Chapter 2

Lamar picked Zuri up and carried her in the house as LJ walked in behind him. LJ threw his bag on the floor and stormed off to his room. Nicki came out of her office into the living room. She looked at Lamar then at Zuri who had tear stained cheeks. Lamar spoke answering Nic before she asked.

“Safaree canceled on them, said he had a meeting to go to today and he’ll see about tomorrow.”

“Wow, again? LJ is probably up in there throw shit again. I don’t know what I’m a do about his anger.”

“Whoop his ass.”

“You know I don’t like doing that. I leave that to their father.”

“Nic, he isn’t around to do what he’s suppose to do. Step up or you gone lose them.”

“I guess and are you going with me to enroll Zuri into school?”

“I can’t and you’ll find out why later.”

“What no! Tell me now!”

“I said I wouldn’t say nothing so I’m not, you’ll find out July 30.”

“Lamar!”

“Love you sweets.”

Zuri laid on the couch staring at her reflection in the TV screen. She sighed as Nic rubbed her back and whispered in her ear. Every other weekend Safaree canceled on them to handle what he called business, but this weekend was special because Zuri was going to public school for the first time in her life. She looked at Nic then back at her reflection.

“I bet he’s not even going to do what I asked.”

“What’s that?”

“Come to Open House.”

“He will that’s very important Zay’more. He’ll show up.”

“Yeah right.”

Zuri spat getting up off the sofa and going to her room. Nicki sat on the sofa and trailed off into her thoughts. I hope he shows up at least for her and not cause I will be there. Stupid ass.

———

“Mom, Zuri is messing with my project.”

“He has my doll and experimenting with her head!”

“So… Go play with another doll! You weren’t worried about her until I got her.”

“She’s still mine!”

“LJ give her, her doll and stop messing with his project Zay’more.”

“Lame.”

“Jerk.”

“Fart.”

“Ass!”

“Zay’more!”

“Always cursing like you’re grown. Stupid.”

“I hate you. You act just like Daddy!”

“So at least I don’t act like you!”

Zuri snatched her doll then pushed over LJ’s project. She ran full speed into Nic’s room and hid behind her. LJ came into a full stop in front of Nic. He went to get Zuri, but Nicki blocked him as she held out the phone for him.

“Dad.”

“Yo?”

“Zuri is a pest!”

“And you’re a disease, so?”

“Calm down, what’s going on?”

LJ went about telling him what happen when Zuri jumped on his back to tell her side of the story. LJ slammed Zuri on her back and raced out the room. Zuri began to cry and scream until Nicki walked back in the room.

“Zuri are you okay baby?”

‘NO!”

“What’s wrong?”

“This!”

She held up her arm to show Nic her twisted wrist. Nicki picked Zuri up and laid her cross the bed then ran to get some ice. She snatched the phone from LJ and pointed at him. She hung up then called the ambulance. LJ ran upstairs to see why Zuri was still crying.

“Oh shit!”

“This is all your dumb fault!”

“I’m sorry Zur Zur.”

“Whatever.”

“I am. I didn’t mean to hurt your wrist.”

“It’s fine leave me alone.”

~~~~~~

Safaree rushed into the emergency room with Karen behind him. She looked made up and done up like she was going out or something because her and SB were going on a date, but it got side tracked once he found out Zuri was at the hospital. He looked for her room and when he found it, he burst through the door and ran to her side. She didn’t look at him or say anything. She was mad. She only got this much attention from him when she hurt herself or LJ did something bad. He pat her leg and asked her a series of questions. She one worded him every time.

“Zuri…. Oh.”

SB looked back to see Nicki walk in looking beautiful as ever. She didn’t have on any make up just lip glass, a tank top and some sweat shorts. He could see the lining of her phat box which made him semi hard. It quickly went away when he seen Lamar walk in behind her with Chick-Fil-A. Karen smacked his head because he hadn’t realized he was staring hard. She huffed and mumbled under her breath.

“I’m hungry FarBear. Can we go now?”

“What? Karen pump ya breaks. I came to see my child and that’s what I’m a do. Chill….”

“Okay..”

“Mommy, I don’t want her in here.”

“Well, Zuri I don’t have….”

“I want her out!”

“Alright honey.”

“Bear Bear why are you treating Karen like that?”

“Ask Karen how she treats us when you’re not around!”

“Zuri baby calm down.”

“Mommy I hate her.”

She looked at Karen’s shocked faced and sat up in the bed then like a gust of angry wind she spoke up and directly towards her.

“Get. Out. My. Room.”

“Lil Girl you don’t tell….”

“Get the fuck out!”

“Yo!”

“Oh hell no! You need to control your kids Safaree.”

LJ walked in as Karen sped out. He looked at everyone and everyone looked at him. Safaree got up to get Karen, but stopped in his tracks as Zuri spoke up.

“She always comes before us, doesn’t she?”

“Bear Bear….”

“Bye Safaree.”

Nicki walked out the room past Safaree. She cried walking outside to get some air. Zuri’s anger was becoming really clear to her and the last thing she needed was another angry child because SB didn’t know what or where to go. I have to do something and quickly.