Love- a Forgotten Art

by Ivy Symone

  I’m flattered. “I remind you of your mother?”

  “Yes,” he says and caresses my arm. “Same skin color and independent demeanor. My daughter is the same way too.”

  “Is she?”

  He nods. “I want you to meet them soon.”

  “Me? Are you sure we’re ready for that?”

  “Yes. We’ve been seeing each other for almost a month now; I’d say it’s a good time. Besides, we’re official and there’s no backing out.”

  I laugh. “Really Prime?”

  His facial expression turns serious. “I’m really in love with you, Dasani. A man like me isn’t smitten easily. But when we are…I just know I need to act on it and not let you get away. These kinds of feelings aren’t experienced often and I’m afraid I’ll be too old to enjoy life by the time I feel them again.”

  I’m touched by what he says and don’t know how to respond.

  He asks, “Do you want more children?”

  I think back to baby Ryan lying in that hospital bassinet and the sudden rush of old emotions I felt when I gave birth to my own little girl. My heart does a little drop and I realize in that moment that I still want that for myself.

  I nod.

  Lying on his side, Prime reaches out and take my hand in his. He intertwines our fingers and say, “Leave him. Leave your fiancé and be with me. Bring your child and I’ll make sure the two of you are always cared for. Let me make bring some happiness and joy to your life for the rest of your days in this lifetime.”

  I never told him that the child in my life isn’t mine, but I don’t find it necessary to correct him in the moment. I just want to fulfill his wishes and join him for the rest of my life.

  Chapter 14: Camryn

  I’m back from my little mini vacay but my nerves are unsettled. I should feel rejuvenated and relaxed, but I can’t be. I feel like I’m being pulled in so many different directions. And now I feel like Deuce and I are just about over.

  After getting Ari, I came straight home. Before walking into our condo, I fixed my face and body language to get into character as if I hadn’t just spent two days in Gardenia, Orchid Island.

  “Take your stuff to your room,” I order Ari.

  She pouts, “But I wanna say hi to Deuce. I haven’ seen her allll day.”

  “You can still see her; just take your stuff to your room first.”

  I’m still in the rotunda when Deuce walks around the corner from the direction of the kitchen and gathering room. She offers me a small smile.

  “Hey,” she says softly.

  “Hey,” I mumble and head to our bedroom with my things. I can sense her following me into the room.

  Deuce stands in the doorway with her arms folded across her chest. “How are you feeling?”

  I sling my carryall on the bed. “I’m fine now.”

  “Why didn’t you respond to my text?” she asks.

  She got some nerve! I turn to her and suck my teeth. “No you didn’t.”

  “No I didn’t what?” She acts clueless.

  “Deuce, you didn’t bother reaching out to me and asking how I’m doing until today. You don’t really care.”

  “I do care. I called myself giving you some space and letting you rest.”

  “Whatever,” I dismiss.

  Ari comes running up behind Deuce.

  “Deuce!” she screams.

  Deuce turns around and lift her up in her arms. “How’s my little Ari? I miss you. Did you take care of Mommy?”

  Lord, I hope Ari remembers what I told her on our way home.

  Ari says, “A little bit why she there.”

  She ain’t remember shit. I hope Deuce doesn’t understand what she’s trying to say and leave the questions alone.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re back,” Deuce says. “I got you something. You wanna see what I got you? It’s in the den.”

  They walk off and I’m relieved Deuce doesn’t pry any further.

  I sit on the edge of the bed and fall into deep thought. My mind heavily weighs in on what Gooch propositioned me. If I agree then I’d be going against Unc and P. Most of all, I’d be committing an ultimate betrayal against my father. But how much does he really care about me?

  Since Deuce is busy entertaining Ari, I decide to reach out to my father.

  “Yes?” he answers.

  “Hey Daddy. Do you know who this is?” I ask humbly.

  “Of course, I do; your number is saved in my phone,” he says dryly.

  “I thought maybe I wouldn’t be saved in your phone being that you hate me or whatever.”

