Love Me Through The Rain 4

by A'zayler

  Alex ignored him and walked into the living room. All he wanted to do was sit down before telling Damien what he had just found out, but got the surprise of his life when he rounded the corner.

  “Nigga, what the fuck?” Alex yelled as he spun around and looked at Damien, who was wearing a look that said he was busted.

  Damien couldn’t even say anything as Alex turned back around and watched Drake struggle to slide his underwear back on. He had been lying on the couch with a hard, wet dick sticking straight up in the air when Alex had first come in. He was trying to grab the cover from the floor when he’d heard Alex’s voice, but he wasn’t fast enough.

  “Y’all two muthafuckas in here fucking?” Alex looked between the two of them. “I swear I’m so tired of y’all down low ass niggas.” Alex fumed, as he paced back and forth. “This right here is why there’s women sick all over the fucking world.”

  Alex rolled his eyes and walked over to Damien. “I came here to let your ass know that Connie is HIV positive and that you might need to get tested, but I see that’s pointless. If you hadn’t gotten it from her ass, you surely as hell will get it from that nasty bastard in there.”

  Damien’s face looked like he was transforming into some type of demon. His eyes got low, his mouth balled up, and his breathing picked up. His chest was rising and falling a lot harder and faster than it had been before. His muscles were looking a lot more defined as he grew angrier. He pushed past Alex and walked toward the living room.

  “What the fuck he talking about?” he asked Drake.

  Alex could hear Drake coming up with lies, but he wasn’t about to let that shit happen. He walked back around the corner and into the living room.

  “Stop lying. Fallon has AIDS because of your ass, and now…” Alex let his words trail off for a second. “You probably do too.” Alex looked at Damien. “Clearly y’all been fucking, and I don’t see not one condom in sight.”

  Damien’s whole demeanor screamed murder. Alex took that as his cue to leave. He wasn’t about to stay there with them anymore dealing in that bullshit. He needed to get home. His head was starting to hurt. Without another word, he left the loft. Whatever Damien and Drake’s nasty asses did to one another was their business.

  On the ride down the elevator he took his phone out of his purse and dialed his doctor. He scheduled an appointment for the next day to get tested. This shit was all out of control. When he got back to his apartment, Rain and the kids were still there watching TV. Rain was playing with Damia’s hair while she chewed on an apple spear.

  He dropped his purse on the table. “Fallon still ain’t back?”

  “Nah, but she called and told me it was going to be a minute.”

  “Come in my room real quick.” Alex walked down the hall and went to his room.

  He was seated on the bed with his legs crossed when Rain walked in with Damia. She sat Damia on the carpeted floor so that she could crawl around before taking a seat next to Alex.

  “Connie has HIV.” Beating around the bush was pointless. “She didn’t know who she got it from, so you know me, I immediately assumed it was Drake.” Rain nodded to let him know she was listening. “So she tells me it wasn’t Drake she was fucking that night at Fallon’s house, it was Damien.”

  Rain’s head spun around in his direction. “Your Damien?”

  “Yes, girl. So I leave her there to go find this nigga. Why I find him laid up with another nigga and you’ll never guess who.”

  “Troy?”

  “No, bitch. I would have killed them both.”

  “Well, who?”

  “Drake.”

  Rain fell backwards on the bed. “Stop, Alex. Just stop right now, please.”

  He lay back beside her. “I wish I could.”

  The elephant in the room was large enough to take up the whole apartment. The possibility of him also being sick was on their minds, but refused to grace their tongues.

  “What you gon do?”

  “I got an appointment tomorrow.”

  Rain grabbed his hand and held it. “You scared?”

  “Not for real. Any time I have sex I make these niggas use condoms. But there’s always that chance.”

  Rain sat up and looked down at Damia who was pulling things out of Alex’s purse. He sat up right behind her and looked down at the baby.

  “Lawd, these poor babies got these fucked up ass parents.”

