by K. C. Mills
“Hey Dad.”
“I need to see you.”
“For what?”
“It’s important, just come by and leave your little thug boyfriend at home.”
Joy looked back at Logic again and this time his eyes were on her. “I’ll come, but Logic will be with me. If you have a problem with that, then tell me now and I’ll just pass all together.”
“Fine, just meet me in an hour.” Even though her father didn't want Logic there, because he wanted to use the advantage of having Joy alone to try and sway her, he didn't really care. He just wanted to let her know the type of man she was dealing with.
“Fine,” Joy responded.
Joy ended the call and plopped down on the side of Logic’s bed. She sat there for a minute before looking over her shoulder at him.
“We have to go to my parents’ house.”
It took Logic a minute before he responded, but when he did, it was clear how he felt about it. With an arrogant laugh being first, he spoke sarcastically. “I don't have to go anywhere and I’m not. That’s your shit, so if you need to deal with them then that’s fine, but I’m not fucking with either one of your parents like that.”
Logic’s first, and as far as he was concerned, last experience with Joy's parents was enough for him. He had enough shit to worry about, so adding her fucked up family to the equation, wasn't worth the headache.
“But what if I want you to go?”
Joy crawled across the bed, climbing over Logic until she was straddling his waist. She looked down at him with pleading eyes, before she leaned in to kiss him. He kissed her back, but then looked at her with a straight face.
“That don't change shit. I'm still not going.” Logic gripped Joy’s sides and looked up at her without changing his expression.
“Please, I don't want to go alone.”
“Didn't he just tell you that he didn't want me there?”
“No,” Joy lied, but couldn't hide her smile.
“You're a damn lie, I could tell from the conversation.” Logic released one of his hands from Joy’s side and pointed at her, which made her laugh.
“It doesn't matter; I want you there. We won't be long, but I don't want to go alone.”
“You’re really fucking up my vibe, you know that right?” Logic looked at Joy and shook his head. He would do anything for her, that was already evident, even deal with her fucked up family if that was what she needed.
“Thank you. I promise we won't be long. We’ll be back here before you know it and then we can do nothing for the rest of the day.”
“Wrong, we’re having dinner at my mom’s house later.”
“Wait, what, no. They hate me right now. All of them… your mother, sister and cousin.”
“And your pops don't hate me?” Logic chuckled because Joy was damn near pouting. “And besides, they don't hate you. I cleared that shit up already and if they did, they wouldn't let me bring you over there. My mom made me promise her that you would come.”
“So you already knew, why didn't you tell me?”
Logic laughed. “Because you didn't bring your ass home last night and I didn't want to hear you complain about it for a whole day, but then you threw this shit on me so fuck it. Now let's get this shit over with, and don't expect me to play nice. They come for me, I’m not holding back.”
Joy rolled her eyes and climbed over Logic so that she could stand. “Same for me.”
He just smiled and got up. There was no need to even justify her comment with a response.
A little over an hour later, they were at her parents’ house and Joy used her key to enter. With it only being her parents, the house was quiet as usual, so Joy called out in an attempt to locate them, well her dad anyway. She was secretly hoping that her mother wasn't home, because Joy really wasn’t in the mood to deal with her.
“Dad, where are you?” Joy was on her way down the hall, when her father appeared at the top of the stairs. He moved down them, slowly with the look of disapproval, as the kept his eyes on Logic. Logic, of course, didn't really care. He was there for Joy and her father and his feelings were irrelevant to him.
Lionel passed by the two of them, barely acknowledging their presence but mumbled, “Follow me.”
Joy grabbed Logic’s hand, knowing that he wasn’t the type to adhere to a command, so she moved, pulling him with her. She was just ready to get whatever this was, over with.
Once they were in her father's office, he stood behind his desk and lifted a large manilla folder, tossing it towards the edge of his desk.
“Take a look,” he said, glancing at Joy first and then Logic, with a smirk. It was that moment that Logic knew exactly what this visit was about. He knew that file was about him.
