I tried reaching out to Yanni three times before I gave up. I needed to do something before Mr. Taylor arrived.

I looked down at AJ who had finished nursing, but was nowhere near ready to go to sleep. After changing his diaper, I placed him in his carrier and took him downstairs.

As usual, I found Red and Jean cozied up on the couch listening to some Al Green. “Umm, can you two love birds take this elsewhere?” I teased.

“Oh, Star, I’m so sorry.” Red blushed. “We didn’t hear you come downstairs.”

“No problem. I swear, I’m grateful you all have some snuggling going on. Just because I can’t, doesn’t mean you should stop.”

“Well, you know. We just don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“Red, you’ll never do that. Enjoy your wife.”

Before he could see the tears in my eyes, I headed down the hall to the kitchen with AJ.

I had started working on the chicken and dumplings when my phone vibrated. “Hello,” I said, pushing the Bluetooth that was in my ear.

“You tried to reach me?”

“Yes, where have you been? I’ve got some serious shit about to go down.” I walked into the mudroom and closed the door, before continuing.

“Yanni, Mr. Taylor reached out to me earlier. Says he’s coming by the house tonight. I need help.”

“Why the hell does he need to come by your house?”

“The money.”

“Money? What money?”

Shit, I thought I told her.

“Starlet, are you there? Starlet?”

“I’m here. I thought I told you about the money.”

“Uhh, no, you didn’t. What damn money?”

“Eric left his money to me and the baby.”

“Did he leave it because it was you? Or did he know in his gut what your mother knew in hers—that Eric is that baby’s father?”

I sighed before responding. “How could he possibly have known I was pregnant, when I didn’t even know? Listen, we can discuss the sperm donor later. Alex is AJ’s father.”

“Well, hell, I know that. But everyone knows who helped to create him. He looks like Eric’s stupid ass.”

I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath. “Yanni. What am I going to do about Taylor?”

“I’ll be over in a few. Is Red there?”

“As always. And I’m making chicken and dumplings, so you know he isn’t leaving anytime soon. But I do need to get rid of him for awhile, otherwise, Alex’ll know by morning.”

Yanni laughed. “I’ll figure that out. Is Jean there?”

“Girl, now you know if Red is here, Jean is here. You would think they live here as much as they occupy couch space.”

“See, that’s what happens when you act like the black Martha Stewart.” She giggled, adding, “You think you’ll have enough for me, too?”

“Yanni, just get your ass over here.”

“Okay, Boss. I’ll see you in a few.”

After Yanni and I hung up, I walked back into the kitchen, stopping to rub my stomach. I glanced at my reflection in the oven’s window, and couldn’t help noticing that my hips had begun to spread again. I was beginning to show, and I knew I had to tell Alex before someone else did.

I was still caught up in my changing figure, when Jean came into the kitchen. “Hey, Star. Listen, I know we usually stay pretty late, but I’ve got an errand to run, so I’m going to have Red drop me off to get my car. Think you’ll be OK with Puddin’?”

“Oh, wow. OK. I had planned to go visit Alex during his special visitation hours, but it’s no big deal,” I said relieved and disappointed. “On the other hand, I might call ahead and see if I can bring AJ. He needs to see his father.”

“I didn’t know you could bring a baby to the prison. Are you sure he’d be OK in that environment? I mean, with all those strange people.”

At the sound of the word prison, my eyes welled up again. But the rest of her words had made an impact. Jean had a point. I just wish I could let her know that, without sounding like a blubbering fool.

“Oh, Star, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” She hugged me tightly. “Why don’t I just drop by earlier tomorrow morning so that way you can be one of the first visitors?”

I nodded, backing away. “That would probably be better. I’d end up going there and getting Alex so upset, he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. I’ve just been so emotional lately. I know everything is going to be OK.”

“Well, I know it will and you and Alex and AJ and the new baby will be just fine.”

Jean turned on her heels and walked out of the kitchen. I did everything in my power to keep my face straight, because if Jean knew . . . God only knows who else knew.