“Boys go and get in the car” Raymond insisted.
Trevon straightened his clothes before he headed to the car. His brothers were tagging closely behind him.
“Look man I think that you just need to go home and cool off.” Raymond suggested.
“Are you fucking Brandi?”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business”
“It’s a simple question. Are you fucking Brandi are not?”
“Brandi and I are just friends?”
“Just friends huh? I bet you’re trying to fuck her. That’s about all she’s good for”
“Look man whatever I gotta’ go” Raymond said and turned to walk away
“If you wanna’ fuck Brandi just make sure that you don’t do it on this property. I’m the man of this house.”
“Oh yeah” Raymond said turning back around. “Exactly what part about you defines a man. The part where you used to beat the mother of your children or the part where you walked out on her with three children? Let me guess it’s the part where you treat your children like crap? I’m just confused about what it is about you that makes you feel like you are a man.”
“So what she’s just sitting around telling you lies about me”
“She hasn’t told me anything. Your son just told me everything that I need to know.”
“You know what? You can have Brandi and those whack ass kids. I don’t want to have anything to do with them anyway. After a while you’re not going to want Brandi anyway. She’s as worthless as a penny with a hole in it. I guess that’s fine with you considering you’re just trying to get a piece of ass. I must admit, you playing the game well?”
“This is not a game. I’m not trying to screw her or use her. I’m just trying to be there for her because that’s what she needs right now but just so you know when I’m intimate with a woman I don’t just have sex with them, I make love to them. See that’s the difference between a man and a boy” And he left Trae standing there.
****
“The lump came back as Cancerous. We’re going to want to act aggressively.”
The lump came back as Cancerous? Those words seem to play over and over in Brandi’s mind.
She squeezed Trevon’s hand tighter, he’d been holding her hand since the moment he’d walked in the room. She glanced over at Tremaine Jr, who was sitting in a wingback chair over by the door. There was a similar look on each of their faces. It was fear. Nothing could have prepared them for those words.
She thought about Trent, the youngest of the three, and how she might not live to see him grow up.
“You are still in the early stages but you are going to need at least six weeks of chemo and radiation.” The doctor continued.
Chemo?
His words pulled her back and she stared at the Indian man dressed in black slacks and a white coat standing before her. The gaze was empty…and distant. She couldn’t fathom what scared her the most, the cancer or the chemo treatment? Everything that she was going through seemed to start pacing through her mind all at the same time as if each situation was in a race to see who’d win first place in destroying her. Everything was beating her down.
The hurt slid off her face as she shed the tears that were begging to be freed from her eyes. She was numb. The shock of it all had a tight grip on her tongue and she couldn’t talk, although a million questions were bouncing around in her crowded mind.
Cancer?
“I know that this is a lot to take in but early detection is the best cure. Treatment options are a lot smoother when you find out in the early stages.”
I have cancer
Brandi was thinking about how her life had been flipped upside down once again. She was thinking about how hard it was going to be to battle this disease alone. She was thinking about how difficult it was going to be to stay strong when her body was so weak. She was thinking about all those years she’s wasted loving a man who’d never love her with even an ounce of the love she had for him. Most importantly she was thinking about life and how she’d taken it for granted.
With trembling words, she asked. “Am I going to lose my breast?”
“I recommend that the breast be removed immediately”
“Do you mind if I have a few words with my kids please?”
“Go ahead, I’ll make another round in about thirty minutes we can discuss treatment options then.”
When the doctor walked out of the room Brandi stared in silence fighting to keep her tears from falling.
Tremaine walked closer to the bed and sat down at the foot. “I’m going to be here with you every step of the way. You don’t have to do this alone. I’m going to stay out of trouble. I’m going to get good grades. I’m going to make you proud of me mom. I promise. I want you to stay strong. We can’t lose you mama.” He lowered his head and sobbed.
“And I’m going to pitch in more around the house. I’m going to cook dinner when you’re too tired. I’m going to makes sure that Trent gets a bath. I’m going to be here for you mama, like you’ve always been here for us.” Trevon cried.
“Why does it seem that bad things always happen to us?” Tremaine blurted.
“Maybe this is God’s way of bringing us closer. God knows what’s best for all of us.”
“Are you scared mama?” Trevon asked.
“I’d be lying if I said no. I have a huge challenge ahead of me.” Brandi said.
“I’m scared mama. I don’t want you to die mama.” He cried.
“I want you two to listen to me. It’s okay for us to be scared. But it’s not okay for us to worry. We have to believe in God and his will. If we’re going to worry we shouldn’t pray and if we’re going to pray we shouldn’t worry. That’s what you’re grandmother has always taught us.”
“What if they don’t get all of the cancer? What if you don’t make it?” Tremaine asked.
“I’m going to be just fine. I want you to remember that even when I’m gone I’m always going to be right here.” She said slightly tapping his chest. “You know what the good thing is?”
“What’s that?” He asked.
