AUGUST, page 25
Although she wasn’t quite showing yet, Asia smiled through her tears and touched her belly. We clutched each other’s hands tighter as the doors of the church opened. The faces in the crowd were who I expected to see here. Papa Bands and those of Jericho’s family who supported us, and the countless fingers that sprouted off forming the Smith, Summers, and Wells clan were here piled into First Baptist Church to watch Asia and I say I do to the men who came into our lives, who loved us beyond measure.
I was proof that life could start off horribly and transform into the most beautiful of adventures. Someone tried to break me. However, what he didn’t know was that there was a man like Jericho Bands walking the earth, who wouldn’t play about me or the son I created with another man. Another man who also would never play about me. Our paths crossed and could’ve never overlapped. However, they did. August and I were sealed by a son. We were also sealed by familyhood.
As the piano player worked the keys, I walked toward Jericho, seeing everything and more in his eyes. I was where I was supposed to be. My past be damned.
Hours later, Jericho’s hands caressed my belly as we laid under the Florida sun. Our honeymoon consisted of a trip to Destin, not too far from home because we were really doing this just to come to the beach. If anyone asked me, we had a honeymoon every day.
That was life with Jericho. Every day, I felt like this was always supposed to be my outcome. We went to work together, came home together, raised June together, and would continue to grow together.
“We have one final booth left, and I would love to offer it to you.”
The young lady sitting across from my desk smiled. She was so pretty with her blonde, curly taper fade. ZaZa as she was known on social media, was a badass barber from Orlando. Her husband was a doctor, and they shared three small children. ZaZa requested to work part-time just so she could have something to do while her kids were at school.
“I’d love to join,” she replied with a smile.
Just then, loud talking caused my ears to perk up.
“Hold on, one second,” I told her, then carefully stood from my desk. Jericho had left the shop for a minute, so I was sure whoever was out here making all this damn noise knew my man wasn’t on the premises.
Entering the lobby, I screwed my face up at Nesha and two of her bodyguards.
This bitch.
Peace couldn’t exist without a woman like Nesha coming around to fuck it up. Asia had been minding her business, handling business, making money, and making content. It was evident that her happiness rubbed some women the wrong fucking way.
Plus, Nesha had fallen off lately. Her music was still good. However, her light was starting to dim. This was surely because she was going around being nasty for no reason. Asia didn’t give a damn about Nesha constantly shading her on the internet. All it said was that Asia lived rent fucking free in Nesha’s mind.
Nesha reminded me a lot of Latoya. Jericho’s sister hadn’t once reached out to apologize for any of the shit she said about me, and that was still cool. She wasn’t the one I had to lay next to. With the amount of jealousy that girl harbored, it was a wonder she could even live life. Jericho’s mother was right up there with Latoya. Neither of them had a caring bone in their bodies.
“I know you saw my refund request, hoe!”
“Aye, aye, chill out!” Meli, one of the barbers warned. He was one that looked out for me and Asia whenever Jericho and August were off the premises. Speaking of August, he came into the barbershop ready to tear everything the fuck up.
“Get the fuck out!” He grabbed the one bodyguard, Lew, and hauled him back outside. They started throwing blows, causing everyone who was inside the shop to spring into action. One thing my son’s dad could do was talk little shit and beat a nigga’s ass.
“Fuck him up!” Nesha shouted as her other bodyguard ran out to help jump August. He was tearing Lew’s ass the fuck up, though. Tez ran from Lily’s to try to break shit up. He wasn’t quite strong enough to handle the three raging bulls, though.
“No!” Asia’s pregnant ass wanted to go help her man. Petey, one of the other barbers, held me and her back. Pregnant and all, I wanted Nesha who had caused this shit to boil over the way it did.
Next thing we all knew, Jericho’s tires screeched in the parking lot, sending the smell of burning rubber through the air. He hopped out and went to work. August had been handling the bodyguards, respectfully.
