He hung up the phone, sliding it into his pocket before turning on his heel and marching inside, heading towards the WalMart Money Center. It didn't take him long to send the money-gram to Amanda, but when he tried to call her back to tell her it was sent - it went straight to voicemail. He shook his head, thanking the women behind the counter as he accepted his receipt, placing it carefully in his billfold before heading deeper into the store to the produce section. He stopped to grab a cart that was sitting in the middle of the walk way, and pushed it up to where the stand of pineapples were when his phone went off.
"I sent the money. I really hope you're using it for Hailey and not to get your nails done, Amanda."
"What?" A male voice replied.
Boothe pulled the phone away from his ear to look at the phone number before speaking into the mouth piece again, "Who is this?"
"Siddiq, who else would it be?"
He sighed, "Amanda."
"Duuuuude..."
"I know! You don't have to grill me, I know. What number are you calling from?"
"Your Mother's." He laughed, "Just kidding, I'm calling from my Brother's store. He called and asked me to cover for one of his employee's who didn't show up for work. So, I'm going to be late."
"And why didn't you just call and tell my Mother?"
"Because she is terrifying, okay?"
Boothe laughed, shaking his head. "Did you want me to pick up Radha before heading over to my parents?"
"Would you? Jessie is a good babysitter, but she is expensive."
"And I'm not?"
"No." Siddiq paused, laughing. "Because my Brother sells liquor, I can just get a 36 pack of beer for free. Costs me nothing!
"My ego is bruised."
"But your belly is full, and that my friend is the lesson here."
"Uh huh, sure, I'll pick up Radha after I leave WalMart. Andie will be excited to see her."
"Do you need her carseat?"
Boothe pulled a long breath of air in through his nose before answering his best friend. "No, Amanda said she's sick and she doesn't want to expose her to any other germs."
"And you believe her."
It wasn't a question, Boothe knew that. And it pissed him off, but it wasn't Siddiq's fault. He knew that, even as he gripped his mobile device in his left hand trying to calm himself. "What other choice to I have, bro? She's the mother of my daughter and we have to co-parent." He sighed, grabbing a pineapple with his free hand, he brought it to his nose to smell it. "I'm keeping the receipts and everything. All the texts are there. Once I have enough proof, I can file for sole custody of Hailey. Until then.."
"Yea, yea, I know. I just don't like her or how she's using my God Daughter against you."
"I don't like it either, but not seeing my daughter is a lot worse."
"Okay, okay. I can take a hint."
"Anywa-"
"Oh, I have a customer, I have to go. Text me when you're leaving so I can have Jessie have Radha ready to go."
"Will do."
"Hello my frr-.." And Siddiq ended the call.
He pocketed his phone, grabbed three more pineapple before heading towards the tomatoes. He knew his Father and he'd want fresh produce for dinner and for the salad his sister was going to make once he got there. He grabbed a four tomatoes, two onions (one white for cooking and one red - or as Andie referred to them as purple - onion for the salad), four bell peppers (two green, one red and the last orange - mostly for color), some carrots, celery, and some mushrooms.
As he headed to the meat department, he grabbed some skewers just in case his Dad lost the other ones as he usually did. He grabbed a couple TriTips, some pork and some steaks. And last minute, he grabbed a couple packages of all beef hot dogs. Knowing Siddiq was going to bring the beer, he grabbed some bottled water and some juice pouches. And since he was here he figured he should probably buy some diapers and wipes in cause he needed to change Radha. Jessie might be an exceptional babysitter, but she wasn't the greatest at packing a diaper bag. He was walking past the isle with sippycups when he stopped to exam a few, deciding he should probably buy a couple so that Radha and Hailey could use them when they were at his parents place. He was comparing a WalMart brand sippy cup to one made by a "top dollar company," when he heard a commotion behind to his right. He sent a glance in the person's direction, then did a double take.
