Stories and Poems

The Owner of My Soul Vol 1: Chapter V and Chapter VI

CHAPTER V

THE PLAN & THE RETURN




I woke up in mad confusion. I just dreamed about my life like they were highlights. It was like my life flashed before my eyes. Like all my dreams, this one has a meaning. Somethin in my life is bout to change. I looked at my daughter whom was sleep right beside me. Today is her birthday and I have a lot planned for her. Then again, it’s JET, Damion and Karla’s birthday as well, so I should say we have a lot planned for them. I got up and went to the bathroom. I took a shower, got dressed, and called the SJE Constructors.
“Hello, this is Kenny Johnson, I was callin to verify the constructing of my daughter’s birthday present.”
“Yes, sir, it’s completed and ready to be used. It’s in the location you designated.”
“Excellent. Your payment is on the way.”
“Thank you, sir. Enjoy.”
“Thank you.”
I hung up and looked at my watch. It was 0830. I called UPS to see if my packages came. They told me it’ll be there in a few hours. So far, everything was working perfectly. I looked back in the room to see if Tierra was awake. She was still sleep. I went into the kitchen and made her a hot breakfast. All her favorites: beef sausage, grits, turkey bacon, cinnamon raison bagel with butter and cream cheese, and tea. I put it on a tray and headed to her room. She was just waking up, so I didn’t have to wake her.
“Good morning, birthday girl.” I said.
“Morning.”
“Got breakfast for you.”
“Oooooh! Thank you, Daddy.” I placed her tray across her lap.
“We have a big day ahead of us. After breakfast, you’re goin to take a bath, get dressed and go to your birthday party.”
“I’m havin a birthday party?”
“Don’t you always?” She pretended to think and then nodded. “This one is goin to be different.”
“I can’t wait to see. Is Mommy goin to be here?”
“Sorry, princess, Mommy won’t be able to make it.” She looked sad. “Don’t worry, baby girl, we’re goin to have lots of fun.”
“Ok.” She started eating. I went into my room and called Will.
“When will you be ready?” I asked him.
Noon.” He replied.
“Good. How bout Chris and Dre?”
“Same time.”
“That’s what’s good. Iight, I’mma be out dare at noon.”
“It’s on.” I hung up and went into the living room. I played some music and straightened the house a lil bit.
“Daddy, I’m done.” She yelled to me. I went into her room.
“I’mma run your bath water, get ready.”
I took her tray and put it in the kitchen. I ran her bath water, dabbed some bubble bath in it, put the auto shut-off on and went back into the kitchen. I started doin dishes and cleaning the kitchen. I heard the water shut off.
“Go ahead and get in, princess?” I yelled to her.
I looked at my bath monitor and saw her get in. I finished cleaning the kitchen and the living room. I threw down a lil carpet fresh and started vacuuming. I looked at the monitor to make sure she was ok, in which she was. I finished just as she called me. I went into the bathroom and helped her out.
“I’m getting old, Daddy.”
“That you are. How old are you today?” I asked her.
“4.”
“No you’re not.”
“Yes I am.”
“Uh uh.”
“Uh huh.”
“You’re at least 30.”
“No I’m not.”
“Yes you are.”
“Uh uh.”
“Uh huh.”
“That would make me older than you, Daddy.”
“Sure would.”
“I’m not older than you.”
“How do you know? You don’t know how old I am.”
“You’re 22.”
“Smart ass.” She laughed. I helped her put her clothes on. “You wanna wear sandals today?”
“Yep.”
She put on her sandals and sat in her chair, ready for me to do her hair…or should I say grease her scalp. I grabbed some grease and greased her scalp real good like. Her braids were still looking good.
“Iight, princess, you’re set.” I told her.
“So what are we doin first?” She asked.
“What time is it?”
“11.”
“We have some time to kill, so let’s play some games. You pick the game.” She hooked up the Nintendo, put a game in and gave me my controller.
We played until 1150. I turned everything off and picked her up. We walked out the room and downstairs. Chris, Toya, Dre, Yvonne, Will, and the kids were all waiting. We went out to the backyard. A lil ways back was a building.
“Kids, feast your eyes on your birthday surprise.” I said. None of them looked pleased.
“A big sheet on a building?” Karla asked.
“Sorry.” Will walked up to the building and pulled a dangling rope, unveiling what was under the tarp. “Now feast your eyes on your birthday surprise.” They all got excited.
“Our very own Chuck E. Cheese.” They all said.
About 45 of their friends ran from the house to Chuck E. Cheese. Our kids led the way. They ran in and loved what they saw. It had every game for free, a big ballroom, laser tag, and a lot of food choices. The rest of us casually walked in and sat down, supervising.
“Y’all got the otha gifts for em?” I asked.
“Yea, we’re all set.” Chris said. “What did you get Tierra?”
“You’ll see. Who got the cake?”
“I did.” Latoya said. “You’ll love it too. We’ll do that at about 4.”
“So what are we goin to do all day?” Will asked. We looked around and back at each other. “Why not?”
We all got up, got some beer and pizzas and started playing games with our children. I shot some hoops, which is a cheating way to win lots of tickets for me cuz I don’t miss. I ended up winning about 6,000 tickets in one hour.
4:00 crept its head around and we were ready to present the cake. Latoya went to the back to find 5 employees to help carry it. The cake was 8’ long and 3’ wide. It had all their faces on it, 4 number 4 candles on the foreheads, and were different flavors. The cake was designed to the flavor each child wanted. Damion had chocolate, JET had lemon, Karla had white, and Tierra had strawberry. As it was being carried, we all sang happy birthday. Their faces lit up as the cake was placed in front of them.
“Iight, make a wish and blow out your candle.” I told em. They looked at each other and Tierra led the count. They then blew out their candle at the same time. We applauded and took pictures of everything. “Iight, let’s get to the presents.” I looked at the big stack of gifts. “RiiiiiiiiigggghhhhhhtttT!!!”
“Don’t worry, they’re separated.” Latoya said.
“We took the time to do that.” Yvonne added. We all handed the appropriate child the appropriate gift. We took pictures of them opening em. It took an hour for them to open every gift before getting to ours. When it was all said and done, I went last to give my daughter her gift.
“Iight, princess, I have your gift ri hea.” I took her hand and led the way outside. She saw her gift and was excited to see her dream. She hugged me and ran to the $1000 play set that she wanted. I don’t know what makes a play set so good, but she was happy. Her friends joined her and they played in it.
“We spoil these kids too much.” Will told me.
“You’re tellin me.” I said. I went back into Chuck E. and had all the tickets counted.
“Sir, you have 400,000 tickets.” The cashier said.
“Bet. Let me get……the bear.”
“Good choice sir.” That cost all my tickets. The bear was soft, big, and cute. I put it in Tierra’s chair.

It was 7:30 in the evening when Monique’s presentation ended. She was in the hotel when her father came to her room.
“Sweetie, you did an outstanding job. I’m so proud of you.” He hugged and kissed her.
“Thanks Daddy. I need to call Tierra. It’s her birthday today.”
“Yea, go ahead. I’ll wait.” She pulled her phone out.
“No answer at the house.” She then called my cell phone.
“Hey.” I answered.
“Hey, baby, is Tierra available.”
“Let me see.” I went to find Tierra. “Tierra, your mother is on the phone. She wants to tell you happy birthday.”
“I can’t. I’m trapped in the balls. I’ll call her back.” She yelled to me, laughing. I started laughing.
“She’ll have to call you back. She’s kinda trapped.”
“Can’t you help her? I want to tell her happy birthday.”
“Sorry, I’m too big to get in. I’m not allowed. I have to follow the rules you know.”
“Well as soon as she’s available, can you have her call me?”
“I will.”
“I have to go. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
“Bye.” I hung up and attended to the alcohol that was waiting on me.
“Can you believe that? She was too busy to talk to me.” Monique said to her father.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Why’d you make me work on her birthday?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen.” There was a knock on the door. “Ah, Robert, so nice for you to come by.” Mr. Williams said.
“Hope I’m not interrupting.” He stated.
“Not at all.”
“Monique, I just want to congratulate you on a beautiful presentation.”
“Thank you, Rob. You played a big part in that yourself.”
“I had a lil contribution, but you did most of that.”
“Ah, the future of my company.” Mr. Williams hugged both of them. “You two are goin to bring great things to my company. I want you two on every big assignment. Y’all are the best. Please, let’s toast.” He poured the glasses of champagne. “To prosperity.” They toasted and drank.
A few hours passed. Mr. Williams left, leaving Rob and Monique alone. They were talking about life and careers.
“So why’d you get married at such a young age?” He asked her.
“I found the right person.” She replied.
“I’m sorry, but Kenny isn’t right for you. He can spoil you, make love to you, but he can’t treat you like you deserve. Besides, he’s a lil too violent.”
“I’m sorry about what happened. I really didn’t think he was watching.”
“Quite alright. Wasn’t your fault.”
“Kenny is a good man, but he has a short fuse with a real bad temper. It’s not that he gets jealous, he just gets defensive when someone is coming into his territory.”
“You can’t be happy with a man like that.”
“How can you say that?” She asked.
“I just see it.  There are things you desire that he’s not giving you… Things that I would have given you if you gave me that opportunity.”
“How would you know that?”
“I’m gifted with that sort of talent.” She laughed. “Besides, you can’t really say that you’re in love with the very first person you’ve ever slept with, ya dig?”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I can easily say that I will be happy for the rest of my life with the person that has taken my virginity.”
“Really?”
“Really.” He leaned in and kissed her. She kissed him back and then pushed him away. “I can’t do this. I love my husband.”
“I’m not goin to make you do anything you don’t want to do.” He kissed her again; she embraced him and took off his clothes.
“I shouldn’t be doin this.” She proclaimed.
“Then why are you?” He asked.
“It feels good. I shouldn’t have denied you after all your attempts.”
“Then don’t deny me now.”
“I won’t.”
They continued and did the very thing that I saw comin. Both were sober enough and in the right state of mind to realize what they were doin.

