Straight No Chaser- The Beginning

by Devin Nishea

  “Ummm, good morning, guys. Did I call a meeting and forget about it or something?” I asked slowly.

  “Hey, Zen. No, you didn’t!” Sarah said.

  “Okay, well, why are you guys gathered around the desk like this,” I asked. Need more work to do?”

  I walked by Sarah’s desk into my office. When I opened my door, I saw why they were gathered. They decorated my office for a mini baby shower.

  When I turned around, they all shouted in unison, “SURPRISE!!!!!!”

  I laughed and, of course, I cried.

  “Y’all make me sick!! But, this is amazing!” I said.

  They had blue balloons everywhere! I had never seen so many ducks and elephants in my life.

  “Is that a Red Velvet Cheesecake,” I asked.

  They all knew how much I loved it.

  “Yep,” Sarah said. “Now sit down and open your gifts so we can eat.”

  I was glad the food was there because I was starving again! The staff chipped in and bought the baby a stroller and car seat set.

  “You guys are amazing. I am truly amazed and shocked by all of this,” I said.

  After the excitement wore down and we were all full, everyone dispersed and went back to their offices to get their days started. After eating, I wasn’t up to doing any work! I don’t think anyone else was, either.

  There was a knock on my office door.

  “Come in,” I yelled.

  “Zen, I wanted to check on you,” Sarah said.

  “Yeah, come on in. Have a seat,” I said.

  She walked over with a huge smile on her face.

  “I hope you enjoyed your surprise. I know how they’re not really your favorite thing, but we thought it would be a good idea to show our appreciation,” she said.

  “No, they aren’t my favorite. But, I’m glad you guys did this. I needed this today,” I told her.

  “I know you did. I noticed that your waddle is slowing down a tad bit. I wasn’t sure if it’s because of the situation itself or you’re just tired,” she said.

  As hard as I tried to hide it, she was right. The situation had taken somewhat of a toll on me; I even noticed my waddle being slower. I just chalked it up to being further along.

  “Get that cheesecake and bring it over here,” I said.

  We both had two more slices each. There were hardly ever days where I goofed off at work, but today just felt like a goof-off day. Sarah stayed in my office a majority of the day.

  “So have you heard from Isaiah?” she asked slowly.

  “Nope. Sure haven’t and, at this point, I couldn’t care less. It really is what it is now. After we met at the park, I thought he was going to step up,” I said.

  “Same here. I’m sorry Zen, I thought he was one of the good guys,” she said.

  “You and me both, girl. He fooled us, but not again,” I said.

  “How about Jake? Have you guys talked about getting back together?” she asked.

  “He’s still amazing. We haven’t officially talked about it, but if he were ask me, I’d seriously consider it now. He’s shown me another side of him since I told him I was pregnant,” I said.

  Sarah’s eyes lit up after I said that.

  “Oh, Zen! I like Jake, I always have. If you two decide to work it out, I’m all for it,” she said.

  “Yeah, you and my mom,” I said.

  “Well, WE do know best,” Sarah said laughing.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Y’all think you know what’s best for me, huh? You thought Isaiah was good for me,” I said laughing.

  “Well, I missed that one,” she said.

  When I looked at my computer screen, I glanced down to see what time it was.

  “Oh my gosh, it’s time go home,” I said.

  “Dang, we really didn’t do anything today but talk,” Sarah said.

  “Yeah, now I gotta go home and do the work I should’ve been doing today,” I said laughing.

  We walked out of the building together and parted ways. As I got closer to my car, I saw something on my windshield. I thought nothing of it. I thought it was an advertisement.

  I placed everything in the backseat of my car. Before getting into the car I took what I thought was an advertisement off my windshield. It was a piece of folded notebook paper. I opened it to read the note. It was from Isaiah. In short, he wanted to meet after I left work.

  I stood there holding this piece of paper in my hands. Sarah drove by and honked her horn good-bye. I waved and got into my car.

