by Marcus Woods
It is a Saturday afternoon. Here I am lying in bed listening to sappy love songs like a 15-year-old schoolgirl. Two weeks has passed since I last heard Lucy's sweet, womanly voice. I check my phone non-stop in hopes of seeing her call or text message. Any sound that resembles my call or text ringtone makes me pick it up faster than the Roadrunner in those Looney Tunes cartoons. She may be gone. Damn it! I cannot shake this woman for anything. They say losing your first true love feels like a punch to the gut. Not for me. Losing Lucy feels more like a punch to the nuts!
While wallowing in melancholy, my phone rings. I sprang up in anticipation to witness 'Lucy Aka Ms. Pink Dress' flash across my caller ID. Nope! It was Greg.
"Ugh. What does this mane want?" I groan. I turn the phone over and it stops ringing. Greg called numerous times over the past several days. I am not in the mood to talk to him or anyone else. The combination of the baby situation and Lucy's unresponsiveness corrodes my spirit. It is hard to get me in a somber mood but the past few weeks have been hard on a brother. Greg is my best friend for a reason. He has been there for me through my vicissitudes so it is quite selfish of me to ignore him. I should not take my frustrations out on him because Lucy will not talk to me. I decide to call Greg back and invite him over.
***
"Dab, I can only imagine how you are feeling. I wouldn't know what to do or think if my wife stopped communicating with me for weeks," says Greg.
"I know right," I respond, softly.
Greg just made it over to my house. We are in the living room on my plush white sofa. Deciphering his body language, I can tell he is content with life. Greg earns a lucrative salary in a career he is passionate about, owns a house, and is married to a devoted woman. My boy got it made! It's not always smooth sailing with him and his wife but his current situation is a thousand times better than mine.
Back in college, he sought my advice on women. He had some success but he wanted more than friends with benefits and random one-night stands. He desired a monogamous, long-term relationship with a respectful lady. I glanced at Greg as if he had cockroaches crawling out of his ears the day he disclosed that.
I couldn't understand why he desired that when countless pretty, sexually-naive freshmen females enrolled every year. Years later, I see why. A monogamous relationship helps create steadiness throughout other aspects of a man's life.
I recall him calling me two years ago to inform me that he found his soul mate. At first, I didn't believe him. In the past, he had dated women whom he thought were "the one" but none of them were. Due to my reputable evaluation of women, he allowed me to meet a female to gather feedback. Let's just say I gave him numerous thumbs down. My friend possesses a wonderful heart. Unfortunately, guys like him meet a fair share of 'heart-snatching' women; the type of women who take advantage of nice guys.
I remember when I met Greg now-wife two years ago at his old apartment. She was different. I could tell she was a sincere woman and would be an ideal fit for my friend. Also, she can cook. Like they say, the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach. This statement is quite accurate because Lucy can cook her ass off as well. You know a woman can cook when you ain't hungry and still eat her food!
"Well I'm sure Lucy is going to come around soon. She just needs time. Just understand women are more sensitive than us. She misses you. Trust me," Greg said.
"That's the same thing Big Rob said. It's been over two weeks. Two weeks! How much more time does this girl need?" I said.
"For some women, 2 weeks is 2 days. What you did was wrong and the potential baby mama is her cousin too? She's trying to process all of that."
"But I wasn't aware they were kinfolks! And I slept with Keisha way before Lucy and I became official!"
"I know. I know. Calm down tiger," says Greg, motioning with his hands to calm down. We start chuckling.
"Sorry playa. I just have been a little on edge lately. This whole ordeal is stressing me out. I just can't wait to get the paternity test results."
"Oh ok. When we last spoke, you went with Big Rob to 201 Poplar to submit your DNA. So has Keisha supplied the baby's DNA?"
"Yes. She had no choice. She put my name on the birth certificate so I have the right to determine if I am the father or not. So I slapped them court papers on her ass," I said, playfully slamming my hand on the swivel coffee table. The court ordered Keisha to submit DNA samples from Antwan by this past Friday. She had no choice but to oblige or face legal action.