  Rain and Alex laughed at the reality of the sad situation they were all in. Alex’s heart was heavy as he thought about the doctor telling him he too was dying. What would he do?

  *****

  “What’s on your mind?” Troy looked at Alex as they sat in the living room watching TV.

  “Nothing for real. Just thinking about life. Being a gay man can be so hard sometimes.”

  Troy nodded. “Especially a gay, black one.”

  Alex smiled weakly.

  Ever since Rain and the kids had left earlier, he could hardly keep his mind off of his doctor’s appointment. Looking at Troy only made it worse. Which was why he’d almost told him no when he’d called asking to come over. He would never be able to forgive himself if he’d infected Troy because of Damien.

  “I don’t know if you want to or not, but church is tonight. We could go again if you want.”

  Alex perked up at the thought of that. He had enjoyed himself so much the last time. Everyone was so welcoming and he felt brand new after leaving.

  “Yes. Let’s do that.”

  Troy smiled. “Cool.”

  Alex stood from the sofa and walked to the back of the house. He changed his shirt, grabbed him a pair of shoes, and put some lotion on his arms. He sat on the edge of the bed to put his feet in his shoes and his phone vibrated with a text.

  Mr. Undercover: I’m going crazy

  Alex rolled his eyes. Damien had brought all of this mess on hisself.

  Alex: You should be

  Mr. Undercover: I need you…shits crazy

  Alex: No you don’t. You need Jesus. I’ll talk to you later.

  Alex grabbed his things and headed back into the living room with Troy. He was sitting on the floor scrolling through his phone when Alex walked in. He looked up and smiled when Alex stopped behind the sofa.

  “You ready?”

  Troy nodded and stood up. He stuck his phone in his pocket and reached his hand out to Alex. He willingly grabbed it and they left his house. In the car on the way to church, Alex’s phone began to ring. When he saw Summer’s name he almost felt like crying. He didn’t know why, but he did.

  “Hey, sister.”

  “Hey, baby. How you feeling?”

  “I don’t even know, sis.”

  Summer sighed. “It’s going to be okay, boo. Rain told me what’s going on.”

  The tears began to fall. He turned as far away as he could from Troy and covered his face with his hands. He had been trying to hold it in all day, but Summer had just brought it out of him. She was such a mother hen that he couldn’t help himself. He felt Troy’s hand running up and down his back as he cried.

  He was so upset he could hardly get his words out. So he just cried. By the time the car came to a stop, Alex was done being emotional. He wiped his face with the back of his hand and looked out the window.

  “What are we doing here?” They were at the assisted living home that his grandmother lived in.

  “I figured you needed to talk to her.”

  “How did you know where she lives?”

  Troy looked out of the front window of his car towards the entrance. “I come here all the time.”

  “For real?” Alex looked shocked.

  “Yes. Let’s get out.”

  Troy came around the car and opened the door for him. When Alex was all the way out the car, he pulled him close and kissed his mouth.

  “I don’t know what’s bothering you, but it’ll be okay.” He looked at Alex’s glossy eyes. “You believe me?”

  Alex nodded.

 
; “I’ll be here to make sure of that too.”

  “Why are you so perfect to me? When I’m always so devilish to you.”

  Troy laughed. “I’m not perfect and you’re not devilish. We just have to make it work. We love each other. That’s what we do.”

  Alex smiled and hugged Troy. He wrapped both arms around his waist and squeezed him as tight as he could. They stood holding onto one another for a few minutes before Troy pulled away and grabbed his hand. They walked into the doors of the building and went straight for Alex’s granny’s room.

  When they pushed the door open, she was sitting in her favorite chair with her long, pink robe on. She smiled as Troy pushed the door closed behind them. Her arms were outstretched as she smiled.

  “My two beautiful boys. Come here.”

  They both walked in and kneeled by her feet, where they stayed until it was time to go to church.

  Chapter 11: Oh Baby!

