“I’m clean and I have been since the moment I found out I was pregnant.” Getting pissed, grabbed my baby from him.
“You were also clean for months until you ran back into that nigga. If he walked in here right now, would you leave with him and say fuck the baby? Those are the thoughts that I have to deal with on a daily basis. I can’t take that chance. Not with my daughter.”
“News flash, she is our daughter and I fucked up, I get that but I’m doing my best to make up for it.”
“You can never make up for sleeping with that nigga. I’m sorry, I truly am, but the baby will be staying with me and you will have visitations.” His momma saw that it was getting heated and she stepped in.
“Can you try and make some type of compromise just to see how it goes.”
“That’s a chance, I’m not willing to take. I’m sorry. Look, the first week she can stay with you. After that you will have to see her at my house. That’s the best I could do.” Letting it go, I figured once he saw how good of a mother I was in this week, he would change his mind.
“Okay.” With tears rolling down my face, I held my baby girl tight. I would just have to change his mind.
****
When me and the baby got home the first two days were the most exciting thing ever, but by day three she was wearing my ass out. It was like nothing would satisfy her. All she did was cry and when I couldn’t figure out what she wanted, I would start crying. Bags were forming under my eyes from lack of sleep and I made the mistake of calling Deleon for help.
“Hey. I don’t know what to do. Faith won’t stop crying and I haven’t been able to get any sleep. I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”
“The doctors explained this could happen. She’s a crack baby Auri, her body is craving the drugs you pumped in her. It will pass, but since it’s too much for you, I’ll come and get her in the morning.”
“Okay.” Not wanting to sound relieved, I hung up the phone. I would just go visit her every day until she got out of this phase. If Deleon thought he could do better, then fine. Walking around shaking her as she continued to scream, I prayed I made it through the night. Laying her in her crib, I placed it in the front room and I went in the bedroom and closed the door. I just needed a little sleep.
Waking up a few hours later, I felt refreshed and the baby wasn’t crying. Walking in the front room, I looked in the crib and the baby was gone. I searched the entire house before I called Deleon. When he answered I screamed. “The baby is gone.”
CHAPTER 35- DELEON
Flying to Auri’s house, all I kept hearing over and over was her screaming the baby is gone. How in the fuck can a newborn be gone? Going against my better judgment, I allowed her to stay with Auri. Everyone was acting like I was being so hard on Auri and now look what the fuck done happened. Pulling up to her place, police cars were everywhere. When I went inside, Auri was in handcuffs crying.
“What the fuck is going on?”
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. This is an active crime scene.” The police tried to push me out the door.
“I’m the baby’s father. What do you mean crime scene?”
“We are trying to look for evidence of any foul play inside the home. We found the baby, a block away from here severely beaten. She is on the way to the hospital and they are working on her trying to save her life. The mother was the last one with her correct?” All I could do was nod my head. This was like a really bad dream.
“How could you do that to her? I told you I was coming to get her in the morning.” Screaming at Auri, I couldn’t contain my anger.
“I didn’t do it I swear, I woke up and she was gone.” Punching the wall, I left out before I ended up in jail. I was ready to kill Auri. When I made it to my car, an officer stopped me.
“Can I take your statement sir. I know you need to check on your daughter, but it’s better if I take it now so you don’t forget.”
“What man?” I needed to get to Faith.
“What did you mean you told her you would get her in the morning. What happened?”
“She called me telling me she hadn’t been able to get any sleep and the baby wouldn’t stop crying. I told her I would get her in the morning and the she called me saying she was gone. That’s all I know, now can I leave?”
“Yes, if we have any further questions, we will come up to the hospital. As of right now we are charging her with attempted murder, aggravated assault on a minor, and child neglect.”
“Do what you have to do.” I Jumped in my whip and flew to the hospital. When I got there Hannah was waiting for me in the lobby.
“After I left you, I got called in. They are working on her now.” Ready to punch her ass as well, I stopped myself, but it didn’t stop me from cursing her ass out.
