“What’s Marcel’s number?” I asked while walking towards the cordless house phone.
“You know I don’t know his number by heart, it’s saved by his name in my cell phone. Check the caller ID on the cordless phone and if it’s not
there, check the memory numbers stored in it. I saved it in the memory but I forgot what his speed dial number is.”
“Boy, I don’t know how to use this shit.” I was becoming frustrated as I tried to figure out how to locate a stored number.
“Give me the phone.” He took the phone from me and began pressing the buttons. He leaned the phone towards me so that I could see the
display to learn how to use the phone’s functions.
“Don’t explain it to me just do it.” I was clearly impatient by now, and I was bouncing around because I still had to pee.
“If you have to go to the bathroom why don’t you just use it already?” Born said to me as he watched me shaking and rocking myself.
I darted into the bathroom to release my bladder and once I finished I wiped myself and flushed the toilet. I walked over to the sink to wash
my hands as Born approached me from behind.
“What if you need to find a number again and I’m not here?”
“Then I’ll wait until you get home.”
“That makes sense.”
“I’m not supposed to make sense, I’m pregnant.”
“Whatever.” He said as he passed the phone back to me with Marcel’s number in the display. He resumed doing what he was doing before
he looked for the number for me.
“Thank you.” I said being a smart ass, while he continued getting himself prepared for whatever lay ahead. I hit the speed dial number for
Marcel and awaited an answer.
RING….RING….RING….
“Hello.” I spoke into the phone when the person on the other end answered. I walked out of our bedroom to get away from the loud noises
of Born rustling and rummaging through everything in our room.
Born asked loudly, “Is that Marcel?”
“Yes.” I replied while ducking my head back into our bedroom.
“Give me that phone for a second Loretta.” Born walked towards me with his hand out to grab the phone.
“Here Baby.” I handed him the phone and stepped back into our bedroom to pack, as he had instructed me to do a few moments ago.
“What are you doing right now?” Born paused to wait for a reply from Marcel.
“Well that’s not important. I need you to come over and pick Loretta up for me and take her to the hide out, just like we planned if shit ever
hit the fan at the crib, so make arrangements.” He was pacing back and forth in the bedroom.
“Yo my man, I need you to get on that right now.” Born spoke into the phone to Marcel. The rest of the time he was talking to Marcel, Born
was grabbing miscellaneous shit around the house for me to take with me.
Born had walked into the den. When I entered, he was holding the bookbag full of the items he had packed for me. I looked at him as if to
ask what am I supposed to do with that when I’m standing there holding my packed suitcase.
“Is he coming now?”
“Okay in 10 flat man.” Born confirmed with Marcel and then hung up.
“Well, what’s going on now?” I asked while sitting the suitcase down so I could grab the bookbag he had for me and adjust everything so I
could carry it out to the car when Marcel got here.
“Marcel will be here in about 10 minutes, Ma.” He explained while I began to roll my eyes at him. I was getting angry because I was afraid and
I knew that in 10 minutes, I would be separated from Born. At that point, all I would be able to do is worry. Damn, why hadn’t he gotten out
of this game before now? We wouldn’t even be going through this shit right now!
“How is he gonna do that when he lives at least 45 minutes away?” I was bordering confusion at that moment. It was as if this whole thing
had already been planned and he was circling the neighborhood waiting on Born’s call.
“He’s with this chick that lives about 10 minutes away.”
“That nigga is a bona fide ho’. I never did like you hanging with him for that reason. Wasn’t he just next door at a chick’s house the other
night? Dang, he really needs to slow his role.”
“Yeah. Marcel’s THAT MAN! He’s got it like that! Playa-Playa!” Born joked. I personally didn’t see anything funny about that shit, especially with
the situation we were currently dealing with.
“Yeah. He’s the man alright.” I mumbled, annoyed.
“Baby, you know I’m just playing.” Born tried hard to minimize the impact of his jokes. He could tell that I wasn’t the least bit amused.
“You better be fucking playing, Born.” I said forcefully.
“Baby you know I’m playing with you.” Born coaxed.
“Well when all of this is said and done we need to talk.”
“About what?”
“Born stop acting stupid, you know we can not keep doing this. If you don’t leave the game I’m leaving you.”
“That sounds like that fucking India talking now.” Born was becoming pissed.
“Nah it’s me talking. It’s me having to leave my own house. It’s me having to worry every day. It’s me having to have a fucking shotgun in the
house just in case; it’s me facing the possibility of being left alone to raise a child.”
“Okay I get the picture now.”
