The Connect Who Took My Heart Away 3

by Coco Shawndé

  “I know you got a nice penny from Ralph, Miani. We tried reaching out to him for help, but he turned us away. You´re our last hope and you have it. Me and your father gave you everything growing up. The least you could do is help us right now.” she said, trying to throw a pity party.

  “The least I could do? The least you and him could do for me is to stay y’all begging asses away from me and my child!” I said pointing at her and my father on the couch. My father stood to his feet, seeing how heated the conversation was getting.

  “You so fucking selfish!” My mother snapped.

  “What’s selfish is you basically pimping me out to Ralph, so you and dad can have a life of luxury. Sorry I’m not y’all ticket out the hood no more. I won’t be used. You came here not to see my fucking son. It was for money...what it has always been about.” I said, not backing down. “Easton, say goodbye. You won’t be seeing these two no more.”

  “Let’s go. We won’t be a bother to you anymore. I can’t believe you.” my father said, taking his wife´s side.

  “Yeah, yeah. Get the fuck out my house.” I said waving bye. Soon as they were gone, I was crying at the dining room table. Not because I wanted to help them, but because of how stuck in their ways they were. Everything was about money, and I should have known they were up to no good. I tried to give them back the relationship they had with Easton, but even money was more important. Bringing my son to the table, I had to break down everything that happened.

  “You share DNA with relatives. Your family, is whoever you let be. So, people will use you, and try to get away with it. Your grandparents have a different outlook on life. Money isn’t everything. It’s nothing paired up to your happiness son. You might not understand everything I’m telling you, but you will one day.”

  “Why couldn’t they stay here? What’s wrong with our house??” He asked, with his big bright eyes yearning for answers.

  “It’s perfect for us. We’re happy, and that’s not for no one else to understand. When other folks not happy, they get lost by the smiles we wear.” I explained.

  After we had our talk, he asked could I play the game with him. “Just for a little bit.” I answered. He ran to the couch, plopping down. He handed me a controller, and I sat next to him. For the next few hours, he had me stuck playing the game with him, but I didn’t once complain. I loved my son, and what made him happy, naturally made me happy.

  I did eventually fall asleep texting Obasi. Easton being all in my face, he was shaking me like crazy after I shut my eyes. “What son?”

  “Basi at the door! Can I get it??” he asked, ready to race off to let him in.

  “Go ahead.” I said, closing my eyes back.

  Easton let him in, and I stayed put on the couch. Hearing them talk, led Basi to planting kisses on my face. “What’s up, baby.” he said softly, and getting comfortable on the couch. Easton was standing in front of the TV, not able to contain himself while playing the game.

  “Where you coming from?” I asked him.

  “Getting your personals like you asked.” he said, holding the Walgreens bag up. I rose up, trying to fix my hair that I knew I had fucked up from laying down on it.

  “Thanks baby.” I said, kissing his lips. Taking the bag back to the room, I put everything up. Keeping the Midol out, I knew I needed to pop some. My mother had stressed me out so bad, I was cramping.

  “You cooked? You had Dice over?” Basi asked, coming from the kitchen.

  “I cooked earlier. Your food is put up. I didn’t think you were coming in this early. You know how you do.” I said, smirking.

  “What? Handling business, ma. If it’s not that, it don’t got my name on it. So chill.” He said in his smooth talking tone.

  “I’mma chill.” I nodded. “But my mom and dad came. I know you thinking why the hell I do that, and now I feel the same. But Easton wanted to see them and they were calling just to spend a little bit of time. I invited them over, we ate, and they spent time with their grandson. Just when I thought they may have been turning a new leaf, they came with a sob story of them losing their house. I offered for them to stay here, and they acted like that was worse than being put out. So, I kicked them out...My parents are stuck in their ways, and I’m done trying. They brought up the money I got from the divorce, and I’m at the point that I don’t even want it. All they see is dollar signs when they see me. I hate it…” I vented.

  “Mane, I know it may sound harsh, but you needed that. Don’t let them use you. You offered them a place to stay, and they didn’t take it. You not obligated to do shit for them. Not with how they did you. Fuck em’.” He said with a shrug.

