Hakeem & Tasia 3: A Brick City Love Story

by K. C. Mills

  “Nah, we’re good,” I chuckled at Jodie’s impatient ass.

  “So I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but I will just to make sure we’re clear. You belong to me. I won’t fuck with you as long as this shit right here doesn’t surface but trust me, my shit is covered. So fuck with me if you want to.”

  Bradford looked at me and then down at Howard. “I’m good. Long as we have an understanding about what happened here, then you don’t have to worry about me.”

  “I still don’t trust your ass, but if Keem says your good then I’m good, but trust me, you fuck with my fam, and I’ll be a cop killer, believe that,” Jodie said making sure he had eye contact with Bradford.

  “You need to handle your nephew because if I have to do it, your family will be planning a funeral too.”

  “Don’t worry about Jace. I’ll take care of him and Sky. She’ll be leaving town soon, courtesy of the Bradford Corporation fund, so you won’t have to worry about her or Jace.”

  “I don’t give a fuck how you handle it. I just want it to be clear that if you don’t, I will.”

  “Let’s go,” I said turning to Rasta and Jodie. Bradford left first, while me, Rasta and Jodie stood outside for a minute, settling up on some other business details. After Rasta was gone, Jodie and I talked for a few minutes more about what had just gone down, dapped each other and then left.

  I had plans to go see Janelle, because now that Howard was out of the picture, I was going to let her see Riley again, but for now, I was taking my ass home to Tay and my baby girl. Riley missed her mother and even though Janelle did that shit to me, I wasn’t going to be that way. I didn’t give two fucks about Janelle, but I loved my baby girl and she missed her mother. I just hoped Janelle could get her shit together and focus on Riley, or Tay was going to be the only mother that Riley knew.

  -18-

  Janelle

  I sat in front of my mother listening to her go on and on about how I had ruined my life and once again disappointed her. I swear this woman acted like she was God’s gift to the definition of perfection, when in reality she was far from it.

  She had been cheating on my father for years and she was an alcoholic. I laughed at the idea of trying to please her. All these years I tried to please her when in reality, I was much better off than she ever was. So what I had a kid out of wedlock, and yeah Hakeem wasn’t her idea of the right kind of man, but he was better than Mason and she sang Mason’s praise like he was the second coming.

  I was done with her and this family, if it meant that I had to continuously listen to her tell me how messed up I was.

  “Janelle, are you even listening to me?” my mother asked, grabbing my arm to get my attention.

  “I’m listening to you, but are you listening to me? I’m sitting here telling you that Mason had a whole other life with another woman, where he basically obsessed over her child because he couldn’t have one of his own. She eventually had to get a restraining order to free herself from him, and that probably wouldn’t have even worked if he hadn’t met me. This whole bullshit relationship was about Riley, not me. He had some crazy idea in his head that we could be his perfect family, and I let both of you convince me that it made more sense to let Mason raise Riley inside of her own father. Hell, you should date him. Seems like both of you have just enough crazy to make it work.”

  “Don’t be stupid, Janelle. Mason loves you and he’s a good man. So what now, you think it’s best to let Riley be around a drug dealer and risk getting caught up in his lifestyle?”

  I laughed at how ridiculous she sounded. She watched too much damn TV. “I don't know what you think you know about Keem, but I tell you this much, he loves his daughter and would never let anything happen to her. Hell, he’s keeping her away from me just so Mason’s crazy ass can’t get to her and to be honest I don’t blame him, but that won’t be an issue for long because I’m done.”

  “Done, what do you mean done?”

  “Exactly what I said. Done. Done with you, done with Mason. I just want to raise my daughter and be happy, so leave them alone. I can’t even believe that you tried to pay her to convince Keem to stay away from Riley. I might not like her because she has what I want, but I have to respect the fact that she loves him enough to hold him down. Even I couldn’t do that.”

  “Hold him down,” my mother laughed. “Listen to you. It’s hard to believe you’re even my child.”