  He scoffs with a chuckle. “I wouldn’t use the word hate.”

  “Then what is it, Daddy?”

  “I have a dislike for the person you’ve become.”

  “Daddy, do you even claim me as your daughter?” I ask curiously.

  “Everyone knows you’re my daughter. They also know that you’re a disgrace to me as well.”

  Ouch. But fuck him.

  “Is that why you love your other child more than me?”

  “Cam,” he sighs impatiently, “what is this about?”

  “I just want to know what it takes to be loved by you. Was I ever?”

  “You are loved by me, but from a distance.”

  “Daddy, nobody told you to cheat on your wife and have a baby that you’d resent. That wasn’t my fault,” I argue.

  “You’re right. I never faulted you for that,” he says. “And I apologize for not handling things differently, but what’s done is done. Your behavior has drawn a wedge between us and no matter how much I try to warn you of the consequences, it’s like you come back worse than before.”

  “I am who I am though. Either you take me as I am, or you don’t.”

  “And I don’t. Now, is that all you called me for? Is there something you need for Ari?”

  This call is meant to give him a chance, but since he wants to be an ass and blow me off, I think I know what I need to do.

  “Fuck you,” I utter angrily before ending the call.

  I immediately scroll down my call log until I find the number I’m looking for. Soon as I recognize it, I hit it.

  “Hello?” he answers groggily.

  “Hey, this is Camryn,” I whisper.

  “Who?” he asks.

  “Cam nigga! Wake the fuck up!”

  “Oh…Yeah, yeah…What’s up, beautiful? I was just thinkin’ ‘bout’cho lil ass. When can I see you again?”

  I look to the door to make sure Deuce isn’t approaching. I lower my voice, “I don’t know. When will you be back in Jewel City?”

  “I can be there any time I feel like it. For yo’ ass I’ll make it happen.”

  I blush, “This weekend then.”

  “Word. I’ll be there. So, what’cho pretty lil ass doing now?”

  I giggle, “Nothing, but I was calling you for that other thing. When do you want to make that happen?”

  “Ugh…You mean that shit we talked about the other day?”

  “Yeah, me, you, and Reese.”

  “Whenever you and Reese up to it. You really down with it though?”

  “Yup.”

  “Well y’all set the shit up and call me when it’s done,” he says. He adds, “And don’t be flakin’ on a nigga either. This shit serious and we can’t be fucking it up.”

  “Going through me you won’t fail at it,” I assure him.

  “A’ight, bet that,” he says.

  “Let me call Reese up and get it rolling,” I tell him.

  “A’ight. Have him call me too.”

  “I sure will.”

  After ending the call with Gooch, instead of calling Reese, I send him a text.

  Greenlight on that job

  As soon as it goes through my phone is ringing and it’s my mama.

  I answer, “What?”

  “Cam! What did you say to your daddy?” Milani shouts.

  I suck my teeth and roll my eyes. “Man, Mama, miss me with this, oka
y? Fuck that nigga and everything he talking about.”

  “Cam, what have I told you about—”

  “Mama! I don’t care no more. He’s nothing to me. He ain’t never been. I don’t give a fuck about that nigga. And ain’t nobody scared of him ‘cept your shaky ass.”

  “Just leave him alone, then, Cam. Okay? Stop calling him and fucking with him. And make sure you keep the same feelings when you’re in need of something too,” she scolds.

  “I won’t need shit from him period. In fact, give it some time…He won’t have shit that I can ask for anyway; I’ll have more than him.”

  “And what does that mean?”

  “It means fuck him!”

  “Cam, don’t do anything stupid. Do you know how much power his family has?”

  “Apparently he ain’t got that much,” I say smartly.

  “Do you know who The One is?” she asks.

  “It ain’t him so who gives a fuck?”

  “But his ties—He will have you killed and not think anything about it.”

  “Mama, I’m dead to that man anyway. The feeling is mutual and I’m about to show him too.”

  “Cam, please don’t do anything that will come back to bite you in the ass later. Please baby,” she begs.