“What’s that?” Joy asked looking at her father confused.
“That is what you’re throwing your life away for.” Lionel didn't bother looking at his daughter because his eyes were still on Logic.
“What did you do?” Joy asked glaring at her father.
“I didn't do anything. Now your friend here, has done a lot. It's all right there. I’m sure he failed to mention half of the stuff that’s in that file.”
“Is that why you asked me to come here? So that you could tell me what a bad guy he is. Oh my God, I really can't believe you. I don't care what’s in that file. I know who he is. What I don't know is who you are.”
Lionel laughed sarcastically. “You know who he is? You know that he’s been arrested for suspicion of drugs and murder, oh and my favorite, domestic violence? He apparently beat his girlfriend bad enough that she filed charges. Oh, but then she dropped them, likely because he threatened her, or beat her again. His mother was a prostitute and an addict—”
“And my father was a pimp, who turned her out. The fuck is all that supposed to mean? Those are just statements based on another motherfucker’s opinion of me. Some bitch ass, righteous muthafucker, who feels like they own the right to judge me. I ain't perfect and I’ve done a lot shit in my life, but you ain't no better than me. At least I’m not hiding who I am, but your bitch ass is. You think that wearing a suit makes you somebody? You did research on me well guess what, I know about your ass too. I know about your twenty-two-year-old girlfriend and your four-year-old son. Nigga, don't come for me unless you prepared for battle. Now if you’re done, you two can finish this conversation and I’ll wait outside. Tell her what you want about me; it might change things, it might not, but that’s on her, not you.”
Joy stood there with her mouth open, not believing what she was hearing. Did Logic just say that her father had a twenty-two-year-old girlfriend, with a four-year-old son?
Logic felt bad about putting it out there like that, but he knew it was coming. After he met Joy’s father, he knew that he was the type to play dirty. Logic also knew that he was the type of man with secrets, so he called in a few favors and had someone follow him. He found out about his outside family, but planned on sitting on the information. He didn't want to hurt Joy, because it wasn't really about her, but Lionel forced his hand. Logic kissed Joy on the lips and then turned to leave. He could hear Joy behind him, but he kept moving to let her deal with her father. Logic had spoken his peace and was done.
“You two are unbelievable. You and your psycho ass wife. She’s screwing my ex boyfriend and you have a side family. Why are you two even together? I mean really? As for that stunt you just pulled, I hope you know that’s the end. Between you and mom, I can’t deal. Both of you need help.”
“Joy, you really need to watch your tone, I’m still your—”
“Don't! Don’t even embarrass yourself like that. You’re not anything to me. You just proved that, and if you want to be a father to someone, start with the brother that I didn't know I had. Hopefully you won't fuck up his life. Don't call me, don't come see me. As far as I’m concerned, you and your wife can pretend like I don’t exist, because I don't, not to you, not anymore.”
Joy turned to leave, b
ut her father followed behind her.
“You're ungrateful and you’re going to end up in a bad situation. When you do, don't call me. I love you, but I will not be disrespected by you.”
Joy looked back at her father and laughed. “You can't even see it, can you? You have no idea how crazy you sound right now.”
Without another word, Joy left her parents’ house. She walked to her car where Logic was waiting, and got in. He started it and began to drive. It took a minute before either of them were ready to speak, but he went first.
“I didn't do that to her. I have never put my hands on a female and I wouldn't ever, no matter what.”
“It doesn't matter.” Joy looked at him and their eyes met briefly, before she turned to look out the window.
“Joy, look at me,” Logic demanded. “It matters to me. She lied, Myesha lied. We argued, she got pissed because she didn't get the reaction she wanted from me, so she left. She didn't have a bruise on her when she walked out the door, but the next thing I know, the cops show up arresting me for domestic violence. They showed me pictures of her with a black eye, scratches on her face and a bruise on her neck. It wasn't me though. She dropped the charges, because word got out that she had gotten into a fight with another chick I was fucking round with. She was the one who messed Myesha up like that and she knew it, so she dropped the charges.”
