It's official. I'm in a relationship with this man. I'm scared shitless, but I'm diving in—Michael's my person. He know and I know it.

We were both leaving his house after a long night of pure bliss. It was everything. "I'll see you later." I kissed him tenderly. He snaked his arms around me tight.
"Aight, call me when you get home. Your Aunt is taking KJ to school today right?" Michael asked.

"Yep. she told me she would since I was with you and she didn't want me rushing back on that side of town." I pulled away, only for him to pull me back to him. "Give me another kiss first so I can go." He poked out his lips. I kissed him repeatedly not wanting to stop. He retorted. It was endless.

Michael and I always had the most amazing chemistry ever. Kissing him before now always made me feel like I was doing something wrong. It made me feel like that was all I would ever be to him—his kissing bestie.

After a few more those he stared at me intensely grabbing my full attention. He had a very serious expression on his face. It frightened a bit because I had never seen it. "What's wrong?"

He took a moment before he spoke saying the complete unexpected. "I know this might seem sudden to you because we just made it official.  —But who am I kidding. I love you Leah. I always have."

I gasped feeling a lump form in my throat. That was definitely new. The only person I ever heard him say that to was Raina and Mama Laurie "I love you too." I said back without hesitation. Our love runs deep. I've never loved someone this much, aside from my son.

He smiled pridefully, biting down on his bottom lip. He didn't say aything else. He simply turned on his heel and walked away. Into his vehicle, he went.

I hiked over to my car. After getting my seatbelt fastened, I noticed a small envelope that read To Leah Joi Harrison. It was in the passenger seat. I retrieved and opened it. Inside the envelope, I saw a black MasterCard.

The hell?

I quickly looked out the window, shooting daggers into Michael's car. Next thing I knew the tires on his Audi rolled out of the driveway.
The nerve of him. I started my car and immediately dialed his number on the in-car system.

"Hello. You miss me already?" He spoke in a jittery tone. "Don't hello me, why did you do this?" I snarled. He had no right to do this.

"Do what babe?" He spoke softly.

"Why did you give me this? I don't need nor do I want your money." I asked in a tone that was much louder than his.

"Listen, we're not having this conversation right now. You're only at the club bartending for your last two weeks. Don't think on it too much. That's just something extra." He explained but I wasn't trying to hear any of it. It felt disrespectful. Like he crossed a line. Like why would he do that? That's something we sit down and discuss. Don't force shit on me.

"I have money saved. KJ and I will be fine. We will always be fine. I got us, financially that is not your problem. It's mine." I teared up a bit. "Goodness Michael."

He sighed. "I understand it's been the two of you for so long, trust me I get that. Just keep the card just in case. That's all it is. We're together now so we're in this together." He passionately stated.

I took a breath then spoke calmly. "I will keep the card but I'm not using it." I compromised. That was the best I could do. I've been on my own too long to just accept this. Plus it still bothers me that he even thought of this and went through with it.

"I know you still pissed. I only had the best intentions." He stressed. I was quiet. Just felt weird. We were so happy to finally be together and then he go and pull this. "You still there?" He wondered.

"Yes, Ima' let you go. I know you should be close to your school now." I said in a monotone. "You're not slick either, Michael. How long haveyou had this card? You just knew I would give you a shot." I managed to smile a little. But I was still salty.

"I planned to give it to you regardless if you gave me a shot or not. I love you and I want to make sure you and KJ are straight. So ease up mad woman." He joked but I wasn't in the mood for a comedian.

"Anyway, I love you. I'll talk to you later silly." I uttered. "Mmm, I love the way that sounds." He made kissing sounds into the phone then hung up. This fool. But he was my fool. Sigh.

I got home and texted Michael letting him know I made it. I started rearranging my furniture. I just get tired of looking at the same thing. Plus this gave me time to think. I was feeling overwhelmed about taking a leap.

I was quitting my job, and pursuing my dreams as a professional choreographer. I used to help mama Laurie at one of her dance studios. The one right here in Atlanta.

I danced ballet and hip hop growing up. Those were some of my best childhood memories. I built great relationships along the way and was extremely competitive.

