9-Sadie

"Just give him a chance, Tia."

I've been on the phone with my best friend for the last twenty minutes, trying to convince her to go on a date with Ash but she's been coming up with every excuse to get out of it.

" I don't think it's a good idea, Sadie," Tia argues.

"You won't know if you don't give him a chance," I counter.

"It doesn't matter." Tia sighs in frustration.

I watch as Sophia stacks the toy blocks on the play mat. "Mama!" She cries out when she notices me watching her and waves a block in the air.

"Tia, you're overthinking it. Just think of it as two friends hanging out. You're being dramatic."

"Ugh. You're right."

I chuckle and make a funny face to Sophia, making her laugh harder. She tries to stand but loses her footing and topples into my lap.

"Tia, I gotta go."

"Fiiinne. I'll think about saying yes to Ash." "Good. Love you!" I hang up before she can respond and toss the phone on the couch.

"Come on, baby girl." I carry Sophia to her bedroom and lay her on the changing table. Sophia kicks her feet in the air while munching on her tiny fists. My phone rings in the other room as I stick the stretchy fastening tape on each side of the diaper.

"Are you hungry, sweetheart?" I croon as I lift my baby girl and walk down the hall toward the kitchen.

"La Negra Tiene Tumbao"by Celia Cruz is lightly playing in the background while Abuela is in the laundry room. She's been in a better mood since seeing Mom. When she came home from the hospital, she hugged and kissed me and disappeared to her room. Before I settled in for the night, I walked past her bedroom and heard her cries. The following day, she returned to her old self—signing and talking loudly. Her neighbors always think we are fighting, but that's how my Abuelita speaks. Loud and dramatic.

Abuela walks out of the laundry room with a basket in hand. She sets the basket on the table. "Mis dos bella favoritas." Her smile widens when she sees Sophia reaching out for her.

My phone starts to ring again. "Vete." Abuela juts her chin toward the living room, taking Sophia from me.

By the time I pass the threshold, the ringing has stopped. Shrugging, I turn around to walk back into the kitchen when the ringing starts again. Annoyed, I stomp toward the couch and snatch the phone. Without looking at the screen, I hit the green button.

"Hello?"

"Sadie, please don't hang up. I'm begging you," Christian rambles quickly.

Why am I not hanging up?

Because curiosity is a bitch and won't leave me the fuck alone.

"Why are you calling?"

"I need to talk to you, but I can't do it over the phone," he whispers.

"Then why are you calling me?"

"Just—please listen to me…"

"No, I really don't have to listen to you anymore. I'm hanging up now."

"No! Wait! Please. I need to see you. There are some things I need to talk to you about."

With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly say, "Ok, I'll think about it."

"Ok. Just don't take too long, ok?"

"Ok."

"Please stay safe."

And the line goes dead.