“When I’m having a bad day I’ll have my three wonderful boys to lean on.” She smiled.
****
It was after midnight, but Brandi couldn’t sleep. She was standing at the mirror in her bathroom gazing at the image staring back at her. The breast augmentation was scheduled in a few weeks and she was worried about how she would look without her breast and no hair.
Since her hair was probably going to fall out any way, “What the hell, no guts no glory” She said and pulled open the top drawer of the sink vanity. She grabbed the pair of scissors and cut the first clod of hair out of her head. “It’s going to fall out anyway” I should probably use the clippers; she thought and pulled them out of the drawer.
When she heard a knock on the other side of the door. “Mama what are you doing?” The twins asked.
She opened the door and they all looked at her like she was crazy. “I’m cutting off all my hair. I figure it’s going to come out anyway so I might as well do it now.”
“I’m going to cut mines too” Trevon encouraged.
“Me too. We should have a hair cutting party” Tremaine agreed.
“How about this, mom I’ll finish cutting yours. Tremaine will cut mines. And you’ll cut Tremaine’s.”
“You guys don’t have to do that”
“But we want to mom” They both said.
“Are you boys sure?”
They both looked at one another “Yes. It’s just hair” They said together.
“Twins” Brandi giggled.
Within twenty minutes Trevon had trimmed all of Brandi’s hair off of her head. She rubbed her hand baldhead and asked, “So how do I look without hair?”
“Mama with or without hair you’ll always be the most beautiful woman in the world to me” Tremaine assured her.
Those words brought tears to Brandi’s eyes. “You guys are my world. You
know that? I love you both more than life”
“And we love you” They both said finishing each other’s sentence.
“There is that twin thing again” Brandi joked.
“I’m up next” Tremaine said.
“Well alrighty then! Say goodbye to your Mohawk” She warned him.
chapter 28
Vanessa...NYC, New York
Vanessa hadn’t spoken to Jason since he’d told her that their marriage was over. Every now and then she’d call him but he’d never answer, and you can almost guess that he never returned any of her calls or messages. She hated the way things were between them but she didn’t blame him. If he’d done half of the things she’d done to him she’d avoid him too.
She’d just taken an in-home pregnancy test
“If it turns out that I’m pregnant I’m definitely going to keep my baby” She said aloud to herself as she paced back and forth from the window to her bed in her grand loft apartment. She loved her new place but she hated sleeping alone every night. If she could take back the things she’d done she’d take them back in a heartbeat. She couldn’t remember the affair but she was certain that her feelings for Deon didn’t hold a candle to her feelings for Jason.
She missed him and she cried herself to sleep every night, aching for him to forgive her.
She had no recollection of their married life together but somehow she still felt drawn to him. There was no way that her heart could have ever stopped loving him even during those times when she was unfaithful.
For the next five minutes she felt like she was sitting in a courtroom awaiting her verdict. Her life could be changed forever.
If indeed she was pregnant, would she have to raise the baby without any help? What if Jason didn’t believe she was carrying his child? What if he thought she was trying to trap him? Would she be able to do it all on her own? Were just a few of the heart cracking questions flowing through Vanessa’s mind.
As she impatiently continued pacing back and forth the seconds seemed to be ticking slower.
At last she saw two red lines appear on the stick. She no longer had a reason to ponder. She was pregnant. Now she didn’t know what to feel. One part of her was excited and another part of her felt sad. She couldn’t stand not being able to share this moment with Jason. The fact that it was no one’s fault but her very own, carved her heart.
He probably no longer wants to be a father after all I’ve put him through, she thought.
Maybe I shouldn’t tell him?
What if he wants me to get an abortion?
He does deserve to know though!
I owe him that much!
She dialed him.
It didn’t shock her that he didn’t answer. She knew one thing for sure, she wasn’t having an abortion. She was keeping the baby she was carrying even if she had to do it on her own. She was willing to do just that. This was her chance to do something right.
CHAPTER 29
Malik...Jacksonville Florida
Right before Christmas Malik was lying awake in bed when he heard “Aaaaggghhhh” coming from down the hall. It was the sound of a bloodcurdling scream and it scared the living daylights out of him. He jumped up from the bed and dashed towards Mackenzie’s room.
“Mac” He yelled panicky when he didn’t see her lying in her bed.
“I’m in here dad” She yelled, from the bathroom.
He headed towards the direction he heard her voice coming from and stood right outside the door. He could hear Mackenzie sobbing.
“Angel Face what’s wrong?”
“I woke up because I thought I had to do the number two and it’s actually not the reason my stomach is cramping”
It was funny how he always knew that this day would come and now that it had arrived he was close to passing out.
“Is it what I think it is? Is it your period?” Gosh he hated asking that question.
“Yes” Mackenzie sniffed. “Holy crap this hurts so bad!”
