Discomfort (Part 1)

*ERIC*

The conversation lingered with me well after Jamira and I had talked. I thought of all the things I’d say to Kacie and even how to make things right with Kayla again. It truly broke my heart to see all my girls feel so hurt and abandoned.

I never imagined Jamira’s pregnancy affecting everyone like this. I just want Jamira to be happy while she’s carrying life and undergoing changes. Both in her life and her body. I want Kacie to understand she’s not losing a brother, but gaining a nephew and a friend. Ultimately, I just wanted to marvel in the fact that I’m going to be a father.

Suddenly, the door flew open with Walt standing there looking like he was up to something as usual.

“Brother!”

“What do you want, Walt?”

“I want to know why you’ve been walking around here sulking. You look like you’re running on fumes.”

“Nope… just broken dreams and exasperation.”

“The baby?”

“He’s not even here yet, and it’s already drama.”

“Wanna talk about it?”

“Not here.” I said, looking over the papers on my desk.

I found myself staring at the letters but not really paying attention to them. My mind was elsewhere.

Just then, my phone lit up with the word “ mom” flashing across the screen.

“Hello?”

“Eric…”

Her voice was sweet and low. Almost tired.

“Hey, mom… what’s going on?”

“It’s your dad…”

“What’s going on?”

My heart sank, and my chest tightened a little as I asked.

“Nothing, he’s just a pain in my side as usual.”

I let out a sigh.

“Mom, don’t scare me like that, you know I worry.”

She let out a soft chuckle.

“You know that old coot can’t kick the bucket before I do. It’ll hurt too much.”

For as long as I could remember, she’d always said that. I never thought about much, but now that they’re both up in age, that saying scares me more than anything.

“Mom, you can’t play like that.”

“I’ll be fine. I was calling to invite you and that young lady you brought over to dinner again. You are still seeing her, right?”

A smile spread across my face at the mention of Jamira. The thought of her always did that to me. Now more than ever before.

“Yes, Mom, she’s still around.”

“Good. Dinner’s at eight.”

As I hung up the phone, I heard Walt’s voice again.

Damn! I’d forgotten he was even in here.

“Who was that?”

“Don’t you have work to do?”

“Yeah, and I’m doing it.”

“That was my mom. She’s having dinner at her house tonight.”

“Kacie coming?”

“She should be there.”

“That’s all I need to know,” he said as a wide smile crept across his face.

He refuses to let her breathe. That man has been chasing her for so long, I think it’s becoming a core trait for him.

I sat back in my chair, staring at the paperwork in front of me. Tonight was supposed to be dinner with my family, but all I could think about was finding the right moment to talk to Kacie without making her feel cornered.

For the rest of the day, I worked diligently to distract myself. Getting coffee in between for a small break. Walt eventually stopped by again with the latest update on the employees. It was a nice break from my thoughts.

They came flooding back when the workday was over and I had to go home.

I was greeted with a warm smile and embrace as I stepped through the door.

“Eric, what’s wrong?”

“Huh… oh, nothing, baby. How’s you and my boy?”

“He’s starting to get a little more active during the day.”

Jamira was already in her second trimester. Soon, she’ll be entering the last leg of her pregnancy, and so much still has to be done. How did time get away from me?

I went and got in the shower, hoping to rinse away some of the tension that had unintentionally built up from earlier. Once I got out, it hit me we were supposed to be getting ready to go to my mom’s house for dinner.

“Baby we gotta get ready for dinner.”

“You made plans?”

“My mom invited us.”

“Is Kacie coming?”

“I don’t know. I’ll check in a minute, but dinner’s at eight.”

It didn’t take long for me to get ready and while I waited for Jamira to finish, I went and knocked on Kacie’s door.

“Yes?”

I peeped in the door. My eyes immediately landed on the stack of boxes lined neatly against the wall.

My stomach dropped.

She wasn’t unpacking.

She was packing.

I wanted to ask if she was leaving, if she’d already made up her mind, but the words never came. I wasn’t sure I was ready for the answer.

Somehow that hurt more than it should’ve.

Kacie looked as if she’d been deep in thought all day. She’d been distant ever since the night her and Jamira exchanged words. I knew neither one meant any harm, but feelings were still collateral damage.

“You coming to dinner at mom’s house?”

She stared for a moment.

“Is Jamira coming?”

What was it with these two asking about the other? They didn’t even put that much effort into conversing with each other.

“Kace… come on.”

She let out a loud sigh. She got up as if the world itself sat on her shoulders.

My heart ached for her.

“Alright.” She said reluctantly.

I sat on the couch and waited as both of them got ready.

Soon Jamira stepped into the living room in an olive green maxi skirt that ran to the floor paired with a cream tank top that hugged her bump in the most adorable way possible.

“You look amazing.” I said never taking my eyes off of her.

The moment I saw her, everything else faded for just a second.

Olive green wrapped around her growing belly, cream against her skin…

God, she looked beautiful.

For one brief moment, I forgot about Kacie.

Forgot about the tension.

Forgot about everything except the family we were building.

She smiled and slowly walked over to me and placed her arms around my neck as she placed a soft kiss on my lips.

We waited another thirty minutes before Kacie came out.

With her hands folded she spoke softly but cold.

“I’ll take my own car.”

Not wanting to entertain her or the trap of a conversation I’d assumed she was trying set. I got up and placed a hand on Jamira’s lower back guiding her to the door.

“Have it your way.”

If giving her space was the only thing she’d accept from me right now, then that’s what I’d do. Without another word we all exited the condo on our way to my parent’s house.