  Was I going to meet him or just blow him off?

  Why didn’t he just come upstairs to talk to me? Better yet, he could’ve called! I put the key in the ignition and drove out of the parking lot. Half-way home, I decided to turn around and meet with him to see what his story was this time around.

  I parked my car and got out and walked into the restaurant and saw him sitting at the table. I walked towards the table trying not to get upset.

  “What…do you want,” I asked.

  “Hello to you too,” he said.

  I stood staring at him. I waited for him to answer my question.

  “Zen, I’m…” he started…

  I cut him off mid-sentence.

  “Let me guess, you’re sorry? Again?” I asked. Save your excuses because I don’t want to hear them this time.”

  “Zen, I’ve been swamped with work and getting my family here has been more hassle than I thought,” he said.

  “Oh? What did your wife say when you told her about the addition to the family?” I asked.

  Isaiah looked away in embarrassment. I shook my head at him.

  “I can’t believe you, you haven’t told her,” I said.

  “Every time I sit her down with intentions of telling her, it doesn’t come out,” he said.

  “That sounds like an excuse to me. Something I said I didn’t want to hear,” I said. I am pretty much due any day now, and your wife doesn’t know a thing, and you’ve known the same amount of time I’ve known. Let me be clear, I’m no longer worried about you telling her—it’s not my responsibility. But, if you’re thinking about co-parenting ‘lil man with me, I’m not sure how long you think keeping him a secret will last.”

  “Zen, I know this,” he said.

  “That’s just it, you know everything! No one can tell you anything!” I exclaimed. “You have worked all of my nerves!!”

  “Zen, Keeley is actually meeting us here so I can tell her.” he said.

  I stopped dead in my tracks. I think I held my breath for a little while.

  “Who’s meeting who? where?” I asked. “I’m confused.”

  “Keeley is meeting us here, I thought it would be best….” he said.

  “…for you?” I said cutting him off mid-sentence. You are not fooling me. You don’t think she’s going to fly off the handle in public with me here. You are absolutely bananas! Not only is she going to fly off the handle, but you’re putting me in a potentially volatile situation? Un-freaking-believable!”

  I couldn’t take it anymore. How could someone so intelligent be this…dumb! I got up to leave the restaurant.

  “Zen, you can’t leave,” he said.

  I turned around with a stern look on my face.

  “Watch…” I said.

  I waddled out of the restaurant and as I opened the door, Keeley was coming through the door as well. She held the door for me, not realizing who I was.

  “Oh, hi, Zen right?” she asked.

  “Yeah, Keeley, right?” I replied.

  “Yes. Looks like you’re about to go any day now,” she said.

  “Yep, that’s about right,” I said. “It was nice seeing you.”

  I rushed out of the restaurant before Isaiah could catch up to me. I got into my car and left. As I was driving by the front, I saw Isaiah talking to Keeley.

  Keeley didn’t look too happy.

  Things have officially gotten real.

  Chapter 31

  Now in my last month, I
saiah and I still hadn’t gotten a co-parenting plan together. He did finally tell his wife, Keeley, everything. As I predicted, she hit the roof! She even found and stalked my phone for about a week.

  I never answered my phone when she called. She never left a message. What was I going to say? I know she was hurt. Had the shoe been on the other foot, I would’ve been hurt. I was still kicking myself for falling for this guy. Whether he was separated or not, he was still married.

  I was putting things away in the baby’s room when I heard a knock at the door. I walked into the living room and saw that Isaiah, true to form, stopped by unannounced. I opened the door without hesitation.

  “Thanks for stopping by unannounced, again,” I said.

  “I stopped by to apologize for Keeley calling you like that. I begged her not to, but as you can see…” he said.

  “Yeah, for a solid week. I understand to an extent—she’s upset and I would be as well.”

  “So, can we talk?” he asked.

  “We’re talking. I’m not inviting you in, if that’s what you’re getting at,” I said.

