Angel, our attorney of record, went with Trae and me to the police department. We took the baby with us and met with a Jamaican social worker, Erica Monteith. She was there, representing the Department of Children Services. She undressed and examined Taylour in front of me as I looked on anxiously.

“Healthy, well-cared for baby,” Ms. Monteith pronounced. “She is an appropriate size for her age. Breastfed? Nice.” She wrote some notes, then studied my documentation.

Taylour kept looking at me, smiling her toothless baby grin and kicking her legs.

“This baby really knows her mother. Good bonding,” the social worker commented.

I had the release papers from the hospital, showing there was no evidence of prenatal exposure to any type of illegal substance when Taylour was born. The Department of Children’s Services dropped the allegations of child endangerment and the police department removed the Amber Alert restrictions. Praise God for that. I didn’t know who pulled that shit in the first place, but I was willing to bet that it was that stinking ass Mari.

“So, Sergeant Toliver. I’m pronouncing that correctly, right?” Sergeant Toliver shook his head yes. “So, someone,” Trae continued, “can put out a lie and an Amber Alert is issued at the drop of a hat? That’s some bullshit!”

“Calm down, bae,” I said, holding him by the arm. He was beginning to gain a little of his weight back and his arms had swollen up like they do when he’s angry. I knew how dark Trae’s temper could get, and he had recently been locked up twice, so I damn sure didn’t want him locked up a third time for getting it in with a police officer.

Trae still didn’t calm down until Angel said, “I’ll initiate an investigation.” We were free to go, so we hurried to leave before Trae exploded.

* * *

The baby hadn’t seen her pediatrician, Dr. Baker, yet. So, Trae rode with me to the doctor’s office after we dropped Angel back off at the house. I had the clearance papers just in case the doctor had that same fake ass Amber Alert notice.

The doctor wanted to start Taylour’s shots, but I declined. We still had time and we weren’t stable yet. With me breastfeeding, her immune system was protected by my breast milk. The doctor confirmed that she would be fine for a couple of months. Trae’s phone went off. He answered it while the doctor was still examining Taylour.

I heard him mumble, “Damn.” Then he turned to me and said, “Tasha, this is something important. I’m going to have to handle this. I have to go but Bo is coming to pick you up.”

“I know how to get to the house, bae.”

“Tasha, we had this conversation already.”

“Trae, we are almost done. Don’t make me wait here for Bo. Drop me off or let me call Uber.”