“I told you the last time I saw you to stay the fuck away from me and lose my number, but you couldn’t do that. You showed up tonight wanting to bitch and argue. Tired of hurting your feelings, I went against my better judgement and didn’t go get my daughter so I could comfort you. Now my daughter is fighting for her fucking life. STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME. If I ever see you again and you even look at me, I will kill you. If you dial my number by mistake I will fucking kill you. Leave me the fuck alone. You have ten seconds to get the fuck away from me and out of my presence or I will fucking kill you.” She ran down the hall and out the door. I meant every word I said. If it wasn’t for her, I would have gone and got Faith and she wouldn’t be in here. There was nothing she could ever say to me in life. Over and over I have told her to leave me alone and my heart belongs to Auri, but she didn’t want to accept that. Now her thirstiness has my baby laid up in here. Crying, the only person I could think to call was my mom.
“Son, why are you calling me so late. The baby wearing yall out huh?” Between sobs, I responded the best way I could.
“Auri tried to kill the baby. She beat her and now the baby is in the hospital.”
“Oh my God, I’m on the way. Just pray baby, she’s a fighter.” Hanging up, I did just that. I prayed for God to answer just one prayer of mine. All the shit I been through, I didn’t care, I just needed him to let my baby be okay.
My mom came and she tried her best to comfort me, but nothing was working. How the fuck I ended up in this night mare is beyond me. The doctor came to talk to us and I was on pins and needles again. It seems I stay that way when it comes to dealing with Auri.
“We have done everything we could, now it is in God’s hands. She has broken ribs, a concussion, she has bones broken in her face, and both of her legs are broken. I must say she is a fighter. She is only days old and there are adults that can’t even make it through those type of injuries, but she is hanging on. I wish I could tell you it will be ok, but I can’t. At this point, I really don’t know. I have her in a full body cast. Right now, it’s one day at a time. You can go back and see her when you are ready.” Auri was not here so I punched the next best thing, the wall. Who the fuck could do that to a baby. She better pray I never got my hands on her.
“Son, have you talked to Auri.” Looking at my mom like she lost her mind, I turned to her and snapped.
“Really? Why the fuck would I talk to Auri?”
“It just doesn’t seem like she is capable of doing this. What he described, sounded like hatred. That girl didn’t hate her baby.” Now she was pissing me off.
“Did she seem like the type to go back and get high again after everything I did? Did she seem like the type to fuck the nigga that got her hooked while I was at home thinking something is wrong? Did she seem like the type to give the car I bought her to that same nigga? You tell me mom since you seem to know everything. Does she seem like the type that would steal from me and damn near clean out my account? Don’t sit in my fucking face and tell me that she is not capable of doing something out of hatred. EVERYTHING SHE HAS DONE TO ME SEEMS LIKE SHE HATES ME.” I’ve never cursed at my mother, but right now I wasn’t trying to hear that shit.
“I
’m sorry, I wasn’t aware of everything that happened. Now that I do, one thing is clear. Son, you are truly in love with that girl. She did all of that and you stayed. Use that same love to hear her out.”
“I love you, but you have to leave. If I hadn’t listened to you, we wouldn’t be standing here. I only gave her that week with the baby because you were jumping down my throat. If you were anybody else, you wouldn’t be standing here right now. Get the fuck out so I can go check on my daughter.” SLAP… My momma smacked me so hard, I tasted blood in my mouth.
“Don’t you ever disrespect me like that. I know you’re hurting son, but lashing out at everyone else is not going to help Faith. Now, I know my son and I know the real problem is you’re blaming yourself. God doesn’t do anything by mistake. We don’t know his reasoning for this, but you can’t blame yourself.” With tears in my eyes, I walked away from my mom.
“Leave.” Was the only word I said as I went to the room to see my baby girl. As I walked in the room, I caught a glimpse of Hannah staring at me. Mustering up the most disgusted look I could find, I walked in my daughter’s room and for her sake, I prayed she didn’t follow me.