"You a fool Dab. That's not right for her to put your name on the birth certificate without your consent."
"Sure ain't but that's how deranged this chick is. Not to mention the countless times she was stalking and calling and texting me. And she gave the baby my middle name. Now that was the cherry on the rotten cake."
"Yep. She wants you Devin.
"Unfortunately but she won't get me. The court said the paternity results should be in by the end of this week. I can only hope I'm not the father. I can't deal with this broad anymore."
"I agree. I hope it goes in your favor too. I would hate for my best friend to get a crazy baby mama. You already know the child support papers are coming if he is yours too, right?"
"Yep. With me trying to start Fitness 4Play, this is not the time for that."
"Uh huh. Speaking of which, how things been progressing with your business plans?"
I shook my head. "Progress is definitely not the word. But stalling is."
"For real? Damn, I hate to hear that."
"Yep. Like I said, this whole Keisha-baby situation is stressing me out. It's hard for me to focus on starting a business with all this mess swirling around me," I said, biting my fingernails.
This is one of the rare occasions where Greg has seen me in a stressful state. Outwardly, everyone perceives me as being cooler than the other side of the pillow. Yet, I get stressed out like any other human being. My current dilemma would stress out most men. Nevertheless, I embody a strong-will to succeed and will not let this situation cancel my ambition. Ever since I started college, I wanted to become an entrepreneur. I just didn't know what my business would be until this past year. Regardless of my current and future obstacles, I am hell-bent on getting Fitness 4Play established. I just need some financial help to get it started. This is where my true dilemma lies.
"Ok. Well I had something important that I been trying to tell you but you wouldn't respond to me." Greg inches closer to me.
What? Are you gay?" I joke. We start laugh.
"No mane. This is serious. It's about your pending business."
"Oh. What about it?"
"What if I told you I got a cool spot where you can setup your fitness studio at a bargain price?" I perk up like a kid arriving at an amusement park.
"Really? How? Where? How much?"
"Wow! Glad to see you're excited. Anyway, you remember my older brother owns a barbershop off of Hacks Cross, right?
"Yea I do."
"Well he is relocating to another spot so he can be closer to his home. He got a few months left on the lease. I told him about your situation and he said you can use it."
My eyes got wider with each syllable Greg spoke. Only gloom filled my world for the past few weeks. I wasn't even thinking about my business. Then all a sudden, Greg offers me a lifeline. He is the epitome of a best friend.
"Wooooow! I don't know what to say G?"
"You better say I accept this mission to build my business G,"
"Hell yea I accept this mission!"
"Good. Well I will let my brother know you're interested. I will give you his number so you both can talk. Also, since you are starting out, he just wants you to pay half of the lease until his contract expires at the end of the year."
"Cool. How much will that be?"
"I think it is between $400 and $500 dollars. Please talk to my bro to get the exact figure."
"Okay. I will."
"Also, I'm willing to help out with getting you some fitness equipment a
nd anything else you need."
"For real? Mane I thank you for being a friend. I truly needed this at this moment."
"No problem. When you get this running, my wife and I are going to be your first clients. I need to get this gut off of me."
"See. I told you have been picking up weight lately."
"Yea, I know. It's time to get my health back in order. My wife's health too."
"Cool. I definitely will do so."
"Yep. Speaking of her, I gotta go pick her up from the nail salon. Her car is in the shop so I drove her there."
"Cool. I understand. Again, thank you for all you're doing for me. I truly appreciate it."
"You're welcome. That's what friends are for. Besides, you would do the same for me."
"True." We exchange friendly hugs before Greg exits.
I am fortunate to befriend someone like Greg who supports me when I'm at my lowest point. I wasn't even concern with Fitness 4Play due to this baby situation. In addition, Lucy not talking to me has taken a toll on my psyche. No other woman has ever had this type of effect on me. I ridiculed sappy love songs as a youngster. Now, they all make sense. When someone you are in love with stops communicating with you, it hurts. Especially for a man since we are taught to internalize our feelings. It hurts worse because we are clueless how to express our anguish. However, Greg reminded me of one thing: Business awaits me. It is time I rededicate myself back to launching Fitness 4Play. It will be easier to do so once the paternity results are in.