“Do you really?”
“Yes, but I can’t make you that promise Baby Girl.”
“Then you don’t really love me.” I said as I backed away from him.
“You know I…” Born was interrupted by a knock on the door. “I’ll get it.” Born replied as if he was glad he had been interrupted.
“You better get it.” I retorted, dripping with sarcasm.
He opened the door without asking who it was.
“What’s up Playboy?” Marcel asked as he gave Born dap and stepped inside our house.
“A lil’ bit of something and a whole lot of nothing. What’s good my dude?”
“Nigga, you better start asking who it is at the damn door. You ain’t got ESP or Superman vision! Hell, your normal eye sight probably isn’t
even 20/20.” Marcel joked with Born.
“For what? Nigga, this is my house!” Born puffed out his chest and reached for his gun to show Marcel that he had everything covered.
“And that means…” Marcel said as he pulled his shirt up and revealed the handle of his chrome gun.
“RIGHT….RIGHT.…RIGHT!” Born replied and gave Marcel some dap to show that they were on the same level.
“What’s up Miss Lady?” Marcel turned and asked me.
“Hey Marcel. I’m good. What’s up with you?” I stood on my tip toes and gave him a peck on his cheek. Although I couldn’t stand his whorish
ways, he was still like a brother to me since he and Born were so close. Okay let me stop lying I don’t like the mother fucker like I said but I
treated him with respect because of Born and their friendship nothing else. I already knew Marcel was as grimy as they come but Born would
hear nothing of the sort.
“Nothin’ much Loretta. Girl, how much longer before you have this baby?” He asked as he rubbed my stomach and smiled at me.
“OOOWW!” I screamed while grabbing my stomach with an agonizing look on my face.
“What’s wrong, Ma?” Born fast walked over to me. Marcel jumped back with a surprised look on his face.
“The baby started kicking hard when Marcel touched my stomach.” I moaned as I rubbed my stomach.
“He was trying to give Marcel a pound, that’s all.” Born was trying to comfort me with that bullshit.
“It was not his hand it was his foot.” I frowned at him.
“You sure?”
“Don’t you think I know what part of my baby’s body is where?” I snapped.
“Yeah you right.”
“I’ll be okay.” I told him as I continued to massage my belly.
“Oh okay.” Born looked relieved and walked back over to where he had been standing minutes before. He waved Marcel over so that he could
give him the low down about what was going on. They stood a few feet away from me speaking in low tones. I tried to act uninterested in
what they were discussing. I was having a hard time hearing them. I tried my damnedest to eavesdrop but they weren’t having it. I just
stood there rocking back and forth rubbing my stomach. I watched as Born and Marcel dapped each other up again. Then they gave each
other a brotherly hug.
“Okay Loretta, we gotta go now.” Marcel said as he walked up on me.
“Okay Marcel. Can I say goodbye to my baby’s daddy?” I playfully asked knowing how Born hated being referred to as that. He says it sounds
like he’s a sperm donor or something.
“What I tell you about that?” Born raised his eyebrows.
“I’m just playing Baby.” I said to him as I walked over and hugged him tight. I pressed my head against his chest and could hear his heart
beating. Its rhythm was calm as if he had no worries in the world. It actually was kind of soothing but not reassuring. I didn’t want to let him
go. I had to savor this moment because it could very well be the last time we held each other and I want to remember how his arms feel
around me. I want the love that he has for me and our baby to flow through my body right to the baby, just in case he never gets to meet
his father. I know I’m supposed to trust Born, and I do, but I also have to consider the reality of the situation and be real about everything.
“I love you, Ma.” Born said with the most compassion I’ve ever heard. Finally, he pulled me away from him, looked me in the eyes and
passionately kissed me. We both closed our eyes and let our tongues dance with each other in familiarity. We both relished this moment with
each other. My heart was beating like a little girl who has just found out that her school crush also likes her. The butterflies in my stomach
were fluttering and my hands were sweating like hell.
“I love you too, Daddy.” I replied back to him without missing a beat after we unlocked our lips.
“You better love me.” He said.
I began telling myself, “I’m not gonna cry. I have to be strong. I don’t want him to see me break down ‘cause I need him to be focused on
his job at hand. He doesn’t need to be worried about me right now. That would take away from him being on point.” I tried to hold back the
emotions of fear. I didn’t want him to see me wearing my heart on my sleeve.
“OK. Alright, already. You love him and she damn sure loves you. Let’s get going Loretta. Come on Born, you’ve got business to handle.
