by Tiece
“Forget that,” she whispered feeling good that Dee had returned from the airport with her aunt Debbie. A sweet surprise within itself and she was definitely giddy about that. They both needed that adult figure around being that they’d both been going through it with the men in their lives.
She sat down on the edge of her bed to put on her shoes, but was distracted by her cell phone ringing. She quickly answered it when she saw who was calling.
“What’s up, big head.”
“Hey boo,” Brendon spoke. He was feeling a little down from Trina’s visit and needed that one person that he could talk with.
“Hey,” she spoke feeling good that he had called her after she’d told him the day before that she was going to be taking a backseat to their relationship. “What you doing?” she questioned while grabbing her shoes to put them on.
“I’m at the Hot Spot trying to get my mind right.” He answered.
“Trying to get your mind right?” she pondered. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“Not really,” he answered with an irritated shake of the head. “Trina stopped by.”
Candy frowned. “Damn, when does she planning on leaving?”
“I don’t know, but soon won’t be fast enough.”
Candy sensed that he was aggravated. “I take it that visit was worse than the others she has paid you since she’s been here.”
“Yeah, but you have to know Trina. She knows exactly what to say and do to get under my skin. I moved from Texas to get away from her and anything concerning my past. All I wanted to do was start over.”
Candy cut in. “And you’re doing a good job with that, Brendon. Don’t let Trina ruin that for you.”’ She said, but Brendon sat quietly in the background. He wasn’t saying a word. This concerned Candy a bit. “Bren,” she called out. “What exactly happened? Talk to me.”
Brendon sighed. He wanted to talk about it, but then again he didn’t. “She just got me feeling some type of way. I wish I had never invited her to come here.”
Candy raised a confused eyebrow. “You invited her there?”
“Yeah,” he responded. “I wanted to know when she was leaving. She keeps sticking around and for what?”
Candy shook her head, and then said, “Because she wants you back, Bren.”
“I don’t want her back, though. We were good when things were good with us. However, things hadn’t been good with us in a long time. I just want her to leave. Either she leaves or I’m hauling ass to Atlanta. I just don’t want to be nowhere near her ass no more.”
Candy could hear the anger in his voice. His emotions were all over the place and she had definitely gotten concerned about him; especially with him talking about moving to Atlanta. “What happened that has upset you so bad?”
“Our conversation started out fine, but when things aren’t going Trina’s way then she’ll bring up the unnecessary to prove a point that she’s trying to make.”
“So, what did she bring up?”
“She started discussing my relationship with Raven.”
Candy already didn’t’ like Trina and hearing about her bringing up Brendon’s dead girlfriend didn’t sit well with her either. “What was the point in that?” she questioned.
“She was feeling some type of way, because I was telling her that I didn’t see us being together. So, she brought up the abortion that she had by me a couple of weeks before Raven died.”
Candy frowned. “What was the point in that?”
“Her point was that I didn’t want the baby by her, but the minute she aborted it then Raven was taken from me as well. I guess that’s her way of saying that if I’d been half way decent and let her keep the baby then maybe Raven would’ve still been here. I guess,” he said like Trina had not only hurt his feelings, but had him confused as hell too. “I believe she thought that having a baby by me was going to make me leave Raven, because Raven couldn’t have kids. That was something we struggled with, but we were good. Trina got pregnant on purpose, because she was tired of the being the side chick. I knew what her deal was.” He explained.
“So what if she had the baby? That didn’t mean that you were going to be with her still. I can’t believe that her selfish ass would even bring up something like that. That’s just unbelievable.”
“Well, that’s what Trina does in order to get her way. I just hate I put her in so much of my business. She knew everything that was going on in my relationship. She knew things that Kina didn’t know, because at that time in my life she was there for me. That’s why she’s able to throw shit up in my face.”
“But it doesn’t make it right,” Candy said with an irritated shake of the head.
“After Trina had told me that she was pregnant, I called it off. For two whole months she debated about keeping the baby or not. I only encouraged her to have an abortion so she knew my take on things. I wasn’t trying to hear it. I’d even stopped fucking with her, but then not long after that, Raven was gone.”
“Damn,” Candy whispered.
“See, Trina had that non-judging listening ear. She comforted me in my time of need and she stepped in to handle a lot of my business because she was familiar. I can’t lie. There was a time when I really did love her and after Raven died I got closer to her to fill that void. She was that one chick that every man would’ve loved to have on their side, but the only woman I truly every wanted was Raven.” He said as he thought to himself, until I met you.
“That’s deep,” Candy said.
“If only you knew how deep.” He said thinking about the tragic events that led up to Raven’s death that changed his life forever.
