AUGUST, page 9
Smiling, I said, “Good, ‘cause I miss him. I’m sorry about earlier.” Once I knew I wasn’t going to make it to the park, I texted Faith to let her know what was up. Mentioning Asia had her being nosey as fuck.
“Don’t be. How is she?”
“Better.”
“And you?” Her right eyebrow lifted in question.
I chuckled. “I’m good, baby.”
“You’re not, but it’s okay. I have a confession. She and I talk nearly every day.”
I turned my nose up to which she giggled.
“I’m surprised June hasn’t given it away. You are okay with us talking, right?”
“Of course, I am.” Faith would be good for Asia.
“Good,” she replied. “I invited her to the grand opening. Maybe coming from you, her ass will actually come. I thought I was shy as hell.”
“Stop tryna matchmake,” I told her. She smacked her teeth.
“Daddy!” Without a care in the world, June broke through the line. Faith turned the phone over to our son. As soon as he grabbed it, he nearly gave me vertigo with how he wouldn’t keep the phone screen still.
“Daddy!” he exclaimed. “Are you coming to pick me up?”
“If Mama is cool with it.”
“Say less,” Faith quickly replied.
“Yes!”
Faith scoffed. “You wanna leave me home alone?” she asked June.
“Bonus is here, Mommy.”
I shook my head and died laughing at the silence in the background.
“That’s a damn shame,” I teased. Our son told everybody’s fucking business. The fact that he hadn’t mentioned Asia’s name was kind of crazy.
“First of all, little boy, mind a child’s business. Gon’ and clean your toys up before your dad gets here.” She shook her head.
“Where is Jericho?” I asked. Normally, his ass would’ve made his presence known.
“He’s sleeping. Poor thing is worn out trying to get the building done.”
“I hope you made that nigga some dinner.”
“I did, thank you.”
“Good. Don’t be havin’ my dawg outchea tired and hungry as fuck.”
Faith smacked her teeth again, then burst out laughing. “Worry about your own business, sir. Like Asia. Your son will be ready when you get here.”
“Aight. See you later.”
After I hung up with Faith, I texted Tez to let him know to go ahead and close up shop for the day. Evening had begun, and I wanted to make sure Asia was straight before I left her for the night.
About twenty minutes later, she emerged from the back office, with a pair of glasses on her face. If I thought the last pair she wore were big as fuck, this pair outdid those. I had to laugh.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothin’, shawty.” Standing, I dapped Sammy and handed him my card to pay.
“Keep that,” he said. “We’re good here. Asia, if you need me, you know where to find me.”
Smiling, Asia said, “Thank you for all your help.”
We left Sammy’s office, but the rumble in my stomach had me making a detour before continuing to Ensley Shores. Tasha’s wasn’t too packed, so I slid into the parking lot. Once I had Asia out of the truck, we walked to the entrance. Inside, Allen, one of the waitresses I knew well, led us to a table. Asia slid in the booth grinning from ear to ear.
“You like this place, huh?”
She nodded. “I do. My appetite is shit right now, but I’m about to force myself to eat.”
“We can go somewhere else,” I offered.
“No, no. Here is good. Tasha makes the best potato soup.”
“Oh, really?” I teased to which she giggled.
“I mean, not better than you.”
“Not better than Faith,” I clarified. “If I would’ve made that shit, you would’ve still been on the fuckin’ toilet.”
She busted out laughing while I sat over here staring at her so fucking hard I didn’t see Allen return. Catching myself, I placed my drink order, then waited for Asia to do the same. Allen was off within a few short seconds.
“I want to tell you, thank you,” Asia said once we were alone.
“That’s not necessary.”
“It is.” She glanced at the tabletop before bringing her eyes back to mine.
It was like fire slicing through me seeing the bruise on her face and the dressing covering the laceration her strings had made.
