Nicki

I was so mad I needed to take a seat as I blew up Linda's phone. She's always on the shit and now all of a sudden, I'm calling over twenty times in an hour. What the is she doing that is so fucking important that she isn't answering my phone call. Nicki breathed in and out as she felt herself becoming more and more angry than worried by now.

"DADDY! She's right there!"

"Where?"

"There, walking down the side street."

Nicki jumped out of her seat and grabbed the belt that she had ripped off QJ. SB looked back to her and shook his head as she headed towards the door. He better move out my way. I won't have this shit in my fucking house. I love her too much for her to fucking run out on me. SB reached out for her and she hit him with the belt across the chest. He backed up as she continued towards the door. She pulled it open as Linda walked up the stairs.

"Where the fuck have you been?"

"At a friends house."

"WHO?"

"Tiffany."

"That's funny because I talk to her earlier and she didn't know where the fuck you were!!"

Nicki shouted as Linda stood on the steps with guilt all over her face. SB came to the door and frowned with disapproval. Linda looked down then up as the tears fell from her eyes. What the hell is she crying for? I'm the one who should be fucking crying! Nicki couldn't look at her anymore and turned around slamming the door in her face.

"Don't let her in my fucking house! She didn't want to be here, so she can stay out there in those streets where she was at!"

"Mommy..."

"Macy don't talk to me right now!"

Macy ran to the door and opened it as Linda stood there crying. Macy walked up to her and reached up for her, but she just turned and left.

"Lindy!"

"I love you Macy, I'll be back."

"Linda, where are you going?"

Alex asked chasing after her. She ran down the block and headed for the cut as he raced back to his car. Nicki stood in the doorway and grabbed Macy. Where ever she going better have her attitude right when she gets back. She slammed the door closed and faced Maddy.

"You didn't have to kick her out. We're her family and we're all she got, remember or have you forgotten about her too?"

"Maddy, I don't have time for your shit if you want to leave you can too."

"I plan on it, in March."

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"With my Granny because now I see you don't care about us either!"

Nicki took in her words and began to cry. What, how in the hell is she really saying this? I stop my whole life for these kids and all they do is give me attitude. Fuck this. She stormed pass Maddy towards the elevator with SB on her trail trying to soothe her. She fought the sharp pains in her side as she got onto the elevator.

~~~~~~

"Faree get up please."

"Nic?"

"I need to get my baby."

"What? Where is it? What happen?"

"FAREE!"

He jumped up and fell over the side of the bed. He reached for the blanket and crawled back up seeing a frown on her face. She sighed heavily as she stood up and grabbed her coat. She stepped into her slippers and walked down the stairs. She stepped out in the cool night and looked around into the darkness. She headed down the street towards where she saw Linda walk to.

"Baby, it's late..."

"I know and that's why I need to get my baby in the house."

SB didn't say another word as he grabbed her arm and they walked together with her leading the way. She stopped as the pain began in her side again. He looked down at her as she buried her face into his side and squeezed his arm.

"You alright?"

"Yeah."

She lied fighting the pain. She followed the small path until they came across a bench with Linda on it. She was laid under her a small blanket. Nicki sat on the bench as much as she could and rubbed her hand across her face.

"I'm so sorry baby."

"Let me get her Nic and let's get back in the house."

"Okay."

Linda was freezing cold when he picked her up. She shivered letting him know that she was still alive. Nicki watched as he placed her back down then pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around her body and picked her up. She grabbed hold of his pants and followed him out of the path.

They walked back into the house. SB headed towards Linda's room, but Nicki stopped him and pointed to the elevator. He followed behind her holding Linda tight. They got to their bedroom and Nicki dropped her coat on the chair and got into bed.

"Lay her here."

"Alright."

He laid her down then pulled off the coat and walked around and got in. She snuggled Linda and pressed her face against her's then fell asleep.

******

Nicki examined the passion marks all over Linda's neck, breast and ear. She shook her head piecing things together, but not understanding why she would do it? She sat on the edge of the bed and shook Linda a little to see if she would get up, but she looked at her then shut her eyes back. Sigh, it's going to be a long day. Nicki walked down the stairs to the kitchen to hear SB on the phone.

"Yes, they should be arriving at your house in the next three days."

"I'm sure and hope you and your wife enjoy them."

"Cool, goodbye."

"You too sir."

He spun around Nic's arms and looked down at her. She looked up at him and began to tear up. I've failed and she isn't even my birth daughter. Why couldn't she wait? What's the rush? She promised she'd talk to us first. Her eyebrows furrowed as she let tears escape one by one.

"Faree, she had sex."

"She WHAT?"

"Calm your voice the other kids are sleep."

"Well she about to get the fuck up."

He pushed her off him and raced up the stairs taking two steps at a time. Lord, please don't let this fool do anything stupid. She got on the elevator only to hear Linda yell out in pain and a hard thud. She pressed open when it got to the floor. Maddy stood behind SB trying to get the belt from his hand and Macy was on the bed crying. Linda was up against the wall with tears pouring down her face as Licour and Layshun stood off to the side near the bedroom door.

"What's up, Linda?"

"What did I do?"

"Now we playing stupid? You know exactly what the fuck you did!"

"Daddy..."

"Nic, my baby... I need air."

He threw the belt on the floor after pushing Maddy away and stormed out the door. Linda slid down the wall and cried harder. Nicki was frozen in place not knowing whether to comfort her or going after SB. Maddy looked at her with disgust as she ran out the room.

"Mommy, Daddy left in his truck."

Nicki nodded at Macy as she walked over to Linda. She pulled up a chair in front of her and sat down. Nicki grabbed Linda's face and silent tears rolled down her face.

"Did you have sex yesterday?"

She nodded focusing on the floor.

"Why? Why didn't you tell us? We always..."

"I know, I was going to tell you... At first, but it wasn't Alex, who took my virginity."

She answered not looking at her. Not Alex then who? I hope she was safe at least. As if she could hear Nic's thought she answered her question.

"It was with Wendell then William."

She began to cry feeling ashamed and dirty. Nicki slid back and stood up breathing heavy. She was trapped between being angry and feeling bad. She pointed to the other kids and then to the door. Linda looked up at her and balled up even more into the wall.

"Why did you do it?"

"So I didn't have to go to Africa. I don't want to be there. I don't want to grow up unhappy and strict like my mother. If I'm tainted they won't want me and that's the only way I know, it won't happen again."

Linda spoke shaking and full of regret. Nicki was sitting on the bed looking at her then patted the spot next to her. Linda walked over and sat next to her. She looked down as Nicki spoke.

"If you didn't want to go you had a choice not to go."

"No I didn't, only Maddy did. I know because Grandma told me I was too old not to be married and that when she came to visit us, I was going anyways unless God tainted me. I decided I'd do it myself...."

"Linda, if you would of told me before doing this, you know I would've had your back. You didn't need to do this."

She said in a low voice. Linda looked in her face and wiped at the tear rolling down her face. She pulled her hand back. Nicki sighed not wanting to look at her anymore. Her heart was broken and she had nothing more to say.

"I hope you can forgive me, Mommy. All I wanted was to stay here with you. I'd give up Ghana and my life for you, no matter what I have to do."

Nicki rolled back into the bed and cried hard at Linda's words. Linda stood up and walked out the room. What did I really do to these kids? Nicki now was regretting taking them in. I didn't want them to hurt themselves because of me, maybe that's why their mother was so cold to them, so this shit would be easy. Nicki balled up as much as she could, but only felt pain everywhere she tried to get comfortable.