But my man… He was another caliber of fighter. One minute the bodyguard was on his feet, the next Jericho body slammed him on his back. The amount of sound effects that went off made it seem like we were surrounded by a bunch of boxing fans watching Roy Jones Jr. knock a nigga out.
Seeing that her people weren’t going to win this battle, Nesha turned her sights on Asia. She charged toward her. Not wanting to put his hands on a woman, Petey pushed her back. I could tell he was holding himself back, though, especially when Nesha started attacking him.
“I got y’all.” In a flash, ZaZa flew from behind me. She stunned Nesha with the way she yoked her ass up and dragged her out of the shop. Nesha was a stallion, but so was ZaZa. The two of them started going at it. Asia and I glanced at each other in shock.
“Don’t bring yo’ ass back ‘round here, bitch!” ZaZa was whooping and slanging ass all over the parking lot until Nesha had enough.
Police cars swerved into the parking lot to a fucking riot. It took too long for them to get everything under control.
With my hands on my hips, I shook my head at a roughed-up Nesha who’s wig laid in the middle of the ground. Her bodyguards were out of breath and bleeding like they had been jumped by fifty niggas.
“All ‘cause of a refund,” I murmured.
Asia smacked her teeth. “Girl, I’m not givin’ her the money back when she kept all my fuckin’ wigs. She just needed to have a problem.”
“And I solved it,” ZaZa added.
The three of us busted out laughing while we stood in front of the shop watching the police handle Nesha and her crew. Across the way, Jericho and August dapped each other up. They were really brothers for real. I loved that for them.
Chapter Forty-One
ASIA WELLS
Some weeks later…
Eyes closed, I held onto August’s hand as I skated down the boardwalk. The sun was going down, and clubs and restaurants along the beachline were beginning to fill. Amongst the cacophony of music playing, one song stuck out the most.
J. Howell’s Somethin’ About Ya caught on to me. Opening my eyes, I glanced at the man walking so casually beside me, observing our surroundings and making sure no one came near his very pregnant wife.
The fact that we were really doing this life together had tingling sensations racing through me. That boy who’d always picked on me, then the man who tried hard to fight his feelings for me was long gone. In his place was a man who wasn’t afraid to love me out loud. He wasn’t afraid to love me in spite of what the future held. He definitely wasn’t afraid to go to war behind me. I loved his ass so much.
“Keep lookin’ at me, I’ma carry you over to the sand and show these people why I’m so fuckin’ in love witchu,” he drawled.
Cackling, I closed my eyes back and went back to listening to the words of the song. Nothing could ever compare to the love I felt for August. Not even the fear of what was going on with my health outweighed the love this man had for me and vice versa.
Later that evening, after showering, I laid across my grandmother’s lap, reading to her as her hand caressed my baby bump. August and I were having a girl, and I couldn’t be more excited. In just a few short weeks, we’d be able to meet her.
This book I was reading had me in my feelings, though. The female lead character was pregnant and going through labor with the aid of a complete stranger. Yet, she’d placed all her trust in him just to help bring her child into the world. I choked up at that part.
“What’s the matter, Asia? I’ve been feeling your energy for months, and I’ve been patiently waiting for you to confide in me. If I can feel your stress, so can your daughter.”
Closing the book, I wiped my eyes and turned over until I was facing my grandmother. Her fingers came up to wipe my tears also.
“I haven’t been honest with you about something. I didn’t want you to worry,” I added.
Grandma gave me a crooked smile. “Of course, you didn’t, sweetheart. Thank you for caring about my aging heart, but I can handle it.” She chuckled.
For the next few minutes, I tearfully spilled everything to her including how I noticed my vision changing. I went on to express my fears with the pregnancy and if the tumor was growing back just as my daughter grew inside me. Her face bore the disappointment she felt in me keeping it from her. Still, when I was done explaining, she sighed.