“I told you it didn't matter.”
“And I told you it does to me,” Logic said.
“Okay,” was all that Joy, said without even looking at him. She didn't really care. She knew that Logic wasn't that person. He wasn't Rah. There were some things that you could just feel in your soul about people, and Joy knew that Logic would never hurt her.
“You good?”
Logic looked at Joy and waited. No matter how crazy things were between Joy and her parents, it was still her family and Logic understood that. So her finding out that her father had another so called family and finding out from him, wasn't necessarily a good thing. Since Joy and Logic met, it seemed like her family kind of fell apart. It wasn't exactly his fault, but he was at the center of her finding out about her parents’ secrets, so he had to take some responsibility for that. No blame, just the weight of being the reason for her discovering who her family really was.
“I’m fine. They are who they are, and I am who I am. It doesn’t change anything,” Joy said.
“It changes everything Joy. Don't think that you’re not allowed to have feelings about that shit. It's fucked up, but that’s still your family. You’re allowed to be upset about it.”
Joy didn't want to talk about her family. She was upset about it, but more hurt than anything. She reached for Logic’s hand and once they connected, she interlocked her fingers with his.
“Don't ever lie to me.”
There was so much conviction in her voice, that Logic could feel her soul pleading with his. She needed him to be the one person in her life that she could trust, and he was going to be that.
“Never, I promise.”
And that was all she needed. She believed him because she had to. It was the only thing she had left.
*****
“Why you stressing? I told you, you were good. They’re over that shit.” Logic surveyed Joy’s expression, which showed her animosity for having to spend time with his mother, sister and cousin. He hadn't really had a serious conversation with either of them about Joy, so he honestly didn't know how they would react. But, if they got out of hand or disrespectful then he would check them. On the plus side, his mother did request that Joy be there, so he assumed she was over it, even if Najah and Nova weren't.
“Because I don't really want to go in there any more than they want me to. The last thing I need is to get into it with the women in your family.”
Logic rotated his body just enough to face Joy, grabbed her hand interlocking his fingers with hers, and then leaned in for a peck on the cheek. “Look, that situation was fucked up on both ends, but this right here, isn't changing. I’m in this. Are you?” The earnestness in his tone had Joy a little thrown. It was almost as if he had concerns.
“Yes, why would you even ask me that?” Joy scrunched up her face, disappointed that her devotion to what they had was even in question.
“Because this is where shit gets real. If we can't deal with the simple things, then when the complicated things happen, we’re definitely not going to make it and we have to make it because this—you and me—is the only thing that I can truly count on. It's the only thing I believe in.” Logic was intense but sincere. He understood that the two were different and that would play a role in how things worked in their lives. So far, it hadn't really mattered, but with his life changing, he needed to know that Joy was in this and that she had the heart to deal with whatever was thrown their way.
“This is what I want. You’re what I want. That’s not even a question worth asking, because I need you just as much as you need me, if not more. And that, alone is a guarantee that we're going to make it.” The intensity in Joy's voice sealed the deal for Logic. He believed her, so with one last kiss, he opened his door and got out.
Joy took a deep breath, to prepare herself mentally, while Logic opened her door so that she could join him on the sidewalk. After one last kiss, and a moment in his embrace, the two climbed the stairs of Mini’s house to face off with the family.
“Auggie, come play with us,” Trent yelled from the living room, the second Logic and Joy walked through the door. As usual Trent was sitting on the floor, in front of the TV next to his cousin Kenyan, engrossed in the game.
“I got you in a little bit. Let me go see Grandma and your mom first,” Logic said, as he shut the door and then placed his hand on Joy’s back, to lead her to the kitchen.
“Hey Joy,” Trent yelled from behind them, causing her to turn and smile.
“Hi Trent.”
