By then the security guards had shown up on the scene. “Ladies, I suggest that you quiet down immediately. This is a hospital. Or will we need to escort the both of you out?”

“I have this under control, thank you.” I hoped I was putting the security officers at ease. They walked a few feet away and stood there watching and listening. “Kyra, I’m trying to calm you down. You’re too far gone to be in a fist fight.”

“Let her go,” Nina hissed. “She fought me when I was pregnant. That’s probably what’s wrong with our son. If something happens to my baby, I swear . . . I swear, I’ll never forgive you or her.”

“Bitch, if you keep it up. The same thing is going to be wrong with you!” Kyra shot back.

I couldn’t take this shit anymore.

“Ladies, will you please STOP!” I didn’t mean to lose control, but I couldn’t take anymore. The bass in my voice bounced off the walls.

Both Kyra and Nina looked as though I had struck them. For a moment, silence reigned. The two women stood as if they were frozen to the floor. Security was motionless as well.

Finally, Kyra snatched her arm away from my grasp, and stomped away, heading to the elevator. She turned to the security guards. “You don’t have to put me out, I’m leaving.” As for me, she threw words over her shoulder as she waddled away. “I’m outta here, Rick. Don’t worry about me or my baby.”

I rushed over to her and grabbed her arm. “The hell you are! You are staying your ass right here. You don’t want to see this side of me, Kyra. But if you leave, I’m going to show it to you. Now, I need you here. Fuck all the bullshit. I need you. Be here for me and my son.” I left her there to make her own decision daring her to leave.

* * *

I was worried about Kyra, but I knew she had a credit card and her license and could get a ticket anywhere she wanted to go. Plus, I had slipped about four-grand in her purse when she wasn’t looking. I was more concerned about my defenseless baby. Why did women have to act so crazy? I mean damn, at least think about the kids. But I knew if she left, she would see what crazy was.

Of course, I stayed and found out about my son. It turned out Rick Jr. had a large boil on his stomach from a staph infection. The doctor had done the surgery, and now they had taken the tubes out of him. He was on the mend, so I was relieved about that.