to get a new car, with the insurance money from my accident and Chauncey giving me the down payment. I now am leasing a 2013 Chevy Impala. Chauncey and I are back together but I constantly nagged him to quit this gigolo shit. He is gambling with his health and so am I. Condoms aren’t one hundred percent effective. What if the condom broke? What if he got someone pregnant? What if he got something that isn’t curable? Chauncey loved staying over though. We would have family game night, play board games or watch movies. He even has a space in the closet filled with some of his clothes and shoes. Courtney loves his dad staying with us. He is so happy that his parents are back together. Courtn
ey has been getting help with his dyslexia and is doing very well in school.

  ***

  “Megan sweetie today is your baby shower. We have about three hours to get to Nana’s house. Are you going to get up and shower?”

  I walk over to my blinds and open them. The sun shined through the living room and Megan put the covers over her head.

  “Megan, c’mon now. It’s a special day. Stop moping around over a loser. You’re expecting a beautiful baby and you need to thank God that your baby is healthy and growing. This is just temporary. Troubles don’t last always. This is just a hurdle that you must jump over.”

  Megan pulls the cover down over her head and smiles at me.

  “You’re right Natalie. I’ve just been so down. I’m going to get up and shower. Oh and Nat….thank you.”

  “Don’t mention it. Now listen before you get upset with me, I have someone I want you to meet. He’s one of Chauncey’s friends but he’s a really nice guy.”

  “Oh my goodness Natalie! I’m not some charity case; I don’t need you hooking me up with any man.” Megan is mad but I know her uppity ass would change her mind when she see’s him.

  “Trust me; you won’t be mad once you see him!” I winked my eye.

  Megan is my best friend. I’m going to help her get back on her feet.

  ***

  While Megan is in the shower, I decide to put on some music to get us up and going. I put on our local radio station and the voice of Kendrick Lamar filled the apartment. I glance down at my cell phone and see that I have a text message.

  Unknown Number: Bitch tell your man that I’m coming for his ass. He thinks he can just hit it and quit it? I‘ll show him better than I can tell him!

  I scrunch up my forehead and my heart starts to beat really fast. I sit on the edge of my bed and reread the text trying to make sense of it. How did this person get my number? I decide to not even give this person power by calling them. Me calling the number back and getting in a yelling match wouldn’t solve a damn thing. It would just piss me off. I didn’t participate in childish antics. I would mention it to Chauncey later.

  I continue to get ready for my best friends baby shower.

  Chapter 25 - Megan

  I’m so excited about my baby shower! I couldn’t believe I will be meeting my little munchkin very soon. I’m going to be a mom. I’m terrified of the thought of me being responsible for another tiny and innocent human being. My mind starts wondering. Would I be a good parent? What am I going to do about my finances? How would I provide for my child? I shoved the thoughts out of my mind and looked in the mirror. Natalie has done my hair in poetic justice braids. Natalie had styled my braids into a bun. Since being pregnant I didn’t have any energy to do anything. My money is tight so my hair isn’t looking right. Natalie suggested that I let her braid my hair. I thought it was a good idea since I also haven’t been relaxing my hair throughout my pregnancy. I admire my frame in the mirror. I have gained thirty pounds during this pregnancy. My baby is weighing about 6 pounds and I couldn’t wait to hold him or her. I chose the name Kennedy if it’s a girl and Gabriel if it’s a boy. I enjoy feeling my baby kick and move around inside of me. My baby is the only person that knows what my heart sounds like on the inside. I would often wake up and see a foot poking through my belly. I crave anything spicy. It’s amazing to know that something so small inside of me is causing all these changes.

  I wobble over to my luggage to get ready for my baby shower. My feet are so swollen. My feet look like biscuits bursting out of a can, which is why I’m wearing sandals. I’m sporting a yellow spaghetti strap, flared beach dress. It accentuated my belly and is conservative enough for a pregnant woman. I spray some Beyonce Heat perfume over my body and grab my silver sandals and accessories.

  I strut and wobble into the living room and Natalie looks very pretty in all white capris with a sheer black top and her black flip flops. It’s a simple outfit but cute.

  “Bestie, you are too cute in that dress! Look at you trying to strut with your big ole belly! Were going to have so much fun,” Natalie said with excitement.

  “Thank you! I was nervous thinking it wouldn’t fit since I bought it last month but it looks good on me. Are you ready to go?”

  ***

  We head over to Nana’s house and her apartment is decorated so nicely. The theme is Minnie and Mickey Mouse, since we aren’t sure if the baby is a boy or girl. Everything is decorated so nicely. There is a banner that said “boy or girl?“ There’s balloons hanging throughout the living room all my ex coworkers came, even Mr. Gillespie! The kitchen is filled with finger foods from deviled eggs, chicken fingers, potatoes salad, chips, meatballs, and cheese with crackers. My cake is too cute! The cake has Minnie and Mickey Mouse each holding a sign. Minnie Mouse is holding a sign that says “go pink“, while Mickey Mouse is holding a sign that says “go blue!”

