I entered the house and it was quiet. No Don to annoy me, cuddle with or even joke with. No Junior to hold and sing to or watch blow spit bubbles. Nothing. Just me and the walls and ceilings.

I couldn't believe my parents or my twin. Like, who the hell did they think they were? My dad thinking that Don really beat Renee up and then the both of them telling me that I couldn't take my son home with me. Did they really think that I was going to harm him? I would never do anything like that. Never.

I wasn't planning on not fighting to take him but I was tired and the more I fought, the angrier I would become. I couldn't give them that satisfaction to their saying that I was angry. Then the nerve of Anthony to call me, the fucking nerve. As far as I was concerned I was done with it all and over it all.

I couldn't take the silence of the house anymore so I decided to go out. By my damn self. Hell, I was already alone. I showered and oiled my body before slipping into an all white romper and royal blue suede wedges. I paired it with royal blue accessories on my neck and wrist. As I walked down the steps and to the door, I sprayed my body with Amber Blush and the doorbell rang.

I rolled my eyes and opened the door to see Kyra. "Oh, it's just you." I held the door open and let her in. "Well I'm glad that you're dressed. I was calling your phone to see if you wanted to go out but I see you were on your way somewhere." She said. "Yeah, I was just going to a Rumors for a few drinks." I shrugged. "Then let's go. Wait, where's Don and my godson because I know he wouldn't let you leave with all that ass on display."

I just pushed her out of the house and locked the door before following her to her car. "Don is in jail and my parents have Junior. Just a bunch of bullshit that I don't want to talk about right now so just drive." I told her once we were settled in. "I don't even want to know then but everything will be alright and you know that I'm here if you need me." Kyra reached over and grabbed my hand squeezing it.

I was having a good time with Kyra at Rumors. Dancing and having fun, you wouldn't catch me out here doing this before. "Aren't you glad that you came out?" Kyra asked as we sat at a table and sipped on her long island iced tea. "I am. You know I don't do this, I never did." I smiled dancing in the chair.

It was no secret to anyone that I was a homebody unless someone dragged me out of the house. Even then I didn't want to be there but because I decided to do it on my own, the night was perfect. "Look," Kyra said. "There goes your twin." She waved him over and I rolled my eyes. "Am I missing something?" She asked. "Yes. We are not speaking."

"Hey Ky." Ant said once he made it to the table. "Britni." He said in a hard voice towards me. I just gave him a blank look and sipped my drink. "Uh, I'm going to dance. I'll be back." Kyra rushed out and was gone before I could say anything to her. I didn't want to be alone with him.

"Can we talk?" Ant asked me. "Talk or listen to you bash me about earlier?" "Well if you wouldn't act so crazy then we can talk like normal people." I looked up at this ass and started laughing as a confused look covered his face. "What's funny Britni?"

"You. You and your parents. Right now, mostly you." I stood up and walked back to the bar and ordered another drink. "Why are you walking away from me?" I turned to face him. "Can we not do this here? I came to have a good time and that's exactly what I was doing until you showed up. I don't want to talk to you."

"Come on twin, I just wanted to know why you was trippin." I downed my drink and stood up. "I'm trippin because my man is in jail and your parents wouldn't let me take my son home? I don't feel like it Anthony, I don't. Now if you will excuse me." I moved around him and to the dance floor in search of Kyra. I was ready to go.

"I'm sorry I made you leave early Ky." She waved me off. "It's cool. I was getting tired anyway." She pulled into my driveway. "Hey, isn't that Maleek's car?" I looked ahead and it was. "Yeah, that's him. Alright I'm headed inside, gotta be up to go get my baby and see about my other baby." I hugged her and got out.

Maleek was in the house sprawled out on the couch in his boxers. I shook my head and kicked my heels off before taking my thumb and pointer fingers pinching his nose. He jumped up swinging and choking. I couldn't help but laugh. "That shit ain't funny girl." He mugged me. "I'm sorry. Why do you insist on laying on my couch in your boxers?" "It's hot and where are you coming from? And Don will be calling you in the morning around eight." He said while stretching.

"I went to Rumors and turn the air on next time. I'm going to bed so that I won't miss his call." I said pushing him back on the couch. "Good night Brit the Brat." He called to my back. "Good night Maleek the Freak." I giggled.

