**Sept. 4th, 2015**

Camry's POV

Mariyah and I were at the park practicing Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely". Mariah had a talent show coming up and my baby has talent. "Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? Isn't she precious? Less than one minute old!" Mariyah sang a little too loudly.

"Baby, you singing way too loud. When you sing like that, nobody gets to hear how wonderful you are." I stood up off the picnic table and cleared my throat. "Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? Isn't she precious?" I sang until I was cut off. "Moma, that was amazing.", Mariyah said giving me a hug. "Now you do it," I suggested as I sat back down.

"Wassup Camry?", Kordell called out, walking over towards our table. I looked up and smiled. "Hey, Kordell.", I said as I blushed. "You following me?", I asked watching Mariyah drink her water and massage her throat. She is too much. "Naw. Me and my fam came out here to play basketball. You just happen to always be where I'm at. Maybe it's a sign." I laughed at him. "Boy, a sign meaning what?", I responded. "Saying that we need each other.", Kordell said standing up fixing his basketball shorts.

"Somebody real is hard to find. Somebody worth all your time. Somebody who can tell you the truth. Someone who loves you for you.", Mariyah sang perfectly. Not too high, not too low. And hit all the right notes. Kordell looked at her with his mouth open.

"Baby girl you can sing.", he said giving her a high five. "Go find your parents and ask them if I could give you $5," Kordell asked in amusement.

"Well yeah. You can give her $5.", I laughed. Mariyah came and sat in my lap.

"Wait. What? This your daughter?", Kordell said with a little disappointment in his voice.

"Yea and my baby girl is with her daddy.", I said standing up gathering our belongings.

I grabbed Mariyah's hand and started walking away. "Camry, I didn't mean for it to come off as rude as it did. "I just didn't think you had kids for real.", Kordell said adding to my anger.

"Ok, Kordell.", I said putting Mariyah in the back seat and putting her seatbelt on. I closed the door and walked to the driver's side.

"Camry I'm sorry aight. I ain't mean for it sound like that. I still like you and still wanna get to know you and your kids." Kordell pleaded. I nodded my head and got in the car. I'm too old for games.

I started the car and waiting for him to move out of my way. My phone vibrated in the cup holder. It was Kordell telling me he wouldn't move until I accepted his apology. What he didn't know was that I would hit him. I put the car in drive and lightly put my foot on the gas. Kordell moved to the side and shook his head.

My phone vibrated again signaling a call. "Yes, Kordell?", I answered annoyed. "Camry, I'm sorry girl. Just forgive me and let me make it up to you." Kordell apologized. "I accept your apology Kordell. See you tomorrow right?" I asked not really wanting to further this conversation. "Ight ma.". Then the line went dead.

I drove around just to see what the city was looking like. "Mommy is that DeOna?", Mariyah asked me. I looked out the window and saw DeOna leaning on a bus stop. I pulled up on the curb and turned my car off. I let down the passenger window.

"DeOna?", I called out. She looked at the car and looked away. Well fuck her, she don't want a ride. I'm not about to kiss her ass. I started my car back up.

"Mommy we can't leave her, it's about to rain.", Mariyah said as she let down her window and looked at the sky.

"DeOna! Come on, it's starting to rain.", Ri said as it began to sprinkle. DeOna walked to the car and got in the backseat with Ri. I looked for oncoming traffic before pulling off.

"DeOna you getting fat. I heard Anisha say you're having a baby." I looked at Mariyah through the rearview mirror.

"Yea Ri, I'm having a baby girl.", DeOna responded.

"So what are you gonna name her?", Ri asked.

"I was thinking about CheMarie, but I like Jaylah.", DeOna explained. I bit my tongue so hard.

"Ohhh those are pretty. CheMarie is my name and Chelsea name together and Jaylah is like my daddy name.", Mariyah said.

"Okay, enough questions Ri!", I yelled. I was very annoyed at the fact that she was gonna name her baby after my girls. I pulled up to Aunt Jay's house and DeOna stepped out the car. The rain poured down on her head as she walked up the steps. She used her key to let herself in and I pulled off.

By the time I made it home, Mariyah was sleep. I turned off the car and stepped out. I grabbed Mariyah out and threw her over my shoulder. I pressed the alarm on my keychain and ran up the steps. There was still a little blood splattered on the door and steps. It's been there for three months, hopefully, the rain washes it away. I quickly unlocked the doors and laid Ri down on the couch. I took off her shoes and gave her a blanket.

I was one tired sister and this rain was only making me sleepy. I climbed on the longer couch and took off my shoes. I got my phone out my pocket and scanned through Facebook. Same people, same drama. I locked my screen and went to the laundry room. I grabbed the mop bucket, some bleach, and some pine sol. I walked through the living room and peered at Mariyah sleeping. My first born, she taught me so much in life. She gave me no other option but to mature.

I unlocked the front door and just stared at the blood. I poured the bleach and pine sol in the bucket and soaked up the mop. "Father can you hear me, I'm calling on your name." I sang. Suddenly feeling my body get weak. I scrubbed and scrubbed the blood until it wasn't visible. I felt warm tears escape my eyes as I remembered my moma and my cousin. I just can't take no more loss. I heard my phone ring inside the house so I just poured the bucket of cleaning water down the steps. I rushed to the phone to see 6 missed calls from Jaylin and 4 missed calls from Anisha. I dialed Anisha's number but was stopped by a call from Jaylin. "Wassup? Why you blowing up my phone?", I asked worriedly. "Ma'am this is Doctor Charles Harden. I'm calling to inform you that........

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