At the moment of penetration, somethin hit me. It was like a dagger in my heart. I pulled my phone out and called Monique. There was no answer. I called again and once again no answer. The fourth time I called it went straight to voicemail. The fifth and sixth time I called, it did the same thing, tellin me her phone was off.
“She actually did it.” I said to myself.
“Don’t assume that.” Will told me, reading my mind. “Use your gift to determine that when she gets back.”
“Good idea.” I decided not to let it bother me. It was 1020. A lot of the guests were gone. Actually, all were gone. “Tierra, let’s go home.” I boxed her cake and put all her gifts on the truck that was parked out front. We drove to the house. I left her stuff in the truck and carried my 4-yr old daughter upstairs. “You have fun today?”
“Time of my life. Did you have fun today?”
“Sure did.” I opened the door to the room. “Ready to go to bed?”
“No. I wanna watch Family Guy.” She said.
“Iight. Put it in and I’ll make some popcorn.”
I put her down and went into the kitchen. I made some popcorn and poured us some Pepsi. I sat down with the popcorn. Tierra plopped on my lap and started eating. We watched almost every single episode of Family Guy before falling asleep.

Monique finally came back at about 7 in the morning. I was awake lying with Tierra. She looked into Tierra’s room and stood at the doorway. I looked at her.
“Welcome back.” I said. I got up, tryin not to wake Tierra. I hugged Monique.
“I’ve missed you.” She said.
I kissed her, backing her up to our room and on to the bed. I took off her clothes and kissed her beautiful body, completely uninterested in actually making love to this woman. I touched her and as I went inside her, a vision flashed before my eyes. I saw the entire affair like I was right in the room with them.
Realizing this, I stopped and looked at her. She looked at me and sat up.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” She placed her hand on my cheek.
“I forgot I have somethin to do.” I took her hand off my cheek. “Do you have to work tonight?”
“No. I’m pretty much off for the rest of the week. What do you have to do?”
“Go to work. I’ll see you tonight.” I got up and left.
Anger was in my eyes. I didn’t want to believe she did it, but I now have the proof. I went to the office to clear my head. Will came in my office to see how I was holdin up.
“You hangin in there?”
“Just tryin to figure out what to do.”
“Why won’t you bring it up?”
“She’ll deny it. I have to catch her in the act.”
“And if you do, what do you intend on doin, taking pictures?”
“Yep.” I lied down on my couch and looked at the ceiling.
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I think Beyonce is cheating on me too.”
“You vision it?”
“Nah, just sensed it. If I was as skilled as you than maybe I would have. I’mma have to catch her in the act as well.”
“I have a strong feeling tonight will be my chance. By the way, remind me tomorrow that I have to take Tierra to get her shots.”
“Won’t be too hard. I have to take Karla. She’s overdue for her tetanus. My appointment is at about 9.”
“Mine’s at 8. Or somethin like that.” I looked at my watch and then back at the ceiling. “I’ll go home at about 6 or 7. For now, I’ll just rest.” I closed my eyes.

When I got home that evening, no one was home. I watched TV til they got back, which was 20 mins later. Monique had bags in her hand. I helped her get them through the door.
“Noticed we were a lil low on groceries so I went shopping.” She said.
“Nice of you.” I said. Her cell went off.
“Hello.” She answered. I couldn’t hear anything on the other end. Just her responses. “Why tonight?” Pause. “Can’t it wait til tomorrow?” Pause. “Iight, I’ll be there in an hour.” She hung up. “Damn it.”
“What’s up?”
“I have to go to the office tonight. Daddy wants to see me.”
“Iight. I’ll make dinner so you’ll have somethin to eat when you get back.”
“Thanks, baby.”
She kissed me and went into the room. Minutes later, I heard the shower running. For someone goin to see her father for a hot minute, she’s getting all fresh and clean…Hmmmm. I went into the kitchen and got some thangs out for dinner. Tierra was at the dining table doing homework. She’s been in her new school for a week. She likes it so far. It’s a private school, so not a lot of kids are there.
“Daddy?” She called.
“Yes, sweetie?”
“Are you goin to check my homework when I’m done?”
“If you want me to.”
“I want to make sure I have everything right.”
“Ok. Let me know when you’re done.”
I started cutting chicken breasts into strips. Monique came out the room dressed and smellin nice.
“I’ll be back in an hour or so.” She kissed me.
“Don’t work too hard.” I told her.
“I’ll try not to.” I watched her walk out. I put the chicken breast in a bowl, marinated it and threw it in the refrigerator.
“Tierra, throw some shoes on, we’re goin for a ride.”
“Can we get some ice cream?”
“Of course.” I assured her.
She got up and ran to her room. I grabbed my keys and watched her run out her room. I locked up and picked Tierra up. I checked my phone to see how much room I had left. I had enough for 50 pictures. Mainly because I still haven’t deleted some videos and pics from parties. I was goin to use them all. We got in the car and went to Monique’s office. I know I was easily doing about 150-160 mph on average. I’m sure I topped out at about 210. I was on a mission.
We got there in half the time. I parked right outside the building. I put a couple quarters in the parking meter and helped Tierra out of her seat belt. I took her hand and we walked into the building. We approached the lobby secretary.
“Where is Monique at right now?” I asked the lobby secretary.
“She’s currently in the conference room on the 4th floor with Mr. Williams and Robert Hughes. Do you want me to call and tell her you’re here?”
“No, thank you. I want to surprise her. Could you watch my daughter for me?”
“No problem.”
“Thank you, baby girl.”

In the conference room, Monique, Rob and Mr. Williams were talking.
“So that’s the plan for next month. You two will be known across the fashion world.” He sipped some more wine. “What do y’all think?”
“Works for me. How bout you, Monique?” Rob said.
“Ok.” She said.
“Good. I’mma go to my office and get the paperwork for ya, email some of the board members, and some otha long process stuff. Y’all can stay here or go home. I’ll call when I need ya.”
The way he said it was like he was hinting at something. Like a hidden message to utilize the time I’m gone to do freaky shit. Point is, he got up and left the room.
“I guess we’re goin to be around each otha a lot.” Rob said.
“Yea.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want what happened in D.C. to ever happen again.” She stood up and got on top of him. “Unless I initiate it.” They started kissing.
“What about your husband?” He asked.
“I love Kenny with all my heart. I’m not goin to leave him. I just neva experienced it with anotha man before. It feels so different.”
“Better?”
“Different.”
They started kissing again. He got up and lied her down across the table.

I got off the elevator and took my time to find the room. I wanted to be sure that they were doin somethin. I looked for the conference room and found it. I looked through the window and saw exactly what I expected to see. He was porkin my wife. Nowhere near as good as me, but enough for her to enjoy it. I took as many pictures as possible. I decided to text them to Will. I went back downstairs.
“Cha’mon, Tierra, let’s go.” I took her hand and we started to walk out the building. I thought about it and turned around. “Are you married?” I asked the lobby secretary.
“No, sir.” She replied.
“Please, call me Kenny.” I looked at Tierra. “Wait here, sweetie.” I walked back to the lobby secretary. “What’s your name?” I asked her.
“Eve.” She said with a little shyness.
“Well, I’mma get straight to the point. I think you’re a beautiful woman with a fantastic body.”
“Thank you.” She smiled in flattery.
“Since I’m going to be a single man very soon, I would like to take you to dinner and then back to my place for the best sex you’ll ever have in your life. Does that intrigue you?” She looked around and then leaned towards me.
“More than anything.” She gave me a sexy ass look. I smiled at her, returning with a sexy look.
“Go ahead and put your number in this phone so we can make it happen.” I handed her my phone and watched her enter her info. “Would you also be interested in a job with SJ Enterprise?” She stopped what she was doing and looked at me.
“Are you serious?”
“Serious enough to make an offer for you right now. I need a night shift secretary when I work long hours. What do you work here?”
“Monday thru Friday, 8 to 5.” She replied.
“How much an hour?”
“13.”
“I can offer you $100K a year by just working on call.”
“Oh my god!!! Are you serious?!” She expressed in excitement. “I don’t know if I deserve your kindness.”
“Walk out with me right now and the offer is yours.”
“That’s it?”
“That is it. We don’t have to do anything tonight.”
“What if I want to?” She asked.
“Who am I to say no?” I said, smiling.
She looked around again. She finished putting her info in my phone and handed it to me. I watched her as she grabbed her stuff.
“When will I start?” She asked as we started walking.
“When I call you. I will need you to fill out a few documents, so come to my office tomorrow.”
“I still can’t believe this is happening.”
“Believe it, baby girl.”
“I so want to fuck you right now!” She declared.
“Well, not in front of my daughter. I’ll come by after she’s sleep.”
“I will be waiting for your call.”
“Glad to hear it.” I took Tierra’s hand and we walked out the building.