  Now it was my turn to laugh. “I’m not, not anymore. Now get the fuck out of my apartment.” I stood and pointed to the door and the look on my mother’s face was priceless. I really didn’t care. She and Mason could combine their crazy and do whatever they hell they wanted. I was over it.

  My mother just stood there looking at me like she was trying to figure out what to say, but we were interrupted by a knock on the door. I rolled my eyes at her, because I was irritated that she wasn’t taking her ass to the door.

  I was so frustrated that I pulled the door open without even checking to see who it was, and found Hakeem standing there.

  “So is this why you’re acting out? He shows you a little attention you just throw your life away.”

  I laughed sarcastically. I was so over my mother and ready for her to leave. “Acting out? I’m not five and besides, didn’t I just tell you to get the fuck out!”

  My mother’s eyes moved from me to Hakeem, before she adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder. She moved to the door, past me and stopped in front of Hakeem. He looked at her with a smirk, but didn’t move even though he was blocking the door and she couldn’t get out.

  “Excuse you,” she said.

  He chuckled, “Nah ma, I think what you meant to say was excuse me.”

  She stood there waiting, and when she realized he wasn’t going to move, she finally spoke again. “Excuse me,” she said rudely, and Hakeem stepped aside to let her pass, but not before she turned to me and pointed.

  “Don’t come running back to me when things don’t go your way,” and then she was gone.

  Hakeem walked inside and shut the door, while looking around. “Family problems?” he said.

  I chose to ignore him and asked about Riley; I missed my baby. “Is she with you, did you bring her?”

  “Nah, we need to talk,” he said, pointing to my sofa. I stood there for a minute before giving in, walking to it and sitting down.

  “You did some foul shit by keeping my daughter from me and I’ll never let that go, but for now, she’s more important than your selfish ass, so here’s the deal. You’re done with Mason. I’ll set you up with a new spot and I’ll make sure whatever you need for Riley is covered. I get her whenever I want no questions asked, and if you fuck with me or Tay, that’s a wrap. I’ll make sure you never see her again and trust me when I say I can make that happen.”

  “Fine,” was all I said.

  He looked at me strangely, but then nodded. “I’ll call you later and let you know when you can see her,” he said, and then started towards the door. Just like that, he was gone. I hated that about him. It was like his word was law and no one had the right to challenge him, but after everything that went down, I knew that I didn’t, so I let it go. Just before he reached the door, I stopped him.

  “You don’t have to worry about Mason, and I apologize for everything,” I said.

  He turned and looked me right in my eyes. “Trust me I’m not worried about that nigga and I appreciate you admitting you fucked up, but it don’t mean shit. Some stuff you can’t take back and keeping my daughter from me for two years, while you let another muthafucka play daddy, that you can’t take back. I’ll deal with you because I have to but trust me, we aren’t cool and we never will be. I’ll respect you as Riley’s mother but that’s all it will ever be. Are we clear?”

  I nodded. There wasn’t anything else to say. He meant every word he said and I deserved it. He reached for the door but turned to face me one last time.

  “And your family won’t be around her either. You
let that shit happen and you lose her too.”

  Without another word, he was out the door. I felt the tears forming but refused to let them fall. This was my fault and all on me, so no sense in crying about it. All I could do from here on out was be a good mother and raise Riley to be a better woman than I ever was.

  -19-

  Tasia

  It had been almost six months since we found out about Riley and things were finally starting to calm down. Hakeem moved Janelle into an apartment near us so that he could have better access to Riley. Apparently, Janelle decided to leave Mason, but I felt like it was more Hakeem’s decision than hers because a week after the night Hakeem left to so called handle some things, it was all over the news about Howard being missing and shortly after that, Jace was all over the news with them reporting that he committed suicide.

  I knew in my heart that Hakeem made that happen, but I really didn’t care as long as he was no longer a problem for us. When I asked him about Howard and Jace, he never answered. He just changed the subject which was actually an answer. I couldn’t prove anything nor did I want to. It didn’t really matter to me.

