“Hey, look,” the man said. “I was only kidding. Can’t you take a joke?”
“Find somebody else to play with, fool. I’m not the one.”
The white man and two other fellas who he was with got up and walked away. Rufus stared them down like they’d straight up offended him.
“Ole, silly fool,” he continued, underneath his breath.
“Bro, you gon be au-ight?” I asked. “You seem like you got a chip on your shoulder or something.”
“Nigga, you know I ain’t too fond of white people. Ain’t no need to be all fake with me and shit. That was his way of telling me he didn’t like my damn hair. And since he didn’t, then it was only best that his ass not be around me.”
I laughed, and before the game got started, I hipped Rufus to what had been going down. More than anything, he was angry with me for letting Ginger get away with stealing my money.
“Trust me, the only reason she hasn’t died is because she’s Desmon’s mother. If she wasn’t, her ass would be history.”
“But, man, she’s been doing that shit for years. The bitch is money hungry, and when you’re that hungry, that’s when shit starts to happen.”
I nodded, and was happy to see the game get on the way.
By the end of the first quarter, Desmon had showed his ass! He had three quarterback sacks and the whole defensive line was hyped up. His team led fourteen to zero and the game seemed to be going every bit of Desmon’s way. As the second quarter started, I noticed Anna sitting to the far left of the stadium with I’d guess some of her family. Shannon, who Desmon took to homecoming, wore his jersey, and his ex-girlfriend, the cheerleader, obviously had an attitude about it. When Desmon made good plays, she pursed her lips and turned her head.
During the second quarter, Rufus had gotten a phone call and stepped away to take it. He was only in town for a few days, and during that time, I offered to let him chill with me. He’d even offered to drop me some of the cash Ginger had taken away from me. Since I’d spent so much on the luxuries I’d bought for the crib that was cool with me.
As Desmon continued to handle his business on the field, I sat there proud as hell of him. I knew he’d someday make it to the pros and I had that much faith in him. Living in East St. Louis was not going to be the end of his story. No way, no how and I would make sure of that. When Rufus came back, he said that he had to go make a quick run. Knowing what he was up to, I gave him directions to my crib and told him to meet me there later. We slammed our fist together and he jetted.
During halftime, I walked to the concession stand to get some nachos and a soda. As I stood in the long line, Anna and a lady who resembled her walked up and stood in line too. She didn’t say anything to me, and I didn’t say anything to her. I kept completely quiet until the chick that gave me her number a few months ago walked up to me.
“Kiley, right?” she said.
I couldn’t remember her name. “Yeah, um…”
“Marissa. My name is Marissa. Had you looked at my number on that piece of paper I gave you, you would have known my name,” she smiled.
“I’m guilty,” I said, holding my arms in the air. “Guilty of throwing your number in the trashcan because I was seeing someone else at the time.”
“Thanks for being honest. Did you come here by yourself, or are you with…”
“Naw, I’m by myself. I came to watch my son play.”
“Who’s your son?”
I really didn’t want to say because I didn’t want nobody to know my business. Still, I was proud and couldn’t help myself. “Uh, Abrams. Desmon Abrams.”
Her mouth hung open. “You’re Desmon’s father? But I thought…never mind.”
I was curious about what she thought. “You thought what? That I was in jail?”
“No,” she paused, and ordered her food because the lady behind the counter asked for our order. I ordered mine, and after I paid for both of ours, we walked away. I gave Anna another glance, before walking away, but she was busy talking.
“So, what do you know about me,” I asked, as Marissa followed me back to my seat. She sat next to me and sipped on her soda. She cleared her throat.
“Let’s just say that way back whenever, Ginger and I used to be tight. I thought Desmon was my ex-boyfriend’s, Myles, son. She told me Desmon was his son, after she slept with him behind my back. But, I can see the resemblances in you and Desmon too. Don’t get me wrong, again, he looks like you, but he got some of Myles features, too.”
“Hmm,” I said, sitting back in my seat. No doubt, her words threw me for a loop. “So, where’s Myles at now?”
“Several years ago, he was murdered. I think Desmon was only one or two at the time. From what I can remember though, Kiley, Myles did use to go see him.”
I was quiet for a long time and thought about how I really wasn’t around Desmon that much when he was a baby. I’d been trying to work shit out with Jada and didn’t want her to know I’d had a son. The only time I did see Desmon was on the weekends, but Ginger never mentioned anything about not knowing who the father was. If I had known what I know now about her ass, I would’ve had a blood test. Now, though, it really didn’t matter. Something wasn’t adding up because Desmon and me had too much in common. There was no denying him because he looked too much like Kareem, Papa Abrams, and me. If anything, Ginger lied to Marissa and Myles, especially since Desmon always carried my last name.
“Kiley,” Marissa said. “I hope I didn’t open up a can of worms. Your girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, or whoever the hell she is to you, she’s a…
“I know all about Ginger, Marissa. There’s not much you can say about her that I don’t already know. By any chance, do you have a picture of this Myles character?”
“Not on me. But, if you’d come by my place later, I’m sure I can dig one up for you.”
“Give me your number again. I have company in town so I won’t call you tonight, but I promise to call you soon.”