“You can't cook worth shit, so how are you gonna tell me what I’m doing wrong.” Joy tensed up just a little hearing Nova’s voice. She was really praying that things went smoothly, because if they came for her she wasn't backing down, and she really didn't want Logic to be stuck between her and his family.
“Hoe please, I cook better than you,” Najah returned.
“Neither one of y'all can burn, so kill all that,” Logic said when he entered the kitchen, with Joy a few steps in front of him.
It was like time stopped the second they heard his voice and turned to see him and Joy behind them.
Najah was the first to speak. “You been hiding from us?”
Joy looked back at Logic, before she focused on Najah again. “Hiding for what?”
Nova laughed. “She’s just messing with you. Girl, wash your hands so you can help us.”
“How you just gonna make her cook? Damn Nova, she ain't here for all that.” Najah sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes at her cousin.
“No, it's cool. I can help.” If they were offering a truce, then Joy was going to roll with it.
“But can you cook though?” Najah asked.
Joy laughed. “Depends, what are we making?”
Logic winked at Joy. “Yo, I’m gonna let y'all have this shit, where’s Ma?”
“In her room caking with Luther.”
Logic frowned at his sister. “Don't say shit like that.”
Najah laughed. “Why not, it's true, Mini is hot in the ass.”
Logic threw his hand up to make his sister stop talking, kissed Joy on the check, and then left the kitchen to go find his mother.
The second Logic left the kitchen, Najah glanced at Nova and then took a step to Joy.
“Look, I know you’re probably feeling some type of way about us right now but don't. I love my brother and if you make him happy, then I’m good with that.”
Joy looked at Najah and then Nova. “So the only reason why we’re cool is because Logic told you we have to be?” As much as Joy wanted to be cool with his family, she didn't need them smiling while she was aroun
d and then going in on her the second she was out the door.
“Girl no, I don’t have any issues with you and trust me, Auggie can't make me do shit. If I don't wanna fuck with you then I won't.”
“We’re good,” Nova finally spoke up.
“Are we?”
“Look, I was feeling some type of way about the whole situation, but your past is your past. So I’m good on that. Rah is not a factor.”
“Okay then, we’re good. I don't know what you have with him but just be careful. He’s not what he seems.”
Nova laughed nervously, taking a quick glance at Najah before she focused on Joy. “Girl bye, there ain't nothing to be careful about. That’s dead. I can't rock with somebody that’s disrespectful.” Nova tried her best to sound convincing, but Najah and Joy both picked up on the same thing: Nova was lying.
“Aight, well, I’m just saying. So what are we cooking?” Joy decided to leave it alone. It wasn't any of her business and Nova was grown.
“You mean what we messing up? Because this fool thinks she knows what she’s doing.” Najah rolled her eyes at Nova.
“Hoe, you got one more time time and I’m getting in your—”
“Getting in her what, Nova?” Mini cut her off when she entered the kitchen.
“Nothing,” Nova said with a smirk.
“Did you see Auggie, he was looking for you?” Najah asked after sticking her tongue out at Nova like a little kid.
“I saw him, he’s in there with Trent. Joy, can I talk to you for a minute?” Mini asked, looking straight at her with no expression.
Joy nodded and followed Mini down the hall to what looked like her bedroom. She shut the door and pointed to the bed.
“I’m good right here,” Joy said defensively, which made Mini laugh. Joy was a little more, feisty and stubborn than she had given her credit for.
“Okay, I’ll sit then.” Mini sat on the side of her bed and then looked up at Joy.
“I love my son.”
“So do I,” Joy released with the quickness. That wasn't in question, no matter what his family thought.
“I know that, and that's why I want to apologize if I made you feel any type way the last time you were here. It was a bad situation and all I could see or think, was that my son had a gun in his hand and was not afraid to use it. The only other part to that equation was you. So forgive me if I reacted in a way that made it seem like I was blaming you. I wasn't.”