“One of my greatest fears was losing my vision. Unlike you, I had a progressive eye disease that took mine. I pray it never falls on my grandchildren’s doorstep. However, carrying and birthing a child is arguably the greatest blessing I’ve ever had. It is a life that is filled with so many possibilities. It’s a scary life.”
Without her saying it, I knew she was thinking about Elijah and Regina. There would never be understanding where either of them was concerned. That was something we had to let go as there would probably never be any closure. I hadn’t heard a peep out of anyone associated with my grandma, and honestly, I was okay with that. I was sad for her, though. Like she’d said, motherhood was a rewarding, yet terrifying journey.
“Grandma?”
“Yes, suga.”
“As afraid as I am, I’d do it again.”
Before going to bed, I called my mother. We’d made the effort to talk more often. When too many days passed, I’d reach back out to her just to make sure we were still on the same path. So far, we were.
“Just checking on you,” I stated.
“Every time this phone rings, I think you’re going into labor.” The smile in her voice gave me comfort.
“Will you be here?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything, daughter.”
My mother really was trying to do her part in mending our relationship. I couldn’t expect her to make huge leaps when she’d lived in an emotionless state for so long. Baby steps were just fine with me. Although I made it a point to tell her that I loved her, she hadn’t uttered the words to me yet. However, I was content enough to know that she did. One day she would come around. That was one of my prayers for both of us.
My childhood taught me that I never wanted my children to experience emotional neglect. Even if I had my own issues going on, I was going to do my best to remain open and loving to my children. I was sure that Athena did the best she thought she could do, especially because of the way she was raised.
However, in being around June and becoming a part of the team that was raising him, I was well aware that generational trauma could be broken. Although I wasn’t taught how to love, I instinctively loved the hell out of that little boy. If he and I weren’t in the backyard skating, we were curled up under Gran-Gran reading. He was just like his daddy in that he was always making sure that I was okay. Even as a young boy, his heart was full and caring. I couldn’t wait for us to hold our newest addition. Fear be damned.
Just a few weeks later, the day came for me to deliver my baby girl. Surrounded by August, my mama, and Gran-Gran, we welcomed April Wells into the world. I swear the whole Summers and Wells clan packed the waiting room to have their chance at meeting our healthy baby girl.
Just a couple of weeks later, I was back inside of an MRI machine to learn my fate. Regardless of what the outcome would be, I’d do it all over again just to hear my baby’s first cries and see the tears in her daddy’s eyes. I’d do it all again just to bring life to a child and then love that child until I took my last breath. So even as this machine made all those horrible noises, I cracked a small smile.
I’d do it again.
Chapter Forty-Two
CAGE DOUCETTE
I walked into Nate’s room, assessing the cocky smile on his face as he watched something on the television. With patience that I didn’t have for this nigga, I’d waited months for this. Glancing at his monitors, I knew this would be easier than I wished it wouldn’t be.
“Another heart attack, huh?”
“Another doctor,” he gruffly mumbled. “What you want now?”
Moving toward the gurney, I said, “An apology.”
In true Nate fashion, he busted out laughing which swiftly sent his readings up. He clutched his chest and regretted the outburst. I smiled at the monitor, not making a sound. The weight of his health situation was written all over his face. Death was at his door, and he was scared as fuck.
“An apology for what?” he whispered.
“Félicité Doucette.”
Before he could stop himself, his eyes bugged.
“It would be hard to forget a woman as beautiful, smart, and sweet as Félicité. Don’t you think?”
“W-who… Who are you?”
Smirking, I moved directly to his bedside and tilted my head.
“It’s funny how you don’t remember me. You used to tell my mama that I had crazy eyes.” He didn’t join me in my laughter.
“Cage?” he questioned on a terrified whisper.
“‘Sup, Kingston—shit I mean Nathaniel. Or should I call you Mr. Wells. Or better yet… Pops.”
“No way!” He started coughing as he clutched his chest tightly. The machines registered his heart rate picking up, but it hadn’t sounded off. A little device tucked inside my pocket fixed all that shit.