I lay in bed wearing one of Dons shirts after a quick shower. The clock read 2:47AM and here I was tossing and turning. I couldn't sleep for the first time ever. All I thought about was Don sitting in jail. Was he alright? Were they feeding him? Is he being punked by a gay ass thug? I bet money that he was wide awake. Who in their right mind could sleep knowing that they were in a place that they didn't belong?

I didn't realize that it was now eight until the house phone rang. If I wasn't expecting Don to call I wouldn't have answered. I picked up and accepted the charges. "Baby, are you okay? How are you holding up? Are they treating you right? I fucking miss the shit out of you!" I rambled on and on. "I fucking miss the shit out of you too." He laughed. "How can you laugh when you're in there?" I wanted to know because I would've been in a corner crying and screaming like a mad woman.

"Shit could be worse. I'm still living and breathing, you know?" I nodded as though he could see me. "I know you just nodded that big head of yours." "Whatever." I mumbled. "How's my son?" Don asked. "He's fine and missing Daddy."

"I miss him too. B," He hesitated. "I'm sorry. If I had kept my han-" "Don no, we'll talk about that later." I didn't want him to say anything about putting his hands on that girl. I knew the people were listening. "Can you have visitors? I want to see you, I need to see you." I breathed out. "Visiting hours are at 3 but your pops is coming up. I think that he thinks I'm guilty and I don't know if I'll be keeping him as my lawyer. I don't want a lawyer who won't help me when I know I'm innocent."

"He will help you. The fuck you think you pay him for because I swear if he doesn't I will never-" "I don't know what you're about to say but if it's what I think it is, don't say it because you don't mean it. He's still your dad." Don spoke in a hard tone. Just then the operated voice warned us that we had a minute left. My heart fell, I wanted to continue talking.

"Alright, I'll see you later today. Don't bring Junior just get Maleek to keep him." Don said. "Okay I will. I love you." I sighed. "I love you more, B." He said before the call disconnected.

After hanging up the phone I showered and dressed for the day. I was out the door and going to get my baby. I walked up to the door and knocked. Alayna answered. "Did anybody tell you to open this door?" I asked her. "No." "Well then don't open it unless they tell you to." I scold her before hugging her.

I entered the kitchen where my parents were. My mom at the stove and my dad at the table. Junior was in his vibrating chair in the middle of the table just cooing and slobbering. I took his bib and wiped around his mouth. "I guess nobody is speaking to me but good morning family." I said. Nobody said anything. My mom just gave a weak smile and my dad a small grunt. The fuck is wrong with these people?

I grabbed Junior and placed him in his car seat before going to grab his diaper bag. "Alayna, can you take this to my car please?" I held out the diaper bag which she took and ran off. "You guys are unbelievable. Okay, yeah, last night wasn't a great night for us and today is a brand new day but you guys are ignoring me as if I did something to you. I didn't. You two kept my baby away from me and that wasn't right. I have no more to say since you two want to act childish so goodbye."

I grabbed the car seat and started out the kitchen but stopped. "If you even think about not doing your all in Don's case, let me know. I'm sure I can find him a lawyer who will actually help. If you stay on this case then I need you to do your damn best to push the trial up and have him home by the start of September. That's not too little time. You do it for all your other clients, and if not for him you can at least do it for your grandson. He needs his father." I stood a few moments to see if one of them would say something and they didn't. I rolled my eyes and walked out.

"Sissy, can I come with you?" Alayna asked from behind me as I strapped the baby in. "Not today Lay. I promise before the summer is over I'll come and get you, deal?" I held my hand out. She looked at me, at my hand then took hers and spit on it and tried to shake mine. I quickly snatched it back. "What is wrong with you?" I asked trying to hold a laugh in. "I was making a deal. That's how I make a deal with Pey Pey." She said giving me her own look. A look like I was the crazy one.

"I'm sorry kid but I'm not shaking any spit covered hands. You and Pey Pey need to stop being nasty and make deals in another way." She took her hand back and wiped it on her shorts. My face turned into one of disgust. "Please go inside and wash your hands and change your shorts. Just nasty." I smiled and flicked her nose. "Well promise it can come over before summer ends." She grinned holding the spit hand up like she was daring to touch me. "I promise." "Okay bye." She turned and entered the house as I got in the car and drove home.

"Here you go Maleek." I said passing Junior to him. "I'll be back in about two hours, I just changed him and his formula is in the kitchen. Two scoops to every t-" I stopped talking because Maleek started making noise. "Get out of here. I know how to make bottles and I know how to care for a baby." He told me.