The next morning, I woke up to find Monique lying next to me. I slipped from under her and went into the bathroom. I stared in the mirror for a little while. I looked at my body in the reflection and noticed a small hickie on my neck. I started smiling. Man did I enjoy Eve last night. I really look forward to tapping that on all late nights at work. The thought made me laugh a little bit.
I shook it off and started washing up and getting dressed. After I finished, I woke Tierra up.
“Wake up, princess; you have to go to the hospital.”
She started rubbing her eyes and got up. I ran her bath water and helped her undress. When she got in, I decided to wash her so we can move thangs along. I got her out, dried her off, and helped her get dressed. We were gone and out 20 mins before her appointment. We got to the hospital 5 til.
“Mr. Johnson, your mother is waiting in room 245.”
“Thank you.” I picked Tierra up. She was still kinda sleepy. She lied her head down on my shoulder. We got to room 245 and waited. Ma came in moments later.
“Hey, Kenny.” She said.
“Hey Ma.”
“How’s my granddaughter?” Tierra didn’t say anything.
“Like 85% sleep.” I replied.
“Awww. Well, Tierra let me explain what’s goin to happen. I have to draw some blood to make sure you’re still healthy and then give you a few shots, ok?” She nodded.
“I’mma be right here, Tierra.”
I sat down and held her in my arms. Ma took her right arm and a needle. Had Tierra been fully awake, she would have been scared out her mind. Just like me, she’s afraid of needles.
“Were you doin a full check-up or just blood test and shots?”
“I can go with full.”
“Ok.” She gave Tierra her shots and then checked everything else. It all took 10 mins. “Go ahead and wait in the break room. I’ll let ya know what her results are.”
“Thanks Ma.” I carried her into the break room and sat down. We saw a puzzle on the table and started working it. I then saw someone walk in front of the door. “Wait here, sweetie. Work the puzzle.” I sat her down and went after the person I saw. “SYDNEY!?” She turned around and looked at me.
“Kenny?” She said softly. She took a real hard look at me, not believing her eyes. “KENNY!!!” She screamed. We ran up to each other and gave each otha a big hug.
“Damn, it’s good to see you. It’s been so long.” I said.
“That it has. I wasn’t expectin to see you like this.”
“Damn, let me look at you. Good lord, you’ve really grown.” She had everything. Definitely the most gorgeous woman I’ve seen. I think I say that too often. Well, this is definitely the one time that statement is absolutely true. “Why you stop callin me?”
“It just happened. Why you stop callin me?”
“It just happened.” We hugged again, laughing about that. “How have you been?”
“So-so. How bout you?”
“So-so.”
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Yea, well, that may not be anymore.” I said.
“Why you say that?”
“Long story. How bout you? Did you ever get married?”
“Nah. I was engaged, but things didn’t quite work out. I caught him havin sex with his secretary on our anniversary.” She said so nonchalant.
“Damn.”
“Where’s Will?”
“He should be here soon. His daughter has an appointment.”
“Speaking of daughter, where’s yours?”
“In the break room. Cha’mon, I’ll introduce you.” I took her hand and led her into the break room. “Tierra, I want you to meet an old friend of mine. Tierra, this is Sydney. Sydney, that’s Tierra.”
“Hi, Sydney.” Tierra said, shaking her hand.
“Hey, Tierra. How old are you?”
“4.”
“You’re tall for a 4 year old.”
“Daddy says its good genetics. He thinks I’ll probably be about 6ft tall but I think I’ll max out at 5’8.”
“Wow, 5’10. That’s still pretty tall.” She looked at me. “She’s smart and adorable. Just like her father.”
“I try.” I looked at Tierra, “how far are you on that puzzle?”
“Done.” I looked at it and then showed Sydney.
“Her talents neva end.”
“That’s amazing.” Sydney commented.
“So how long have you been back in Cleveland?”
“Just a couple days.”
“What brings you here?”
“I miss my home.”
“You shoulda neva left.”
“You’re right about that.”
“We should really get together and catch up.” I suggested.
“Definitely. Here’s my new cell phone number. Call me.”
“I will.” Monique then came in the room. She didn’t look too happy, being I had a card in my hand with Sydney’s number.
“What’s goin on here?” Monique asked.
“Nothin.” I said as I put the card in my pocket.
“Who the hell are you?” She asked Sydney.
Sydney, this is Monique, Monique, this is my best friend Sydney.”
“Best friend? Well, I’m his wife.” Monique said.
“Maybe I should go.” Sydney said to me.
“Maybe you should.” Monique agreed.
“Hol  up, don’t leave yet. Could you watch Tierra for me?”
“Yea.”
“Mo, outside.” Monique turned around and walked out. I followed her and approached her. “What the hell is your problem?”
“I saw you take the number she gave you and put it in your pocket.”
“And? Sydney is someone I grew up with that I’m goin to catch up with. Like it or not, I will be seeing her a lot. YOU on the other hand don’t have the right to catch a hissy fit with anything.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Don’t worry, that will be explained in due time.” I then heard my name and looked at the TV above our head.

“Sources say that the woman stating the claim will remain unidentified, but it’s been confirmed that the baby’s daddy is Kenny Johnson. Tests have proved so and if you do the calculations that’s tellin you that Kenny has been messin around on his wife, Monique. We’ll keep you posted as more develops.”