~~~~~~

A silence crept over the house as everyone sat in their personal space. Nicki tried to call and text SB, but he wasn't answering. She looked out the window to see his truck outside. She made her way to the last floor and walked through the garage to see him sitting there with his head on his arms at the old desk that was suppose to been in the trash. She walked up behind him and rubbed his shoulders. He shrugged her off and went back to crying.

"Why she do this me? My baby wasn't suppose to that. She was suppose to be the good one. I was expecting this to be Macy..... Well not really, but shit not her."

"Faree, if i tell you, you'd be even more pissed, so lets calm down..."

"HOW? She never keep secrets from us and then she goes out and does the ultimate slapped to the face!!"

Nicki stepped feeling the baby become upset with her because she hasn't eaten most of the day and here it was two. She rubbed his back then walked towards the door.

"Faree, sometimes we're selfish and stubborn and don't realize it."

She spoke before leavening him to think about it. She walked into the kitchen and washed her hands. Her phone began to ring and she frowned at the name on it. She wasn't expecting to see this name and she didn't know whether to be mad or happy, but she did know she wanted to know why he was calling.

******

Nicki put dinner on the table and watched as everyone came flying to the table. SB sat at his end of the table and looked down at his food. Linda was gloomy and right under Nic like she did when she was younger. A sign that she was scared. Nicki grabbed hold of her hand and rubbed it. They all sat quiet at first, no-one moving or saying anything. Licour was the first to speak as the ice was beginning to chill.

"I know today has been along day, but I would just like to say that, Linda we love you no matter what. We're family and though we argue and fight, we still love each other."

"I love you guys too."

"You sure? Cause family doesn't hide shit from each other!"

"Faree!"

"We been here for five years of your life and you just... Leave of us hanging like some balls!"

"WOW, you guys are one to talk!"

Maddy interrupted laughing. What the hell? We never hid anything from them. What is she talking about? Nicki looked at Maddy then at SB. Linda squeezed her hand as her leg began to bounce.

"Maddy this has nothing to do with you, so sit back.."

"It does because we're talking about "Family".."

She quoted family which hurt Nic's feelings. Huh? Nicki's heart was racing and the pain began to kick in again with the baby's body pressing down into her belly.

"Girl, what are you talking about? Nicki and I don't keep shit from you guys."

"That's a joke because from what my Granny told me in Ghana you guys have a lot of secrets. Not to mention the only reason you guys kept us!"

All the kids looked between them as their faces looked confused as to what Maddy was on about. What is she saying? We love them that's why we kept them and she knows that. What the hell is her grandmother telling her about us. Maddy got up from the table and slammed her chair against it.

"And Linda you didn't even have to worry about going to Ghana, I had already told Granny that I would be going and she didn't have to worry about you, but now she really does since you're dirty."

Linda burst into tears and laid her head on Nicki's lap. Everyone at the table just sat quiet now not hungry. SB sat and pieced together what happen and looked up at Nicki. She was crying and shaking her head. Macy laid across Linda's lap and sniffled. Their family was crumbling and no-one was trying to fix it. Everyone was hurting from something. The cracks and the secrets. The phone call and the money.

[ I need comments on both chapters)