Never Again, No More 4

by Untamed

  “Hello, Mr. K.” Consuela’s voice came through the phone. “Is everything okay between you and Mrs. K?”

  “Yes, Consuela. Thanks for asking. Have you picked up the kids from school?”

  “Yes, sir. I’m about a block away from your house now.”

  “Good. I apologize, but I have a last-minute favor to ask—”

  Her giggles interrupted my question. “Yes, I can stay and watch the kids for you,” she said.

  “How’d you know I was gonna ask that?”

  “I’m an old wise woman, Mr. K. I know when a man has some making up to do.”

  Her accuracy made me laugh. “Can you stay until midnight? I’ll pay you double overtime.”

  “For double overtime, you don’t even have to ask. I’m in.”

  “Thanks, Consuela. And please—”

  “Don’t say anything to Mrs. K. It’s a surprise,” she said, as if reading my mind. “I already know, Mr. K.”

  “You’ve been around us a long time.” I noted. “Thanks again.”

  “No problem.”

  We hung up, and I dialed another number. A woman picked up.

  “Is it too late to get a reservation for tonight? My wife and I are frequent guests. The Kincaids,” I asked the maître d’ at L2O.

  “No, sir, Mr. Kincaid. We have a seven-forty-five reservation available, if you would like.”

  “Perfect. Dinner for two,” I told her, and she secured our slot.

  It felt good to know that I would end that day on a good note for Trinity, given how it’d begun. My next call was going to be to housekeeping at our condo. I’d acquired the building and sold it, but I’d decided to surprise Trinity, and so I’d kept one condo for us for when we needed to get away from the kids, like tonight. After dinner, we’d head over there for some romance, with a bottle of Moscato on chill, rose petals on the bed, and a bubble bath by candlelight. Then, later on, I’d hit her with my heavyweight knockout bouts. Oh yeah, it was going to be a good night for my wife.

  Chapter 3

  Lucinda

  “Wake up, birthday girl,” I whispered to Nadia.

  “Yes! My party is today. Jumpin’ Jamboree. Jumpin’ Jamboree,” she said repeatedly while jumping up and down on her bed.

  Her excitement tickled me as I watched her with glee. “Yes, it is. We have to get up and get dressed because Mommy has some errands to run before we get there. It’s already ten, so let’s go, kiddo.”

  After I planted a kiss on her forehead, Nadia threw her arms around my neck. “I love you, Mami,” she said sweetly.

  I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her gently. “I love you too, hija.”

  “And I love you both,” Aldris said as he strode into Nadia’s bedroom and walked over to us.

  “Daddy,” Nadia shouted as she hugged his neck. “Let me show you what I’m going to wear to my party.”

  With the skill of a cheetah, she leapt off the bed and ran to her closet. She pulled out her brand-new jean capris with the matching button-down, belted top and her brown slide-in mules.

  “See, Papi,” she squealed as she ran back and jumped onto her bed. “Isn’t it just to die for? Mami says I have to bring socks, but I am going to be so cute.”

  Nadia’s happiness about her day was infectious, and Aldris had the same giddy grin on his face as I did, and then he chuckled at her declaration. “Yes, my little niña, you are.” He turned to me and added, “She definitely gets her fashion sense from you.”

  “Like mother, like daughter. What can I say?” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me in for a hug. “I have to get dressed, so I can go pick up her cake, the balloons, and her gift. Can you make sure that she is ready when I get back?”

  “I got this,” he said and kissed me.

  “Ooh.” Nadia giggled at our public display of affection.

  “What’cha lookin’ at, nosy?” Aldris said as he dove onto the bed and tickled her.

  “I’m gonna leave you two and get dressed. Don’t play for too long, you guys. We have a party to make,” I shouted over their playful banter before I left the room.

  The giddiness I felt after leaving Nadia’s room felt nothing short of amazing. I had to admit that Aldris had been making a big effort to get our family back to the way we were. He was doing better about including me on decisions concerning Jessica, and he was spending a lot more time with Nadia. He left no room for complaints, and for the first time in a while, I allowed myself to settle into the fact that this blended family would actually work.