I looked at Monique and saw tears come down her cheek. I didn’t say a word. I left the hospital and rushed over to Candi’s house. I banged on her door repeatedly. She opened it. I rushed in and slammed her door.
“Why you lie to the world about a baby?” I demanded to know.
“It’s no lie. There is a baby.” She replied in fear.
 I then heard a crying baby coming from her room. I ran into the room and looked at the baby. When I saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes. He looked just like me. I sat on the bed in shock. I then noticed an empty container.
“What the hell?” I said to myself. I picked it up and read it. “Ginod? I know this stuff.” I got up and showed it to Candi. “So that’s how you been doin it?”
“I don’t know what you’re talkin bout.” She crossed her arms, staring into my eyes.
“Stop the bullshit. Ginod is a drug that is commonly used to paralyze the mind so the body can react to its normal instincts. Can be inhaled, drank, or shot directly into the blood stream. It can also be transferred by a kiss. You knew that if my mind was out of the way, you could do whateva to me. You drugged me from the start.”
I threw the empty container at the wall. The shattering glass sound made her jump. I saw tears come down her face. I took a couple deep breaths to calm down. I then noticed a picture on her nightstand. I picked it up.
“How do you know my brother?” I asked calmly. She looked up at me. “HOW DO YOU KNOW MY BROTHA?” I yelled.
“I’m engaged to him.” She replied.
I looked at her, wanting to slap her, but instead sat down in awe and frustration. I then made a decision. I pulled my gun out and held it in my hand, resting it on my knee. I looked at her as I tapped the gun on my knee.
“This is what you’re goin to do. You’re goin to tell me exactly what the hell is goin on and you’re goin to tell me NOW!” I had my finger on the trigger and slowly started to point it towards her.
“Ok, ok…I’ll tell you.” She sat down and buried her face in her hands. She took a deep breath. “My name is Giovanni Orion. Most of the things I told you are true. I’ve been in Cleveland, bouncing around all my life. I told you I was engaged, but the lie was that I broke up wit him. I didn’t. I’m still with him. KJ is that perfect man that I was talkin bout.”
“Why are you doin this to my brotha?”
“It’s not somethin I wanted to do. I got caught up with the wrong crowd, did some bad things.”
“That’s still not answering my question.”
“Last year, I landed my dream job downtown. I had the resume for it, and it looked as if I was goin to get hired. Then somethin happened. A person very close to the management at the company found out about me and my relationship with KJ. He found out my background and was threatening to tell KJ about a certain particular incident if I didn’t cooperate with what he wanted.”
“Which is what?”
“He hated the person his daughter married. He wanted to break them up as best he could. When I realized it was you and what I had to do, I tried my hardest to get out of it, but he was moments away from tellin KJ.”
“Hol up, Mr. Williams is behind this whole thing.”
“Yes. He wanted me to have sex with you, fake the DNA test of my son, and everything else was goin to be up to him. I knew from the first day I met you I would have to drug you. He supplied that. He set Robert and Monique together because they used to date in the past.”
“What the hell?” I scratched my head with the gun in mad confusion. It was a stupid plan. “What did you do that was so bad?”
“Promise me you won’t tell KJ.”
“Iight.” I sat up and looked into her eyes, not sure what I was going to hear.
“Remember the incident that happened to KJ 3 years ago?”
“Yea, someone shot him that night of our boy’s birthday party.”
“Well, I was dating the man that shot him. I helped him set that up and followed KJ to the spot. When KJ was alone, I called my boyfriend and made the hit. One night, my boyfriend hit me, so I helped KJ plot on him, but neva told him what I’ve done. During that time, I got to know KJ and really liked him. We ended up getting to know each other real well and started dating. I kept that secret inside me, afraid that he would leave me or kill me.”
“Well, I can’t honestly say how he would feel and don’t blame you for not taking any chances. That hit almost ended his career. It really set him back.”
“I know. I really love him, Kenny. I don’t want that to get back to him. I was willing to do anything to stay with this man. I’m sorry about messing things up with your wife.”
“Don’t worry bout it.” I told her.
“I think I caused enough damage,” she declared, “I’m no longer playin this game. I’ll just tell KJ the truth.”
“Look, if KJ breaks up with you, call me. I’ll talk to him. I doubt he would, he’s a forgive-and-forget type of guy.”
“Thanks, I shoulda just told him from the get-go.”
“Yea, it would have been better that way. Then again, with me not on your side, I don’t think he’d forgive you.” I stood up and put my gun away. “Sorry for pullin out a gun. To be honest, it’s not loaded.” I smiled, as did she.
“It’s ok. I’m still alive. I know there’s nothin I can do to repair the damage I’ve caused, but I’m willin to try.”
“Ummm…..” I thought about that and started smiling, “No damage. If anything, I may be thanking you. So that baby in there, he’s actually KJ’s?”
“Yes. That’s your nephew. His name is Brandon.”
I went back into the room and looked at my nephew. I smiled and just looked at him sleep. I walked to the door and looked back at her.
“Let’s forget everything we’ve done and establish a new relationship.” I told her.
“I agree.” She smiled, as did I.
I turned around and left. I had to think of what to do next. I had a feeling my relationship was shot. I thought about it as I walked to the car and drove back to the hospital. Sydney was just leaving.
“Where you goin?” I asked her.
“I’m leavin. The last thing I need is BS from your wife.” She replied.
“Sid, don’t leave.”
“You’ll see me again.”
“How bout tonight?”
“What?”
“Let me take you out for dinner.”
“I don’t know.”
“You of all people know I don’t like to beg.” I got down on my knees. “This will be the only time you’ll see me beg.”
“Okay.” She said, smiling in embarrassment. I jumped to my feet.
“Excellent. I’ll call you and let you know what time.”
“Lookin forward to it.” I gave her a hug.
“I’m glad you’re back.” I whispered.
“So am I.” She whispered back to me. Little did I know, Monique was watching the entire time. We stood in the parking lot, hugging, for at least two minutes. “I gotta go.”
“Yea.”
“Call me. I’m lookin forward to catchin up.”
“There’s no chance I’ll forget.” I declared.
I let her go and held her hands, looking into her eyes. My best friend has finally returned.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
She kissed her fingers and placed em on my lips. I watched her walk away for a minute then went into the hospital. Monique was giving me an “absolute zero” stare. That’s the coldest stare anyone can ever give ya. Keep that in mind. While she stared, I looked at her with no emotion.
“What was that all about?” She asked.
“It was about two best friends setting up plans to try and catch up.” I replied.
“Let’s get an understanding. I don’t want her touching or even around my daughter.”
“Please, Monique.” I walked passed her to get Tierra.
“Don’t just brush me off, Kenny! Tell me what the hell is goin on!”
“As far as what?” I kept walking.
“You and this person stating to have your baby.”
“That’s a lie.”
“Yea, so some random woman comes out and says she has your child?”
“That’s bout the jist of it.” I went into the break room. Ma and Tierra were playing. “Thanks for watchin her, Ma.”
“Not a problem. Always enjoy lookin afta my granddaughter.” Ma said.
“Kenny, I need to talk to you.” Monique stated.
“Wait til we get home.” I picked Tierra up and gave Ma a kiss. “I’ll call you lata on tonight.”
“Okay. Here go her results.” She handed me a folder. “I think you’ll find a lot of that interesting.”
“Iight, I’ll look into it.” I assured her. I picked up the puzzle she was workin on. “Definitely gotta put it in her scrap book.”
We walked out the room and to the car. Monique sat in the car with her arms across her chest. I played music to not let her get to me. When we got home, Tierra was sleep. I carried her to her room and lied her down in her bed. I then closed her door. I went into our room, closed our door and turned on the sound blocker.
“You ready to talk now?” Monique asked with an attitude.
“Dish the BS.”
“I know you cheated on me. I wanna know how many times and with who!”
“Same goes for you.” I stated.
“That’s easy, I neva cheated on you.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“So what’s the next lie you gon swing my way? Tierra ain’t my daughter?”
“Ain’t any one lyin.” She sounded so sure. “How bout you admit that you cheated on me?”
“Iight, I cheated on you 3 times, same person each time. All 3 times, I was drugged so not only was it against my will, but I might as well consider it rape.” I became a lil more emotional. “Your FATHER is the one behind that. Not only did HE blackmail the woman that was involved, but HE supplied the drug.”
“That’s up surd, why would he do somethin like that?”
“Think about it. Maybe cause he doesn’t like me or my family. He’s been jealous of us since the get-go. He gets embarrassed by my father at least once a quarter. But it doesn’t matter what I did. I had no control over my situation. YOU had total control over yours!!”
“Kenneth Day’quan Johnson, I DID NOT cheat on you!!!”
“BULLSHIT!!!! You did it on Tierra’s birthday while in D.C. I tried callin you, no answer, then you turn the phone off! 2nd time was in the conference room the night you got called in!” I yelled.
“How dare you make accusations like that.” I showed her the pictures I took.
“Lie to me again so I can have a reason to slap the taste out your mouth.” She looked at the pictures and had tears in her eyes. I turned my back to her.
“Baby, I’m sorry.” She said, crying. “I don’t know how it happened.”
“You were horny and he was there. That’s how it happened.” She wrapped her arms around me.
“I’m so sorry, baby.”
“It’s too late for that.” I walked out the room and went into Tierra’s, locking the door behind me. I lied in the bed with my sleeping daughter. “Damn, baby girl, I don’t know what’s goin to happen. Things are bout to change, but I don’t know how much.” I held her hand. “I’m goin to make sure that no matter what, you will be in my possession.” I kissed her cheek and wrapped my arm around her. I fell asleep moments later.

