Ammunition Short: Adulting
“Saiana, you sure you can handle it?” Jasiella asked hesitantly as she sat with the phone pressed to her ear. Saiana sighed on her end of the phone, “It’s only for a day or two, I’m sure I can handle watching Jewel besides Gavyn will be here with me.”
“I guess. I mean we can just take Jewel with us.”
“You can’t properly enjoy New York with a baby attached to your hip all day. You and that husband of yours go sight-see while I visit with my niece. Do something adult for once.”
“Alright. And my husband has a name, thank you very much.”
“I also don’t like him so his name doesn’t matter.”
“No. He said way too much and got too comfortable way too fast with me. I don’t like that.”
“Well he don’t know me well enough to play like that.”
Jasiella shook her head, “Whatever little sis.”
“So we’ll see you next weekend?”
“No problem. Tell my Jewel Baby, I said hi.”
“When she wakes up from her nap, I’ll call you back.”
“Ok. Gavyn should be home by then.”
“Ryan!” Leandra exclaimed as she sat the bag of groceries on the kitchen island. Ryan came into the kitchen and glared at his wife, “Sira and Ashley better be here carrying these groceries.”
Leandra twisted up her lips and Ryan threw his hands up, “Really Lele?”
“Babe, I’m sorry but it was hot and I needed to hurry up.”
“You could’ve called me. You are pregnant. You do not need to be carrying anything.”
Leandra pouted, “But Ryan…”
“Ryan nothing. Keep it up and I’ma spank you.”
“I think that’s how y’all got into this situation now,” a voice tinged with irritation said.
Both Ryan and Leandra turned to see their daughters, Sira and Ashley, standing in the kitchen archway. Leandra knew who said the smart remark without having to think about it. Her daughter was just a calmer version of herself, “Sira, stop being a smart ass. Nobody asked you anything.”
“Can y’all put these groceries away please? Your mother needs to lay down,” Ryan asked. Sira and Ashley nodded their answer before going over to the island. Ryan hugged both of them before grabbing Leandra’s hand and bag, “You are going to sit down somewhere.”
“Ryan, I am-” Leandra paused in her speech when Ryan gave her another look, “Lead the way, Husband.”
“That’s what I thought,” Ryan murmured as he led Leandra out the room. Sira and Ashley laughed as their parents left the kitchen.
“Our parents are fucking weirdos,” Ashley said.
“I know. What are you doing here?” Sira replied.
Ashley raised her eyebrow at her sister, “what you mean?”
“You moved out like a year ago and we haven’t seen you since now all of sudden you pop up at the house.”
“I can’t just want to visit my family.”
“No because I know that’s not you. What’s going on?”
“Really Ashley? All that shit I’ve never told, do you really have to ask me that?”
“Ok, ok. I flunked out of Grad school.”
“Sira, it was so hard and I couldn’t concentrate on anything.”
“Of course I did. It took so much for me to just not withdraw after the first semester. I mean I tried to stick it out but I don’t think I’m going back.”
“Did you talk to your teachers or anything?”
“Yea, it helped for a while but some of that stuff, I just couldn’t get it.”
“Why don’t you take a break for the summer then go back in the fall?”
“I don’t know what that is going to change.”
“You’re stressed. Besides I need my big sis with me.”
Sira leaned her head on Ashley’s shoulder and batted her eyelashes. Ashley rolled her eyes, “Sira, why are you so dramatic?”
“I just don’t want you to drop out and regret it.”
“So Spring semester is over. Just chill until August and we’ll figure something out.”
“It’s not like I have a choice.”
“Sis, don’t sound like that.”
“Well at least I have my apartment.”
“Yea. So I wanna move in with you.”
“Why? I thought you wanted to stay with Mommy Leandra and Daddy.”
“I did until Ma told us she was pregnant. I ain’t trying to be here with no screaming baby.”
Ashley laughed, “I feel you on that.”
“So what you doing this weekend?”
“I didn’t have anything planned. You wanna do something?”
“I kind of wanna go to Disney.”
“Ma, I don’t understand why you’re freaking out. Me and Ana can handle this,” Gavyn replied with an exasperated sigh. He really hated when his parents decided to make surprise visits to New York to see him and Saiana. It was cool they wanted to see them but they needed to call first.