  “You not wrong.” I agreed. Shaking my head, I rubbed the tears away. I had been going through this with my family for too long. It was time I let it go, and stop giving more than what I got in return. They ate from me for long enough.

  “Don’t cry, Ma-Maa.” he said, kissing my cheeks like I was baby. Laughing lightly, I told him I was about to shower, so I could lay down.

  “How many days you got left? Like two?” he asked, in reference to my menstrual.

  Not helping but to laugh, I shook my head. “You the one that made it come all early.” I complained. “But yeah, two more days.”

  He was face deep in his phone, then looked up smiling.

  “You just set a reminder in yo phone?” I asked, with my eyes squinted and head tilted over.

  “Sure da fuck did.” he replied, pulling down on his beard. I shook my head, and took my ass to the shower. Obasi was sitting on the edge of my bed, rolling a blunt. He made sure to shut the bedroom door, so Easton wouldn’t see. He was always respectful about what Easton was exposed to, and I appreciated him as a man for doing so.

  Once I was fresh and comfortable, I was laid up with my man. Easton was being extra, and convinced Obasi to hook the game up on my TV. Laid up with my two guys, we ate on junk, and played the game. When Easton fell asleep, Basi carried him to his bed for me. I was curled up in bed when he got back. I was hurting bad now, so he held onto me all night, making sure not to leave my side.

  “Bae, you don’t gotta hold me so tight. I ain’t dying.” I said, looking back over my shoulder at him.

  “Shit, you groaning in pain like you is.” he chuckled in my ear. He began to rub on my stomach, and that put me to sleep when normally I didn’t want to be touched right now.

  Following Day

  “You don’t want to go because you cramping, or my sister?” Obasi asked, getting dressed. We had stayed in bed all morning and day basically. He had brought up his mother and Konvict having a fish fry. I wasn’t in the mood to be around all his family. With my divorce finalized, me not going had nothing to do with Aci having dealings with Ralph. She was a little ass girl in my eyes, and I wasn’t upset with her. Whether she knew he was married or not. She had to deal with that. Now did I want to be around her, not necessarily. I didn’t care to, but I wasn’t avoiding her.

  “If you want me to go that bad, I’ll go.” I said, scrolling through my phone.

  “I’m not making you go. But we are a family, and you not giving no reason. You just in bed watching me get dressed.” he lashed, and then went to the bathroom. “You ain’t gotta go. But I’m taking Easton if he wants to go.”

  “Go ahead.” I said, not caring if Easton went or not. Obasi had caught an attitude that fast. I didn’t know if his pussy was bleeding or mine. Keeping how I felt to myself, I went to sleep on his ass. I knew he was mad. He was slamming doors and all. Easton asked could he leave, and I woke up to make sure he was dressed to go.

  “Be good baby.” I told E, kissing him.

  “You really not going?” Obasi said, and I knew this was his last attempt to get me to go. Before I could answer, he was brushing past with words of his own. “We good. Stay yo ass hurr.”

  “Basi?” I said, not trying to laugh. It was never this serious.

  “We be back.” he said, tossing his head up at me.

 
“Bye.” I said, baffled nonetheless.

  Laying back down, I took me another nap. When I got back up, I was on the phone with Dice.

  “Girl, you act like you pregnant.” she teased.

  “Praise God for birth control.” I smiled into the camera. “I’m happily on my cycle. Even though I be so goddamn horny. Ughh, I can’t stand it.”

  “Where Little E at?”

  “Girl, he asked to go with Obasi. I let him go.” I said rolling my eyes.

  “Where they go. Why yo ass in the bed and not with your family?”

  “They went to his momma house. He brought up Aci before I could let it sink in that she would more than likely be there.” I revealed.

  “I met her. Hosea be having her watch his sister, Duchess. You know how I was feeling with Tyrah. It was fine with Yosohn going with her, but his sister...that was doing too much. Then, since she not working, she always need something. I’m sure by now she knows I’m pregnant, and I just keep my distance.” she ranted.

