Your Man Chose Me

by Racquel Williams

  I was stopped by a big, burly cop. “No one is allowed any closer. The police are conducting a search.”

  “Tiana, come over here.” I heard his mother’s voice coming from across the street.

  I gave the officer a nasty look, then ran across the street. I picked my son up and hugged him. I noticed the girls were on the side playing. I let out a long sigh. “What the hell is going on over here? Where is Micah at?”

  “They have him and his friends in the back of the police cars. They had search warrants, and the damn dog tearing up my house.”

  “What are they looking for? And why would they come up in your shit?” I never cussed in front of her, but this was not the time to be politically correct.

  “I have no idea. I was in the kitchen, fixing something for the children to eat. Micah and them was on the balcony. All I heard was the front door breaking down. By the time I rushed to the front, guns were pointed in my face telling me to get down. I was too scared for my son because of all the police shooting going on around here lately.”

  “Did they find anything on Micah?”

  “I saw they took a gun off him. I don’t know if they found anything else.”

  “Fuck,” I yelled out. That alone just crushed me. The gun was illegal. I just prayed to God there was no body on it. This shit was crazy as fuck. “I’m about to call the lawyer I used for him before. He was pretty good.”

  “Well, I see we meet again, Miss Caldwell.”

  I immediately recognized the voice. It was the overbearing detective from the hospital. The same one who called himself warning me about Micah.

  “Well, hello, Detective! I see you’re still harassing my husband and me.” I turned around to face him.

  “Ha-ha. Harass? No, dear. We actually have your husband on different charges. I tried to warn you that he was bad news, but no, you didn’t listen. He will be gone for a very long time.”

  “So you say. It’s called innocent before proven guilty,” I snapped on this punk-ass nigga. I was about sick of his sarcastic ass. I could see the happiness gleaming through his eyes.

  I walked off, and dialed the lawyer’s number. I wished I could talk to Micah. I could get a better idea of what was going on.

  After speaking to the lawyer, I walked back down to where his mother was at. The detective was gone and the police cars were also pulling off. “I just talked to the lawyer. He said he is on it.”

  “I have a bail bonds number. But we have to wait to see if he has a bond first.”

  “This can’t be happening. Where is all this coming from? I think they’re framing him.” I started to cry.

  “I know, baby. Let’s go over here. Get these kids out of the street. All these motherfuckers out here with their nosey asses.”

  We walked over to the house. It was a shame how they tore that lady’s house up. I watched as she started crying. It was a damn shame. I walked over to her and hugged her. “It’s gonna be all right. I’m gonna help you clean this mess up.”

  We tried to clean up the things that were broken and put everything back into place. I mopped the floor while she cleaned the kitchen up. They’d opened flour, sugar, and rice. I knew they were looking for drugs, and whatever else they thought he had up in here.

  * * *

  It was 5:00 p.m. when I called the jail.

  “Hello, DeKalb County Jail. How may I help you?”

  “Umm, I’m calling to see what Micah Brown is charged with and how much is his bond?”

  “Hold on a second. How do you spell his first name?”

  “It’s M-i-c-a-h,” I said.

  “He is charged with distribution of cocaine, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon during the commission of a drug offense, and maintaining a drug premises. Looks like he doesn’t have a bond.”

  “What the hell you mean, he doesn’t have a bond? Y’all acting like he committed murder.”

  “Ma’am, I’m just telling you what is on the monitor in front of me.”

  I hung up on that bitch before I went off on her ass. How the fuck she means he doesn’t have no bond? I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

  “Is his keys in here?”

  “They are on top of the fridge.”

  “I’m about to go to the house. I need to get my head together. I’ll take the girls with me. I hope the lawyer find out something fast.”

  “All right, baby. You know the kids could’ve stayed with me.”

  “I know, but I miss my baby. I need him close to me right now. I will call you if I hear anything.”

  “Okay, love you.”