“Well, I’m not trying to cut this conversation short, but my aunt, Dee’s mom, is here for a couple of weeks and tonight we’re going out to eat. We just wanna catch her up on things that have been going on with us and ride her around the city.”
“I think that’s good,” he said while fixing himself another drink.
“I think what would be good for you is to talk to your cousin. Y’all need to hash things out.” She told him.
“I won’t deny that.” Brendon said. “He certainly missed them hanging out playing ball or just smoking and drinking while talking shit. Rico had called a few times to check on him, but that was about it. There was never a call from Monty, but maybe it was time for him to be the bigger man. “Well, I’m glad your aunt is home. I think you and Dee both need that positive company around. Call me when you get back and have fun. I’ll sit here and figure out some things.”
“Don’t think too much. You think long, you think wrong.” She said with light laughter. “Oh, I was thinking that I’m gonna have MJ’s birthday party in a couple of weeks. And then, you’re having the all white party at your club. I have two special events to look forward to within the next two months.”
“Well, I have two special events that I’m looking forward to attending too.” He responded with a smile on his face. He definitely loved MJ. Anytime he saw him, his thoughts would always reflect on wondering if his baby would’ve resembled the handsome lil fella. “We’ll catch up later.”
“Yes we will,” Candy said, and with that they ended their call.
Chapter 11
Three weeks had now passed with MiKayla still in her feelings over Chad’s return back home. Because of him her life was turned upside down. She was overwhelmed and hurt by whatever decisions that he’d made. Not only did he leave her brokenhearted, but he came back to cause her another broken heart.
She sighed while thinking about how quickly Monty had kicked her to the curb without even allowing her to explain herself. She really had no clue about Chad or his whereabouts. For all she knew he was dead and even though he wasn’t, she was certainly wishing that he was.
She sat in the car, parked in front of a house that she hadn’t seen in over a year. It was the house that once belonged to her and Chad. A spur of the moment thought of waking up and returning back to her hometown had hit her so hard that
she found herself boarding an airplane and making her way back home. She had to get the answers that she wanted on her own, because Chad sure as hell wasn’t trying to give her any. The place she was supposed to be at was Chad’s mother’s house which was an hour from where she and Chad used to live, but something led her to their modest two-story home first.
She looked around the country yard space. It was still beautiful as ever. It seemed like someone had moved in already. Maybe it was Chad for all she knew. When she’d left there over a year prior, she turned the keys over to his mom and planned to never look back. However, now she was back.
She touched the latch on the door to get out of the car, but then she paused, feeling like the breath had been snatched out of her. She grabbed her chest trying to breathe. Memories of just being there and living a life that she once wished was hers had her stumped and not knowing what went wrong had her even more confused.
“My God, what happened?” she whispered. She sat inside of the rental car thinking that maybe she should leave, but a part of her wanted to stay. She needed closure like she needed air to breathe. It was almost killing her to not be able to get it and just as she reached for the door latch again her cell phone rang. She looked down at the caller ID to see that it was her sister.
She apprehensively answered, “Hey Sis.”
Debbie immediately went in. “Don’t tell me that your ass is in Utah.”
“Well, I won’t tell you then.” MiKayla quickly said.
“My Goodness, K. What are you thinking about? Why are you there?” She worriedly questioned. “You shouldn’t be there and you know it.”
“Deb, I need answers. I can’t just sit around my house with Chad somewhere lurking and I don’t know what the fuck is going on. This man was supposed to be dead. Why the fuck is he back in my life stirring up trouble?”
“I don’t know, but you shouldn’t be there trying to find out.” Deb told her. “You need to catch the first flight out and get your ass back home.”
“I am home,” MiKayla irritably stated.
“No you’re not. You left there, because you were trying to leave your past behind and for good reason. I don’t have a good feeling about this, K. I really don’t and it scares me. If you wanted to go home that bad then I would’ve gone with you. I don’t like you being there alone.”
“I’m okay, Sis. You should take one of your calmers and chill the hell out.”
“I won’t be able to chill out until I know you’re back on this end.” Deb said. MiKayla could hear the worry in her voice. She was already very overprotective so this definitely didn’t make it any better. “K,” she called out since MiKayla had gotten quiet on her.
“Yes Deb,” MiKayla answered.
“What do you plan on finding out? We already know that Chad is a lying ass bastard. He left you to think that he was dead. My God, you even lost your baby behind that shit. I don’t understand what else more you need to find out. You should know all you need to know and that’s to keep Chad as far away from you as possible. He isn’t worth your time or efforts of even being concerned about anything that y’all may have had. That part of your life is over. Just let it go and come back home.”
MiKayla sat in the car wiping the tears that had started to come down. She felt lost and hurt. At the moment she didn’t know what to say.
