Free Gangsta Divas by De'nesha Diamond

her.”
    â€œWhat?”
    His lip-licking becomes a nervous tic. “All I’m saying, baby, is that . . . she isn’t herself right now.”
    â€œNo shit, Sherlock,” she snaps back. “That’s because they’re pumping her full of God knows what.”
    â€œTracee, she tried to kill her own sister. God knows what else she’s capable of. She’s dangerous right now. It could have been you instead of LeShelle. Have you thought about that?” he asks, thinking he’s found the right argument. “It could’ve been you lying in the hospital on life support.”
    She looks at him as if she doesn’t recognize him. “Ta’Shara would have never attacked me.”
    Reggie steps forward. “You don’t know that.”
    â€œYes, I do!”
    â€œMrs. Douglas,” Dr. Blue Eyes tries again. “We really are trying to give her the best care.” He pats her on the shoulder, but she knocks his hand away.
    â€œDon’t touch me,” she barks. “And you’re not giving my daughter any more fucking drugs. Do you hear me?” She cuts her narrowed gaze toward her husband.
    The doctor glances at Reggie for help.
    â€œDon’t look at him. I’m speaking. No drugs. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?”
    Lying here and listening to this exchange, I feel my heart swell with both pride and love. She called me her daughter . Watching her fight so hard for me causes more tears to speed down my face.
    â€œNo more drugs,” Reggie agrees. No doubt he finally realizes his marriage depends on him backing his wife’s position.
    Tracee’s shoulders droop with relief, but her upturned chin swivels toward the doctors.
    Sighing, Dr. Blue Eyes caps his syringe and then gives her a disappointed glower. “As you wish.” He glances at his companions and signals for them to follow him back out of the room.
    When the three of us are left alone,Tracee tears into Reggie. “Thanks for having my back, honey. ”
    At least he has the decency to look contrite. “C’mon, baby—”
    â€œDon’t fuckin’ ‘baby’ me,” she snaps, giving him her back to stare down at me.
    I wish I could smile instead of twitch my appreciation for what she’s done. When she reaches to brush my sweat-drenched hair away from my face, I do manage not to bite her hand off.
    â€œIt’s going to be all right,”Tracee tells me with a smile.“No one is going to hurt you as long as I’m around.”
    I believe her.
    Behind her, Reggie huffs out a frustrated breath, which pulls Tracee’s attention back to him. “And you. I’ve never been more disappointed in all my life.”
    â€œBaby—”
    Tracee shoves him back. “I swear to God if you call me baby one more time, I’m going to scream.” She cocks her head. “Then again, maybe you’d like that.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYeah. Then maybe you’ll have them rush in here and restrain me and pump me full of drugs so you won’t have to deal with me, either.”
    â€œOkay. Now you’re talking crazy.”
    â€œSee? There you go. I’m crazy.” She twirls her fingers around the side of her head.
    Reggie doesn’t have a response to that—or maybe he is too scared to say what he’s really thinking.
    â€œLet me ask you, Reggie. Do you think that children are disposable?”
    His face twists in outrage. “That’s cr—” He clears his throat. “Of course not.”
    â€œThen why are you acting like we should run away from Ta’Shara because she’s having problems right now?”
    â€œI never said that. I just said that maybe the doctors know what’s best for her right now. I’m not a doctor. Are you a doctor?”
    â€œDoctors don’t know every fuckin’ thing.”
    â€œNo. But they may know more about how to deal with someone suddenly