Open Opportunities

Chapter XIV

BRIA

"Wow, that's hilarious." I laughed as my new friend Marcus continued to tell his story.

"No, I'm serious. He just threw me in the deep end and expected me to turn into Michael Phelps. If my momma wouldn't have jumped in, I'm certain it would've been over for me. My dad watched the whole ordeal and when I got out of the pool crying he told my mom I'll be ok. I was only four and he brushed it off like nothing. Been traumatized ever since." I was in tears by the time he finished. He was in my marketing class and he was turning out to be a cool dude.

"So I'll text you?" He said smiling as we finally made it to my car.

"Yeah sure, not too late though."

"Ok. Goodbye, beautiful." I unlocked the car door, but before I could open the door he did it for me.

"Thanks." I said cranking up the car. I closed the door watching him smile at me before walking away.

*******

When I walked into the house, it was going on ten-thirty and I was exhausted. I turned on a few lights and locked up before going into the kitchen to get some of whatever he cooked.

In the fridge and opened the lid to the pot and saw rice. There were green beans in another one and barbecue chicken in a pan. I made me a plate and put it aside in the refrigerator.

I trekked up the stairs with my purse in tow and into our room. When I entered and turned on the light Morris was stretched across the bed with no cover on, with one hand in his sweatpants and the other across his face.

I giggled and walked into the closet to retrieve my pajamas which consisted of a pair of shorts and a cami. I walked into the bathroom and turned on the water in order to take a quick shower.

After I was finished I put my clothes in the hamper and turned off the light in the bathroom. I then walked into the room to see an awake and clearly irritated Morris.

"Sorry for turning on the light while you were sleeping."

"It's fine, what time is it?"

"Probably going on eleven."

He sighed and sat up. "Now I won't be able to go back to sleep."

Just as I was gonna respond my phone went off, but Morris grabbed my phone before I could.

He looked down at my phone and his blank expression quickly turned into a scowl.

"Who the hell is Marcus and why y'all meeting." He stared at me as if he could see right through me.

"He's in my marketing class and we have to meet at the library to start our PowerPoint project."

"Why the hell he texting you so late."

"I don't know babe, I told him not too late."

"Obviously he doesn't get the memo, do I need to tell him?"

"No babe, I'll tell him." I know if he did, he would take it way out of proportion.

"Good." He grabbed the remote turning on the T.V.

I huffed walking out of the room to go warm up my food, but first I'm gonna check on the girls.

I walked into Talia's room to see her sprawled out on the bed looking like her dad. I gently closed the door and retreated to the next room which happens to be Ariela's.

I walked in and she was curled in a fetal position, shaking, with no cover on. I walked over to the bed and gently pulled the cover over her shoulders. I tiptoed to the door, but before I could exit, she called me.

"Mama?"

"Shit." I whispered.

"Yes, baby?" I said slowly walking back to her bed. She engulfed me in a tight hug laying her head on my shoulder.

"Baby what's wrong?" I said genuinely concerned.

"I miss you a lot." I chuckled.

"I saw you this morning." I said hugging her back.

"I know but you didn't tuck me in like you always do."

"Didn't daddy tuck you in?"

"Yes but it's not the same."

"How about I lay with you until you fall back asleep." She nodded and we both slid into her full-sized bed. It was too big for her now, but it's kinda like an investment so we wouldn't have to buy another one when she gets bigger.

She put her head on my breast and I rubbed her hair until she fell asleep again. When she did, I carefully placed her on the bed and tucked her in before I left the room. Just as I thought I was home free, I heard the loud cries of Ziah.

I made my way into her room and she was jumping up and down crying hysterically.

"What's wrong mama, you hungry?" I said as I reached down to pick her up. I grabbed her and proceeded to go downstairs to warm up her bottle. I put a pot of water on the stove and turned it on medium and dropped the bottle in it.

In the meantime, I brought her walker that was nearby in the living room in the kitchen and placed her in it and put her pacifier in her mouth.

I put my food into the microwave and waited for it to heat up. Her bottle seemed to be ready, so I turned everything off and got her warm milk to feed her. She's transitioning well, being that we decided it was time to take her off of formula about two weeks ago to almond milk.

I grabbed her out of her walker and walked to the couch and started to feed her. She really didn't need my help because she can hold the bottle on her own, so I just steady her. When I see her eyes starting to close, I quickly burp her and took her upstairs to Morris so I could eat.

I got my food out of the microwave and sat down in the living room and started writing notes and ideas for the project.

In about thirty minutes I had the idea and I was done eating and ready to go sleep.

I cleaned my dish and turned off all of the lights before I headed upstairs.

I entered our room and went straight to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

"Is she asleep?" I said as I slid into the bed next to Morris.

"Yeah." He said staring at the T.V. paying me no mind.

"Gimme kiss." I said as I pucker my lips. He pecked my lips and turned toward the T.V.

"I'm sorry if you feel like I'm neglecting you and the kids, so I'll see if I can divide my time better, or maybe get earlier classes."

"That's fine."

"Why are you acting this way?" I said annoyed at him giving me short answers.

"What way? I'm good."

"Like you can't support me damn."

"No the important question is why the hell he texting you so late. Does he even know you have kids and a boyfriend." I sat silently.

"Exactly. That's why I'm mad. You giving him room to approach you in that way. Was he flirting with you?" I thought back to our conversation.

"I mean a little, but it was innocent."

"Innocent my ass Bria! And you ain't say s**t?"

"I said thanks, I figured he was just being nice."

"Yeah ok. You know when someone is flirting with you, you tell they ass to back the f**k off you don't condone that s**t. Understand?"

“I understand where you’re coming from."

"Ok, so make that s**t known when y'all meet up."

"I will babe.”

“I’m glad we could come to an understanding.” He said emotionlessly.

“Okay, now you can stop being upset.” I said leaning into his chest.

“I’m fine baby, I just know men and when you give them an inch they’ll take a mile. You have to set boundaries”.