My baby, Caliph and the twins, Kareem and Shaheem, took off running toward the backyard. I didn’t even have the energy to chase after them. Which was all the more reason that Trae needed to get his ass home to his family.

My phone rang. I looked at it and it was the brother who I was mad at and who I came over here to see. “Kay, we need to talk.”

“Aww shit. I’m Kay. Not Kaylin. And I can tell by the way you just said my name you are upset. Baby sis, you mad at ya big bruh again?”

“We need to talk, big bruh. Where are you?”

“Where are you? It’s your baby shower. Don’t you think you should be there?”

I was sick and tired of Kaylin playing my warden. “I’m here. I just pulled up. Where are you, Kay?”

“Good, this will be good for you. It’s a celebration. You should be trying to enjoy yourself. It’s a party for you, your girls and the baby. But I had to make a run. Sit tight, and I’ll be right back.”

“Kay, I swear to God. You better stop playing with me and get my husband out of jail. How much longer?” I was really an emotional wreck. My eyes welled up. “I would have never moved back here if I knew it was going to take this long. If I could have stayed in Cali, I would be closer to him, Kay, visiting him. You said he would be home by—”

“Bye, Tasha.”

I looked at the phone and it said, call ended.

“No this nigga didn’t just hang up on me!” I stormed up the front steps and into the house.

“Surpriiiiiise!” everyone yelled out. I found myself backing up as they gathered around me.

Kyra was the first to grab me and give me a big, long, tight hug. A little of the tension I had pent up was released. Our bellies collided, and I stepped back to get a good look at her. She was glowing and looked much smaller than me, although we were both almost seven months. Jaz, Faheem, Bo and Shanna gave me hugs. I couldn’t believe Angel went all out for just the few of us. After I greeted everyone, I asked Angel where was Kay?

“He’s not here. He’ll be back.”

“I was just talking to him. I thought he was here.”

Angel pulled me to the side. “You just missed him. He had to make a run. What’s the matter? Is everything okay? You don’t look too good. Are the boys okay? You know Aisha and Jahara have been bugging me about when they would get here.”

“They ran around back.” I headed for the stairs.

“Where are you going, Tasha?”

“I’m not feeling well. I’m going to lie down, Angel. Is that okay with you?”