“I’m the product of an affair, so you can imagine how much I’m hated by anyone connected to Elijah. As sweet as my grandmother is, I can’t believe someone like him came from her and my grandfather. Actually, both her children are a lot alike. My aunt just lives out of town and doesn’t bother me like Elijah does.”
Knowing how much of a fuck up I was even though Granny raised me right, I couldn’t sit here and be a hypocrite. No matter how angry Elijah made me.
“People do fucked-up shit. They just gotta be ready to pay a fucked-up price.”
“You sound like you know something about that.”
I didn’t bother responding, figuring it would make her drop it.
“I can’t imagine you being anything other than the man who likes to come read to my grandmother.”
My grin wasn’t broad at all. “Everyone has a past. It’s either fucked up, or it isn’t.”
Her eyes held so many questions. The position I was in right now, I wasn’t sure if I could dodge them. She had me weak for her, and a part of her knew it even if she didn’t want to admit it to herself.
“So, Faith and June. Is your past the reason why you’re no longer a family?”
I thought about sugar coating the August who existed prior to June being born. Then again, sugar coating was never my thing.
“We’re still a family. Just not the traditional one. I was a fuck boy. Faith deserved a hell of a lot better than the man I was. Not only is she a sweetheart, she’s beautiful as fuck. I couldn’t ask for a better woman to help me raise my son. It took a lot to heal my relationship with her, but we’re best friends now. Nothing or no one is gon’ come between that.”
I didn’t give a fuck. As tight as I was about Asia, even she wouldn’t come between me and the bond I’d built with Faith. Faith and I were committed to raising June in a healthy and loving environment. Welcoming outsiders just for them to cause friction was a fuck no for me.
She studied me for a second, her expression unreadable.
“It’s refreshing to hear a man speak good things about the mother of his child. If you don’t mind me asking, what was your turning point?”
Shrugging, I replied, “I fell. The pit was so fuckin’ deep that when I landed, I thought I’d never dig myself out.” I could never tell her the fall came at the greatest loss of my life.
“You like cars, huh?” she asked, changing the subject. I was thankful that she didn’t pry.
“Very much.”
“By the way, did you like the flowers?” she asked.
Nodding, I couldn’t hide the smile.
“I know it’s kind of strange to get a man flowers, but…”
“Nah, they were cool,” I admitted.
She beamed with satisfaction. “Just so you know, I really needed those flowers yesterday. It was a rough day, and they put a smile on my face. What you’re doing for my grandmother and what you did for me today… you’re really sweet.”
Seeing the softness enter her eyes, I thought about Faith’s request.
“When’s the last time you went to a block party?”
Her face fell into a comical frown. “Crowds aren’t my thing. I’m really shy.”
“We’re friends, right?”
Reluctantly, she nodded.
“If I promise to get you home safely, will you come out to support the opening of my homeboy’s barbershop next weekend?” I loved the way she blushed. It would be so easy just to make Asia mine. Hell, at this point, she didn’t belong to any-fucking-one else.
“Sure,” she finally replied.
The food arriving to our table broke the spell we had each other under.
Chapter Fourteen
AUGUST WELLS
“Here.”
I accepted the soda from Tiffany and took a healthy swig. Try as I might to relax, all I could envision was putting a bullet through Elijah’s heart. Picking up June and having him in my space didn’t even calm me like I thought it would. I’d rarely had this urge to commit homicide.
“So, spill. What happened?” King plopped down on the opposite end of the couch and took a sip of his own drink. Tiffany sailed by, catching his eye. Smiling, she backtracked, kissed his lips, then kept it moving to the back of the house where KJ and June were playing.
“This nigga put his hands on her.”
“Her pops?”
I nodded. “Nigga hit her like she was a nigga on the street.”
“And all you did was beat his ass?” King chuckled. “I should’ve been bailing yo’ ass outta jail.”
“Trust me, wasn’t shit stopping me but the look in her eyes.” Seeing how afraid I made her caused me to back off of Elijah when I should’ve finished his ass.