  Today was both Nadia’s and Jessica’s parties, and I had full confidence that Aldris was going to somehow make this thing work. I took a quick shower, and after I jumped out, I pulled my curly brown hair up into a ponytail. Then I put on my skinny-leg denim jeans, black Nine West flip-flops, and my double-layered black-gold tank top.

  When I came out of the bedroom, Aldris met me in the doorway. He licked his lips. “You’re looking good, Mama.”

  I kissed him. “Thanks, baby, but I have to go. I wish I could’ve given you a little loving before it was time for me to leave,” I said sexily to him.

  He playfully popped me on the ass. “I’ll handle that later,” he assured me with a wink.

  I giggled. “Oh, yes, you will. See you in a bit.”

  We kissed again, and I left to go gather the items for Nadia’s party. It seemed like everybody in Atlanta was at every stop I had to make. By the time I ran around to get the cake, the balloons, and the motorized scooter that Aldris and I had got Nadia for her birthday, I was damn near ready for somebody else to actually take her to the party. When I got home, it was nearly 12:15 p.m.

  “Hey, the stores were jammed packed today,” I said as I ran into the house, completely exhausted. “Is Nadia ready?”

  Aldris stood up, with his wallet and keys in hand. “All save for her hair.”

  I hit my head. “Jeez, Louise. I have to do her hair.”

  Aldris walked up to me, pulled me into his arms, and gave me a reassuring hug. Cocooned in his embrace, I felt a calm fall over me instantly. “It’s a party. Do a simple ponytail and call it a day. Do you need my help with anything else?”

  His soothing words put everything into perspective for me. I was overhyped for no reason. “No, go ahead. I know you have to get to Jessica’s party. I don’t want you to be late. Everything I need is already in the car.”

  “Okay, give me a kiss,” he said, and then he bent down and planted a nice juicy kiss on my lips. “A’ight, Mami. You and my little lady get there safe and enjoy yourselves. I’ll see you soon.”

  “A’ight, Papi. See you in a bit.”

  “All right, baby.” He patted my rear end again. “I can’t wait for later on. My gawd,” he joked before he left.

  Hurriedly, I put Nadia’s hair into a ponytail, and then we headed out the door. I wanted to get to Jumpin’ Jamboree to make sure that the food and drinks were good to go and that the decorations were set up. Admittedly, I was a little over the top about the party since this was actually the first one that I was able to throw for Nadia at an actual party establishment. All her previous parties had been at the park or at my mom’s house because I hadn’t been able to afford Chuck E. Cheese’s, Putt-Putt’s, or Jumpin’ Jamboree’s price tags. While I had made every birthday party fun for Nadia, it was also a painful reminder that I couldn’t give my daughter the few desirable experiences that she wanted. So, this year when she’d asked me to give her a Jumpin’ Jamboree party, I was all over it. That was a big deal for both of us.

  When I got there at a quarter to one, the rented room space looked amazing. Everything was decorated in the Raven’s Home television show theme. My mom and Ms. Lily were there when I arrived, along with LaMeka and her kids, Mike and his kids, and some white guy.

  “Hey, everyone,” I greeted when I walked into the jump area.

  “Abuela, Grandma Lily,” Nadia said, running up and hugging her grandmothers.

  While the gra
nds doted on Nadia, I walked over to LaMeka and Mike. “Hey, you guys.” I hugged each of them. “Mike, I’m so glad you were able to bring your kids.”

  “Oh, yeah. I wasn’t gonna miss Nadia’s party. Nothing against Jennifer or Jessica, but you know Nadia is my little buddy. So where’s Dri?”

  “At Jessica’s party. He’ll be here in another hour or so.”

  “Okay, cool. You need any help with anything?”

  “Yeah, I do. First off, did you meet my homegirl LaMeka?”

  He nodded. “Kinda. We spoke.”

  I turned to LaMeka. “This is one of my besties, LaMeka, and LaMeka, this is Aldris’s best friend, Mike.”

  LaMeka looked at me kind of funny, and Mike laughed. “Yeah, I’m the one that gave Lucinda a hard time when she first started dating Aldris,” he confessed.

  “I thought so,” LaMeka said, shaking his hand. “So I guess you two have mended things.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Mike and I answered simultaneously. We spun around to face each other and quickly called, “Jinx, double jinx, triple jinx.”

  “Man, give it up. Isn’t it bad enough that I’ve already whipped your ass three times on Guitar Hero? You can’t win with me,” I joked.

