Youngin' Blues: The Story of Reed and RaKeem by Mercy B

she’d been the one to purchase it for him. The Armani tee was black in color and had hints of red splatter throughout it’s design.
    Reed stared on, wondering. She didn’t know what to think, so she chalked her thoughts up. She had to have been tripping. Besides, anyone could’ve purchased a shirt just like it. The young lady probably had her boyfriend shirt on. Humping her shoulders, Reed turned her attention back to her friend, who was still talking.
    “Did you hear me?” KinZu asked.
    “Sorry. No. Uh. What did you say?” she asked. She was completely thrown off of her square. Looking back over towards the young lady who’d just entered the laundry mat, she tried to remember where she’d saw her before. More than anything, she wished she’d known how the hell she happened to be wearing the exact same shirt that Keem had on the day before.
    “I said that Jonathan gave me something.” KinZu tried whispering.
    “Gave you something?” Reed said out loud –catching everyone’s attention. “What the hell you mean?” she calmed down and whispered. Looking at the two strangers looking her way, Reed rolled her eyes and snapped her neck. Both women turned quickly.
    “He gave me an STD.” KinZu sighed.
    “And you think that shit between you two are getting better. What the hell is your problem?” Reed hissed.
    “I don’t know.”
    “Have you spoken to his sorry ass about this?” Reed was ready to march right over to Jonathan’s place and beat him to a pulp.
    “Yeah.”
    “And what did he have to say?”
    “He first accused me of sleeping with someone.”
    “He did what?” Reed was in utter shock.
    “But then he quickly recanted. Then, he admitted to sleeping with Rachel. Apparently, she gave his roommate Chlamydia as well.”
    “Bullshit.” Reed covered her mouth with her hand.
    “And this is what you wanted to tell me. You acted as if this was a good secret.”
    “I’m trying not to be too sad about it. I didn’t want to seem all down, because I would’ve been in the room crying to you instead of just telling you. Besides, there’s more.”
    “I’m not sure if I’m ready to hear the rest.” Reed sat back in her chair.
    Her eyes trailed the girl who had just come in as she moved about. Reed stared intently as she emptied her clothing into the washing machine. “You know her?” Reed asked KinZu.
    “Not really.” KinZu shrugged. “Why?”
    “Just asking. What’s her name?”
    “Danity, I think.”
    “Where have I seen her?” Reed tried to place her face.
    “She lives above us.” KinZu shed light.
    “That’s where I’ve seen her.”
    “So are you ready to hear the rest?” KinZu asked, happy to have delivered the bad news first.
    “Go ahead Kin.”
    “I’m pregnant.”
    “You what?” Reed asked, incredulously. The things that were coming from KinZu’s lips were just much too hard to believe.
    “I’m pregnant.” KinZu slummed her shoulders.
    “Did you tell him that?” Reed asked.
    “I didn’t know how!” KinZu admitted. “Everything has been so crazy with us lately. I’m just waiting for the right time.”
    “When you told him about the rest of it, you should’ve been telling him about this.”
    “We were both very hostile, so I didn’t want to ruin the moment. When I tell him, I want for us both to be in a good mood.”
    “I understand, Kin, but damn it. I would’ve told him about the pregnancy first.”
    “I wasn’t thinking. I was so upset, that it just came out.”
    “How are you feeling?” Reed asked. “Are you having any symptoms?”
    “No. None at all. Thank God. My first appointment is next week. I think that’s when I’ll tell Jonathan.”
    “Did they tell you how far along you are?”
    “Four weeks.” KinZu smiled.
    “And you’re happy about this, I see.”
    “Well, yeah. I wasn’t planning it, but it happened. I wonder how my kid will look.” KinZu stared off into space, wondering who their child would favor. Either way the