“Gavyn, you have never taken care of a baby,” Robyn replied as she plopped down on the couch next to her son.
“I’ve helped take care of Gigi before, I’m sure it shouldn’t be any different.”
“You watched Gigi for three hours at the most. You barely had to do anything. It’s much different than taking care of a baby for an extended period of time.”
“Maybe it’ll give me some practice.”
Robyn arched her brow and turned her body to face Gavyn, “Practice for what?”
“No I don’t especially if you’re referring to what I think you’re referring to.”
“Ma, don’t start overreacting.”
“I haven’t done anything yet, Gavyn but you better not plan on making me a grandmother anytime soon.”
“I’m not. Can we get married first?”
“That’s fine but that better not happen anytime soon either.”
“You’re still in school. I would like for you to graduate first and become stable before doing any of that.”
“I got this job and I’m thinking of holding off on going to Grad school.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Did you already apply for Grad School?”
“I mean Sweetie, it’s up to you. It’s your education. I mean does your job have anything for education aid?”
“Yea but I’d have to be an employee for at least a year.”
“I mean that’s not a bad deal. Work and then just have your job pay for you to go back to school. It’s a nice back-up plan.”
“Glad you’re ok with it. I thought you were gonna curse me out.”
“Gavyn, you are grown. I’m not gonna make you do something you don’t want to do. You’re getting your Bachelors’ and I’m extremely proud of you, if you don’t want to go further that won’t change anything for me.”
Robyn smiled and Gavyn moved to lay his head in her lap. She gently twisted his curls around her fingertips, “You have hair just like your dad, you know that?”
“Yea. You tell me that almost every time you see me.”
Robyn mushed his forehead and Gavyn laughed, “You a smart ass like your father too.”
“AJ come on! We were supposed to be at Gavyn’s house an hour ago,” Jasiella complained as she gathered Jewel’s toys and baby bag. Their vacation to New York was not going as planned at all. AJ wasn’t listening to anything she said, Jewel was extremely fussy and she was ready to pull her hair out. Saiana was all gung-ho about watching Jewel, she wished her sister could babysit her husband too.
“Jasi, I can’t find my phone,” AJ called out. Jasiella rolled her eyes as she walked into the bedroom of their hotel suite, “It’s on the charger in the living room.”
“Oh,” AJ said lowly as he followed Jasiella into the living room. Jasiella grabbed Jewel’s car seat, “Meet me downstairs in five minutes. Saiana is coming to get us instead of us getting a cab to her house.”
Attaching the car seat to the stroller base, Jasiella made sure Jewel was secure before placing her bags in the bottom and going downstairs to the hotel lobby.
“Babe, I’m still waiting for Jasi to come down. She texted me that her husband was having some issues getting his stuff together,” Saiana said into her phone.
“How difficult is it to just get dressed and come downstairs?” Gavyn replied.
Saiana chuckled as she pressed her hair behind her ear, “Babe, I don’t know but they really need to come on.”
“You know my parents are here right?”
“What? When’d they get here?”
“Apparently last night but my mom came over like 30 minutes after you left.”
“Aww...I wish I would’ve known. I would’ve waited a bit longer before leaving. I haven’t seen Auntie Robyn in a while.”
“They aren’t leaving for another two weeks. Guess they decided to take a vacation.”
“Oh that’s cool. We need to have dinner or whatever while Jasi and them are here as well.”
“Whatever you feel like doing, Baby Girl.”
“I’m gonna call Jasi again then call you back.”
“Ok Baby Girl. Just let me know when you’re on your way back so I can meet you downstairs.”
“Love you too, Ana. Later.”
“Hey Little Bit,” Gavyn cooed softly as he gathered Jewel into his arms. She smiled at him and Gavyn kissed her cheek as he moved to sit down on the couch. Shifting her into a more comfortable position in his arms, Gavyn stretched out and let her rest on his chest.
“You wanna watch some cartoons until your auntie gets back?” Gavyn murmured softly. He knew Jewel wouldn’t be able to answer but he had quickly discovered a while back she liked to hear his voice. Watching her signature smile come across her face, Gavyn chuckled to himself before turning the channel to Disney Kids.