"You don't know how to take care of my baby. If he starts crying, then put him in his swing or his little chair that vibrates. When you change him again because he hasn't popped yet please make sure his butt is dry and free of all mess, don't go overboard with the powder and change his outfit because he tends to move a lot during a changing. And-"

"Say another word and I swear on two red skittles and four green m&ms that I will body slam the shit out of you. Get out Britni." Maleek ordered with a smirk on his face. "Fine." I sighed and kissed Junior all over his chubby cheeks as he looked at me with those blue-gray eyes. "Mommy will be back and I'll bring you some love from Daddy." I told him before I was pushed out the door.

I pulled up to the jail fifteen minutes to three. I took my purse and locked it in the trunk after retrieving my wallet and cell phone. I didn't want them going all through my bag. It was bad enough that they had to search me. I had never been to visit an inmate before and my first time doing so shouldn't have to be to see my man in here. After I went through two metal detectors and was scanned by a wand, I was directed to a table where an old guard was sitting.

"Sign your name and the inmate number." He huffed. I did what he asked and received my visitors badge. "Make sure it's visible at all times. You can have a seat until you're called." I nodded and went to the area that he pointed to. I chose a seat in the far back corner. It was so gloomy in here. Hard plastic seats, dirty floors, no windows. Were we visitors or were we prisoners also? "I'm not mad at you." A voice said from beside me. I looked over to see my dad and I looked straight ahead. "Britni it's just that this isn't a good look on him and if he choked that girl, what do you think he can do to you?"

"He wouldn't dare to even do that to me and you know it. And now he only choked her? Just last night you thought he beat her ass! I can't believe you, then I was given the silent treatment this morning. You and Mommy are twice my damn age and you aren't acting like it. You two are acting the same way you did when I was in college. I stopped talking to you guys then because you weren't there for me and I will definitely stop now. I don't have to put up with you alls childishness and foolishness. I don't. Now either do what I asked of you or I'll be looking for another lawyer." I whispered harshly. My dad said nothing else until we were called up.

We walked in line with the other visitors until both my dad and I were pulled out of the line. "Follow me." Was all the female guard said. We turned many corners and went down long halls until we got to a room. "He'll be in shortly." We both took a seat and she shut the door. "Why are we in here and not with the other visitors?" I asked. "I pulled some strings and he can have private visits." He shrugged. "So I can touch him? Kiss him? Hug him?" My dad shook his head yes. "You still aren't in my good graces just because you did this." I let him know.

A few minutes later, the door opened. I was looking at Don. He stood there as the guard unlocked the cuffs on his hands and shackles on his feet. My breath got stuck in my throat and I felt tears stinging my eyes. I didn't know that he would be cuffed up and I wasn't prepared to see that. "Come on B, don't cry. I'm alright." He spoke softly hugging me. "No you're not. You don't belong here being treated like an animal!" I cried while hugging him back. I pulled away first but he pulled me back into him. After a few more seconds we both sat. I zoned out as him and my dad talked about everything.

"Alright, I've used enough time. He's all yours baby girl." My dad said squeezing my shoulder. Once he was out of the room, I was staring at Don. He was leaned back in the chair staring at me with a smirk playing on his lips. "Stop looking at me like that." I blushed. "Don't you wish we were married so that we could have conjugal visits while I'm in this hell hole?" "No. If we were married then you would be home barefoot with an apron on." I said.

"You mean that you would be barefoot with an apron on." Don smiled. "No, I meant you." I smiled back. "I don't know if you know but the baby isn't mine. That's why she came over Saturday night. I snapped because all this time I've been beating myself up for hurting you and trying to be there for the both of you, I should've just been there for you. Had I never fucked her that day then this could have been avoided and I would be home with you and Junior."

"True but it happened so we have to keep moving on." I mumbled. "Right. I need you more than ever now B." He reached out and grabbed my hands. "You got me." I said. "I know that this may be too much to ask for with you being something like a single mom and all but you have to run my businesses. Your dad has all the paperwork for you to sign. They belong to you temporarily. I would've asked Nana but she's getting old and you know." "I'll do it." I agreed.

For the next thirty minutes we just talked about anything and everything until the guard came. "I'll call you tonight. I love you." Don said after a heated kiss. "I love you too." I responded as we both were directed separate ways by a guard.

I was going to be like superwoman until he came home. Run twelve businesses, take care of the baby and run my own. I didn't know if I had it in me and it scared me. I had to make it do what it do.