It was afta 5 when Tierra woke me up.
“Daddy, are you and Mommy getting a divorce?” She asked. It was like she knows whats goin on.
“I’on know, sweetie. Things are not looking good right now.”
“I hope y’all can work it out. I don’t want to be a statistic.”
“You know nuttin bout statistics.”
“Uh-huh, a lot of people have divorced with children. About 76% of marriages divorce within the first 5 years of marriage.”
“Iight, so you watch the news. Don’t worry, baby, everything will be fine.”
“Okay.” She got up and lied down across my chest, facing the TV. “I don’t want you to go away.”
“I’m not goin anywhere. No ones taking you away from me, princess.”
“Good. May I share a secret with you?” She looked up at me.
“What’s on yo mind, lil bit?”
“If I had to choose, I’d choose you without second thoughts. Does that make me a bad person?”
“Nah, baby girl, that doesn’t make you a bad person.”
“Mommy hurt me when she wasn’t here for my birthday. It’s the 2nd one she missed and I’ve only had 4. I don’t mean to sound selfish, Daddy, but for the day I was born, I want to spend it with my mother and father….the people that created me….the people I love more than anything in the world.” I hugged her. I could feel her tears on my biceps. She was really hurting from that.
“You’re right, baby girl. You’re not selfish. Your birthday is your day and we both should be wit you.”
“You’ve succeeded in doin that, so I feel I’d be happier with you.” I kissed her forehead.
“We’ll see if things will come to dat kind of situation.” I changed the channel to Cartoon Network. We started watchin cartoons for a few hours. “I got an idea. How would you like to stay at your grandparents tonight?”
“Love to.” She said, smiling.
“Iight, get dressed, pack a bag, and be ready in two hours.”
“How long am I staying?”
“However long you want.” I got up and left the room. I called a restaurant to get reservations. Afta that, I called Sydney. “Hey, I have reservations for The Flow. It’s at 8.”
“That works.” She agreed.
“Did you want me to pick you up?”
“Nah, I’ll drive. Meet you dare.”
We hung up wit each otha. I went into my room. Monique was gone. I didn’t care at the time. I looked for somethin to wear. The Flow is pretty formal, so I had to dress up, which I don’t mind. I took a shower and got dressed. I looked to see what Tierra packed.
“How long you stayin?” I asked.
“A week.” I grabbed her bag and counted how many outfits she had.
“1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10…that’s my girl. You’re all set.” I carried her and her bag and we left the house.
“You look and smell nice, Daddy.” Tierra complimented.
“Thank you, princess.” I headed to my parents house. Ma met me at the door.
“Bout time you let me watch Tierra.” Ma said.
Opportunity.”
Where you goin lookin all good?”
“Dinner. Sydney and I got catchin up to do.”
“That’s good. Tell Sydney I said hello.”
“Will do.” I looked at Tierra. “Be good, have fun, and if ya need me, call me.”
“I will.” I kissed her.
“Love you.”
“Love you too.” I put her down and watched her go in the house.
“Take care of my baby.” I told Ma.
“Boy, get outta hea.” I hugged and kissed her. “Have a good time.”
“I will.” I got in the car and drove to The Flow. I pulled up for Valet Parking. I looked around and saw Sydney wearing an elegant black dress with straps and diamonds.
“You look good.” She said to me.
“So do you.” I replied. We walked into the restaurant to my reserved section. I acted as a pure gentlemen. After we ordered what we wanted, it was time to talk:
“Why’d you move?” I asked right off the back.
“You’re not wastin any time.” She said.
“Do I ever?”
“No, can’t say you do. Well, simply put, you know I was livin with my mom at the time when I was stayin here. She kinda ran into money problems and among otha thangs.”
“If she needed money, I meet her needs.”
“The money really wasn’t the reason. Remember when I stayed at your house for a week?”
“Yea,” I smiled, “it was spring break.”
“You remember why?”
“You neva told me and I neva asked.”
“My mom got arrested for use and possession.” She took a sip of her Pepsi. “Your dad found out and made a deal with the judge to hold on to us because we were bout to go to a foster home. He offered to watch over us, but the judge talked to my dad beforehand.”
“That’s how he knew where to find you. He came like at the end of spring break.”
“Yea, that’s why we had to go to LA. But we had so much fun.” Our food arrived and a bottle of champagne. The waiter poured some in our glasses.
“A quick toast.” I said. “To our friendship.”
“May it last forever.” We toasted and sipped.
“So how long were you engaged?” I asked.
“Bout 3 months.”
“How long were y’all dating?”
“3 years. We were in the same class at SJ University of LA. I was goin for my doctor degree. We started talkin and then things got on an intimate level and boom.”
“You succeeded in getting your degree, right?”
“No doubt. That’s why I came back. Your mother is goin to hire me. I had my physical this morning.” She took anotha sip of champagne. “So how long were you engaged?”
“Not long. Now that I look back, I prolly should of paced myself.” I looked at my ring for a moment. “It just didn’t end up like I had hoped.”
“You do have an adorable daughter.”
“True.”
“You know, since the day you stopped callin me, I kept a close eye on you. I watched all your games, wishin I was there. I missed talkin to you, but lost your number. I needed your guidance on so many things. I also wished I was there for you. I feel bad, but would have felt worse if you were on the verge of dyin and I not see you. I valued our friendship and want to be back to what we were. You were my best friend and I was yours. We used to talk for hours.”
“Yea, four way convo; you, me, Will and Candace. We be rollin the entire time.”
“Y’all are too funny.”
“Y’all used to say some off the wall stuff.”
“Not more than y’all.”
“True. Where is Candace anyway?”
“You don’t know? Her and Will went out tonight.”
“Say word.”
“Yep. She told me earlier today.”
“Well, Will prolly would of told me if I asked.” I stated.
“Yea, it’s good that y’all are still close.”
“Always. So how do you suggest we get things back to the way things were?”
“We spend time together. The four of us, since Chris and Dre have football.”
“Do you still play basketball?” I asked her.
“Yea, I had an opportunity to go into the WNBA, but I injured my knee my senior year.”
“Damn, how’s it holdin up?”
“Better. I need to go back to the gym.”
“Will and I are startin our workout program. You’re free to join us.”
“Sounds good. Candace said she wouldn’t go unless I did, so I don’t want to keep holdin her down. She was almost drafted, but pulled out when I got injured.”
“So that’s the agreement y’all have?”
“Yea. I feel it’s best that way.” She looked down at her hands and then back at me. “Kenny, I…” At that moment, my phone rang. I looked at it to see who it was.
“Hold that thought.” I answered my phone. “Yes, princess?”
“I’m bout to go to sleep and I wanted to tell you goodnight.” Tierra said.
“Goodnight, Netta. Sweet dreams.”
“Night, night, Daddy. Love you.”
“Love you too. Bye princess.”
“Bye.” I hung up and looked at Sydney. “Sorry bout that.”
“You’re real close with your daughter, aren’t you?”
“That’s my heart. We do a lot together and are hardly separated.”
“How does Monique handle that?”
“Not too well. What were you…” My phone rang again. “Damn, speak of the devil.”
“Answer it. I can wait. You have to talk to her eventually.” I thought about it and answered.
“What do you want?”
“I need to talk to you.” She said.
“I’m kinda busy right now. Besides, I have nuttin to say to you.”
“Please, it’s important.”
“Where are you?”
“At home.” I paused a moment to think about it.
“Iight, I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Thank you. I love you.”
“It’s on.” I hung up. “I really don’t feel like talkin to her.”
“You might as well. She’s your wife. You should try to stay with her.”
“I don’t know if that’s possible.”
“You cheated on her, she cheated on you. Even.”
“I was drugged, she wasn’t. Not even.”
“You have a point, but she is sorry.”
“Yea, that I found out.”
“She’s scared of losin you. I would be too.” She realized what she said. “I mean if I was her.” She took a sip of her drink and made a face like she just thought of something. “Why are you taking this so badly anyway?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well, you neva really showed so much hatred towards someone, especially a female. I understand she cheated on you and everything, but why are you so willing to end a 4 year marriage so quickly?”
“I have my reasons.”
“I would like to hear them.” I took a deep breath and drank the rest of my Courvoisier.
“I sensed some thangs for a while. I thought maybe I was just being paranoid. Maybe I wanted out of this marriage so bad that I was goin to see things.”
“Why do you think you wanted out of the marriage?” She asked.
“Missing my old life.”
“Kenny?”
“What?”
“I know you don’t think I believe that. Come on, tell me.”
“Damn, you don’t forget a thang. You still know me.” I smiled and motioned to the waiter to fill up my glass. “Iight, this is how it went.”

KENNY’S FLASHBACK: 22 AUGUST 2106

“It was the day after Tierra’s birthday last year. She was sleep in her room when Monique finally came home from her little conference or whatever she went to at that time. The first thang she did when she came in was go to Tierra’s room. She kissed her and apologized for missing her birthday. I stood at the doorway without her knowing I was there. I listened to her tell Tierra something that will always stay with me.
“Tierra, I’m so sorry I missed your birthday.” She began. “Mommy is doing big things. I’m trying to get in the work force, but at the same time trying to balance my marriage with your father and my relationship with you.” She took her hand. “Things aren’t going as well as I thought. I thought being married to THE Kenny Johnson would be absolutely a dream come true. I don’t know what it is, its like I want more. I’m not understanding any of it. He’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. Yet, it’s like I don’t kno what to do. Last night I did the very thing that I didn’t think I could ever do. It felt good, but at the same time, it wasn’t as fulfilling as Kenny. I don’t know what to do.”
The entire time, I thought she was talking to Tierra. Come to find out, the moment she took Tierra’s hand was when she was actually on the phone with someone else. I didn’t kno who it was, but I do know that something happened while she was away. That day, I kept an eye out for signs like this one.

KENNY’S FLASHBACK: 12 DECEMBER 2106

Another incident that happened last year was during the winter. Tierra was at my father’s, so I took the opportunity to have a heart to heart with lil miss sunshine. It was during dinner that I was goin to do this.
“How’s work going?” I asked her.
“Not too bad. Think I’ll be able to move pretty good in the ranks.” She replied.
“Are the people treating you good?”
“Yea. I’m like a princess or something.”
“Well, your father is the main guy and all.”
“Maybe.” Silent for a lil while. Then I came wit it.
“So how was your lil conference back in August. I never got to ask you about that.”
“Hectic. All work and no play made it a very boring trip.” She replied.
“What about the one you went to last month?”
“That one wasn’t too bad. Did a lot of work but also had time to enjoy my time there.”
I looked at her and paid attention to how she was acting. She’s usually not this way. So………non-talkative. I continued eating and figured I’d be able to pry it out of her.
“So you’re telling me that nothing special happened?” I asked her.
She looked as if she was thinking about it. “Nothing.” She continued eating. “Enough about me, how bout you. What has been goin on with everything?”
“Good. Still undefeated and dominating. Dad is talking about getting a few deals for us worked up.”
Changing the subject and deflecting……not cool. Normally I would rely on some other means to get the truth out. I wasn’t able to sense things like that at this point in time. That was until the last day I suspected her.