  All of that was over and my focus now was Riley’s birthday party. I was finishing the final details for it, and I couldn’t help but be excited. She was turning three and Hakeem insisted on some over the top party at our place, and everyone was coming: my family, Liyah and Ken. Even Jodie was coming and bringing Angel. Keem and Janelle were cordial, however, he still didn’t have much love for her, but I insisted that she be there even though Hakeem was against it. I didn’t have to like her to respect the fact that she was Riley’s mother, and I could tolerate her for a few hours if it would make Riley happy.

  “You keep looking at that shit like it’s going to change,” Hakeem said when he walked into the kitchen and noticed that I was leaning over my list of party details.

  I looked up at him and smiled, and then down and Riley who was right behind him. She turned and went to the living room while he walked up to me from behind, pressing his body against mine, resting his chin on my shoulder.

  “I know, but I feel like I’m forgetting something,” I said leaning back into him.

  He kissed the side of my face and then looked around, so I did the same. Our apartment basically looked like a princess paradise with pink everywhere. Chiffon, jewels and crowns for days.

  He chuckled, “Nah, you didn’t forget shit.”

  “This is all you. You told me to make it big so, I made it big.” I glanced at the three-tier pink princess cake that was on its own table across the room and laughed.

  “All you Keem.”

  “It’s all good. I’m making up for lost time,” he said and then picked up the Essence magazine that was on the counter. He flipped through it and found my article, grinning like he had never seen it before.

  “You realize how big this is?” he asked holding it up.

  “It’s really not,” I said turning and then leaning against the counter so that we were face to face.

  “Tay, you’re in Essence, don’t downplay that shit.”

  I was happy and still couldn’t believe it, but I also didn’t want to let it got to my head, so I just shrugged. He placed the magazine back on the counter and then kissed me again.

  “You forever being modest,” he said.

  “Daddy, can I open these now?” Riley asked as she moved from one end of her gift table to the other, staring at the pile of pink wrapped presents that lined it.

  “No ma’am. You have to wait just a little while longer. And besides, you already opened a bunch of stuff this morning.” Hakeem made sure she woke up to a room full of gifts that she opened in no time. The rest were for later.

  “That’s not fair,” she pouted hanging her little head and folding her arms.

  I looked at Keem to tell him no, because I knew he was about to break. He couldn’t stand to see her unhappy. He held his hands out as if saying, what is going to hurt but I took control.

  “Come on, let’s get dressed. That way you’re ready when everyone gets here. You don’t have long before it’s time for your party.”

  Riley didn’t move, so I walked over and picked her up. I could tell she was still upset, but the idea of putting on the dress we got her for the party was enough to convince her to let it go. For now, anyway.

  Once we were in her room, I lifted her dress off the back of the door and she was already coming out of her clothes.

  “Are you wearing a princess dress too?” she asked, as she stood waiting for me to take it off the hanger for her.

  “Nope, just you. This is just for the birthday girl,” I said as I unzipped it and held it so that she could step into it. Once I had the straps up on her shoulder, I zipped the back and she ran to her mirror and spun around. The dress had a satin top that stopped at the waist, where a sea of chiffon started. The dress was over the top, but it was what she wanted. She also had a diamond filled tiara that I had to convince Hakeem to let me handle, or it would have likely had real diamonds in it. That was too much for a three-year-old, so I put my foot down.

  Once she was dressed and tiara in place, she took off for the living room to watch TV with Keem, while I headed for our room to get dressed. I shut our door, made my way to the bathroom and locked it once I was inside. I figured Riley had Keem busy so it was a perfect time for me to do what I had been trying to do all morning, and that was take a pregnancy test. I had been feeling off lately and even though we weren’t really trying, we weren't exactly not trying either. I had long since stopped my birth control and Hakeem was a no go on condoms, so I knew for sure that’s what it was. I just needed to see it, so I was taking the test.