CHAPTER 36- AURI
“Auriana Prescott, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford one, then one will be provided for you.” Everything was a blur to me as I listened to the police read me my Miranda rights. Tears flowing down my eyes, I wrecked my brain to figure out what could have possibly gone wrong. Admitting to myself that I should have never left the baby in the front by herself, but I was still lost as to how she got outside the house. Did I get up and actually harm my baby? The police said it was no forced entry, so what other explanation could it be? The only thing I remember is laying down to go to sleep. Deleon wouldn’t even talk to me. The only reason I know my baby is still alive, was because I hadn’t been charged with first degree murder. Each step, I literally just went through the motions. There was finger printing, a mug shot, and then I had to change into my jail clothes. The shit was humiliating. In front of all the other ladies being arrested and the officer that was with us, I had to get naked and show all of my body parts. The worst part was having to bend over and cough. Then I was taken to where I would be housed until trial. When I walked through the door, everybody was looking at me. Finding a place in the corner, I vowed to stay to myself until it was time to go to my room. That thought eventually went out the window when I had to use the bathroom. The stall door was broken and I had to hold keep my hand over it while I hovered over the toilet to piss. As soon as I finished, the door was kicked in. Because I had my hand against it, my shit snapped back and I’m sure it was broken.
“You’re that bitch that beat her baby, aren’t you?” This big burly bitch was yelling at me.
“I didn’t do it.” The fear had my voice sounding like I was whining. My ass was so scared, I had to piss again.
“Yeah that’s her, she got that purple hair. I like bitches with purple hair. If I wasn’t about to beat your ass, I would have showed you what this tongue feels like. Maybe I will show you later. You gone need some comfort.” This was another man looking chick. It looked like she was trying to do a bad impression of Rick James.
“They have it all wrong. I didn’t do anything.”
“That’s what we are going to tell the officers when they come scoop your ass off the floor.” Rick James said, right before she punched my eye into my ear. The first hit hurt so much, I barely felt the ones that came after that.
“Hey what the fuck is going on in here?” Out of the eye I had left, I looked and saw the officer standing there.
“Nothing, we were just meeting the new girl.” The big burly bitch lied.
“Get out of here and stop playing around.” Playing? How in the hell did it look like we were playing? “Prescott, get up.”
“I need to see a doctor, I think my hand is broken.” Rolling her eyes, she led me out into the hall.
“The girls don’t like people who harm children. Your stay here is going to be long and painful.” With tears pouring out of my one eye, I nodded my head letting her know I understood. The doctors put my hand in a cast and bandaged me up as best they could. On my way out, the officer told me I had a visitor. Praying it was Deleon so he could get me out of here, I damn near ran to the visiting room. Seeing his mom and a man I didn’t recognize instead, I was confused.
“Hey Joann.” She gasped from the sight of me.
“Oh my God, Auri are you okay?”
“Yeah, the girls don’t like people who hurt babies.”
“Did you do it.” With tears in my eyes, I answered her honestly.
“I don’t know. I laid her down in her crib and I went in my room and closed the door. When I woke up, she was gone. That’s all I remember.” Sobbing out of control, she tried to comfort me.
“I don’t think you did this and this is why I hired you a lawyer. This is Mr. Hamlin and he is here to help you.”
“Was the door broken in?” The lawyer asked.
“They said it wasn’t.”
“I’ll request a copy of everything they have and I’ll have my own investigator go back to the crime scene. In the meantime, I’m going to have them put you into protective custody. This is only the beginning and I’m surprised it wasn’t worse. I have seen them kill people in jail, when the person is charged with something against a child.” Looking in horror, Joann tried to ease my mind.
“Auri, it’s going to be okay. My son is hurting right now and he is angry. They don’t know if Faith will make it and he doesn’t know how to deal with it. Because my loyalty is to him, I won’t be back up here, but you have a great lawyer and he will be to visit you. Stay strong.”
“Thank you.” When they left, I was escorted to a different housing place this time.