  “Come on, kids, let’s go.”

  I grabbed Baby Micah’s hand and we all left the house. I got them in the car and pulled off. I felt bad for Miss Debra. You could see she was hurting. Micah was her pride and joy.

  “Hey, Auntie, why did the policeman take my daddy in cuffs?” Dominique asked me, interrupting my train of thought.

  “Baby, I have no idea, but don’t you worry about that. Daddy will be back real soon.”

  “Is it because of what Mommy was telling that detective man on the phone the other day?”

  “Huh, what?” I managed to say.

  “The other day, I heard Mommy telling somebody she called Detective that she was handing Daddy over to him and they can lock him away forever. She didn’t know I heard her, but I did. I ran to my room and cried. Because I know my daddy gonna be in trouble.”

  “Baby, no, I don’t think that’s what your mommy was talking about.”

  I couldn’t believe what she just said out of her mouth. But I knew this wasn’t something a child would just make up out of the blue. I knew there was more to what she was saying. I just didn’t want her to know how important this was.

  I started to feel nervous the closer I got to the house. I wasn’t sure they didn’t break down my door also. I swallowed hard as I turned on my street. I breathed easy as I pulled into my driveway. I noticed my car was gone. The tow people must’ve picked it up. I looked around as I hurriedly took the kids out of the car and got them safely into the house.

  I washed them up, fed them some ravioli, and put them in the bed. I needed a minute of quietness so I could get my thoughts together. I poured a glass of Taylor’s port wine and gulped it down. I needed that. I wished I had a blunt right now; it definitely would’ve helped to relax me. I dialed the lawyer’s number, but it kept ringing. I called right back; still there was no answer. I was irritated as fuck. I needed to know something.

  I must’ve dozed off, because I heard my cell ringing. I looked over to the side and saw that the number was unknown. I thought about not picking it up, but then I wondered, what if it’s Micah!

  CHAPTER SIXTY

  Ayana

  News traveled fast as hell; plus, one of my old nosey-ass homegirls called me and told me to turn on the TV. The five o’clock news was on, and it was breaking news. I stared into the face of my baby daddy as they dragged him out of his mama’s house in handcuffs. I also recognized his boy Mari. I wonder what his bitch-ass girlfriend Lori was saying. I knew they were building a case. I just didn’t know it was going to be this soon. I cut up the television so I could hear every word this news bitch was saying!

  “I just spoke to Detective Robinson from the DeKalb County drug task force, and he told me this was one of Georgia’s biggest drug busts. He also told me that he and his team have been trying for years to bring this crew down, but have not been successful until today. I tell you, Ross, the police department is being praised for bringing down this drug empire. In the next half hour, I will be showing the viewers some of the drugs and guns that were seized in this operation. Jenise Scoot reporting for Channel 2 News. Now back to you, Ross.”

  I was not shocked at what I was hearing at all. I knew from the day I laid eyes on him he was moving major paper. His old lying ass claimed he wasn’t hustling anymore! That old dumbass bitch might’ve believed that shit, but not I!
<
br />   I was up bright and early. I called the jail and found out Ant didn’t have bail. That was great news for me. I bet his ass would sit there and think about all the shit he put me through. I took a long shower to revive myself. Last night was the best I’d slept in ages.

  I quickly got dressed. I had to go get my children from this bitch’s house. I knew she didn’t think I was going to leave my fucking children over there.

  I got in my car and drove to her house. I hoped this bitch just let me get them without a hassle because I had zero tolerance for this shit. I pulled up at her address and I parked. I walked my fat ass up the driveway and rang the doorbell. There was no response, so I rang it again and again. I knew that bitch was in there because Ant’s Charger was parked in the driveway; plus, I saw lights on in there when I peeked to the side of the window. I put my head close to the door and heard movement! That bitch better open this fucking door because I am not leaving without my kids!

  CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

  Tiana

  I was so restless. I waited up half the damn night thinking Micah was going to call. Every time the phone rang I jumped and grabbed it, thinking it was him, only to be disappointed. I was also pissed off that his lawyer didn’t hit me up. Best believe his ass was going to hear about it as soon as I saw his ass this morning. I let out a long sigh and got up out of the bed.

  The girls were already up, and I knew it was only a matter of time before they started asking for something to eat. I dragged myself downstairs and started making pancakes and eggs. My mind was so clouded and I was feeling helpless. I hoped they gave him a bond this morning, ’cause God knows I couldn’t go through with this. I hated the fact that we were not on speaking terms when this shit happened. I wished I could hold him.

  Ding! Ding! Ding! The chiming of my doorbell startled me and interrupted my thoughts. I swear, I had a bad feeling about this. I hoped to God it wasn’t the fucking police showing up at my door. I panicked. I had no idea if Micah had anything illegal in the house. I tiptoed over to the door, and glanced through the peephole.

  “Is this bitch for real?” I whispered to myself.

  “Bitch, open the motherfucking door! I know you in there. Give me my damn kids,” she hollered.

  I leaned against the door, thinking whether I wanted to entertain this bitch or call the police on her ass.

  Bang! Bang! Bang! She continued showing her ass off.

  I had enough of this shit! I unlocked the door and stood there looking at this deranged bitch! “What the fuck is you at my house banging for? Bitch, I don’t fuck with you.”

  “Bitch, I’m here to get my damn kids. I suggest you send them out before I drag your ass on this concrete.”

  I stepped out of the door, and down to the pavement. “I whupped your ass once before; please don’t let me do it again. I done told yo’ ass I ain’t wit’ all this kiddy shit. You know what the court order said. Now get the fuck off my property, before I drag you in this house and tear you the fuck up.” I took a step back and walked into my house. I slammed the door behind me.

  I wanted to go off on this bitch, but I knew I had to keep my calm. Micah was already in a fucked-up situation and he needed me to be out here to handle things. I walked into the kitchen and realized I’d left the stove on, and the pancakes were burnt to the point where they were black. I cut the stove off and put some water in the pan. I poured me a glass of water, and drank it down to help ease my level of frustration.

  “Auntie, I’m hungry,” Diamond ran into the kitchen yelling.

  “Baby, you have to eat some cereal. Auntie accidentally burnt the pancakes.”

  “Oh, man,” she pouted.

  “I’m sorry, baby! Auntie will make it up to you,” I said while I choked back tears.

  I poured her some cereal, and went to clean up the kitchen. I knew I had to hurry up, because I had to be in court this morning.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

  Ayana

  This bitch lost her damn mind! Who the fuck did she think she was, denying me my damn children? I was one second away from jumping on her ass, but for once my common sense kicked in. I wanted to do it the right way so I could be assured the state didn’t take them back, or Micah’s ass didn’t beat his case and take the kids away from me.

  “911, how may I help you?”

  “Hello, ma’am. I need an officer. This lady has my children in this house, but won’t let them out.”

  “Ma’am, what is your name? Are these your biological children or do you have custody of these children?”

  “Yes, I do,” I snapped on this bitch. I ended up giving her the address. I was irritated because this bitch was behaving like she didn’t understand me.

  “Okay, ma’am, I am dispatching a unit to meet you over at the address you gave me.”

  Without responding, I hung up on that bitch. I really wasn’t in the mood this morning.

  I walked back to my car, and sat in the seat with the car door open. Twenty minutes later, a police car pulled up. I got up, and closed my door and walked over to him.

  “Hello, ma’am. Are you the one who called the police?” the young, sexy officer said. Damn, if it was a different situation, I would definitely be flirting with him. But I wasn’t in the mood for no dick right now!

  “Yes, that’s me. My name is Ayana Beasly and there is a custody arrangement between the children’s father and me. However, he was locked up yesterday in that big drug bust out here in Stone Mountain. So I’m trying to take my kids home with me.”