“K,” Deb called out.
“Hm,” she lightly responded.
Deb could tell that she was crying. Nothing hurt her more than to know that her baby sister was over 1600 miles away and there was nothing that she could do to comfort her the way she needed too.
“K, don’t cry. Please, just catch the next plane out. We’ll find you another house in Augusta and we can also take out a restraining order on Chad to make him stay away.”
MiKayla sniffed in the phone, and then wiped her tears. “He’s not trying to kill me or anything. Do you think that we’d be taking it too far to put out a restraining order on him?”
“K, please get yourself together. You’ve not been the same since mama died and everybody that enters your life gets a pass when they hurt you. You have got to start being stronger and harder in your feelings; especially towards the people that do you wrong.”
“I know,” MiKayla said as she sniffed in the phone while continuing to wipe the non-stop tears. “I know.”
“Please, just come home.”
“I’ll be home by tonight. I first need to go see Chad’s mom. She is not answering my calls and I need to know what the deal is. I loved that lady like she was my mom, but after I lost my baby she walked outta my life like I never existed. I mean, what were they planning on doing if she knew that Chad was still living. Were they trying to take my baby or something? I’m so lost and confused right now, Sis, and I need some closure.”
“K, that’s neither here nor there now, sweetie. That’s your past; you’re not heading in that direction anymore. You have got to let this go. It’s enough crazy shit surrounding this whole situation. We don’t need any parts of that.” For a few seconds MiKayla didn’t say a word. “K,” Deb called out. “Get your ass on the next plane leaving Utah and head back to Georgia. You don’t need to be there.”
MiKayla was caught up for a moment as she noticed the front door of the modest two-story home open. Her eyes widened as she nervously sat waiting to see who would come out.
“K,” Deb called out again.
“Uh, le’me call you right back Sis.” MiKayla softly said in the phone, and then quickly she hung up.
Her eyes were focused on the little boy that had walked out of the house with a remote control car in his hand. He put the car on the pavement of the driveway and started operating the remote while making the car come in her direction.
MiKayla ducked down a little, but realized that the little boy couldn’t help but see her. She was parked at the end of the driveway and he was getting closer and closer with his head tilted to the side like he was trying to get a better look in the car. Next thing she knew, he was at her window.
“Hey,” he said tapping on the window pane with his little finger.
MiKayla raised up a bit to look at him.
He tapped on the window again, and then said it again. “Hey,” what’s your name?”
MiKayla finally let the window down, and then spoke back in almost a whisper. “Hey,” she softly said. “My name is MiKayla. What’s your name?”
“I’m Chris. Who are you looking for my mama?” he asked with a sweet gaze as he watched her.
“No, I’m not really looking for anybody.” She said looking from him, and then towards the house. “I used to live here once upon a time.”
“You lived here, where we live now?” the little guy asked.
“Yep, I did.” She answered. “How old are you?”
“I’m four,” he said with a cute smile.
“You’re handsome, too.” She said.
“Thanks,” he nonchalantly responded like he’d actually heard that all the time.
MiKayla grinned a little. “You are a mess.” She whispered, and then looked toward the house thinking that maybe her sister was right. There was no reason for her to be there. She looked in the yard noticing the swing sets, and the tree club house that looked like someone had just put it up. There was a new family that had moved into the house that used to be hers and clearly it was time for her to move on. She didn’t need answers anymore. She just wanted to leave. She put her car in reverse, and then looked at the little boy.
“It was nice to meet you Chris.” She said with a sweet smile. “I have a plane to catch.”
Chris smiled at him, but he before he could say anything the front door opened and a man walked out on the porch.
“Lil Chris, who is that?” He called out. MiKayla’s eyes stretched as she saw who it was.
“That’s my daddy. I gotta go,” he said running back towards the house.
“Chad,” MiKayla whispered. She was stuck for a moment as she stared at him.
<
br /> Chad continued walking toward the car while fussing at Chris as he ran past him. “What I tell you about talking to strangers?!” he spat while looking in the car like it scared him a little that someone was there.
“It’s just a lady,” Chris said picking up his truck, and then running inside the house.
Chad’s eyes grew bigger as he noticed that the lady in the car was MiKayla. “HEY,” he called out. By this time she had backed out of the driveway and was more on the side of the road. She wanted so badly to put the car in drive and just pull off, but her foot was stuck on the break, not budging. “HEY, wait a minute. MiKayla,” he called out again now reaching the car.
MiKayla sat behind the steering wheel with tears already streaming down her face. She was hurt to the core. If she’d heard Chris correctly, Chad was his daddy which meant that she never knew anything about him having a son.