Everything was going so well back then until my then boyfriend, and I found out I was pregnant. Everything changed. I started seeing people for who they were. It seemed like everybody was disappearing one by one. My ex Khalil stayed by my side all throughout my pregnancy. We had agreed on naming our son after him. We had a plan and I thought it was going to work. At least he had me fooled thinking we had a plan. We were going to get jobs and go to college together.

After my first week home from having our son KJ, he dumped me. His parents were helping me out in the beginning but then that faded. Khalil said this was all too much for him. He wanted to put KJ up for adoption.

He held him a few times but he didn't really express any emotion. He would just stare at our son then give him back to me. I told him I would never give our son up. He said he wasn't interested in being a father. Saying we were both sixteen and we had so much more to do before we could think about being parents. I told him it was too late for that. I kept trying to reach out to him. He avoided me at school and eventually changed his number. I had to figure something out financially. The only income I had was from my job at a local food store I got when I was three months pregnant.

When Khalil's parents stopped helping me. I went back to work, which was after KJ turned two months. I had to go full time because my mom said she couldn't help me. I felt alone and helpless. I was struggling, trying to juggle school, daycare fees, and my job. Then on top of that, I would always notice little things about KJ. As a mom, you just know when something isn't right with your child. I was stressed. I took him to the doctor they said he seemed pretty healthy and that maybe I should give him a little more time. They said he might have a slight delay and that it's normal.

KJ was almost a one year old when I ended up dropping out of high school mainly because my expenses were just piling up. I had to figure something else out for us. Oh, and my dear mother gave me a 30-day notice to leave. A real written notice I still have today.

I didn't want to fail my child. I had to figure something out quickly. I reached out to one of my co-workers. She was always nice to me. She let me and KJ stay with her. She also told me about this club she was working at. I told her whatever it was I was in.

I was seventeen with a baby, and I needed more money right then. She got me a fake ID and from there, I was able to dance.

Her mom helped me out with KJ while I worked. I picked up whatever shifts they had available. I was still working at the food store during the day. It was hard spending that time away from my son but I knew it was temporary.

By my nineteenth birthday, I finally saved enough money for KJ and me to move. We purchased our first home.

My mother's sister Dawn reached out to me. She started helping me out with KJ. My aunt was always good to me. She just traveled over the years and didn't spend much time around family. But she eventually moved and settled in Atlanta to be closer to us. She also had her share of qualms with the family. That also brought us closer. We had each other.

I set myself up financially so I could afford to take KJ to see a specialist to seek further information. By the time KJ turned three, I knew specifically what was going on with him. Impaired communication and social interaction, autism spectrum disorder. Some of his symptoms were pretty spot on. It made his diagnosis a bit easier. He now has a speech therapist, psychiatrist, and a neurologist he goes to for testing. He's in school, in a program that was recommended by his therapist specifically for autism. They're developing new ways to communicate with the kids. I love it.

I have things in my house labeled and color-coded. I was changing around in my living room area. My son doesn't do well with change. I do get away with minor changes here and there. Mainly the kitchen, his bathroom, and bedroom are areas I don't change.

KJ was also learning the piano and was getting the hang of it too. He was turning eight soon. Time was flying.

He spoke his first word when he was five. We were all over my auntie Dawn's house. He was building LEGOs and Michael was reading to him at the time. His first word was Mike. We were shocked because it was so random. I wasn't able to truly express to him how I felt, but I was one proud mama. My aunt was in tears, and Michael's mouth was on the floor.

I called the speech therapist and informed her. She built a bond with KJ over the years, so she was excited as well.

He inspired me to go back and get my high school diploma. I felt like I let myself down with that one. So getting that was important to me. I was the kid who actually loved school and was pretty smart too. I hated that about myself not finishing with my class.

I had the support of mama Laurie, Mike, Raina, and my aunt. They helped me every step of the way. I was embarrassed about it at first but after seeing the support I had and my son trying his best every day, that was all I needed.

After rearranging and cleaning I went on to prepare KJs snacks and meals for the next three days. Knowing that it would be time to pick him up in a few hours.

****

"Good job baby," I said to KJ. He was putting his homework in his backpack. "I made our favorite. Rice, baked chicken and asparagus. I put your diced sweet potatoes on a separate plate with your cornbread." I made sure to place everything neatly on his plate.