Chapter 20
The Results Are In
(Bill Withers "Lovely Day" playing in the background)
"Today is going to be a lovely day."
This was my first thought upon waking up. With all the turmoil I have been dealing with, it is time to get back to happiness. Regardless of the paternity test results, I will not let it affect my future. Sure, his mother is a piece of work but she will not prevent me from living.
I clock-in at Freewill Fitness. This elderly couple is working out together in the free weights area catches my attention. They had to be around 70 to 80 years old. The man assists his wife while she performs seated shoulder press with dumbbells. They remind me of Lucy and I. I envision us 40+ years from now still working out together as a couple; Old as dirt but still pushing each other to new levels. Thoughts like this make me realize Lucy is wife material. At 26 years old, I cannot imagine tying the knot. However, I do not desire any woman but Lucy. It is demoralizing that she won't contact me but I won't stop trying though. We need to talk.
I enter the lobby area where Big Rob sits while fiddling with his phone. He glances up and greets me with a head nod. We both await the arrival of our clients to conduct a fitness assessment.
"Hey Dab. So you got the paternity results yet?" inquires Rob.
"No. Not yet," I reply. My mindset wasn't on the paternity test. Until I receive the results,
"Oh ok. Should be coming any day now so be cool."
"I am cool. Honestly, I'm through stressing about it. Whatever happens, happens. If he is mine, I'm prepared to be a good father to him like you are to your kids."
"Thanks bro. A dad gotta do what dad gotta do. In the case he is yours, you will be a better dad than me."
"I don't know about that. I will certainly try to be the best dad I can be though."
Big Rob always gives me those types of compliments; mainly because I attained a Master's degree while he didn't finish college. That does not make sense to me. A individual's character should not be based upon how many educational degrees they possess. Character should be based on the decisions they make, and taking accountability for those decisions; regardless if they're good or bad. This is one of many values my mama has instilled in me.
Big Rob perks up for his next response. "Oh yea! I saw on Facebook when you posted a status about your business. You said something about Fitness 4Play will be coming soon. What's going on?" Rob asks
I inform him on how Greg's brother offered to let me set up my business in the facility of his soon-to-be old barbershop.
"Mane, that's nice of him. Too many folks around here don't offer a helping hand like that," said Big Rob.
"True. It's a blessing. It lets me know I'm destined to become the businessman I always wanted to be. Our boss is cool but I just can't do this anymore. Working for someone else just isn't me."
"I feel you. Well that won't be the case soon enough. All I ask for is to put me on once you get things rolling," Big Rob reply, grinning.
"No doubt Big Rob. I may hire you as security too just in case somebody wants to come in there and act reckless," I joke.
"You already know. I'm down for the Deebo role as well bro," he said, flexing his enormous arms. We began laughing.
"You crazy mane." My client walks through the front entrance doors.
"Well my client is here. Time to get it popping!"
"Aight Dab. Let me know how everything goes."
"I will."
I cannot wait to receive those damn results so I can move forward.
***
(Ice Cube "It Was A Good Day" playing from my car stereo)
I wish my Mustang could transform into a spaceship so I can fly over this horrid Memphis evening rush hour traffic. Various cars and 18-wheelers clutter the interstate. People constantly honk their horns as if they are the only ones on the roadway. There is nothing like Memphis, Tennessee traffic after 5pm! Amidst all the chaos, I'm in a cheerful mood. I bop my head back and forth to the melody of the music. Like Ice Cube expresses through my subwoofers, today was a good day!
After the positive conversation with Big Rob, I put my clients through intense workouts. I love to witness my clients excel at each exercise routine I bombard them with. To witness people overcome strenuous workout sessions to achieve a physique they covet is motivational. I love training clients who exhibit the same hunger I had to transform my physique. That is the main reason I decided to become a personal trainer.