  The first game starts time the guests walk inside. It’s called, “Don't Say Baby.” As nana and I greet each guest, they’re each given a diaper pin to wear on his or her shirt. Once all of the guests have arrived, we told everyone that they can't say 'baby' for the duration of the shower. If anyone hears someone else saying the forbidden “baby” word, he or she can steal the rule breaker's pin. At the end of the game, the person with the most pins wins a gift!

  I’m overjoyed with happiness to see everyone there for me. I start to tear up as I thank everyone for coming. We are slightly crammed in Nana’s living room but it feels cozy. There is about twenty people all packed into Nana’s house!

  As I’m coming out the bathroom, Natalie grabs my hand and leads me over to this gorgeous man! Damn she was right, he is fine!

  “Hi, I’m Kevin. It’s nice to meet you. I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself.” Kevin is too damn sexy! He looks like Shemar Moore. He has neatly trimmed facial hair, beautiful brown eyes, a nice fade and straight white teeth.

  I extend my hand and introduce myself. “Nice to meet you Kevin, I’m Megan. Thank you for coming. I know baby showers are typically for women but Natalie insisted on making this a coed baby shower. I hope you, Chauncey and some of the other men aren’t too bored with all this baby stuff.” I’m rambling. I always rambled when I got nervous.

  “Not at all. I hope to see more of you.” Kevin smiles and I realize we are still holding hands when we initially introduced ourselves.

  I’m blushing.

  Kevin walks away and mingles with Chauncey.

  “Girl I told you he is fine! He grew up with Chauncey. He’s a web engineer and he has no kids, no girlfriend, ex wife or drama. You better get his number Meg.” Natalie walks over to assist Nana and we began the baby shower festivities.

  It’s time to play another baby shower game! It’s called, “Dirty Diapers!” Inside the baby diapers are several melted chocolate candies. It looks just like poop! There are several different kinds of candies from milky, creamy, nutty and caramel-filled. The diapers are being passed around and each person has to sniff the gooey 'poo' centers in order to guess which brand of candy bar is in each diaper. The person with the best nose for guessing the candy wins!

  I’m having too much fun. We played other games like “Guess the Baby Food” and guessing how big my belly is. I didn’t want the day to end.

  A few times I look up and see Kevin just smiling at me. I’m glad that Natalie has hooked this up for me. I’m even more flattered that he’s still interested in me since I’m pregnant.

  My shower was going great. I got so many great gifts from a bassinet, baby swing, baby clothes, gas drops, an electric breast pump, baby blanket and a baby scrapbook. I literally have everything I needed!

  It is now time to eat and everyone is mingling around, eating and talking. Natalie is sitting with Chauncey and they are all cuddled up feeding each other food. They look good together.

  As I’m eating a piece of cake, Kevin came and sat next to me. I instantly get the chills. He made me want to know more about him.

&
nbsp; “So, I would really like to take you out on a date, if it’s okay with you beautiful.”

  I’m pleased but I need to be honest with him about my current situation.

  “Kevin, I’m so flattered but I just want all my cards out on the table. I’m going through a divorce, unemployed, having a baby and living with my best friend at the moment. I’m in no condition to date but we could go on a date as friends and take it one day at a time.”

  “Megan, I’m not trying to rush anything. I know everything about what you’re going through. I just want to get to know you. Natalie already briefed me.” We chuckled because that sounded just like Natalie. He continued talking. “I just want to show you a good time if you’ll let me beautiful. May I get your number?”

  We exchange numbers and I’m looking forward to hearing from him. Chauncey and Kevin left while Natalie and I stayed back to help Nana clean up.

  “I had a wonderful shower! Thank you two for everything you’ve done. You’re my family and this baby is so loved already,” I say getting teary eyed.

  Chapter 26 - Foster

  I just snorted a line of cocaine and rubbed my nose. I’m sick and fuckin’ tired of taking care of Bernadette. She’s useless to me. We can’t have sex or do anything without me having to do the majority of the work. I can’t take this shit anymore. I’ve been thinking about Megan but I know she doesn’t want anything to do with me. I need to get myself together. I’m slipping. I have a child on the way.

  I walk into the bedroom and get Bernadette undressed to bathe her. It’s such a task going through the day. Bernadette is still sniffing cocaine with me and I think us doing drugs together is what’s keeping us together. This is the only thing we have in common right now.

  As I’m giving Burnie her sponge bath, I thought back to when I first saw Bernadette. I have to have her.

  ***

  A few months prior,