  “Okay, well, can you come outside so we can talk?” he asked.

  I picked up my cell phone and walked outside and leaned against my car.

  “I can’t keep doing this Zen,” he said.

  “Can’t keep doing what?” I asked.

  “This. The arguing back and forth. The passive aggressive behavior.” he said.

  This wasn’t making sense at all to me.

  “Is this what you really called me out here for!? The nerve of you. I can’t keep doing it, either. The lies you tell, trying to build my hopes up making me think I’m actually going to have some help,” I said.

  Then the other shoe dropped.

  “How do I even know this is my kid?” he said.

  “The hell…this has to be Keeley putting this in your head. That’s fine, no one wants this to be your baby, I get it. The baby is going to mess up your perfect family, right? Because a few months ago, you weren’t questioning if this baby was yours,” I said.

  “I want a paternity test done,” he said.

  “You want it done or Keeley wants it done?” I asked abruptly.

  He couldn’t even look me in my eye when he asked.

  I couldn’t believe this guy. A paternity test? Now, my word isn’t good enough for him? Hmph, okay!

  “I have no reason to lie about this being your child. You, of all people, should know I don’t hop beds and sleep with people casually. That’s not me!” I said.

  “I remember you telling me that, but how do I know for sure?” he asked.

  I looked at him, smiled and shook my head. I honestly couldn’t believe this guy is thinking that I’m trying to trap him. Yeah, this was exactly what I wanted for my life. To trap a married man to ignore me; one who obviously doesn’t really have his stuff together. Yeah, that’s what I wanted for my life—drama.

  “It’s cool, you want the test, you got it. And when it comes back saying this is your child, you won’t have to worry about a thing,” I said.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.

  I began to waddle towards the house.

  “Bye, Isaiah, I’m done.” I said.

  He followed me to the door. When I got to the door I turned to face him.

  “What?” I asked abruptly.

  “What does that mean,” he asked. Are you threatening me?”

  “I don’t make threats. Have a good night,” I said.

  I closed the door behind me and leaned against the door. I listened for his car to start and pull out of my drive-way. After he pulled off, I called Jake.

  “Hey you, how are you?” I asked.

  “Hey Zen, what’s wrong?” Jake replied.

  “What? Nothing. Are you busy?” I asked.

  “Not really I’m out with the boys,” he said.

  “Oh, shoot. Well, if you’re up to it, stop by afterwards.”

  “Okay, I’ll let you know,” he said. We disconnected the call.

  He knew something was wrong and I didn’t want to come out and say Isaiah scared me a little.

  My phone buzzed a few minutes later. I looked down and it was a message from Jake.

  I know something’s up. I’ll be there in about an hour.

  I smiled and put the phone back down. I walked into the kitchen to find something to snack on and I needed to find something to cook for later. The least I could do was have something to eat in the house when Jake got here. It would be my way of saying ‘thank you’ for cutting boys’ night short.

  “Hello?” I said answering the phone.

  “Hey, Zen, girl, I wanted to check on you,” Amy said.

  “Hey girl, I’m cooking right now, waiting on Jake. And oh, check this out, Isaiah asked for a paternity test,” I said.

  “Wait. Hold it. Paternity test? Like, you sleep around? He knows better. So, what did you say?” she asked.

  “Told him he could have it. He’s not asking for it, Keeley’s asking for it,” I said. And I told him when it came back as his, I was done.”

  “Done? As in what?” she asked.

  “As in, he doesn’t have to have anything to do with the baby. But he will pay child support.” I said. I’m not going to keep doing this with him.”

  “You aren’t going to try and keep the baby from him are you?” she asked.

  “God no! I told him I wouldn’t do that, and I hadn’t changed my mind. It’s going to be up to the courts from this point forward,” I said.

  “Okay. Well, have you talked to a lawyer or have a lawyer in mind?” she asked.

  “Not yet. It’s on my growing list of things to do,” I said. I would love to have this settled before the baby is born, but we both know I could go any day now.”

