LEMONADE|| Keith Powers

Chapter 31: Catch 22

"Though I lost ya," I said.

"Fucking trying to drown me" he tried getting up. I turned off the shower placing my hand out. "I got it," he said trying to get up but he couldn't. "Come on," I said. He took my hand as I helped him out the shower, he had way too much to drink. He fell weak to his knees sitting on the bathroom floor. "I'm good, I'm straight," he said. I grabbed his towel handing it to him; he wiped his face. "You could've almost killed yourself" I walked out grabbing the rest of his Hennessy. I opened the bottle pouring it down the drain.

"I know you didn't just throw out my shit," he said. "You passed out on the floor and it took me nearly 10 minutes to get you up," I said. "We overslept for the meeting" I added

"Shit," he said. "Did you call them? He asked leaned over against the wall. "Yeah, I called them," I said. "Aight.. You can go now, you don't got to babysit" he said.

"I'm not babysitting a grown man. I already take care of my son" I rolled my eyes. "You know what I meant" he leaned over opening the toilet seat. I crossed my arms "Well I'm glad you're alert" I walked off until I felt a tug on my leg. He began puking while he firmly gripped my leg. I looked down at him amazed at his hangover in the weekday. Once he finished I walked off. I came back upstairs handing him a Gatorade and Excedrin.

"What's this? He asked. "This is going to help with that hangover," I said. He took the pills along with his Gatorade. Once he said was finished he leaned his head back against the wall, he was too drunk to walk. I'd expect him to be laying there for the next two hours. "I'll check on you in a few," I said. He nodded his head while I turned off the light leaving him in the bathroom.

"Hi Josie," Morgan said greeting me. I picked her kissing her cheek.

"Hey sissy, I see you're lucky today... we all overslept," I said. "That means no school," she said. "Yeah" I smiled

"Can I go back to sleep? She asked

"Well, I was going to cook some breakfast? I asked. "Mmm I'll just eat some cereal when I get up," she said. I laughed she was so independent for her age and a bit lazy. She likes to sleep around all day.

Two hours later

I was on my way to discuss this fashion show with Kamaya and then get measurements for her models and then later that night check on the club I guess. I'd have Jace and Morgan tag along with me to get some air. I don't know how long Ricky is going to be down but my super nice self.. brought him lunch. Knowing him he'll wake up to some cereal and a cigarette... eww.!

I opened the door to see him finally laid on his bed. "Feeling better"? I asked holding Jace on my hip. He was just as concerned as me.

"Wassup buddy," he said to him.

"Not really" he answered me. "I um brought you some food. I know you didn't eat" I said handing him a bag.

"You don't gotta do all of this. I'm straight now" he said. "Why you gotta fight me all the time, I'm just being a mom... I can't help it" I said. He took the food out "Thanks" he said.

"No problem," I said looking around. Jace began crying. "Okay, I'll see you later. I'll work at the club if you need me too" I said

"I'll be there later, just meet me then," he said. Jace leaned over reaching for Ricky. "Come on, you can see him later," I said but he shook his head.

Ricky reached for him as I rolled my eyes. He sat him in front of him while he ate. "Good choice," he said tearing his food up.

I got him a sandwich and soup from Panera Bread.

"You're making my baby hungry" I laughed at him staring at the food. "You want some? He asked him. I sat on the edge of the bed, I was trying to leave now but Jace had other plans. He took the lid off his cup letting Jace drink his soda.