KENNY’S FLASHBACK: 15 MARCH 2107

I found myself in a difficult position. With the playoffs coming up, I didn’t pay too much attention to Monique. In fact, I wasn’t at home that much. I came home one night and saw someone just leaving the house. He was someone light skinned, suave looking nigga. I asked around to see exactly whom was he here to see. It was now time to ask Monique.
“Baby, who was that that just left?” I asked her.
“A friend of mine. He was bringing me something that I left at work.” She replied.
I started getting undressed, but as I was walking around, I noticed a few things. One, essence was burning. Not a big flag, but it did make me think.
“What’s with the essence?” I asked her.
“That trash you took out when you left smelled really bad. Figured I burn some to get rid of the smell.” Good answer, I guess. Next thing I noticed was the bed was undone.
“You just wake up not too long ago?”
“Yea. I was really tired.” That would explain her side not mine. “I was also about to wash the sheets.” Hmm, I wonder why.
The third and actual flag raiser was a piece of a wrapper on the floor. I looked at the wrapper and analyzed it. I came to the conclusion that it was part of a condom. I then decided to try my new talent out.
“Come here, baby.” I said.
She came up to me. I started kissing her and undressing her. I was actually surprised that she even wanted me. I lied her down on the bed and touched her. That’s when I felt it.
“What’s wrong?” She asked, noticing my look.
“I need you to be honest wit me. Can you do that?”
“Of course.”
“Have you ever cheated on me?” She looked in my eyes and calmly said……
“Never.” She put her hand on my face and said, “I couldn’t bring myself up to it. You’re everything I want and I don’t want any one but you inside me………unless its anotha child.”

PRESENT:

“I looked at her and believed it. There was nothing in her eyes that threw a flag, ya know? I decided to let it go.”
“What about what you sensed?” Sydney asked. “You knew she cheated on you the moment you touched her.”
“Yea, but I wasn’t really 100% too sure. Maybe my stress level….my jealousy…all that may have been a contributing factor to why I saw what I saw.” I took another sip of my drink. “At least that’s what I thought at the time. Now that I look back, I know she cheated on me. Just like she did now. I don’t know if it’s wit the same person, but I do know that there’s no way I intend on working things out with her.”
“I don’t think you should do that.”
“What are you suggesting I do?”
“Talk to her. Listen to her and try to forgive her. For the sake of your daughter.”
“You’re right.” The waiter came with the check. I looked at it and put in a $100.
“Of course I’m right.” We stood up and walked out the restaurant. “By the way, how much was the check?”
“$63.37. I had nuttin smaller than a bill.” I replied.
“Aren’t you expectin change?”
“Nope.”
“You haven’t changed.” She claimed. I smiled in admiration.
“Why should I?” I said, sarcastically.
I walked her to her car and opened her door. She got in, started it, rolled her window down and I closed her door.
“Call me tomorrow and let me know how it goes.”
“Fa sho, I’ll let ya know.”
“Hope so. Also, let me know when y’all start workin out.”
“I will.”
“See ya lata.”
“Later.” I watched her pull out.
When she was out of sight, I got in my car and drove home. Monique was sitting on the couch. I sat in my chair and looked at her.
“Please don’t say anything til I’m done.” She began. “I should have just admitted it, but I was afraid. You mean everything to me. All day I’ve been sitting here, tryin to figure out why I did what I did. No answer came. All I can say is I’m sorry and I promise it’ll neva happen again. I was thinking bout the first day we were together... The day in my room... When I showed you all my prized valuables... I love you so much, Kenny, and don’t want to be with anyone but you and only you. You’re my world. I’d do anything to make up for my mistake. I love you with all my heart and willin to keep you in my life no matter what. We have to stay together for the sake of Tierra and our baby.”
“Yea, you’re right. Tierra is the most important reason…..whoa, whoa, whoa, what baby?”
“I went to the hospital today. I’m pregnant. I wanted to tell you now before things get way out of hand.”
“Anotha baby? That’s slick.” I got up and hugged her. We started kissing.
“So do you forgive me?”
“Yea.” We continued kissing and ended up makin love for the first time in a long time.


CHAPTER VI

DEPRESSION & REVIVAL




The next morning, I called Sydney.
“Hey, Kenny, how’d it go?” She asked.
“We’re good. She’s pregnant.”
“Really?” She sounded more in doubt than happy.
“Yea.”
“Kenny, I’d look into that.”
“Why?”
“She may be just sayin that to get you back.”
“Nah, she wouldn’t play like that.”
“Yea, you’re prolly right.”
“By the way, we’re startin our workout today. Wanna get in on that?”
“Works fa me.”
“Iight, come thru at about 11.”
“What’s your address?”
14759 SJ Lane.”
“I’ll be there.”
“That’s what’s good. I’mma get some sleep. See you in a few hours.”
“It’s on.”
I hung up and looked at my sleeping wife. I thought about what Sydney said, but didn’t want to believe it. I decided to just get it out my mind and go to sleep, which I did.
At 11, I waited outside for Sydney. She didn’t let me down as she pulled into the courtyard with Candace. Will came outside and stood next to me. We greeted them as they approached and went up to the top floor. We started workin out. Both Sydney and Candace were in good shape. I then took Sydney to the side.
“Iight, I’mma help you strengthen your knee.” I said. We walked to the leg exercise equipment area. I spotted her as she worked out her knee.
“It still hurts.” She said.
“It will for a while, but you will be back to normal in a few days.”
“Days?”
“Yea, my program takes days.”
“Wow. I thought I was lookin at weeks.”
“Dad taught me all the necessary stuff about comin back from a knee injury. I hurt mine a few times throughout my career.” Sydney swayed her hair back. I could tell somethin was on her mind.
“Kenny, there’s somethin I think you should know.”
“What it is?”
“I looked up Monique’s pregnancy.”
“What? I told you, she wouldn’t lie to me and that was the bottom line.”
“I know, but I found it odd. I’m your best friend, I’m lookin out fa ya cuz I really care about you.” I took a deep breath.
“What you find out?” I asked.
“She is pregnant.”
“Told you.”
“But it’s not yours.”
“Say huh?” I looked at her in shock. My body froze up.
“A DNA test was conducted on her fetus. It didn’t match with yours.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I really wish I wasn’t, but if you don’t believe me look at her records. Not to mention your mother didn’t conduct the test.” My whole thought process stopped. I couldn’t believe what was just told to me. I looked to the left.
“Come on, let’s go to the punching bag.”
“Uh-oh.” She said.
“Don’t worry, I’m not goin to hurt myself.” We went to the punching bag. Sydney hit it once.
“Ouch. What the hell is in here?”
“I don’t know, let’s find out.” I started releasing all my anger and hurt into the punching bag. Will and Candace saw me. Will ran ova to me. He pulled me back.
“Dawg, that’s not just any punching bag. That bag is for hitting with one of our weapons, not hands.” He told me.
The bag busted open and started dumping some kind of maerial. Never seen it before in my life. My hands were dripping blood. Sydney noticed and immediately wrapped my hands up.
“Kenny, let’s take you home.” Sydney suggested. “Will, is the misses home?”
“Nah, she’s at work.” He replied.
“Good, let’s go Kenny.”
They helped me to my room. The gently laid me down on the bed. I looked at the ceiling in a zoned state. My mind was gone. My sense of humor, sense of reality, common sense, rationality, and mercy….my entire mental state dissipated and turned me into a zombie. I couldn’t tell if I fell asleep, or passed out, but I remember Monique comin home. It was raining outside, late at night. I heard Robert and Monique outside. I don’t know how or if I had a feeling they were outside. I couldn’t tell what was goin on, but I didn’t care. I had no shirt on, just shorts, socks and shoes. I headed outside with death in my eyes. When I opened the front door, Monique and Robert were in the car talkin. I approached the driver side, broke the window, and pulled Robert out the car.
“Kenny! Stop!” Monique yelled. I didn’t hear a thing. I slammed Robert against the car.
“You have now reached the final 5 minutes of your life.” I told him.
“NO, KENNY!!!” Monique yelled.
She got out the car and tried to pull me back. I looked at her in the most evil way possible. It scared the hell out of her. She backed up and let me go. I looked at Robert with straight eyes of flames.
“Your countdown starts now!”
I hit him in the jaw and watched him hit the ground. I kicked him a few times in the abdomen and head. His pain soothed my soul, but not my desire to kill him. I picked him up and rammed his head into his car. I let him breath for a moment, but he used his moment of revival to swing at me. All I did was dodge.
“I don’t know what your problem is, but you really pissed me off!” He said as he kept swinging.
“You really lost your mind.”
I stuck him in the mouth and then hit him 3 more times in the jaw. That’s when I really went off. I got on top of him and just wailed on him. I picked him up off the ground, held him in the air, and threw him on the hood of his car. I jumped on top of his car, picked him up again, and slammed him on the roof of his car. I jumped down, opened his car door, pulled his arm down, and slammed the door on it. He screamed in pain. I looked at my watch. He had 1 minute remaining. I pulled out a bat from my fountain. I swung and broke his leg. He rolled off the car, hitting the concrete. I swung 3 more times, hitting his back. I broke my bat on the last hit. I threw it away and looked back at my watch. I went to the porch, opened a secret compartment and pulled out my glock .40. I put a fresh clip in, loaded it, and pointed it directly at Robert. He turned over and looked at me.
“Please, have mercy.” He pleaded.
“Mercy is overrated. I rather serve you a cold dish of revenge.” I pulled the trigger 6 times, unleashing 6 bullets in his chest. I dropped the gun and looked at Monique. She had her hands covering her mouth as tears fell down her eyes. “You have 5 seconds to tell me the truth.”
“About what?”
“Tell me that’s not my baby in your belly.” Her eyes widened and the tears really came down. I could tell it was true. “So it’s true.” I walked up to her. “Say it.” She didn’t say anything. “SAY IT!!!” I yelled.
“It’s not your baby.” She said, sadly, unhappily, and embarrassed.
“You lied to me, you played me, and you basically just blew your chance with me. Have a nice life. From this moment on, you’re no longer allowed in this house. You don’t live here, you don’t visit here, and as far as I care, it doesn’t exist to you. I’ll send you your things. I’ll have my lawyer contact yours. I’m filin for divorce as of tonight. The next time I see you will be in a court room.” Her crying continued and worsened. “You did this to yourself. Hope you enjoyed the 5 years we were together. Our future is non-existent. So, you have 20 minutes to get off my property. You have that one car that I got for your birthday and that’s it. Go upstairs, get your shit and bounce.”
She looked at me and then ran upstairs. I watched her run away, then looked at Robert. I decided just to leave him there. I went upstairs and saw Monique getting her stuff.
“Kenny…” She began.
“You say my name again and I swear it will be the last time.” I assured her.
She looked at me for a lil while then grabbed her bags. She stood in front of me and looked me in the eyes.
“I love you.” She whispered.
She kissed my cheek and walked out. The minute that door closed, tears fell down my cheek. I released my first true love from my life. I lied back down and stared at the ceiling. Tears running long side of my face, I still didn’t move.
The phone rang 3 times that night, 7 times the next day, 10 the day afta, and 20 the day afta that, but I didn’t answer a single call. 4 days in my room; lying in the same spot; not eating; not drinking; not even sleeping…no visitors, and no one that even knows my condition. One of those individuals that were callin was my daughter:

“Grandma, I’m worried.” She said to Ma. “He always answers my calls. This is not like him.”
“Don’t worry, sweetie, your father is probably sleep or busy working out. He may even be in the shower. He will call you back, don’t worry.” Ma told her.
“Ok.” She sat down, sad, and watched TV.

The other individuals callin me were Will and Sydney. I knew they were concerned about how I was feelin. I heard a car pull into the courtyard.
“Oh my god!” Sydney said to Candace. “I can’t believe he hasn’t answered his phone.”
“This can’t be good.” Candace said.
I heard them ring the house doorbell. Latoya answered and buzzed them in. They went up the elevator and met up with Will on my floor. That’s when I heard a knock.
“Don’t you have a key?” Sydney asked.
“Yea, my pass code should still work.”
He entered his code and in they came. They came to my room and looked at my proned body.
“Kenny?” Will called. I didn’t answer or move. “KENNY!!!” He yelled. Still nothin. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say he ain’t moved in the past four days.”
“Could y’all wait in the living room. I’mma try to talk to him.” Sydney suggested.
“Go ahead.” Candace said. They closed the door and waited in the living room. Sydney slowly approached me.
“Kenny, it’s me…Sydney.” I didn’t move. “Listen, I know you’re not really in the right state of mind right now, but you have to bounce back. You can’t shut yourself out from the rest of the world. You’re needed by so many people; your daughter, your parents, your brother….even me.” She noticed I didn’t move. “Come back to us.” She waited a few moments and walked to the door.
“Do you know how it feels?” I asked. She stopped, turned around and walked back to me.
“How what feels?”
“To have your heart ripped out, stepped on, and burned to ashes.”
“Not exactly. I can’t say I’ve been that hurt before.”
“I gave up so much for the last 5 years. I changed my ways, my plans, and my future. I got away from the life I was in to settle for true happiness. I can’t say I wasn’t happy the past 5 years, but the way things had to end is not a way I’m really enjoying.”
“When did you kill Robert?” She asked.
“That same night. It was raining. It felt good, but not good enough. He’s not to blame. I feel sorry for him because he was caught in the wrong relationship.”
“When’s the court date?”
“It doesn’t matter. My life is far from being back on track.”
“Kenny, you have to get out of this place. If you keep thinking bout her, you’re neva goin to move on.”
“Maybe I don’t want to move on.” I grabbed the gun from under my pillow and put it to my head. “Maybe I want things to end right now.”
“KENNY, NO!!!” I pulled the trigger and nothin happened.
“Yet, I can’t.”
“Unloaded gun?”
Neva. It’s very much loaded. Every time I pull this trigger, it neva fires. God does not want me to die.” I said. “I’ve tried at least once every hour. That’s over a 100 times. I tried a different gun, but still nothin. God has a special design for me and won’t let me die till my task is done. I don’t want to be here any more.”
“Kenny, you can’t let a woman affect the rest of your life.”
“Why not? She brought me down to my lowest point. Me! Kenny Johnson has been reduced to a crying bitch. So you can’t stand there and tell me how I should feel cuz you have no damn clue about how I feel.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I watched a man I loved for three years have sex with his secretary on our anniversary night. Come to find out they’ve been doing it night in and night out for 5 years. She wasn’t just his secretary, but also my Maid of Honor. Then to go through life having every man treat me like their sex toy and still have otha hoes on the side. When you have a life like that, then talk to me.”
“You’re missing it. She got pregnant by another man, lied and said it was mine, and did it on our daughter’s birthday. On our daughter’s birthday, Sydney.” She exhaled.
“Come on, Kenny.”
She approached me and helped me get up. She ran a bath for me and helped me get in. Since she knew I wasn’t goin to clean myself, she turned on the auto clean system. She then helped me out and helped me get dressed. We then met up wit Will and Candace in the living room.
“Look, nigga, you ain’t bout to dwell ova Monique fo the rest of yo life. We is goin out tonight.” Will told me. We left the room and got into Will’s car. He drove to my former favorite club. “From what I heard, the past 5 years, this place has gone from off da chain to off da grid map wit a slap to yo mama.” We walked into the club and looked around. “Ladies, leave Mr. Johnson to me. We’ll be good.” They nodded and went to the opposite end of the club. “K-Dawg, it’s time to unleash the freak.” We walked to the middle of the club. Every girl we walked by looked at us, even the ones wit a man. This one girl actually approached me.
“Aren’t you Kenny Johnson, the sexiest man alive?” She asked me. I didn’t say anything.
“Yes he is.” Will answered for me.
“The magazines hold your real looks back. You’re way more sexy in person.” She looked me up and down. “Care to dance?” Will looked at me and then at her.
“He’d love to.”
She pulled me out to the floor and immediately started grindin on me. I had no control, my body was movin on its own. I danced wit her for a while until she no longer wanted to dance. She had somethin else on her mind.
“Kenny, let’s go upstairs and……get to know each otha.” She told me. I didn’t say anything. She took my hand and led me to the private room. “You used to have a strong rep, neva thought you were this quiet.” She sat me down in a chair. She started strippin and givin me a lap dance. Yet, she got nuttin outta me. “I know what will help.” She unzipped my pants and gave me some fly head. A part of me returned that died years ago. My eyes opened back up, my heart began beating again. It was like I was being reborn. I looked down.
“You know what, I think you done messed wit da wrong one.” I stated.
“What?” She said.
“I hope you ain’t doin nuttin tomorrow. You’ll need it to let yo pussy recover.”
“Heard that before.”
“Done that before.” I pulled up her skirt, picked her up and put her against the wall. I banged her back out like I neva did before. When I finished, she couldn’t do nuttin but sit there.
“Oh my god! All the rumors are true. You are a god.” She said. “I lost count of how many orgasms I just had.”
“25.” I told her. I buttoned my pants and tightened my belt just a tad. “Thank you.” I took her hand and kissed it.
“Call me.” She handed me her card. I smiled and left. I went back downstairs and found Will.
“You back?” He asked.
“I’m da man.” I said. I looked around and saw some bisexuals. Two to be exact. “I got da magic stick.”
I approached the two ladies, spit a lil talk, slang the flow and befo you know, dare I go. Both of them comin up to da PR. These two girls were some true freaks. At first, I wasn’t sure if I could handle em, but I banged day back out too. I got day numbers and went right back downstairs. Will noticed what was goin on and found the girls.
“Candace, Sydney, we have a problem.” He began. “We lost the Kenny that we once knew and got back the Kenny that was long gone.”
“What are you talkin bout?” Candace asked.
“Kenny has turned into a big hoe.”
“That’s a redundant word. All niggaz are hoes.”
“He’s goin to fuck every girl in here.” He bluntly said.
“He couldn’t.” Sydney said.
“Oh, he could.”
“His game is dat tight?” Candace said.
“Y’all have no idea.”