  “Yeah, I feel you. I haven’t had no time with Obasi´s sister. I stay from his momma house even though I adore her. Even her boyfriend Konvict is cool as hell. I just feel uncomfortable.” I honestly spoke. “I have been on my cycle, so I’m really just wanting to be curled up in bed. I didn’t see the issue, but Basi had his own take. He felt it was animosity towards his sister.”

  “Well maybe y’all need to get an understanding. Obasi knows y’all ain’t about to be the best of friends. He probably just wanted you to come. You are his woman. Aci is his sister.” She explained.

  “I know...but he just made it about Ralph by saying I wasn’t going because his sister.” I said, rolling my eyes.

  “Well, did you tell him differently?” She probed.

  “No!” I said sharply.

  “Miani get yo ass up and go to the fish fry. Fix yo raggedy ass weave, get cute, and show up for your man. He just wanted to go as a family. I been around Oletta and them. They cool as hell. Pop a midol, and you’ll be good.” she suggested.

  “A’ight. Let me go. I guess I’ll get up.” I half complained.

  Me and Dice got off the phone once I was looking in the mirror at my hair. It was in a sloppy ass ponytail that I´d been sleeping on. Taking my time, I gave my hair some life! Taking a hot shower, then lathering my skin up with body lotion. With my hair in body wave curls, flowing to my ass, and a deep part to the side, I was looking brand new. Not in the mood for a dress, I put on my True Religion outfit that matched Easton and Basi’s. Looking for comfort, I put on my fresh out of the box Jordan’s as well. By the time I was leaving, it was way past the time the fish fry started.

  Driving my brand-new car that seemed to never be driven, I cruised all the way to Oletta´s house. Before I got on her street, I knew the whole goddamn family had to be here. I was taking a deep sigh trying to find parking. It was folks parked in yards and all. I legit had to park down the street. Taking my time, I didn’t even call Obasi to let him know I was here. I just walked my way through, and spoke as I came.

  “That boy lied to me! He said you wasn’t feeling well.” Ms. Oletta said, grabbing my hand.

  “I wasn’t. I laid down, so I could get some energy to come. He had a fit about me being in the bed.” I sighed. “Where is he?”

  “He actually left with his cousins to get more ice.” she replied. “Come on in. Easton is playing and leave him be. You know he be right on your hip.” she ordered, knowing my son all too well.

  “Okay, Oletta.” I laughed.

  Following her, I went to the sunroom where the older woman were, first. She introduced me to some of her first cousins and her sisters that she was always taking trips with. After mingling with them, the rest of the family found out who I was. I had been here a whole hour before Easton found out I came.

  “Momma!!” he yelled, running to me. I had my plate of food with me, eating on my way to the table.

  “Hey son! You having fun?” I asked him.

  “Yeah, Basi gave me his phone because I left mine at home.” he said, waving it around.

  “Don’t break it. Keep it in your pocket. Matter of fact, give it hurr.” I said with my hand out. He placed it in my hand, and then asked for a bite of my food. I tried to get him to sit down to eat, but he was too damn thirsty to play outside. I told him to be careful because they were dropping fish out there, and I didn’t want no accidents.

  By the time I had my food down, Obasi was back. They took long as hell, and I didn’t bother to get up. His mother let him know I was here. I was sitting with his cousins, when he came with this big ass smile on his face. They had told on him about how he came with an attitude because I wouldn’t come. Now I was here, and he looked stupid now.

  “Oh, you good now cuz?” his cousin teased.

  “Baby, when you get hurr?” he asked, coming to kiss on me. Not trying to diss him too bad in front of his family, I told him we needed to talk. He walked me to the bathroom, and shut the door.

  “I didn’t want to come after how you acted at home. You didn’t let me explain or nothing. You like shit done on your time and your way.” I clarified.

  “I know...but I’m glad you hurr. I just want us to be a family, Miani. Real spill, I love all this shit we do together. Doing it solo don’t fit me. It doesn't feel right or look good to me. I need you with me when I’m out hurr.” He expressed.

  Not responding, I leaned up to kiss his lips. He slapped my ass hard, and I slipped him back his phone.

  “Yo ass ain’t find shit.” Obasi laughed so damn hard in my face, I wished like hell I did. That’s how mad he had me after I gave him his phone. “Yo, stop making that face. You wanted to find something?”