“Gavyn!” Saiana exclaimed as she walked into their bedroom with Jewel on her hip. Gavyn moved his headphones and looked up from his laptop, “What’s up Ana?”
“I’ve been calling you for the past ten minutes. What you doing in here?”
“Editing this research paper. You needed something?”
“A diaper but I got it already.”
“You know you look very beautiful like that?”
“With a baby on your hip.”
“Don’t you go getting any ideas.”
“For my mother to fly back out here and try to kill me? Trust me, I have no plans on making any babies anytime soon. I was just saying, it looks natural to you.”
Saiana shifted Jewel in her arms before she sat down on the bed next to Gavyn, “you know I think Jasi was worried for nothing. Jewel’s like a little angel. Barely makes noise or anything.”
“You mean now? She was not having it all this afternoon.”
“Babe, she wasn’t that bad.”
“You know that shirt you bought me last month?”
“The one you were trying to find for six months?”
“Lil Bit threw up all over me.”
“Whatever her mother left for us to feed her.”
Saiana shook her head, “Babe, do you know how hard it was for me to find that shirt?”
Saiana groaned as she leaned her head on Gavyn’s shoulder. Gavyn kissed her forehead before turning his attention to Jewel. He poked her chubby cheek and she giggled before reaching for his hand. Grabbing a hold of his index finger, Jewel put it in her mouth. Gavyn grimaced playfully and leaned down to kiss the tip of Jewel’s nose before tugging his finger away and tickling her tummy.
Saiana smiled, “you know you’re a natural too.”
“I’m a natural at everything I do. What you mean?”
Saiana rolled her eyes, “your ass just can’t ever just take a compliment.”
“I mean I appreciate you noting my awesomeness but it’s not like I don’t already know.”
“Careful, you don’t want your head to get any bigger.”
Gavyn chuckled, “Whatever.”
“Did you get in contact with your parents?”
“Yes. They want to take us out to dinner tomorrow night.”
“Yup. They said they’ll catch up with Jasi and AJ separately.”
“Oh ok. I need to get something to wear.”
“Get? What you mean get?”
“Exactly what I said. I need to get something to wear.”
“If I feel it’s necessary, yes.”
“Come on Ana, we talked about this.”
“Gavy, I said I will buy, not you.”
“Yea but we got bills to pay and we have an apartment and we have school expenses to remember. You got a bunch of shit in the closet, you don’t need to buy anything else.”
“I didn’t say nothing when you went and got those Jordan’s.”
“That’s-“ Saiana held up her hand to interrupt him, “I also didn’t say anything when you went and paid to upgrade your phone for no damn reason. So if I feel like I need to get a new pair of shoes or a dress or a shirt, I will do so and you will not say anything to me about it. I don’t complain when you buy frivolous shit so don’t start with me.”
“My purchases aren’t frivolous. Last I checked, the last time I bought shoes was almost two years ago, you got a new pair last week. Last I checked, my phone was due for an upgrade and I only paid like $100, you spend that much on a pair of fucking stockings. So don’t try and compare apples to oranges ok?”
“No buts. Besides, you were short on your half of the bills last month and the month before that so the last thing you need to be worried about is an outfit. Worry about that light bill, alright?”
“Don’t start talking to me like you’re my father, Gavyn.”
“I’m not trying to. You just need to get your priorities in order. Just because you can call your parents or know I’m gonna pick up your slack whenever you get into a jam, doesn’t mean you purposely put yourself in one. I don’t care about you buying shit because you want to as long as it doesn’t affect the combined responsibilities we have.”
“You making it sound like I’m neglecting my responsibilities.”
“I didn’t say that. What I am saying is you aren’t putting your responsibilities first.”
Saiana scoffed, “Whatever Gavyn.”
She gathered Jewel in her arms and left their bedroom. Gavyn sighed as he ran his hands through his curls. He hated when they got into arguments about money. Ana always ended up not talking to him for a few days and depending on how bad what he said was, he’d end up sleeping on the couch as well. Gavyn understood Ana’s habits, they were all raised in wealthy households with wealthy parents but that didn’t translate to them being fed with a silver spoon. AS the oldest, he always shouldered most of the responsibility and his parents always expected more of him. Ana on the other hand was the baby and a daddy’s girl to boot, she was spoiled. She wasn’t bratty but she had certain expectations and often dismissed the reality that now they weren’t living with their parents anymore so she couldn’t spend all crazy like she used to. It was hard trying to convey that message to her without her taking offense to it.
