Read Online Red Light Wives by Mary Monroe - Free Book Online

When I looked back up, Larry was still standing there, his hands on his hips, looking at me like I’d just flung a dead bird at him. “I’ve already looked at a bigger place, and it would be fine for me and the baby.”
    With a hiss, he moved closer to me, his eyes looking as hard as ice and just as cold. “What’s wrong with you, girl? It takes a whole lot of money to raise a baby!” His hands were on my shoulders, gripping me so hard I could feel the tips of his fingers pressing against my shoulder blades. I pried his hands off and stepped back.
    â€œIt’s not like I don’t have a good job. I can take care of my baby by myself…if I have to,” I said wearily. Confrontations tired me out, and that was why I avoided them whenever I could. That was hard to do with a man like Larry.
    He sighed real long and hard, shaking and scratching his head on both sides. “Double shit,” he muttered.
    â€œLook, Larry, I don’t have much family and there ain’t much love there anyway. At least not for me. I want this baby.”
    He shook his head some more.
    â€œWhat about a name for…it?” he asked gruffly, narrowing his eyes.
    â€œIf it’s a boy, I’m goin’ to name him Richard.”
    â€œThat ain’t what I meant.” He waved his hand so hard, it made a swishing noise. “What you goin’ to put on the birth certificate?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIf you put my name on the birth certificate, the man’ll come after me for child support,” he said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
    I gave him an incredulous look. “Why would I have to go to the man on you? You sayin’ you won’t help me support this baby?” I touched his arm, and he promptly snatched it away, wincing like I’d jabbed him with an ice pick. “I want this baby, Larry.”
    He threw his hands up in frustration. “Look, if you want this baby, go on and have it. I-I can’t promise you nothin’. Things could change any day. Uh, I…my cousins want me to move up to D.C. and help them run their limo business.” This was the first time I’d heard of cousins in D.C. with a limo business. “Now, if I was to move to D.C.…”
    â€œYou could take me with you. I’m desperate to get out of Mississippi anyway.”
    The look on Larry’s face went from frustration to absolute horror. “Girl, you workin’ both sides of the street, ain’t you? I can’t take you with me, if I do decide to go.”
    I slid my tongue across my teeth and backed over to my couch. I plopped down with a thud. By now I was really worn out, physically and emotionally. “Well, why don’t we worry about that if and when it happens. Like I said, I want my baby, and I’m havin’ it, no matter what you decide to do. While you in Barberton, if you still want to be with me, fine. If you don’t, well, that’s fine, too. I got along without you before I met you, I can get along without you if you leave me. We Black women are used to bein’ deserted by our men anyway…”
    After a deep sigh and a reluctant smile, Larry held open his arms.
    â€œAw, now you makin’ me feel real bad. My mama used to say that same shit after my old man took off. I ain’t nothin’ like my daddy. I’m a real man. And, girl, you know I’m crazy about you. Come here, baby…”
    It made me feel good about myself, knowing that I had the patience and insight to recycle a hardheaded man like Larry. I felt sorry for the women I knew who didn’t. He continued to come around, and we went on with our relationship. He even brought over some clothes for the baby.
    â€œUh, these ain’t new. My nephew grew out of these things. Ain’t no use in buyin’ too many things for no newborn since they grow out of everything so fast.” He sniffed as he handed me two shopping