“Would I be intruding if I ask if it’s male or female?”
“Yes, you would be.”
She stood up. “Well, if you’re not too busy Sunday night, I’m having a birthday party at Club Classic. Why don’t you drop in and wish me a happy birthday?”
“Club Classic…that’s where Ginger works, right?”
She winked. “You got it. The same place I saw you at the last time.”
“We’ll see. I’ll try to make it,” I said.
Shortly after Marissa walked away, the crowd was on their feet as the players came back onto the field. Again, they were hyped and the score was now twenty-one to seven. On the second play of the quarter, Desmon sacked the quarterback and he fumbled. Desmon recovered the ball and as he picked it up to run for the touchdown, another player on the other team grabbed Desmon’s leg and made him fall. He fell on the turf, and another player twisted his leg back, then came crashing down on it. I hopped up and so did everyone else in the crowd. The referee threw the flag down, but Desmon didn’t get up. I could see he was in dying pain, so I rushed onto the field to see what was up. Of course, I didn’t make it too far as security was all over me.
“That’s my son,” I shouted.
“Sir, you need to back up. You can’t just come onto the field like this.”
“You didn’t understand what I said, did you,” I said through gritted teeth. “Now, get your hands off my chest and let me go see about my son.”
The guard backed away and I ran onto the field to where Desmon was. He had his helmet off and was moving back and forth on the ground while holding his leg. It was obvious he was in excruciating pain.
By the looks of it, I could tell his injury was serious. How serious was the question. The coaching staff called for the trainer, and shortly after, they took him off the field. Before going into the locker room with him, I politely walked over to the other side of the field where the other team stood waiting and watching. I walked up to the player who had purposely injured Desmon’s leg, g
iving him a threat I truly intended to live up to.
“If he doesn’t play football again, or if this injury prevents him from being all that he can be in this game, you’re gonna lose both of your legs. You messed with the wrong one this time, partna, and you’d better hope like hell this ain’t as serious as it looks.”
My words put fear in his eyes, and since I didn’t want to get arrested, I hurried off to the locker room to see about Desmon. When I got there, I could hear him screaming as I stood outside of the door. I knocked, and after one of his coaches let me in, Desmon turned his head to the side and looked at me.
“Why…why don’t you just leave me alone, damn,” he said. I could see the hurt/pain in his eyes, as a few tears had fallen from the sides of them.
I ignored Desmon and talked to the trainer. “So, what’s going on with his leg?”
He shook his head. “It doesn’t look too good. An ambulance is on the way and we’re going to take him to the hospital for x-rays.”
Desmon held his eyes tightly together, continuing to grab his leg. I walked over and took a look at it. It certainly wasn’t a pretty sight. “Can’t you all give him something for the pain?” I asked.
“We will. As soon as the ambulance gets here.”
“I don’t won’t no…no damn medicine,” he said, starting to cry. “I wanna finish my game. Man, help me up so I can finish my game.”
I was too hurt to say anything. The assistant coach walked over and talked to Desmon. “Not right now, Desmon. We need to get you taken care of, and then you can finish the game.”
He opened his eyes. “Where my mama? Would you go call my mama for me?” Desmon asked his assistant coach.
“Sure. I’ll go call her right now.”
A huge part of me was disappointed. There I was standing right before him and he had the nerve to call for Ginger. She didn’t even have the decency to have her ass at his game, let alone, show up at the hospital when his coach asked her to come. I didn’t say shit because I knew exactly what was about to go down.
I followed the ambulance to the hospital and stayed in the room with Desmon until the doctor came back in. We hadn’t said two words to each other, but as long as he knew I was there, that’s all that mattered to me. The doctor said Desmon had torn ligaments, but said he certainly could play football again as long as he allowed his leg to heal. Loving football as much as he did, Desmon was crushed. He acted as if it was the end of the world, and when I reminded him that he could play next year, he told me to stay out of his business and asked me to leave. The doctor soon left the room and let us have at it.
“What did I tell you about disrespecting me, huh?” I said.
“And what did I tell you about being in my business? I don’t even know why you’re here. Don’t you get it, man? I want you out of my life. You have caused my mother and me nothing but pain and suffering and I don’t want anything else to do with you.”
“You almost sound like Ginger. I guess she’s manipulated you into believing I’m no good for you? You’re a smart kid, Desmon. And, as soon as you wake up and see things for what they are, you’ll be even smarter. Now, I’m deeply sorry about what happened to your leg. But maybe, this will allow you some time to get your grades in order. Those come first, and you need to remember that.”
“Get the hell out of here with that! I don’t need your advice—Dad! I’m gonna play football whether you or the doctors like it or not. So, see ya. Go back to wherever you came from. These past few weeks have been peaceful without you.”
The assistant coach came into the room and said he’d left Ginger a few messages on her answering machine. He stayed for a while, and after they put a splint on Desmon’s leg his coach left.