  “Whatever, Lu. I got you this Friday, though. You damn sure ain’t gonna beat me at Madden.”

  I fanned him off and looked at LaMeka. “And that’s what he said about Guitar Hero.”

  He and LaMeka burst into laughter.

  “You two are some damn clowns,” LaMeka said.

  “Yeah, he is,” I said, playfully nudging Mike. “And where are my babies?” I asked, looking around for LaMichael and Tony Jr.

  “Child, you know they are already in the inflatable with Nadia,” LaMeka said and pointed them out. “I have someone I’d like you to meet.” She pulled the white guy forward. “This is the man I was telling you about, Gavin Randall. Gavin, this is one of my best friends, Lucinda.”

  Talk about stunned. I was shocked out of my mind. He really was white. I thought she had meant “white,” as in having a really bright complexion, like Tony, but this dude was really Caucasian. But, hey, whatever floated her boat. I was just thankful it wasn’t Tony on her arm. White or not, dude was fly as hell and fine as hell too. Go, Meka. Go ’head and get down.

  I shook his hand. “Pleased to finally meet you. Please enjoy yourself. You’re in the clique now. My fiancé, Aldris, will be here later on. This is his best friend, Mike.”

  “Nice to meet you. LaMeka tells me about you, Charice, and Trinity all the time.” He shook Mike’s hand. “Nice to meet you, bruh.”

  Mike nodded. “Likewise, man.”

  I offered Mike the keys to my car. “I have the cake, some balloons, and her gift in my car.”

  “I got you,” he said and took the keys out of my hand.

  “I’ll help,” Gavin offered. The two of them walked out to get the rest of the party items.

  “Well, he did a complete three-sixty,” LaMeka said once they were out of earshot.

  “Yes, he did, and I’m glad. Lucinda is a great person,” Ms. Lily said from behind.

  LaMeka and I both turned around, and I hugged her. “Thanks, Mama Lily. I’m so glad you could make it.” I waved my hand at LaMeka. “This is one of my best friends, LaMeka,” I said.

  Ms. Lily hugged her. “You’re in the wedding, aren’t you?” she asked.

  “Oh, yes, ma’am. I wouldn’t miss these nuptials for the world.”

  “Are you going to Jessica’s party?” I asked Ms. Lily curiously.

  “I’m not dealing with Al’s attitude. I will probably go there once he gets here,” she said. Their relationship had been rocky ever since she had begun dating again. Well, that and the fact that Aldris had caught her and her beau, Mr. Franklin, having sex.

  After taking her hand in mine, I caressed it lovingly. “I understand. It’ll be all right.”

  My mom walked up and hugged me from behind. “Ay, hija, you’re stealing my company?” she asked, referring to Ms. Lily.

  I turned around and hugged her back. “No, ma’am. I’ll let you two ladies have at it.”

  “Aw. You two make me wish I had a daughter,” Ms. Lily cooed.

  “You do,” I assured her and hugged her.

  LaMeka whipped out her camera and hollered, “Moment.” All three of us posed, and she snapped away.

  The party was moving along just fine. Within ten minutes, there were eighteen children at Nadia’s party, and they were all having a blast. Mike, Gavin, LaMeka, and I all sat around joking and watching the children play. LaMeka and Mike took great pictures for me and even caught me clowning and jumping on one of those inflatables with Nadia.

  I kept eyeing the time, and after about fifty minutes, I wanted to call Aldris, but I decided to give it a minute. I didn’t want to seem too pushy. It was Jessica’s day too, but when five minutes after two arrived and he still hadn’t shown up, I had to make that call. At least I needed to make sure he was okay.

  While everyone was in the jump area, I stepped into Nadia’s party room and called him. No answer. Shit. “Hi, Aldris,” I said to his voicemail. “Baby, call me. I’m getting a little concerned. I hope you’re okay and all is well. Nadia is going to be eating in the next twenty minutes or so. Give me a call. Love you.” I hung up and walked back into the jump area, where LaMeka and the crew were.

  “Hey there, stranger,” Ms. Ana, Raul’s mom, said to me.

  Gasping, I hugged her tightly. “Ms. Ana, it’s so good to see you. I’m so glad you could make it.”