  “Yeah, well, I’ll ask around for a good family lawyer for you and let you know what I find. But, moving on to a lighter topic, how are you feeling?” she asked.

  “Girl, I’m ready to have my body back. The baby’s really active today. The doctor said he was in position and ready to go BUT I haven’t dilated yet.” I said.

  “It’s good he’s in the correct position. I’m excited and ready to see my nephew. Oh yeah, I bought some stuff for him too!” she said.

  “Girl, he is not in need of anything else. Between you and mama, he is set for the first year of his life,” I said laughing.

  “Yep, I know, but auntie loves her baby!!! Besides, I don’t want you to have to worry about anything,” she said. “I’m already planning to stay with you guys after you come home to help out around the house.”

  This is why I loved her. Selfless. I never had to ask her for anything, she just did it because that was the type of person she was. I couldn’t wait to repay her.

  “Amy, you know you don’t have to do that, but I’m glad you are. I’m scared to death to be with the baby by myself,” I said relieved.

  “Girl, I’d be scared, too. Besides you’re my family and you know I’ll do just about anything for family. Especially when they deserve it,” she said.

  “I owe you a lot, girl. Hey, I’m almost finished cooking, why don’t you come over,” I asked.

  “I thought you said that was for Jake?” she asked.

  “He’s cutting boys night short just to come over and I wanted there to be something here for him eat. You know I don’t know how to cook for just two people, so there’s plenty,” I said.

  “You asked him to cut boys night short?” she asked.

  “Nope. I called and he said he was with them, I didn’t ask him to come over. He sensed something was wrong when I called him and after we hung up, he sent me a text saying he’d be over later,” I explained.

  “That was nice of him. I am hungry, so what are you cooking?” she asked.

  “Lasagna. And it’s huge…so, please, come get some,” I begged.

  “Okay, I’ll be over in fifteen minutes,” she said hanging up.

  It seemed as if Amy got to my hou
se in five minutes instead of fifteen, I guess she was hungry or maybe I just lost track of time. She stopped by the bakery before coming to my house and bought fudge brownies and red velvet cake.

  “Oh, yummers!! CAKE!” I exclaimed as she walked through the door.

  “Yes, I had a taste for something fudgy and, of course, I got you the red velvet slices,” she said.

  “Girl, I didn’t even know I wanted it, but thank ya, kindly,” I said. The lasagna is still cooking, so, we have a few minutes.”

  “Cool!” she said walking into the kitchen.

  “There’s wine in the fridge! I yelled.

  “How’d you know?” she asked.

  “I know YOU!” I said laughing.

  She came back with forks for our desserts. I loved eating dessert before my meals; I did it often and never felt bad about it.

  “Did you tell Jake about Isaiah’s request?” she asked sitting on the couch.

  “Nah, not yet. I actually called him to ask him to spend the night, because Isaiah kind of scared me,” I said.

  “Scared you? Do we need to file a restraining order or something?” she asked concerned.

  “No. At least, I hope not. Since the time I’d known him, he hadn’t shown any signs of crazy. I just wanted to be sure and have him here in case he tried coming back later tonight,” I said.

  “Okay, well let me know if you change your mind,” she said.

  We decided to watch our favorite movie while we waited for the lasagna to finish. We had watched Love Jones® so many times, we were actually acting out everyone’s part!

  There was a knock at the door and Amy went to see who it was. Jake had finally arrived. Amy opened the door for him.

  “Hey, Jake!” Amy said.

  “Hey, girl, what’s up?” he asked. “Do I smell lasagna?” he asked.

  “Yep. I figured since you cut your night short, I’d make something to say thanks for coming over,” I said.

  “Awe, man, thanks for that. We weren’t eating anything, just at the bar drinking and eating peanuts and pretzels,” he said.

  “It’s not done yet, it may have about thirty minutes,” I said.

  Jake walked into the kitchen for a beer and looked to see how long he had to wait to eat.