"No corn? This is KJs plate?" I always lit up when he spoke. Coming from where he started with no words at all it always filled me. "No KJ you had corn today at school. Let's try it and see."

He slowly took a bite then continued eating. I beamed. Small victories excited me. Dinner time some day were be extremely challenging. Some nights I would call Michael over. He would either change KJ's mind or cook him something else.

My phone started ringing. I answered it. "Hey love." Michael greeted.

"Hey, how was work? You home yet?" I asked him in a stale and distant tone. I still felt a way about him giving me the card. It made me uncomfortable. "Yeah and it was good. I had labs all day. What's going on with you and my little man?" He asked.

"We're finishing up dinner. So I'd say everything is great over here. He didn't complain. I did a little cleaning earlier, nothing special." I replied in a bland monotone.

"That's what Rai's doing right now. She got home before me. Her tutoring session was canceled and her rehearsal was cut short. She came straight home and cleaned." He let out. "Tell her I said hi," I replied dryly.

"Everything ok?" He asked, sensing my energy. "Yeah I'm ok, —still thinking about the new black card I received today."

"Leah-" He started. But I interrupted, "I know. I can't help it."

"You're taking it the wrong way. Please work with me in this." He pleaded. "I feel like I just quit dancing and now I'm taking your money. I'm not trying to lose myself." I spoke truthfully. I felt like these were little ways of doing that.

"I want you to focus on your dreams. You don't have to strip to get there." He scowled in a tone I didn't care for.

"But I can and was able to get there on my own by doing so. You can dislike it all you want, but that's how I've provided for KJ and myself." He roughly blew out air. Are we seriously doing this again?"

"Yes," I stated irritatedly. He sighed. "I don't want to argue. This is leading to it."

"You can't expect all of this to go smoothly either. I feel like you're being selfish and I don't—" I tried to explain but was cut off. "How am I being selfish, Leah?"

"What are you giving up? You don't know what it's like. You don't have a kid." I yelled into the phone, walking away from KJ. Michael paused before letting out a dry laugh. "You're unbelievable."

"I gave up my job to be with you and now you're giving me your card. I think you have things mixed up. I will always provide for my son. Maybe I shouldn't quit because I'm getting the feeling you think I will depend on you. —That ain't happening." I made clear. Like don't play in my face doing shit behind my back. I did not need his money.

"I'll take the card back. Pretend I never gave it to you. If it's bothering you so fucking much. Just fuck it Leah." He was vexed.

"Oh" I laughed. "I planned to give it back to you," I stated matter-factly. "Good, anything else?" He spat. No that's not all.

"I'm not making myself clear, —I'm not quitting," I confessed. He didn't say anything. "Until I find something paying what I need or get my career off the ground I will be dancing or as you like to say, shaking my ass for money."

"Do whatever you want to do, Leah." He scuffed. "You got it."

"As I said, you don't have a child. You wouldn't understand. I can't depend on people. I've done that and look where that got me. I have to feel secure for myself." I reiterated.

"I guess I'll see you around then. Just make sure I'm still able to be there for KJ while you're securing shit for yourself." He spoke low.

"So that's it? You ending us?" I couldn't believe it. After one disagreement, that was it?

"What you thought? —Oh, you thought you would get with me and I would later change my mind about you still working there?" He asked angrily with a bit of dry humor. That really hurt my feelings.

"No. I just thought you loved me enough to see my side. —So me wanting to secure my finances is wrong?" I choked up.

"You're really thinking I'm trying to take away your independence?" He scoffed. "You say one thing and do another. You said you were quitting —and don't start that crying shit." He snarled.

"Now you're being unbelievable." I yelled out as tears came down my face. "I'm sorry my life and how I choose to make a living doesn't fit into your cookie-cutter image."

"Bye Leah." He gritted before ending the call.

__________________________

{Unedited}

{So..., thoughts?}

{Song: "Red" by Daniel Merriweather}

{Things got a little heated quickly!! Curious to see how the rest of this play out with Mike and Leah.}

Thanks a bunch✌🏾.