by Lucinda John
“Hello?!” I answered annoyed. This damn caller was messing with my food and I did not play about eating.
“What did you buy from Wendy’s?” Stacks asked shocking the hell out of me. I should of checked the caller I.D before hitting the answer button on my Bluetooth. “What did I tell you about feeding my baby that garbage!” he yelled in my ear not waiting on a response.
“It’s only a baked potato gosh! I’m supposed to satisfy my cravings you know,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Did Nana catch her flight?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Yes,” I answered with a mouth full of food.
“I’ll be home in the morning. Go feed my baby and call me before you go to bed. Make sure the doors are locked and the alarm is on,” he ordered.
“Yes daddy,” I replied still going in on my food. I just wished he’d hang up already, so I could eat in peace.
After eating and showering, I called Stacks to let him know I was getting ready to go to sleep. We talked on the phone for hours like high school lovers. Hopefully when he came home, he was going to consider getting back together. I decided to hang up after listening to him snore for 10 minutes. I really did love Stacks.
It took me going through a bad man to appreciate the good man that I had. I thanked James everyday for fucking up and allowing me to meet my true soul mate. I called Lisa a few times and got her voicemail.
“Hey I know you’re probably with Bear, but I was wondering if you wanted to go shopping tomorrow. Call me when you get a chance. Love you bestie, bye.” I left her a voicemail, said my prayers and snuggled up in bed. I wasn’t big on praying, but since I met Stacks, he expressed how important it was to have a relationship with God.
* * *
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
“Somebody help me please!!” I thought I was dreaming, but when the banging and cries got louder, I went to the door. I looked out the peephole and saw a girl cradling a baby crying. Being the good Samaritan that I was, I opened the door. “Oh, my God, are you ok?!” I asked stepping outside.
Before I realized the baby was a doll and this was a set up, it was too late. Strong arms grabbed me from behind and put a rag up to my nose. Lord please watch over my baby and I, please protect us from any harm, and please be with us. I prayed before I passed out.
Chapter 29
Stacks
“Tio vas a jugar conmigo? (Tio going to play with me)?” my niece asked jumping on my bed.
“Hoy no tengo que volver a casa,” I responded to her, kissing her plump cheeks. I loved my niece and I couldn’t wait to be a father myself. I grabbed my phone to call Lala, but got no answer. I decided to let her and the baby get some rest, so I sent her a text telling her to call me as soon as she wakes up.
My brother was still in a coma, but he was doing better. Last night, I saw him wiggle his fingers, so it was only a matter of time. I really wanted to get to the bottom of this. My gut was telling me that this wasn’t James. My father always told me in the game you have to trust your gut instinct. So now I had to find the snake that was lurking in my grass.
“Come sit with me before you leave my son,” my pops said to me as I walked down the stairs with my suitcase. I was in no rush since I was taking his private plane home. I sat in one of the chairs across from him. “So what are you going to do?” he asked me pouring himself a glass of orange juice.
“I’m on top of everything, the niggas that did this to Paco will pay,” I said eating my Changua.
“No, no, no. I know you will handle that. I mean that young lady you have pregnant with my grandchild,” he said eating some of his food.
“I am going to take care of my child like a man pops,” I replied, pouring myself some juice.
“Anthony, everyone makes mistakes and they deserve second chances. The same way you put Donna through locura she gave you a dose of your medicine. I could tell that you love her and she loves you. This is your second chance, don’t let it pass you by because of your pride,” he said, lecturing me. I listened to his words and allowed it to marinate in my mind.
He snapped his fingers and a maid walked up to him holding a velvet box. He took the box and slid it across the table to me. I picked it up and opened it. I had to close it and prepared my eyes for a second look. Inside was a pink rectangular diamond ring. The diamonds on that bad boy was shining bright damn near blinding a nigga. The weight of the ring let me know that pops spent mad dough on it.
“True love only comes around once, but you got a second chance. Do the right thing,” he said before getting up and leaving me to my thoughts. He was right. Yeah, Lala fucked up one time, but who hasn’t. When I got back home, we really had to talk about things to see if this was what she really wanted and if so she’d be my wife.
* * *
As soon as my flight landed, I decided to go check on Bear. I had to really talk to him and ask him what was really good, there was a snake and I was determined to behead that motherfucker. I called Lala again, but got no answer. I texted her telling her to get ready so that we could go out.
“Are you looking for Kenneth?” the nurse asked as she read the confused look on my face. I was standing in his room, but it was empty.
“Yes, did they transfer him to another room?” I asked.
“No, he actually checked himself out last night,” she replied.
“Thanks,” I said, walking out of the hospital. A bad feeling suddenly rushed me as I made my way home.
Parking behind Lala’s car, I walked to the front door. It was closed, but unlocked. I was pissed. She knew better than to leave the damn door unlocked.
“Lala! Why the fuck is the damn door unlocked?’’ I yelled through the house as I walked up the stairs. The bed was unmade and her phone was on the nightstand. “Lala!!” I called out for her walking through every room in the house and still nothing.
My heart started beating fast that if someone was standing next to me they could have heard it. I made my way to the kitchen and saw a box and a note on the counter. I opened the box and saw a prepaid phone, and then I picked up the note and began to read it.
My knees started to get weak and I could feel myself get lightheaded. I went over to the sink to wash my face. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me. This could not be real. I dried my face and picked the note up again.
We have your bitch and if you want her and your kid alive, you’ll do as we say. Stay close to the phone and we’ll be in contact soon. The words haunted me as I read them over and over again. This couldn’t be fucking happening to me again!!
Lord, I know I’m a sinner and I do not deserve to be blessed; however, I’m begging you for a miracle right now. Please give me the strength to bring my wife and child home safely. Amen.
I sat at the table feeling my heartbreak. Why was this happening to me again? All I could think about was Donna and how broken I was having to bury her and my kids. The thought of having to bury Lala and my unborn was a hard pill to swallow. I took a look at the baby’s sonogram Lala had framed in an ‘I love you daddy’ picture frame.
BRRINNG!! The ringing of the prepaid phone brought me back to this deja vu I was experiencing again. I cleared my throat and answered the phone.
“Hello?”
TO BE CONTINUED......
Author’s Bio
Lucinda John is 21 years old and resides in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. She is the mother of three kids and in her spare time she loves to read. She started writing in middle school and after reading and supporting so many authors, she decided it was time that she put her gift to use. Lucinda is a very open, happy, loving, and caring person. She is currently working on more projects that will be released soon.
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