  I grabbed the test and sat on the toilet to open it. My heart was about to jump out of my chest, but I had to know. Once I finished with the test, I set it on the counter, turned the shower on and waited. It felt like forever while I sat on the edge of the tub waiting and when I couldn't take it anymore, I finally checked.

  My smile grew so wide I felt my face aching. As much as I pretended like I would be good either way, I knew I really wanted it. It was like the one thing that I felt I was missing. I hid the test under the sink and jumped in the shower. It was Riley’s big day, so I didn’t really want to tell Keem yet. I just hoped I would be able to make it through the day without letting it slip.

  -20-

  Hakeem

  “I’m not telling him today and you better keep your mouth closed.” I could hear Tasia talking to Brit as I stood outside of our bedroom and for a second, I got upset thinking that Tay was hiding shit from me. After everything that had just gone down, I was not in the mood for any more bullshit, but then I heard the word baby and got happy as hell.

  “Are you sure you can handle a baby right now, Tay? I mean, your business is killing it, and with Keem and the club, not to mention Riley. Damn, that’s a lot sis.”

  “You’re asking me like I have a choice Brit. I’m not trying to get pregnant, I already am. So ready or not, this baby is coming. I know you don’t expect me to-”

  “No, hell no. You wouldn’t have to worry about Keem killing you because I would be first in line.”

  “Then just be happy for me. We’ll make it work. That’s what we do, and as long as I have Keem then I’ll be fine.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. I didn’t care if we had a house full of damn kids, but now I knew I had some shit to handle.

  “I am happy, Tay.”

  “Good, and I mean it, don’t say anything. Today is Riley’s day and I’m not telling him until after my official doctor visit.”

  “Damn, you don’t trust me? I said I won’t tell.”

  “No, I don’t, and you say a lot of things but you and I both know you can’t keep a secret for anything, so don’t tell him.”

  When I heard Brit laugh, I took off down the hall. I didn’t want Tay to know that I was listening, and I had a few conversations I needed to have myself. After I made it through this party, I
was going to see Jacob.

  When I made it back to the living room, I looked around and everybody was just chilling. Riley was running around with Angel, who was dressed similar to Riley, thanks to Tay. She thought of everything and had every detail on point. I swear she always had her stuff together.

  “This shit is funny as hell yo. I never thought this would be you Keem,” Jodie said when he and Mona walked over to me.

  “Yeah, well things change I guess,” I said with a smirk.

  “Don’t mind him papi, this is a good look for you. I’m not surprised,” Mona said which made Jodie look at her like she was crazy.

  “You don’t know shit. Damn, and wasn’t I even talking to you.”

  “Not today Jodie, don’t make me show my ass in front of all these people,” Mona said.

  “You better not, ‘cause it ain't yours to show. That’s all me and you know it,” Jodie said with a big ass grin that made Mona blush. He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her before she pulled away grinning like a love struck teenager.

  “I’m going to find Tay.” She pecked Jodie one last time on the lips and then walked away.

  “I swear the two of you are so bipolar. I guess you’re good now, or for today at least.”

  “Hell yeah.” Jodie looked at me seriously as hell. “Angel bugged the fuck out on me a few days ago, crying and shit. She saw Mona crying about some fucked up thing I did, and was like, ‘why you always do that to mommy, daddy? You’re so mean to her. Why don't you love mommy like you love me, it’s not fair.’ That shit hit me hard as fuck yo. My baby girl was checking me and the crazy shit is, you know how I roll. Angel never sees me with anybody. You know I don't play that, but she pays attention to Mona and how she always bugging over the shit I do. I’m not gonna say I’m all in, but we talked, and we’re gonna try to figure it out. I don’t want Angel to grow up and get stuck with a nigga like me, but if I make her think it’s okay, that’s exactly what the fuck is gonna happen, and jail ain’t the move for me.”