  “No, I didn’t. But you ain’t gotta laugh.” I said, rolling my eyes hard.

  “You gotta chill. I’m with this family shit. Ain’t no ho getting the time. Just you and Easton.” he said, escorting me out of the bathroom. He was all in my ear, walking right behind me. I had saw all in his phone Tiesha reaching out to him, and how he blocked her. It was old messages that I couldn’t even get mad at because he wasn’t my man then. I vowed to never go through his phone because it wasn’t necessary. He straight up told me if I ever felt the dire need to, we needed to have a sit down to reevaluate the relationship.

  Outside with Obasi and his guy cousin, I wasn’t expecting for Aci to come outside. It was a moment of awkwardness, then she asked could we go talk somewhere else. Basi just placed a kiss on my head to go, and gave his sister a look.

  “I be back.” I told him, taking my drink with me. Following her to the guestroom, I let her start since she asked to have this conversation.

  “I didn’t want to make this all uncomfortable. My brother made me aware, and I have been wanting to speak to you, but he always said for me to hold off.” she expressed.

  “Look, whatever you had going on with Ralph, that’s your business. Even if you still seeing him today. It doesn’t concern me anymore. We are divorced, and he’s free to do as he pleases. I’m happily with your brother, and it’s no beef this way.” I said, not cutting no corners.

  “I know it might sound crazy, but I don’t want you thinking bad of me. If I knew then what I know now, I would have never gotten mixed up in his marriage scandal. Ralph told me nothing about you, and to be truthful...he never told me about himself. I got wrapped up into the gifts and lifestyle. It wasn’t enough for me to keep his baby because I have Obasi that would give me the world. I just really want to thank you. If it wasn’t for Obasi, and really you, I don’t know how I would have gotten away from him. I hate that you went through all that, but it saved me in the process. So, if you ever think all that heartache was in vain...it wasn’t. You saved me from him. I’m glad you found someone to make you happy.” she said, almost getting teary eyed. I could tell how toxic her relationship was with Ralph. For her to thank me, it meant a lot. Most of the time, I didn’t know how I left. But when you´re fed up, you gotta give up.

  “I get i
t and what you saying. You had to endure what you did, and so did I. It just so happened to be by the same man. I’m a woman before anything. I’m not hateful, and I will never be bitter. Obasi loves the hell out of you. I wasn’t avoiding you because I had hate in my heart from the past. I just didn’t know how to approach it, and I’m glad we got to talk.” I said.

  Aci took a deep sigh, and we both walked out together. You could tell how young she was, but she had maturity. I didn’t have a clue how she got wrapped up in Ralph´s mess, but I was glad she got her life back. We had small talk as we walked back to the fellas. She told me how she was in school, and even working. To know she aborted Ralph’s child, I could see how she was taking this second chance seriously. She was slowly getting on her shit, and she was only eighteen.

  “Y’all good? Y’all all smiles.” Obasi said, wrapping his arms around me.

  “We good.” I said, giving them both a smile.

  “You was worried for nothing.” Aci told him. Laughing lightly, I knew Basi didn’t want the two of us beefed out since we would be around one another. I was just glad she wasn’t ignorant about the situation, and actually had more maturity to have the conversation.

  9

  Dice

  “Here you go.” the therapist said, handing me a box of Kleenex. I was so tired of crying, but it was all I ever did nowadays. Coming to therapy, I didn’t know if it was helping right now, but Miani and Rocco encouraged me to keep going, so I did.

  “Thank you.” I said, feeling like I needed a little break or something. We were just talking, and I was exhausted. “Can I excuse myself for like five minutes?”

  “Go ahead.” she let me know.

  Getting up with my purse, I went outside her office suite, and walked to my car. I just sat inside crying with my head down. This whole ordeal with the baby, I didn’t know how to go about it. I was all alone it seemed like. When soft knocks tapped my tinted window, I looked up to see Hosea. He had gone on a three day trip somewhere, but I wasn’t sure where. I never asked, but Miani told me. He opened my car door, and I didn’t even hide the fact that I was crying.