“Yeah, about that. All ya boys look alike, dumb ass nigga.”
He glanced away and gulped.
“Since you had the weirdest infatuation with my eyes, while you look into these crazy muthafuckas, I want you to remember the fear my mama felt knowing she was about to die. Not only her, but Marie as well.”
Nate’s gaze shot back my way, and his eyes widened even more. From the way he breathed, coupled with the way his vitals skyrocketed, the inevitable wasn’t far off.
“That weak ass heart of yours wouldn’t have lasted another year. Consider me doing you a favor. I’m sure you’d rather a quick death than a slow one. Hm?”
Nate opened his mouth. However, garbled words fell out.
“I can’t hear you, fuck nigga!” I hissed.
He clutched his chest, and his eyes widened.
“You need some help?” I taunted.
“Before you black completely out, I wanna say thank you for my brothers. Me and those niggas are close as fuck. So close that I promised them you would see this day.”
He struggled to speak.
“Dr. Cage Doucette, son of Félicité Doucette. You took her from me. You took Marie from her sons… her mother, Lily. I realize that you blame yo’ own mama for yo’ hatred of women. She snitched on yo’ pops, got him locked up for life. To a young man, that’s devastating. You thought going into law enforcement would help curve your appetite for the streets, but it didn’t. Working deep cover turned you into a fuckin’ monster.” Chuckling, I added, “Sorta like me. However, we’re nothin’ alike, muhfucka!” Calming down, I swallowed and placed my hands behind my back. Finally, I could hear Nate’s labored breathing. Sweat dotted his forehead.
“You thought you became a ghost when they offered to let you stay deep cover off the record. You thought you could move through life fuckin’ up everybody else’s life. Thing is, it’s niggas like me walkin’ the fuckin’ streets. If you thought you were deep in it, I lived in fuckin’ hell. Duncan, Enis, and everybody else attached to you will meet the same fate for their involvement. Since I’m a part of you, I did you the honor of going first. Enjoy hell, muthafucka.”
Humming the same song that was played at my mama’s funeral, I watched Nate’s monitor until his vitals flatlined. I enjoyed listening to him struggle to breathe a little too much. Gritting my back teeth, I wished I could’ve put my hands on him. Ripping him in two was more my style. Turning back to him, I smiled.
This… This wasn’t so bad.
Epilogue
AUGUST WELLS
I kissed all over my baby girl’s face while we waited for Asia to complete her MRI. Dr. House was cool enough to give us the results today, so that Asia could leave out of here with answers instead of fears.
Our baby girl was healthy and as beautiful as her mama. She had the same eyes as me. All that mattered was that Asia saw the pregnancy through and brought our baby girl into this world without one complaint no matter how sick my baby got some days. April Wells had me wrapped around her fingers just like her mama and June. She couldn’t cry without me running to the rescue.
The door to the back office opened, revealing Asia coming out. She smiled at the lady who did her scan, then came to sit next to me.
“You’re gon’ spoil her,” she fussed, reaching for April.
“So. You don’t care when I spoil you.”
She snickered. I loved that my sweetheart seemed less stressed about her results this go ‘round than before. She’d gone without her medicine for months, and the likelihood of the tumor returning was on both our minds. Still, she handled her stress well today.
“Baby? If this goes well today—”
“It will go well,” I emphasized.
“When this goes well,” she cautiously stated, “can we have more children?”
Carrying April was easily the highlight of the last few months our lives. The joy of being married to the love of my life and playing this father role had me in the best mental health of my life. I healed for myself and stayed healed for them.
Jericho and Faith were already considering moving out to where Asia and I were. Their little one would be here soon, and we all wanted June to experience the fullness of what both his families had to offer. Living next door to each other would make June’s childhood exactly what it needed to be. It would be full of dope ass memories that would have him wanting the same for his own children. Jericho and I intended to make this shit a legacy that our children would carry on forever.