“Look it hea, I ain’t tryin to BS you.” I stated, talkin to dis fine freak from Parma Hts. “Er’thang you heard bout me is straight true.”
“So you’re really big?” She asked.
“How bout you find out?”
She looked me up and down and followed me to da PR. She was shocked and amazed. It was a lil too much for her to handle, but she took it like a soldier. I think I paralyzed 6 girls so far. I kept goin.
“We gots ta get dis nigga out.” Will said.
“Just grab him and pull him out.” Sydney suggested.
“That’s pretty much the only way.”
They crept up on me and grabbed me. They basically pulled me outside and into the car. I didn’t put up any type of fight. I sat in the back seat, trippin.
“Dawg, shawty wit da fat ass wanted to bounce on my dick all night. I was like, baby girl, I gotta save some fo da otha ladies……like the one you lickin. I banged day back the fuck out like it was nuttin.”
“Kenny, you’re conversation isn’t really appropriate right now.” Will said.
“My conversation isn’t appropriate? Where da hell you get yo edumacation from, Harvard? Appropriate? I’ll tell you what’s appropriate.” I stopped talkin and looked out the window.
“What’s appropriate?” Candace asked.
“Say huh?”
“You said you’ll tell us what’s appropriate. So, what’s appropriate?”
“Shit, I’on know. What type of question is that?” Yea, I was definitely trippin. I continued drinkin my Incredible Hulk and laughin. “I’d like to say that I’m glad y’all brought me out.”
“I’m not.” Candace whispered to Will.
When we got home, Will and Sydney helped me to my room. They helped me into bed and left me alone.
“I think I’ll stay wit him tonight.” Sydney suggested.
“Good idea. He’s definitely not takin this well.” Will said.
“I’ll call if anything happens.”
“Iight. Have a good night.” Candace said.
They left and went back to Will’s floor. Sydney went into the guest room and lied down on the bed. I decided to make a few phone calls, first one being to my daughter, not realizing what time it is.
“Aye, Ma, is Tierra around?” I asked her.
“Baby, it’s 4 in the morning. That girl is sleep. Where have you been? She’s been tryin to reach you for the past 4 days.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I haven’t been feelin too well. I’ll make it up to her. Have her call me when she wakes up. I have to take care some business.” I told her.
“Iight. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I hung up and made some otha calls. By 6:30, I made a few deals to have my divorce case hearing at 2. As I was goin to sleep, Tierra called me.
“Hi, Daddy.” She said, still sounding happy.
“Hey, princess.”
“Where you go? I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too, lil bit. I haven’t been feelin too well, so I wasn’t able to talk to you. I’ll make it up to you, iight?”
“Ok.”
“You havin fun ova there?”
“Yep. Grandpa took me to Six Flags yesterday and I rode all the roller coasters.”
“That’s good. What y’all doin today?”
“We’re goin bowling and then out to eat.”
“Iight. Well, call me sometime today, iight?”
“I will. Love you Daddy.”
“I love you too baby.” I hung up wit her and nodded off to sleep.
I woke up at 1200. I immediately took a shower and got dressed. I saw my guest room door closed, not knowing Sydney was in there. I knocked and entered and found Sydney sleep. She woke up and saw me lookin at her.
“You always look cute when you sleep.” I told her.
“Whateva. Where you goin lookin all snazzy?” She asked.
“Court. I set up a hearing at 1400. If you can get dressed in 15, you can come.”
“Wouldn’t hurt.”
“I told Will and Candace, so they’ll be there too.”
“Iight. I’ll be ready.”
I closed the door and got my stuff together. I looked at all the pictures on my phone and shook my head.
“Amazing.” I said to myself. 20 minutes later, Sydney came out the room, smelling flivourous. We walked out to the car, met up wit Will and Candace, and bounced to the courthouse. Latoya was already there, arranging papers.
“Kenny, you’re on time? That’s unlike you.” She said as she saw me.
“It’s not too often I’m getting rid of a virus.” I said. Monique and her lawyers were sitting on the otha side. I locked eyes wit her and smiled. I was goin to enjoy this.
“All rise for the Honorable Judge Gray.” We all stood and watched the judge come in.
“Take your seats.” He said. “Alright, Divorce Case 4529, Kenneth Johnson vs. Monique Johnson, with a dependant, Tierra Annetta Johnson. It has been determined a pre-nup was signed, so we all know what that means. If pre-nup doesn’t hold, then Monique will be entitled to half of Kenny Johnson’s assets. Monique, your side may present its case.
“You’re honor,” one of her lawyers began, “my client has been a devoted wife, fantastic mother, and an all around caring person. She’s had to live with this violent man for the past 5 years. In the same sense, we find that not only is Kenny an unfit husband, but an unfit father. Kenny has been in jail several times for his behavior and lack of discipline. To be blunt, his violent behavior is what gets him locked up. Allow me to show you footage of a beating that took place in front of the SJ Manor. This was takin last week by Monique as Kenny Johnson is seen brutally beating and killing Robert Hughes.” Everyone in the stands were disgusted. Even for my divorce I can pack em in. I on the otha hand was rather enjoying this lil view of my evilness. He definitely had that comin. “You’re Honor, I also have a recording that Kenneth Johnson confessed to cheating on Monique.” He played the tape of our argument.
He stopped the tape before the rest of the confession.
“You’re Honor, Mr. Johnson has been so paranoid that he has accused my client of doin wrong doing when he has been the one the entire time. Not only should my client be entitled to half of Mr. Johnson’s estate, but also the custody of Tierra. That is all.” He sat down as him and the rest of her lawyers celebrated like they won this. Latoya and I started talkin.
“You do realize this doesn’t look good for you?” She asked me.
“Realize and confident that this won’t be a problem. That’s why I love you. You’re the best there is. You thrive in these situations.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best.”
“Your best may be too much for em.” I told her. She smiled and stood up.
“You’re Honor, before I begin, may I say that you look great since the last time I saw you.” She said.
“I beg your pardon?” Judge Gray said.
“Don’t you remember? Last week I was representing anotha client and you were the judge of that case.”
“That’s right. Mrs. Lopez, I remember you. How’s your son?”
“Good. He’s becoming quite a handful.”
“They usually are. So what brings you into Divorce cases?”
“This is definitely not my cup of tea, but Kenny is my brotha and I tend to do everything in my power to ensure he’s not cheated. I’m kinda learning from you when you were a lawyer. You kinda did the same thing for your sister.”
“I see you’ve done some research on me.”
“I’m tryin to be a judge, gotta learn from the best.”
“You’re too much.”
“You’re Honor,” one of Monique’s lawyers interrupted, “may we please continue on?”
“Calm down, nigga, we tryin to talk.” Latoya told him. “Judge, I just want to say that it would be an honor if you would sign my copy of your book.” She handed him the book.
“It would be my pleasure. You are, after all the best lawyer in Cleveland.” He signed the book and handed it back to her. I kinda looked at this a lil confused.
“I think I wasted enough time, let me go ahead and begin.” Latoya drank a lil water and winked at me. “You’re Honor, I need you to take a good look at my client and then at Monique. Mr. Johnson is not only relaxed, but confident that he will win. On the otha side, Mrs. Johnson looks nervous, unsure. There is a reason for this and that is because she feels that she will be exposed. You know, the tape that Mr. Ives played was a nice piece of work. Allow me to play the real version.”
As the real version played, the judge looked at Monique’s lawyer like he was an idiot trying to pull a fast one. When the tape ended, Latoya stopped it and grabbed it.
 “Damn that hurts. Allow me to show the pictures that had Mrs. Johnson admit to cheating.” She showed the pictures in my phone. Judge Gray looked in dismay. “As far as violence go, Mr. Johnson was very much provoked in that attack on Mr. Hughes. To address the threat made by Mr. Johnson towards Mrs. Johnson on that tape, that was to change her mind and obviously it worked. I’ve known Mr. Johnson his whole life and he’s neva hit a female. I know several people that can vouch for that statement. To end my case, I’d like to add a few words of credibility. Mr. Ives talked about a criminal record against Mr. Johnson, yet he can’t show valid incarceration. Mr. Johnson has been in jail on accusations but was never convicted to anything. In a written statement made, Tierra actually prefers to be with Kenny. Not to mention, Mrs. Johnson has missed 2 of 4 of Tierra’s birthdays. If you can only witness the relationship they share, you can determine that Mr. Johnson is not only a wonderful father, but a role model for the world. Thank you.” She smiled at me as she walked back to her chair. “This is yours.” She told me.
“I love your confidence.”
“You know when I’m confident, that’s what it is.”
“I just wonder how much money I’mma have to give her.”
“None.”
“Say gain?”
“You ain’t gon be payin a dime. Watch.” We looked at the judge.
“I have reached a decision. Would both parties rise.” We all stood. “Not only has this divorce been finalized, but I have decisions on divorce terms. Mr. Kenneth Johnson will be obligated to pay on a monthly basis….nothing as the pre-nup holds up.” We all cheered on my side prematurely. “Order!” We calmed down. “As for custody of 4 yr. old Tierra Annetta Johnson, will be rewarded to Kenny Johnson.” At the sound of that, I damn near fell out. I hugged Latoya and gave her a big kiss.
“Thank you, sis.”

“That’s what I’m hea fo.” She said.

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