As I got stuck on the interstate, I decided to check my phone. I began scrolling through Facebook. Several people "like" my status about Fitness 4Play. A few comments from previous clients stated they and their spouse want to sign up when it opens for business. It is delightful to know people are willing to support my upcoming business. Things are looking up!
As traffic loosens up, I make it home about 15 minutes later. As I step out of the car, a few rain pellets hit my shoe. "Aw shit! Let me hurry up and check the mailbox and get into the house before I get wet," I said to myself. It was cloudy most of the day but had not started raining until now. Since my umbrella is in the house, I need to make haste before the rain pellets morphs into rain showers.
Several letters upon opening my mailbox greet me. I grab them and sprint towards the front door. I shed the wet clothes until I'm only wearing a black tank-top and boxers. Catching a glimpse of myself in the hallway mirror, I start posing bodybuilding-style. Wherever there is a mirror, the pose show begins. Yes, it is narcissism at its finest but I worked hard. Years later, I am still in disbelieve that my once jiggly frame is now a muscular one.
With mail in hand, I hop on the white sofa with feet relaxed on the swivel coffee table. I assort through the mail. Bill, bill, bill and another bill. Damn! I miss those days when my mama paid the bills. All I had to worry about was making Honor Roll or Principal's List at school.
Tossing bills aside, I stumble upon one in which had 'Shelby County Paternity Testing Center' on the front. Ironically, it is the last letter in my hand. "I guess they do save the best for last," I mumble, sarcastically. Before opening the letter, I clasp my hands together and utter a small prayer.
I scan the contents of the letter. Keisha's, Antwan's and my full name are at the top. This paternity letter is definitely mine. As I scroll down to bottom of the letter, the paternity results were big, bold black letters. It read:
THE PROBABILITY OF PATERNITY IS 0% THAT THE ALLEGED FATHER IS THE FATHER OF THE CHILD NAMED ABOVE.
I l
eap up off the couch. Exhilaration courses through my veins. "Yes! I'm not the father!" I was about to dance like those guys on The Maury Show when they found out they are not the father too. Instead, I regain my composure and felt remorse for little Antwan. First off, he has a crazy mother. Secondly, he does not have a father in his life. No telling who his father is. I had a one-night stand with Keisha so no telling how many other dudes shared a similar encounter.
I send a text message to Big Rob and Greg to inform them about the paternity results. Both reply simultaneously stating they are happy for me. Back in my early 20s, I would have immaturely contacted Keisha to rub it in her face. No need to stoop to her level. She should be aware of the results by now since they were mailed to her as well.
(Tony Toni Tone "Feels Good" playing in the background)
To celebrate, I went to my IPod and went to the "Feel Good R & B" playlist. It feels good indeed! The music oozes richly through my Visio sound bar and speakers. During my moment of euphoria, the phone rings. I gleefully jog to the sofa where my phone sat and glance at the caller ID: Lucy Aka Ms. Pink Dress flashes across it. My pupils swell with astonishment. For Lucy to finally call immediately after discovering I am not her cousin's baby father is bizarre. I stop the music and answer the phone.
"Uhhh hello? Lucy?" I ask, hesitantly. After not talking to her for about a month, I was unaware if it is she or a new beau calling to inform me that she is his woman now.
"Hey Devin", responds Lucy. Hearing her soft, womanly voice brought comfort to my soul. Thank God it isn't a new man in her life calling me.
"Hey baby! I'm so happy to hear your voice. You know I miss you right?" I said.
"Yea I know. I miss you too." A wide grin forms across my face. Finding out I'm not the father of Keisha's baby and my lady contacting me on the same day. A child getting the golden ticket to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory would not be happier than me at this moment.
"Smooth! Well I'm sure you got all my calls and text messages this past month. But to tell you once again, I'm so sorry. I should have informed you about the baby situation a long time ago."