“At your lawyer’s request, you are being placed in protective custody.” Nodding at the officer, I walked into my room. Not caring how long it took for me to get out of here, I was never coming out this room.
****
With each day that passed, I was losing my damn mind. At the end of the day I had nobody to blame, but myself. Having the man of my dreams that would give me the world, my life was great. Yet, I had to fuck it all up for a quick fix. Funny thing is, that’s all I wanted right now to help ease my mind. I would give anything for a hit of something. Realizing how weak I was, I couldn’t do shit but laugh. Sitting in this cell, I had no idea what was going on with Faith. Deleon won’t answer my calls and his mother hasn’t been back up here. My mom came once, but it was too much for her to take in and I asked her not to come back. Out of nowhere, Sosa crept in my mind. Wondering if he knew what happened and if he would come see me if he did. Knowing my connection to him were the drugs, it made me think about getting high again. Getting aggravated, I started pacing back and forth in my cell. Trying to think about something else other than drugs, I started exercising.
“Prescott, you have a visitor.” Walking out the cell, I wasn’t excited. I knew the only person it could be was my lawyer. When I got in the room, Mr. Hamlin was already in the room with a smile on his face.
“Are you ready to go home Auri?” Not understanding his question, I just looked at him waiting for him to continue. “My investigator went back to the crime scene. Your door wasn’t broken in, but the lock was picked. The police never checked it because they assumed it was you the whole time since the door wasn’t broken. We have taken the evidence to the judge and you are being released right now as we speak.” Not knowing what to say, I ran to him and hugged him.
“Thank you so much” Crying I couldn’t wait to be processed out. This has been a nightmare, but it was finally over.
****
Being home was a bitter sweet moment. My daughter’s cries were hunting me and her belongings was breaking my heart. I tried calling Deleon to give him a heads up that I was on my way to the hospita
l, but he wouldn’t answer. I ran some bath water so I could get dressed and go check on Faith. While I waited, I did something I hadn’t done in forever. Checking Facebook, the first thing I did was go to Deleon’s page to see if any pics were up of our daughter. My soul left my body when I read his post. “Losing someone is the hardest thing you have to do in life. I am lost without her.” My daughter was dead.
CHAPTER 37- DELEON
To everyone else, I was holding up pretty good and I was the strong one, but I wasn’t. Every day I tried my best to pick up the pieces, but I was failing. My daughter was suffering and I wanted to take all of her pain away. You could say I lived at the hospital because I never left. Faith was a fighter, she may be the strongest out of all of us. The reality of me being a single parent was hitting me hard. I loved Auri and no matter how hard I tried to push her out of my mind, she was always there. I couldn’t sleep because I was dreaming of her. Everything purple reminded me of her. The only way for me to function, was to act as if Auri was dead. My mother told me that it wasn’t healthy, but I didn’t know what else to do. Regretting putting that post on Facebook, I thought about taking it down. But it asked what was on my mind and that’s how I felt. When my mom called me and told me Auri was released, I couldn’t hide the excitement that I felt. Knowing that she wasn’t the one to hurt our baby, brought all the love I felt for her back. Knowing I should have removed the post then, I didn’t. Being stubborn, I rationalized my reasons for leaving it. Looking in the bathroom mirror, I tried to fix myself up as best I could, given I hadn’t had a haircut or a shave. Even though Faith was in a full body cast, I put clothes on her. Cutting the back of the dress out, I slid it onto her arms trying to get her pretty for her mom. In order to make sure nothing like this could happen again, I was going to ask Auri to move in with me. Not as a couple, but as co parents. At least that’s what I told myself. Even though I tried not to, I kept watching the clock. She was out by now and I’m sure went home to take a bath and put on some clothes. Figuring I had a little time before she came, I went downstairs to the gift shop. Looking around, I found a ring that said I promise to never give up. Thinking this fit me and Auri perfectly, I bought it for her. This would be my apology and my promise to her, that from now on I would fight for us. We had a long road ahead of us, but we had a baby in the picture now. If Faith could keep fighting like she is to hold on for us, then I could too.
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