  Summer sat on the bench in the park waiting for Fallon. She had called her earlier that day and asked could she meet with her about some things. Of course Fallon agreed to it, but only after asking fifty thousand questions. It was clear she wanted to know what it was about and Summer couldn’t blame her.

  She and Summer weren’t very connected. Summer just happened to be sisters with her sister in law. Nothing more, nothing less. She looked down at her legs as she listened to all of the children running back and forth past her. It was Saturday afternoon and the park was packed. With it being such a pretty day, she could understand why.

  The grass was green, the flowers were blooming, and the sun was shining. Though she had already been waiting for a little over ten minutes from the time they agreed to meet, Summer couldn’t complain. She was actually enjoying herself. The fresh breeze felt good on her skin as the rays from the sun warmed her just enough.

  “Sorry I’m late, Summer. I had to take my sister in law’s kids to daycare.”

  Summer nodded, but her face still held a small frown. “Where they sorry daddy at? Is the nigga helping you at all?”

  “Kind of. He has a lot going on right now that he won’t talk to me about. He’s been very depressed for the last few days, so I’ve been trying to help him out. I know with Iesha being locked up and possibly facing jail time it’s been stressful.” Fallon fixed her skirt as she turned sideways on the bench.

  “I guess, but she should have thought about that before she risked it all for a nigga that she still doesn’t have.”

  Fallon nodded. “That is true.” She looked around at the kids. “So, what’s up Summer? I know it has to be something for you to want to talk privately.”

  “Yeah, it is. I just don’t even know how to say it. It’s just something that needs to be said.” Summer looked at her. “I don’t want you to think I’m on some messy shit or nothing like that, I just want your opinion on what to do. It’s a big mess and I had nothing to do with it, but it fell in my lap so now I’m trying to help.” She touched Fallon’s leg. “Also, don’t take this as me jumping all over you or nothing of that sort, I just really want to protect my family and yours. Cool?”

  “Girl you got me scared now. What?”

  “Is Jazz really your son?”

  Fallon’s breath caught and she gasped quietly. Her hand went to the center of her chest and she looked away. She licked her lips and swallowed before biting along the inside of her cheek. Her leg bounced quickly as she turned back around to face Summer.

  “Why would you ask me that? Of course he’s mine.”

  “Fallon, listen honey. I promise I’m not here to judge or start any mess. This is just a really sticky situation. You’re saying yes, but I’ve seen documents that prove otherwise. I’m not trying to make a mess of any of this, but this is definitely something that needs to be brought to the light.”

  “You’re not telling Dakota.” Fallon stated firmly.

  Summer held her hands up in mock surrender. “Never said I was.”

  “So what is this then? I know you don’t really care for me, Summer, but this is a low blow. You go and dig up some more shit then try to act like you’re not being messy. Fuck out of here with that.”

  “Whoa, pump your brakes, bitch. I really am trying to help you. If Love finds out about this shit it’s going to be some mess. I’m just trying to help you figure out something before it all comes out. And as far as me not liking you, that’s a lie. I don’t have a problem with you at all. Hell, I actually really do like you, I just don’t like the fact that you fuck with a bitch that’s tried to kill my little sister twice. Excuse me if I feel like you might have been a little privy to the shit that was going on.”

  “I would have never gone along with no shit like that.”

  “Well, whatever. That’s neither here nor there right now.” Summer could tell Fallon wasn’t really feeling her right then, but she didn’t give a damn. “Is Jazz Love’s son?”

  Fallon nodded.

  “How in the fuck did this happen? Please explain it to me because I’m lost as all hell. You and him haven’t spoken in years, but somehow you end up with his baby. Is this some kind of game? Have y’all been keeping in contact? Did he give you his child?”

  Fallon shook her head from side to side. “No. He doesn’t know that Jazz is his son. No one does except his birth mother, me, you, and I’m more than positive Alex.”

  Summer sat with a straight face, giving nothing away.