  “Mama, stop being so scared of that man. He ain’t shit and never been shit. He ain’t as respected and feared as you think. You’re the only one that regards him that way and that’s why you ain’t never got shit out of him but a couple of fucks and a baby he never wanted.”

  “He always wanted a baby,” she argues. “Your father loves children and always wanted a family.”

  “Yeah, but not with you, huh?” I know my words are harsh and hurtful; it’s on purpose.

  When she spoke, her words were quiet but firm. “Whatever you have planned, I will not stand behind you. I hope you give it more thought, but if not, you’re on your own. Just don’t get that baby hurt.”

  “Yeah, okay,” I say dismissively. I add, “And when you speak to him again, tell him I said fuck him.”

  Milani responds with ending the call.

  Reese has text back: Meet up tomorrow. I’ll hit you up with time and place

  I send back: Okay

  With my phone still in hand, I get up and make my way toward the kitchen and gathering room. Deuce is playing with Ari in the middle of the gathering room floor with what appears to be some new dolls and accessories.

  “Deuce, why do you keep buying her all that shit?” I ask.

  “Because it’s what Babygirl likes. Don’t you, Ari?” Deuce replies.

  “Look Mommy!” Ari says excitedly holding up a green doll with purple hair. “Deuce got me another Mons’er High doll!”

  I ignore Ari and state, “She isn’t even old enough to really appreciate them.”

  Deuce frowns. “For a four-year-old, she does good with her collection of dolls. Stop being such a party pooper and let your child enjoy her toys.”

  “Anyway,” I sigh. “Can I talk to you real quick? It’s kinda important.”

  Deuce pushes up from the floor and stand to her feet. As she walks over to join me in the kitchen, I admire her slender physique and chocolate skin. She wears only a white tank top and a pair of gray cloth shorts with a white tie string. She appears to have a glow about her as if she has been dusted with golden highlighter powder. Her hair is atop her head in a messy bun, and her face is makeup-free.

  I ask out of curiosity, “What did you do while I was away?”

  “Work,” she says.

  “Over the weekend?”

  “Well, not the whole weekend. I hung out with Nat a little. We’re preparing for that meeting at the corporate Dollar General,” she explains.

  I roll my eyes. “Why are you even putting products in that bullshit ass store?”

  “Because they’re easily accessible in most of the underprivileged neighborhoods,” she says.

  “They don’t need your products if they can’t afford to go to Sally’s or Target.”

  She sighs in annoyance. “Is that what you wanna talk about?”

  “No, but that’s why I don’t like talking to you about your business because you don’t ever wanna hear my opinions or suggestions,” I sneer.

  “Seriously Cam? You’re always trying to be bougie and don’t know shit about maximizing earning potential,” she snaps.

  “Actually, I do,” I smirk. “But we’ll save that convo for another day. Right now, we gotta talk about a favor I need from you.”

  “And what’s that?” she asks cautiously.

  “I need the old Deuce back for this though.”

  “What is it?” she demands impatiently.

  “I need you to help me get even with my daddy. I’m sick of his ass. He messed up by coming back to Jewel City,” I tell her.

  “And what do you need me to do exactly?”

  “Remember when Box said his birthday is coming up, right? I wanna rob him on that day. And from what I hear, back in the day, you were the nigga to call when something needed getting got.”

  She laughs. “Do you know how long ago that was? That’s not even in me anymore. And what if I get caught?”

  “But that’s just it. I remember you said you have an event to tend to that day. That’s your alibi. Shit, that’s our alibi. I can be with you that day.”

  She looks doubtful. “I don’t think I can get back into that, Cam. I live a different life now.”

  “Bae!” I whine. “This would mean so much to me. Remember everything I said he’s put me through. I just want to teach him a lesson. Besides, what we’ll take will set us, Ari, Ari’s kids, and Ari’s kids’ kids for life. You’ll be able to pay off every debt you have and every debt your company has.”

  It looks as if she gives it some thought. She says, “Can I think on it?”

