Choosing Rena by dakota trace Read Free Book Online Page B

big bite, Keisha
moaned before following it with a huge sip of coffee. “The best
ever, Sissy. I’ve been craving one of these since you moved out. I
don’t know how you do it. They always come out so light and airy.
When I try, mine could double as a hockey puck. Who’d have ever
thought a black woman could make a true Greek pastry?”
    Sighing, Rena reached for one on the
plate in the center of the table. “You know you could save yourself
some trouble and just drive over to Greektown. In fact it’s closer
to you than coming over to Oak Park. You had to take, what, two
trains? There has to be another reason for your visit.”
    Keisha cocked her head. “Now why would
I go to Greektown when I have a perfectly good sister who loves me
and bakes the most delicious baklavas? Besides, Eddie dropped me
off on his way to the office. He wouldn’t let me ride the “L” in my
condition.”
    Rena felt like thumping her sister for
her evasiveness. Although it didn’t surprise her Eddie had dropped
off Keisha, it was her sister’s reasoning that bothered her. Keisha
had been incredibly clingy since she’d found out she was pregnant.
Maybe something was going on at home. “That’s not the point, and
somehow I don’t think my baklavas are the reason why you came
over.”
    Keisha paused, the baklava half way to
her mouth. Her dark eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “I…guess I’m
just going stir crazy, Rena. Eddie’s watching my every move. I
can’t even go to the bathroom without him there to hand me the
toilet paper.”
    Munching on her own treat, Rena gazed
thoughtfully at her sister. “Well it could be because you’re only a
week away from your due date. I’m honestly surprised the doctor
hasn’t induced you yet.”
    Keisha shrugged. “That could be it. He
just seems a bit more intense than usual. He keeps telling me it’s
this job he has going on along with my pregnancy hormones that has
him up and round the bend, but there are days when I wonder.” She
set down the pastry. “Do you think it might be because he doesn’t
find me beautiful anymore?”
    Rena leaned back in her chair. There
was some truth to the matter, she supposed. Her sister was no
picnic to live with under normal circumstances, and even less so
since she’s carrying a child. Her expecting motherhood had
triggered even wilder mood swings on her sister’s part. Don’t get
her wrong, she loved her sister, but Rena had no illusions when it
came to Keisha. She was high maintenance even at the best of times.
“Sis, I don’t think it has anything to do with if he finds you
attractive…”
    “How do you know?” Keisha grabbed her
arm. “Tell me…did he say something?”
    Prying Keisha’s hand off, Rena wished
more than anything her mother was here. Ruth Ann MacAllister was
one of the few people who could talk sense into her stubborn
sister. “He loves you, Sis. Before I left, he congratulated me on
being smart enough to give up the lifestyle, that if I was lucky
I’d find a good man who’d give me children and consider me just as
precious as his little blackbird is to him.”
    Keisha’s mouth trembled. “He
did?”
    Rena nodded. “Yep.”
    “Oh thank you!” Her sister stood
awkwardly to throw an arm around her. The next several moments were
a flurry of kisses and squeezes as Keisha showed her appreciation.
Rena bore it stoically until the storm passed. Keisha pulled back
to stare into her eyes. “Wait a second! What does he mean you’ve
given up the lifestyle? You need it just as much as I need
chocolate!”
    Rena slowly shook her head. “I haven’t
changed my mind. I told you the night of the collaring I’d given up
– ”
    Shaking her head, Keisha protested.
“Jackson Levough, not submission. It’s part of your soul. How do
you honestly think you’ll be satisfied with a vanilla man? For
heaven’s sake, Rena Marie MacAllister, you’ve been in the scene for
nearly twenty years.”
    Forcing a smile, Rena brushed