Tears fell from her eyes. It seemed like, she walked through a rainstorm. The words were more powerful than President John Adams’ Inaugural Address on March 4th, 1797, that included a 727-word sentence.
Kareem read the title of the book: Pregnancy Sucks, For Men by Kimes & Kimes. He flipped to the first page and read the inscription:
Dear Reem:
Thanks for an incredible life, and I apologize for my selfish behavior. Now give me some love, and as you can see I am dressed for our party for three reservations at Per Se.
Love Always,
Latoya
The room was silent, except for the noise made by Toi’s nylon blouse when she handed him her home pregnancy test. Kareem fell back and knocked a Swarovski crystal swan off the end table. Glass shattered everywhere. He sat in awe. He had been so busy that he had missed the good things. For a change he was lost for words, in a state of confusion. He felt like dancing down the toilet along with all of the excrement that had just dropped out of his mouth. He tried to put a string of ideas together. Opting for the obvious, he hugged her, and she sank deep into his arms.
“I had to see my GYN because I have missed my period for a month. She set me up to get a test in her lab, but I couldn’t wait, so I spent $200 at Duane Reade to buy a home test.”
Kareem slouched with her wrapped in his arms. He was bewildered. He had not digested everything and felt uncomfortably ashamed of his actions. A tsunami of emotions hit him hard. He had no idea what to do, so he relinquished his emotions with tears.
There was nothing to be said, other than, “You have no idea how much I love you, Toi. This is about far more than running around with celebrities. More than traveling here and there. I want so much to please you and to really change the lives of the people around me. I work hard for myself of course, but the visions of the end result for my family is on my mind every step of the way.”
“I know baby, and that’s why I love you so much. I knew that this was your plan in high school, so why I’ve been so selfish is beyond me. Everyone that I encounter sums up your qualities as a superior man—even my damn gynecologist, for Christ’s sake, she read about you in the Times. I do not want to lose you. I am sorry for going behind your back and fraternizing with someone else. I assure you that it was harmless and nothing sexual ever happened.”
“Toi, do not lie to me. The last thing that I need is for a nigga to come up on me and claim that he was fucking you, while I ran around trying to get life better for you.”
“Kareem, please don’t do this. I did not do anything sexual with him...” She paused and leaned to grab the stereo remote. She raised the volume of the stereo, which played Ginuwine singing a song about his first born. She told Kareem to listen to the song.
The song played, and Toi’s actions gradually vanished into Kareem’s memory. He did not want their love to fail. Especially not then, as his career ballooned to stardom. He needed to be loved. Needed someone there. He needed Toi.
She moved her body to become face-to-face with him. Her breath tinged with peppermint, as they kissed. She leaned back and he climbed on top of her.