“And you claim y’all are just friends. I call bullshit, of course. I’ve seen the way you look at her.”
I paused sipping my drink to glance at my brother.
“I’m just saying. That shit was obvious as fuck. It’s true even if you won’t admit it. So, what’s the deal with her pops?”
Sighing, I scrubbed at my beard and tried not to get worked up all over again.
“He had an affair. Asia’s the result.”
“Shit.” King shook his head. “What else do you know about her?”
“She’s a dope ass wig maker.”
“I’m disappointed that, that’s all you know.”
“Don’t be. I told you it’s nothing between me and her.”
“Keep tellin’ yaself that, baby. The journey you’re on doesn’t have to be lonely. You have to ask yaself if Asia is worth it. Is letting her in worth whatever risk you take opening that door?” Changing the subject, King mumbled, “I could never abuse my kids.”
“Exactly. I figured I couldn’t find a more fucked-up parent than Nate. Being a father to boys is different. Boys learn to be protectors with or without their father present. But having a daughter and you treat her that way, leaving her to fend for herself in this evil ass world…” I couldn’t grasp such coldness.
“It’s fucked up.” A beat passed before he added, “I’m sure Nate is heavy on ya mind.”
Nate was a thorn in my fucking side. When I didn’t want to think about him, I did. I hated that a part of me still cared about that nigga. Putting my hands on Elijah did have Nate on my mind. I just refused to acknowledge it.
“Fuck him,” I drawled and finished off my drink.
Kingston snickered. “That’s really how you feel?”
“Isn’t that how you feel?” I shot back.
He shrugged. “It’s fuck him ‘til he comes at us correct.”
“So, you’d forgive him for everything?”
“Forgiveness isn’t for him; it’s for me and you. Holding on to resentment and anger won’t add a second to ya life, baby. It can still be fuck him and you move on peacefully and happily.”
I sighed and gulped another sip before responding. “As much shit as I talk, a part of me gives a fuck. I hate that shit. It’s like I’m betraying myself for giving a damn.” Admitting it to King was hard. I used to think all he did was judge me. The understanding wasn’t there that told me all my brother was trying to do was save me from my damn self. It took a lot of swallowing my pride to come to grips with the fact that King was never my enemy.
“Bruh, if anyone can cold heartedly turn their back on blood, then they have no soul. I hate everything Nate stands for. Still, a part of me gives a damn about his ass too. I’m not ready to let him back in, which is why I keep him right where he’s at. I won’t allow him to destroy the family I’ve built. Nor will I allow him the opportunity to shit on the love and peace I’ve built with myself, my woman, and our family. He’s toxic and I’d be damned if I let his toxicity ruin everything I worked hard for.”
We fell silent with me reflecting on old times before my mother passed and before Nate went to prison. My memories were few and far between, causing a sadness I despised to fill me. All I could really remember was that my mother loved me and King. Back then, life had seemed so perfect. King and I had a mother and father who loved us. That was what I thought. My mother dying wasn’t something anyone could’ve changed. However, Nate going to prison was absolutely something that could’ve been avoided.
Maybe that was where some of my anger still stemmed from. Nate was selfish in putting the streets before his own children. Because of such, he was spending damn near the rest of his life in prison.
Yet, you’re turning your back on him every time you ignore his calls. Imagine how he feels that his own sons gave up on him.
“As long as you’re happy, bruh. That’s all I wanna see. You’ve become the man I knew was always inside you. Just like always, I’m gonna protect you with my life—from anyone and anything. If leaving things how they are with Nate is for the best for both of us, then let’s do that. If you want things to change, we can make that step together.”
Kingston and I dapped on it. Soon after, I called it a night. I rode home with Asia on my mind. After giving June a bath, I prepared him for bed, then sat by his bedside watching him sleep. I wondered if he dreamt about life. Not being able to recall most of my childhood made me want to give June memories that would last him forever. My phone buzzed, momentarily distracting me from watching June breathe.