Desmon waited around for Ginger to come, and when I asked to take him home, he declined. I told him I’d see him later and left. Not intending to go anywhere until I knew he had a ride home, I waited on the parking lot for Ginger to come. I could see Desmon sitting in the waiting area and I watched as he continued to dial out on his cell phone to call her. I even called her myself, but still got no answer. After another hour had gone by, I finally pulled my car in front of the hospital and blew the horn. He looked out at me and came outside. Being stubborn, he pulled the handle on the door and tried to get in without any help. When I got out of the car to help him, he insisted that I get back into the car. I wasn’t up to arguing with him, and before I knew it, he was inside of the car. His crutches were on the back seat and he reached for his jacket to get something out of his pocket.
“Would you mind stopping at the pharmacy to get my prescription filled,” he asked.
I took the prescription from his hand. “Is this your pain medicine?”
He nodded.
I drove to the pharmacy and once I got his prescription filled, I walked back to my car. Desmon was on my phone and when I got inside of the car, he ended his call. He handed my phone to me.
“Where’s your phone at?” I asked. “Didn’t you just have it?”
“I think I lost it when I got into your car.” He paused. “Did you know that we lost the game?”
“Yep. Without their number one player, it was bound to happen.” I looked over at him and smiled. He turned his head to look out of the window.
I drove off and when we got halfway down the road, Desmon confronted me. “Do you wanna know why I’m really mad at you?” he asked.
I shrugged. “No, I really don’t care why you’re mad at me.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Really, no I don’t. You being mad at me don’t mean a damn thing to me, Desmon. I just hate you got all of this anger inside of you for nothing.”
“Yeah, whatever. But the reason I’m so mad at you now is because, not only did you have my Mom’s face all fucked up, but why…why did you have to go fuck my best friend’s aunt. She’s like a mother to Antonio, and out of all of the women, why her?”
“Aw…so, you know about Anna? Did Ginger tell you about her?”
“Yep. And, I talked to Anna too.”
“What did Anna say?”
“Other than that you’re a no good, low-down, back-stabbing ass liar?”
“Yes. Other than that, did she say anything else?”
“She said a whole bunch more. But, it’s gonna cost you if you want to know.”
“Then, I don’t want to know.”
“Cool,” he said. We didn’t say another word to each other until we pulled in front of Ginger’s townhouse.
Anxious to know what Anna said, I parked the car and turned off the headlights. “So, how much is it gonna cost me?”
He smiled. “I need some new threads, man. My shit getting out dated and a new pair of tennis shoes wouldn’t be a bad idea either. My car down and so is Antonio’s. We really could use some money to get them fixed.”
I looked over at him. “Those cars will stay broke, but how much, Desmon? Stop beating around the bush.”
“A thousand doll…”
“Shit, you out of yo mind.”
“So, are you telling me, you wouldn’t pay a thousand dollars to hear what Anna told me about you? I think you’d really want to know.”
“Well, ain’t nobody paying you to think.”
“Alright,” he said, opening the door to get out. “Your lost, not mine.”
I grabbed his arm. “Okay. Close the door. I’ll give you five hundred dollars if you tell me.”
“Nine-Hundred.”
“Seven.”
“Eight-Fifty.”
“Eight…and that’s my last offer.”
He closed the door. “You would really pay me eight-hundred dollars to find out what she said about you?”
“Yes. Now, tell me what she said.”
He hesitated, then looked at me and grinned. “She said that she was in love with you.”
“Man, I already knew that. Tell me what else she said.”
“That’s it. She just told me she’d fallen in love with you. So, give me my e
ight-hundred dollars.”
“I ain’t giving you no money for something I already know. I thought she said something else about me.”
“So, that’s how I get played? I told you what she said, and now, you holding back on the money.”
I reached in my back pocket and counted out one thousand dollars, giving it to Desmon. The look of excitement was written all over his face.
“I can’t believe you’d kick me out like this for telling you Anna loves you. That’s crazy, man.”
“Desmon, wise up, okay? I will give you the shirt off my back, if you asked for it. The money I gave you has nothing to do with Anna. If you want to buy yourself some clothes and shoes, then go do it.”
Desmon put the money in his pocket and opened the door to get out. I got out to help him and grabbed his crutches from the back seat of the car. As we walked towards the door, he turned.
“Listen. That’s my Mom’s flavor of the month car over there,” he said, pointing to a brand new white Lincoln in one of the parking spots. “Please don’t come in here and cause any trouble, au’ight?”
I nodded, intending to keep the peace.
“Promise me,” Desmon said.
“You have my word.”
Desmon unlocked the door and limped inside. Music came from Ginger’s bedroom and the door was closed. I could tell the lights were out because I could see darkness from underneath the door.
“They must be sleeping,” Desmon said, still standing, while putting little pressure on his injured leg.
“Aren’t you going to wake her to tell her what happened?”
“I’ll tell her later.”
“Why wait,” I said, getting ready to walk towards the door. “Let’s tell her now.”
Desmon grabbed my arm. “Let me tell her. Why don’t you just go home and I’ll call you later. Seriously, I don’t want no trouble.”
“Man, it ain’t gon be no trouble. Trust me. In the meantime, you need to think about coming to live with me. I got a nice place, you can have your own room, and I promise to stay out of your business.”
“Maybe, but go home. I’ll let you know soon.”
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