  “I know it was him. He had to have found the documents in my drawer.” Fallon sat back on the bench and folded and unfolded her legs. “Wait, y’all didn’t tell Rain did you?”

  “Nah. He showed me and that’s it. No one else knows.” Summer waited for her to say something but she didn’t look like she was going to. “Sooooo, how did this happen?”

  Fallon looked like she was in deep thought. “It’s not really my secret to tell.”

  “Well, whose is it?”

  “His mom.”

  “Okay, and who is she?”

  Fallon looked like she really didn’t want to say anything, but knew she didn’t have much of a choice.

  “Her name is Tacara Innis. She’s Dakota’s ex.”

  “The girl that he caught cheating on him?” Summer needed clarification.

  “He caught her cheating on him?”

  “Yeah, girl, that’s why they broke up.” Summer scooted back some so that Fallon could sit her foot on the seat.

  Fallon lifted her knee up and pushed her skirt down as she leaned her arm over the back of the bench. “See, I ain’t know that. She never told me anything like that. She claimed Dakota just didn’t want to be with her anymore.”

  “Nah, baby girl is lying. So how did you end up with their baby?”

  “Well I had been knowing her from high school because she and Dakota had been together for so long. Even when Dakota and I weren’t speaking, she and I kept in touch. She would tell me about him, keep me up to date with stuff, you know? So one day she called me, which wasn’t out of the ordinary and told me she needed my help.” Fallon moved her foot so the little boy running past wouldn’t fall.

  “When she came to my house, I knew it was serious for her to drive all the way to Albany. When she got there she explained to me that she was pregnant and that she didn’t want to abort him, but she wasn’t ready to be a mother. She was five months then, which didn’t give me much time to think about what to do. I was fresh out of college and pretty settled, so I told her I would take him.”

  “Love never knew she was pregnant?”

  “No. She wasn’t showing when I saw her then. Right after that, she left for college.”

  “Love didn’t find it weird that she just up and left?”

  “Well, she didn’t really just up and leave. She had been at Georgia Military College and it was time for her to switch to a four-year school anyway. She went to University of South Carolina.”

  Summer was beginning to understand. “So why didn’t Love go see her at school?”

  “H
e was still on probation for one, and because it was only four months. She kept telling him she would be back for Christmas, so he wouldn’t come.”

  “That’s fucked up.” Summer shook her head.

  “She wasn’t ready.” Fallon shrugged. “At least she didn’t abort him.”

  Summer still didn’t agree with her having a baby and not telling Love about it. “So why didn’t you tell him? You’re his sister, Fallon.”

  “He and I still weren’t speaking then. I thought about it many days, but I had grown so attached to Jazz by then. I know it’s selfish, but I didn’t want Dakota to take him from me.”

  “I can understand that. So do you still talk to her now?”

  “Yeah. She checks on Jazz all the time. She came to Chuck E Cheese that day we were there.”

  Summer’s head spun around then. “She did?”

  “Yeah. The girl in the light blue sundress; she and Love were talking for a minute.”

  Summer thought back to that day. She didn’t have to think hard though. She remembered it immediately. She, Rain, and Alex were about to slap her. She had been a little too friendly with Love.

  “Oh my goodness. I remember.”

  “I told her about the party. The little girl she brought with her is her fiancé’s daughter.”

  Summer shook her head. This was all too much. It was like something in a book or a movie. How could this be real? And why had she been the one to have to figure it all out. She was going to slap Alex as soon as she saw him. He was the reason for it all. She could have still been at home minding her business, but no. He just had to pull her into some deep shit.

  “So you allow her to come around him? Does he know she’s related to him?”

  “Nah. I told her that was the only condition to me keeping him. She couldn’t try to take him back, nor could he know who she was. I didn’t want any confusion. She’s been pretty good about it. She sends him things for holidays and sees him occasionally, but that’s it.”

  “She’s never tried to get him back?”

  “Nope. She doesn’t want him. She tells me that all the time.”

  “Are you ever going to tell your brother?”