Asia: Have a good night, August.
Me: You too, shawty.
Shaking my head at what could be with Asia, I had to face reality. I couldn’t take it there with her. She was too much gentleness for my Teflon ass. One argument would have her hating me and her heart broken. She was too delicate. I saw it in her eyes as she quietly ate her soup.
There were too many times where anger, depression, and sadness ruled my day. Inside my house, I’d quietly sulk. Once morning arrived, I’d don my cloak and pretend as if I wasn’t living in my own destructively built hell. My world wasn’t fit for a woman as sweet as Asia. Getting up from the floor, I crept out of June’s room and pulled the door up just a little. He slept through the night, but I still kept his night light on, and the door cracked just in case he got scared.
Mama used to do that.
The memory of my mother standing at my bedroom door looking in on me as I waved good night came out of nowhere and sent swift tears to my eyes. Another message came through my phone.
Asia: I pray your dreams are sweet.
I swear I read her message a hundred times before I took a breath. After all she’d been through today, she was still wishing me well. The way she just stole my damn heart needed to be studied. A nigga had never fallen so quickly.
Chapter Fifteen
ASIA ANTHONY
It felt like I’d just closed my eyes when a loud crashing sound woke me out of my sleep. Jumping up from the couch, I looked around to see where the hell the noise came from.
“Bitch!”
Another crashing sound had my feet moving quickly toward the front door. Peeking through the dining room’s window, I gasped at seeing Tera in my driveway, smashing the windows out of my Range Rover.
Without thinking, in nothing but a pair of boy shorts and a tank top, I threw the front door open and rushed out of my house. I stopped short at Tera waving the bat at me.
“I’m gon’ beat yo’ ass, hoe!” she shouted.
Her foolishness had already woken up the neighborhood. Both of my neighbors and the couple across the street came out of their houses to inspect the commotion. She swung at my ride again, taking off the sideview mirror. Upon further inspection, this hoe had flattened my tires.
Not giving a fuck that she had a bat in her hand, I approached Tera angrier than I’d been in a long ass time.
“Don’t let me get my hands on you,” I warned her. Tera knew absolutely nothing about me other than what she saw on social media. If she’d grown up with me, she would know that, although shy, I didn’t play the disrespect shit. Having to fend for myself taught me how to stand on my own two feet when it came to dealing with bitches.
“Fuck you, bitch! Run up, so I can fuck yo’ ugly ass up!”
I had to giggle. There was nothing ugly about me. Even Tera knew that.
“You couldn’t wait for the chance to say that to my face, huh?” I taunted. Fuck the Range Rover. I had enough money stacked to get another one cash money if I wanted to. Stepping onto my property and threatening me was disrespectful and grounds for whatever repercussions got handed out.
“Bitch, please! You could never be me, hoe! Yo’ dusty, drunk, sorry ass mama was a slut and got slut treatment. Don’t be mad at my daddy ‘cause he did a drive-by on that bitch!”
To the core of my soul, I flamed on the inside. I inched closer to her because there was no way I was letting her leave without dusting her off something proper.
“Aye!” one of my neighbors yelled. “Get outta here ‘fore I call the cops!”
Someone had already beat him to it. I heard the sirens, and so did Tera. She lost some of her bravado and took off running to her car. I ran after her, catching her as she opened the driver’s side door.
“Bitch!” I went upside her head, the bat she’d once held in her hands hit the ground. “Don’t you ever come to my fuckin’ house! Is you fuckin’ crazy?” Tera and I fought like two strangers on the street. Only I wasn’t taking an L today.
As a cop car screeched in front of my yard, I ignored it and continued working on Tera. She wasn’t going to bring her ass back around here. If she did, I’d have a bullet waiting for her. Satisfaction came in the form of Tera leaving my house in handcuffs. I was all too excited to call the tow truck to come get her shit too. After all was settled, my neighbors retreated back to their houses, and so did I.
