Your Man Chose Me by Racquel Williams

definitely do dinner.”
    â€œAll right, sis, take care. We need to talk more. I really miss you and my nieces. Say hi to Mama for me when you see her.”
    â€œI sure will. You know she asks about you all the time.”
    I hugged her and went out the door noticing the sun was still beaming down. I loved warm weather but, for some reason, since I’d been pregnant it kind of bothered me. I was ready to go home and lie down under the AC.
    I got into my car and pulled off but, before I could turn, I looked up and I saw Ayana peeping through the curtains. Something didn’t seem right with her. I couldn’t put my hands on it, but she was so different from the girl I grew up with. I swear I sensed jealousy and nothing but negative vibes coming from her. I drove down the street in total silence as I replayed in my head something that she said: “What a coincidence. Ant’s middle name is Micah. I pray he ain’t nothing like Anthony.” Oh, hell no, I hope not, I thought as I sped all the way to Decatur.
    I called Micah as soon as I got to the house. I was too eager to see him. I hoped what I was thinking was wrong, but there were too many coincidences: Micah had two daughters; Ayana’s baby daddy had two daughters. And they had similar names. Was she the one he was talking about? Her drunken mother, his baby mama from hell; could it really be my best friend?
    â€œCalm down, it’s just coincidence,” I tried to coach myself. I rubbed my stomach and walked into the shower. I needed to relax a little and water always soothes my soul.
    I must’ve dozed off because I heard footsteps, so I jumped up and saw Micah standing over me.
    â€œI was trying not to wake you.”
    â€œIt’s fine, I need to get up anyway. I need to talk to you.”
    â€œWhat’s up, you good?”
    â€œYes, I’m fine. I need to ask you a question.”
    â€œAsk away.”
    â€œWhat’s your baby mother’s name?”
    â€œWhat is this about?”
    â€œI think I went to school with her. What’s her name?”
    â€œAyana.”
    The walls started to close in. I felt dizzy and my vision became blurred. “I don’t feel too good,” I mumbled as everything went dark.

CHAPTER TEN
    Tiana
    I woke up in DeKalb Medical. I learned from Micah that I fainted. The doctor told me my blood sugar was low and that I was dehydrated. I also needed iron pills because the iron in my blood was low. Damn, I went in with one issue and left with a bunch of other issues. I was well aware that I had to take care of myself and my baby.
    On the way home I stared out the window. My heart was broken and my whole perfect little life was shattered. How did I end up in this fucked-up situation? I was really pregnant by my best friend’s baby daddy. I turned to take a look at him. Did he know? Did he know he was screwing me and my best friend? Tears filled my eyes. I wanted to sink into a hole right about now. This was one big-ass mess that I managed to get myself in.
    â€œBabe, you a’ight? You crying?” he inquired.
    â€œNah, I’m fine, just a little tired,” I lied. I wanted to let him know how much I was hurting. I wanted him to hold me. I loved him and I needed him bad as hell!
    When we got to the house, I made some soup and got into the bed. I just needed to lie down, rest my soul, and figure things out.
    â€œGet some rest. I’m going to be gone for a minute. I have some business to handle.” He kissed me on the forehead.
    After I heard the garage door go down, I dialed Ayana’s number. I had a question for her.
    â€œHello, you got home okay?”
    â€œYes, I did. Lemme ask you a question. What school your baby daddy go to?”
    â€œGeorgia Tech, why?”
    â€œYou know that’s my school. I’ma keep an ear out for you, see if I hear anything.”
    â€œThanks, boo.”
    I sank under the covers as tears started flowing.