  “I was determined not to miss my niña’s big party. Where is she?”

  “Playing with the other kids. My mom and Aldris’s mom are in the play area, watching over them.”

  “Okay, well, I’m going to grab a seat in there with them.” She hugged me again. “It’s so good to see you.”

  “You too,” I said, gripping her tightly.

  “Is that her other grandma?” Mike asked when I sat back down.

  “Yes. The resemblance is shocking, isn’t it?”

  Mike and Gavin both nodded in agreement.

  “Is her dad coming?” Gavin asked me.

  “Hell would freeze over first,” I answered.

  “Gotcha.” Gavin put up his hands, as if he were backing away from that conversation.

  “Did you talk to Dri? It’s getting kinda late,” Mike said.

  I shook my head. “Nope. I left a message.”

  “I’ll try him,” Mike said, then got up to go and call.

  To no avail. He returned a minute later and shook his head.

  I pretended like I wasn’t bothered by Aldris’ tardiness, but it was quickly chipping away at me. I kept myself occupied by trippin’ with LaMeka, Gavin, and Mike, but with every minute that passed, I got more pissed off. Even Aldris’ mom tried to call him, and she didn’t get an answer. At 2:20 p.m., when Mike came back and told me that he hadn’t got an answer for the second time, I decided to step away and call again. And—surprise, surprise—I got his voicemail again.

  “Aldris. This isn’t funny. You need to give me a call or something. You promised me and Nadia you’d be here. Now come on. She’ll be cutting her cake at exactly two forty. Bye.”

  “Still no answer?” Mike said from behind me.

  I shook my head in frustration. “No.”

  “Hey, it’s okay. He’ll show up, and I’m sure with a good explanation,” Mike said and hugged me. “Don’t get upset.”

  “I’m trying, Mike. I am.”

  After I took a beat to shake off my rising anger, we walked back to the party room, where my mom and Ms. Lily had herded the kids. Mike, Gavin, and LaMeka helped me set up the plates with the pizza and the juice drinks. After I made sure everyone had enough pizza and juice, I slipped off to call Aldris again.

  “Aldris. It’s two thirty-eight. I’m about to bring out Nadia’s cake in two minutes. In exactly two minutes, you better be here,” I seethed angrily to his voicemail and hung up.


  My eyes hawked the clock and the entrance as I paced around until 2:41 p.m. It was then that LaMeka approached me. “Honey, do you think we should wait any longer for Aldris? It’s coming up on a quarter till, and they’ll charge you extra if you go over your party time.”

  LaMeka’s words were the realization that Aldris had broken his promise to me and, worst of all, to Nadia. That searing pain caused emotions to well up, and tears threatened to spring forth from my eyes. Quickly, I swiped the single tear that managed to fall. It wasn’t that I was sad. I was mad as hell. The only problem was I refused to show that to anyone, so I had to tamp down my emotions.

  “No, let’s go ahead and do this.”

  LaMeka sat the cake on the table, stuck in the number seven candle, and lit it. Then I crowned Nadia with her birthday tiara.

  “All right, everybody, are we ready to sing ‘Happy Birthday’?” I asked, making a big effort to be excited. All the kids hollered yes, so I directed everyone. “Okay, everybody, on the count of three,” I said. Then I did the countdown, and everybody sang “Happy Birthday” to Nadia.

  After the song, Nadia leaned on me and whispered, “Where’s Daddy?”

  Right then, my heart ripped in half. Unless Aldris had been involved in an accident and was laid up in Grady, unconscious, he was going to have hell to pay with me. I promised I was going to stick my foot so far up his ass that he’d need a team of surgeons to physically remove it. I was that serious and that angry.

  Piss me off, shit on me, and dog me out even, but he had crossed the wrong muthafucking line when he’d walked over my baby girl’s feelings. Now that . . . that was a deal breaker. Now I was in “Fuck ’em” girl mode, because the shit had definitely hit the fucking fan. Nobody—absolutely nobody—hurt Nadia. I hadn’t let her raggedy-ass father get away with treating her like trash, so I damn sure was not going to allow Aldris to do the same.

  “Um, I’m sure he’s on his way. For now, just blow out the candle, and don’t forget to make a wish,” I whispered.

  She closed her eyes, made a wish, then blew out her candle.