  “Sure, but I’ll need to know something by tomorrow night though,” I tell her.

  “Okay,” she says and walks back over to Ari.

  I smile to myself with satisfaction. I know Deuce will say yes. I see it in her eyes. All I have to do is give her some good loving tonight and retell her the same embellished stories I’ve always told her about how my daddy mistreated me as a child. It’ll get her worked up and the next thing I know, she’ll be ready to kill him.

  Chapter 15: Prime

  My Jewel City home is almost one hundred percent the way I want it. I purchased it several months ago and the only other person aware of my possession of it was my father at the time. He is the one that suggested I acquire the castle-like property.

  My home is like a fortress. It’s big and stately. My father says it makes a statement and tells mothafuckas what type of man resides here. It’s the largest home in all of Jewel City and Gemsville. It had been an existing structure but over the past six months, I had a lot of renovations done to it. It’s private and gives the appearance that it’s embedded into the side of the hill overlooking Lake Emerald. I love it. It’s peaceful. Dasani and our future kids will love it. It isn’t like other houses I’ve lived in that had been unsuitable for little kids. This one is family friendly, but it’s huge. Several levels, four wings, four towers, a moat, conservatory, a back courtyard and beautiful landscaping and a garden that you can stroll through and get lost.

  There are a few rooms that have not been touched simply because I don’t know what to do with them.

  “I can’t wait to see how it’s coming together,” Antino says.

  “You will love it. I didn’t see it then, but now I see what you saw in it a year ago.”

  “That’s wonderful. So, will you be hosting the party there?”

  He’s referring to the huge Fourth of July celebration I intend to have. “Yes. Will everyone be able to make it?”

  “Yes, except your grandfather, of course. But your uncles and cousins and aunts shall be present.”

  “How is Papa anyway?”

  “He’s Papa,” he chuckles. “The man is old and can’t travel much, but he�
��s still mean as ever.”

  “I need to give him a call this week,” I utter more to myself.

  “Indeed, you do,” Antino says. “He’s really pleased with you and your willingness to oversee Jewel City once again. And your grandmother is super proud.”

  “It’s no problem,” I brush off humbly as my office doors push open.

  Poodah announces, “Your mother is here.”

  I sit up straight in my chair and say, “Send her in here…Pop, Yahara just arrived.”

  Antino laughs. “Oh boy. I’m getting off the phone now. Tell her you haven’t heard from me in weeks.”

  I’m laughing and ending the call as Yahara Mancuso struts into my office like she owns the place.

  “Hello son,” she says and comes around my desk to place a kiss to my cheek. She wipes my face before she walks away. She looks around and comments, “I kinda like this one better than the one you have in Miami.”

  “You don’t think it’s too big?” I ask.

  “Of course, it’s too big,” she chuckles. “But you are your father’s son; I wouldn’t expect less. Speaking of your father, have you spoken to him lately?”

  Remembering what Antino just said to me, I say, “Uhm…”

  She approaches my desk, leans over and stares me in the eyes. “Do not lie to me.”

  “He said I haven’t heard from him in weeks,” I confess with a chuckle.

  “That man,” she says shaking her head. “I’ll tend to him later. For now, I want you to give me a personal tour of this place.”

  I get up and extend my elbow for her to take. “Sure; right this way.”

  My mother goes on and on nonstop giving off her ideas and suggestions about what I should do with what and where I should put this and that in my home. She hardly stops talking long enough to properly speak to my staff as I introduce her to them.

  We only cover one wing, when I take her to what I assigned as my entertainment wing which is south of the property. I’m somewhat nervous, but I don’t let it show. I’m curious to see what my mother thinks though.

  I walk her into the vast gathering room and let her take it in. She releases my arm and look on in awe. As with everyone else that has entered the space, the indoor pool with waterfalls, lounging area, and even a bar in the center has become the cynosure of her eyes. It backs up to the anterior glass wall which gives the illusion that it’s an extension of the outdoor infinity pool.