  “Did you knock on the door?”

  “Yes, and the bi . . .” I caught myself fast. “The lady said she is not giving them back.”

  “Okay, please stay here. I’ll talk with the homeowner.” He walked off toward the door.

  I wasn’t trying to hear that shit! I walked up the driveway behind him. I stopped at a fair distance. I didn’t want the cop to say anything smart to me. I saw when he banged on the door. The bitch opened it quickly and he started talking with her. I tried to listen, but they were damn near whispering. I had no idea what that bitch said, but the officer stepped inside and closed the door behind him. By then another unit pulled up. Hmm, this bitch might be joining her baby daddy in jail.

  The door suddenly opened and the officer walked out alongside my youngest child. A few seconds later Dominique walked out screaming and hollering. “I don’t want to go. I want to stay with my Auntie Tiana. Please, I don’t want to go home,” she screamed, and tried to reach back into the house.

  “You better bring your ass.” I grabbed her arm and slightly pulled her toward me. I was careful not to cause a scene because of the police presence. “Thank you, Officer,” I said before I walked down the hill, pulling on this little bitch who was resisting.

  “Get in the car,” I said to Diamond. I then threw Dominique’s overgrown ass into the back seat.

  “I don’t want to go! I hate you. I want to stay with my auntie,” she screamed.

  Slap! Slap! “Shut the fuck up, you little bitch! You’re going home whether you like or not. That bitch is not Mama and you better get used to it because this is the last time you gonna see her ass,” I blurted out. I didn’t give a damn right now! I was tired of her shenanigans and her behaving like that bitch spit her out of her pussy! “Now buckle your damn seat belt and shut the fuck up.”

  I walked to the driver’s seat. I was ready to pull off before the officers walked over here. The last thing I needed was another accusation of child abuse. I looked in my mirror as he pulled up from behind.

  He stopped beside my car. “Hello, ma’am. Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, Officer. Thanks again for helping me.” I smiled at him.

  He nodded and pulled off. I watched as the other unit pulled off in the other direction. I was happy because my tag was expired; plus, I ain’t pay the insurance. I waited a few seconds and then I pulled off.

  I cut up the radio so I could tune out all the crying this little heffa was doing. God knows t
hat I would have to push my foot up her ass soon. I was not the one to be fucked with and she would find out soon enough.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

  Tiana

  I locked my door and fell to the ground. My heart was broken. The tears streamed down my face as I gripped my chest. I was hurting for me, but more so for that little girl. She’d been through more than enough and what made it sad was that bitch Ayana didn’t really want them. She was doing that shit to get back at Micah and me. I swear I didn’t want to let them go, but the officer explained to me that this was between Micah and Ayana and, unless I took her to court and won, I had no legal right to the children. As much as it hurt my heart, I understood completely.

  I sat on the floor crying about everything that was going on in my life. “God, please wrap your hands around my family! They need you. I need you,” I cried. I wasn’t the most religious person on this earth, but I swear I needed help from God. Everything just spiraled downhill and out of control. I didn’t know what to do, or where to even start. I continued crying as I poured my heart out to the Man Above.

  I heard my phone ringing upstairs. I wiped my tears and ran up the stairs. I grabbed the phone. “Hello,” I said, all out of breath.

  “Hey, babe, it’s me. Are you on your way yet?” Micah’s mama’s voice echoed in my ear.

  “On my way?” I stuttered.

  “Yes, to court. You know Micah has court this morning.”

  “Oh, shit! Yes, I’m on the way,” I lied.

  I hung the phone up and threw it on the bed. I stripped down in seconds and jumped in the shower. I took less than five minutes to make sure I washed my arms and my pussy. I jumped out and dried off. I rushed to my closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a nice dress shirt. I quickly got dressed and rushed out the door. Court started in twenty minutes, but knowing the traffic in the morning I was definitely cutting it close.