Malik was panicking. He wasn’t a woman. He didn’t know what to do. “I read in a book one time that when a woman has cramps it’s usually her bowels trying to move. Maybe you try to shit”
“Did you not hear me dad? I’ve tried that, it isn’t helping.”
“Okay....ahhh” He headed to the linen closet and pulled out a few towels and raced back to the bathroom. The way he was acting you’d think he was about to deliver a baby. “Sweetie ahhh… I think that you’re going to need towels and…ahhhh, aspirin. Shit I don’t know! Do you know what helps with cramps? Don’t you guys learn that in sexual education? He asked with both hands full of washcloths and towels.
“Sex-Ed was back in the day. They don’t teach that in school now and days. Did you forget that you’re old? I’m not the smartest kid in the world Dad but I don’t need towels or aspirin. I need maxi pads and Midol”
“Do you have any pads? I really would hate to walk around with those in the store”
“This is my first period dad of course I don’t have any. If I did I wouldn’t be still sitting on the toilet. You’re going to have to go buy some from Wally world. It’ not like people are not going to know that they’re not for you”
“Okay you just stay right there I’ll be right back. Are you going to be okay?”
“I’ll be fine dad, just hurry” She snapped.
“First day on your period and you already have an attitude” He said back. “God why couldn’t she have been a boy?” He mumbled.
****
Fifteen minutes later Malik was standing in the personal care products section in Walmart surrounded by tampons, sanitary pads, and pantyliners. Distinguishing what Brand of sanitary pads was the best choice was harder than he’d anticipated it to be. He was confused.
“Excuse me miss” He said to a woman that had just grabbed a box of personals from the shelf. “It’s my daughters first period and I don’t know what to get. Do you mind helping me out?”
“Sure” She smiled. “You definitely want to get her something with wings. Either Always, or Kotex. Can’t go wrong with either of those.”
“Thanks I really do appreciate it”
“No problem” She said and then walked away.
Malik headed to the line and in no time he’d checked out. As soon as the door greeter checked his receipt, that familiar face he dreaded seeing was standing right in front him.
“Well, well, well” Regina hissed. “If it isn’t my future baby daddy”
Her eyes were cutting him deep, and he wondered just how psycho she was going to get this go round. “Regina I don’t know what you’re talking about or who you are pregnant by but it ain’t by me. I strapped up every time.”
“Well I guess things happen”
“Move out of my way” He said pushing her to the side. “Crazy bitch” He mumbled and headed for the parking area.
“What did you just call me?” She said loudly, trekking behind him.
Malik ignored her and continued walking.
“That’s what I thought” She barked even louder this time.
They were now walking through the parking lot, Malik in front, Regina still trailing behind him. “You’re going to be a man and take care of your responsibility”
Malik stopped walking and turned to her. “I am a man” He roared. His tone made Regina back away from him. “I take care of my child. My only child. The child that you claim that your carrying isn’t mind because I used a contraceptive every time. Find you another man to trap”
Regina started clapping her hands together, making a scene and Malik headed towards his vehicle.
Regina followed closely behind him.
“Ladies and gentlemen I present to you another black man that thinks he can get away without raising his child. He’s even claiming that I’m not carrying his baby. Isn’t that always what a man says when he’s a coward and doesn’t want to own up to his responsibility?”
Malik was embarrassed and pissed all at once.
�
��You stay away from me. You’re nothing but a damaged lunatic” He yanked opened his vehicle door and climbed in.
Regina pounded on the window. “Me staying away from you isn’t going to change the fact that I’m pregnant”
Just like the last time he’d seen her, within a split second her emotions changed.
“Why won’t you just love me? We can raise this baby together.”
Malik rolled down his window. “Move away from my car”
“Pleassseee Malik don’t treat me this way”
“Goodbye Regina”
“I love you and I want us to be a family”
Malik gazed at her and a smirk etched his face. He couldn’t believe that she actually thought that they could be together. He put the car in reverse and backed out of the parking space.
“You may be laughing now but you’ll definitely cry later” Regina yelled. “In the end I’m going to be the one laughing.” She said, watching Malik’s taillights disappear. “You just wait and see”
****
Friday, December 21, 2012
“You people don’t understand. I feel like my life is in danger. This woman is terrorizing me.” Malik expressed. He was in his bedroom talking on the phone to the police captain.
“We can’t arrest her until we have proof that she’s been within one hundred feet of you. We can’t just take your word for it.”
“Sir I understand that. But this woman is crazy. She doesn’t give a damn about a goddamn restraining order. It’s not a coincidence that we keep running into each other. She’s stalking me.”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you but I gotta’ have more than your complaints to arrest someone”
“It’s not a complaint. It’s the truth. This woman breaks into my house, collides into my Suv, loosens the lug nuts on my vehicle, stalks me when I’m out with my daughter, embarrasses me in public. I think that’s all the proof I need. If it were the other way around I’d be arrested by now.”
“It’s not enough. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve gotta’ go my lunch is getting cold.”
Unfaithful Ties Page 34