Consequences by Sasha Campbell Page A

fears to myself. “I’m just worried all this is going to blow up in your face.”
    She waved her hand in dismissal. “I’m not worried about that.” Trinette rose from the chair and walked over to finger a beautiful christening gown. “I just wish I had gotten rid of this baby while I had the chance.”
    My head snapped back. “You don’t mean that.”
    She nodded and met my wide stare. “Yes, I do. I believe in staying in control. I can’t do that pregnant. Right now I have absolutely no control over how all this is going to turn out. And I don’t like that feeling.”
    For once I had to admit she was right. Lord knows I don’t believe in abortions, but maybe this was one time when it would have been considered necessary, because when that baby is finally born, someone is going to get hurt. “Maybe you’re right.”
    â€œDamn right. But in the meantime, I’ll just milk it for all it’s worth,” she said, and that devious smile returned to her lips. I knew deep down she was worried. Acting like she was still large and in charge was Netta’s way of making it all better. “I told Jrue I was coming down here to visit with my best friend and he dropped two grand in my checking account this morning. Told me to be safe. I’ve got precious cargo onboard.”
    I sucked my teeth. “He sounds like another lame ass.”
    She tossed her head back with laughter. “You know that’s how I like them. But seriously, though . . . Jrue is different.” I heard Usher’s “Climax” and Trinette reached into her purse and looked down at her cell phone and grinned. “Speak of the devil.” She brought the phone to her ear and walked toward the register.
    I shook my head. Some things never change.
    Â 
    We made it back to the house just as Donovan was carrying in the steaks.
    â€œMmmm, something smells good,” Trinette said, and put the bag with the barbecue sauce on the counter.
    Donovan lowered the meat onto the stove, then eyed me suspiciously. “Took y’all long enough. What you do . . . go see your other man?”
    I laughed and tried to play it off. “Dude, whatever.”
    Donovan didn’t see anything funny. “Man, I told you she was trying to leave me for another mothafucka. That’s what they do. When you’re away fighting a war, your wife’s out there straddling some other nigga’s lap.”
    â€œNo, he didn’t,” Trinette breathed under her breath.
    I looked at her out the corner of my eye and then at Leon, who looked clearly embarrassed.
    â€œNah, not all women. Don, man, you got one of the good ones,” he said, trying to simmer the tension.
    My husband looked unconvinced and tipped his glass. “You can only trust them as far as you can see them. Hell, you should know that firsthand.” He laughed at his joke.
    I could see Trinette was ready to go off. Unfortunately, she knew it was true and Donovan knew it too. I quickly hurried to diffuse the bomb that was clearly ticking in the kitchen.
    â€œWhy don’t we go out onto the patio and eat? I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.” I hooked my arm through Trinette’s and pulled her along with me.
    â€œYou know I was about to snap,” she hissed.
    â€œI know. That’s why I grabbed you.” I pleaded with her to understand, and luckily she rolled her eyes and blew out a long breath.
    She helped me set the table and before long we were all outside eating and laughing and having a good time. Don was even stroking my thigh under the table and giving me that look that said tonight it was on and popping, and my body radiated with heat. Of course that warm fuzzy feeling only lasted until Donovan’s next drink.
    â€œNetta, motherhood definitely complements you well.”
    She grinned. “Thanks, Don. We are really looking forward to having our first