“Ana, I really don’t know why you called me. You know Gavyn is right,” Mel said before taking a sip out of her coffee cup. Saiana groaned as she watched her mother on her phone screen, “you are my mother, aren’t you supposed to take my side?”
“When you’re right, sure but you’re wrong and you know it. I told you once you moved out, me and your dad would help whenever you needed it but only in certain circumstances. Had I known about your shopping habits, I would’ve never told Mijo to send you that stipend. We are not here to support your vices. You are an adult now and you have to learn to take care of yourself. You need to learn how to budget your money so that you have enough to take care of your bills and take care of your wants. Gavyn is right and you need to stop being a brat.”
“Saiana Melina Bradford, did you forget who you’re talking to?”
“You need to sit down with your boyfriend, organize your bills, budget your money and get your things together. You wanted to move out on your own and be an adult then you need to start behaving like it.”
“I’m gonna email you this spending chart I used when I first moved out on my own. You and Gavyn get together and talk about everything, ok?”
“I don’t mind you calling when you have a problem and have no problem helping you out but you need to learn to communicate with your boyfriend better when y’all have a problem. Remember I’m not the person you’re dating.”
“Now go to your boyfriend and figure it out and stop putting him on the couch, that’s not nice.”
Saiana chuckled, “Ok Ma. I love you.”
“Love you too. Talk to you later.”
Saiana ended the FaceTime call and left back to her bedroom.
Gavyn looked up and removed his headphones from his ears, “you still mad at me?”
Saiana shook her head, “No. Can I talk to you?”
Gavyn patted the spot next to him on the bed and Saiana cuddled up to him, “what’s up, Baby Girl?”
“I’m sorry I was being a brat earlier and you were right.”
Gavyn furrowed his brow as he leaned back from her, “I was right? You serious or you just playing with my feelings? What kind of trick is this?”
Saiana giggled as she shook her head, “it’s not a trick, I’m serious. I did promise to be more responsible and I shouldn’t expect you to pick up my slack all the time just because I’m not doing what I’m supposed to do. We agreed for everything to be fifty-fifty and I haven’t always held up my end of the bargain and it’s not fair to you. You’ve sacrificed doing a lot of things you love to do just to make sure everything with the bills are taken care of and you shouldn’t have to shoulder all of the burden because you don’t live here alone.”
“Babe, that’s all I was saying. I don’t mind taking care of you, I really don’t but sometimes I feel like I’m in this alone and I don’t wanna feel like that.”
“I know. This was my idea too and it’s partly my responsibility to make this living on our own thing work. So I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok, I accept your apology”
Gavyn wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple. Saiana sighed as she wrapped her arms around his waist, “you know this adult thing is hard.”
Gavyn chuckled, “tell me about it. Could you imagine if we had kids or got married?”
“Oh my god, let’s be glad our parents talked us out of that right now.”
“Yea but after graduation, we’re coming back to that topic.”
“Babe, the answer has always been yes. I’m just waiting for whenever you pop the question.”
“You know that’s supposed to be a surprise.”
“Gavy, you know how I feel about you so it’ll never truly be a surprise. Once we’re in the right position we’ll move forward with all of our hopes and dreams.”
“Yup. So..... since you’re not upset, does that I mean I get to sleep in the bed tonight?”
“Yes you can sleep in the bed and if Jewel stays asleep, you’re probably gonna get something else.”
Gavyn raised his brow and Saiana giggled, “Oh really?”
“Don’t play because once you get me started, ain’t no stopping me.”
Saiana ran her hand down his leg, “I definitely have no plans on stopping you.”
She bit down on her bottom as they stared at each other. Gavyn leaned to kiss her when they heard a loud wail. Gavyn groaned as Saiana moved herself out of his arms, “there’s goes our plans.”
“Baby Girl, no kids yet.”
They both laughed as Saiana left to get Jewel.