Handle that man!” Marcel stated with what I could swear was a hint of envy, jealousy, and anger. I don’t know what that’s about maybe I’m
tripping, with the stress and all that I’m feeling right now. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.
“Alright man, take care of my babies they are my prized possessions.” Born told Marcel. Born gave Marcel an eye that appeared to say ‘don’t
let shit happen to them or that’s your ass!’ I know that I definitely saw that exchange.
“I will dawg!” Marcel replied as he walked out of the house in front of me.
“I better see you later on tonight.” I said to Born.
“You will Baby.” Born said lightly touching my arm to stop me and then he reached down and caressed my stomach. He leaned down and
gently whispered to my stomach, “You take care of Mommy, you hear me?”
“He will.” I smiled. “And I better see you tonight.” I told him firmly. I hadn’t realized that Marcel had walked back into the house to get my
bags for me.
“I got that.” I said referring to my pocketbook.
“Girl, give me that.” Marcel said as he took my pocketbook from me.
“You better not take anything out of there.” I jokingly nodded towards my pocketbook.
“I’ll be at the car.” He grabbed the rest of my bags with a nonchalant look on his face.
Marcel turned and walked out the front door. I turned and exited the house right behind him. I turned around for a quick second to get
another look at Born and we both mouthed “I love you.”
At that exact moment I felt like I was leaving him to die. I was overwhelmed with guilt of not being able to be there for him, but there was
no way he would allow me to stay. I guess that’s just him being the man that he is.
“You know I don’t know his number by heart, it’s saved by his name in my cell phone. Check the caller ID on the cordless phone and if it’s not
there, check the memory numbers stored in it. I saved it in the memory but I forgot what his speed dial number is.”
“Boy, I don’t know how to use this shit.” I was becoming frustrated as I tried to figure out how to locate a stored number.
“Give me the phone.” He took the phone from me and began pressing the buttons. He leaned the phone towards me so that I could see the
display to learn how to use the phone’s functions.
“Don’t explain it to me just do it.” I was clearly impatient by now, and I was bouncing around because I still had to pee.
“If you have to go to the bathroom why don’t you just use it already?” Born said to me as he watched me shaking and rocking myself.
I darted into the bathroom to release my bladder and once I finished I wiped myself and flushed the toilet. I walked over to the sink to wash
my hands as Born approached me from behind.
“What if you need to find a number again and I’m not here?”
“Then I’ll wait until you get home.”
“That makes sense.”
“I’m not supposed to make sense, I’m pregnant.”
“Whatever.” He said as he passed the phone back to me with Marcel’s number in the display. He resumed doing what he was doing before
he looked for the number for me.
“Thank you.” I said being a smart ass, while he continued getting himself prepared for whatever lay ahead. I hit the speed dial number for
Marcel and awaited an answer.
RING….RING….RING….
“Hello.” I spoke into the phone when the person on the other end answered. I walked out of our bedroom to get away from the loud noises
of Born rustling and rummaging through everything in our room.
Born asked loudly, “Is that Marcel?”
“Yes.” I replied while ducking my head back into our bedroom.
“Give me that phone for a second Loretta.” Born walked towards me with his hand out to grab the phone.
“Here Baby.” I handed him the phone and stepped back into our bedroom to pack, as he had instructed me to do a few moments ago.
“What are you doing right now?” Born paused to wait for a reply from Marcel.
“Well that’s not important. I need you to come over and pick Loretta up for me and take her to the hide out, just like we planned if shit ever
hit the fan at the crib, so make arrangements.” He was pacing back and forth in the bedroom.
“Yo my man, I need you to get on that right now.” Born spoke into the phone to Marcel. The rest of the time he was talking to Marcel, Born
was grabbing miscellaneous shit around the house for me to take with me.
Born had walked into the den. When I entered, he was holding the bookbag full of the items he had packed for me. I looked at him as if to
ask what am I supposed to do with that when I’m standing there holding my packed suitcase.
“Is he coming now?”
“Okay in 10 flat man.” Born confirmed with Marcel and then hung up.
“Well, what’s going on now?” I asked while sitting the suitcase down so I could grab the bookbag he had for me and adjust everything so I
could carry it out to the car when Marcel got here.
“Marcel will be here in about 10 minutes, Ma.” He explained while I began to roll my eyes at him. I was getting angry because I was afraid and
I knew that in 10 minutes, I would be separated from Born. At that point, all I would be able to do is worry. Damn, why hadn’t he gotten out
of this game before now? We wouldn’t even be going through this shit right now!
“How is he gonna do that when he lives at least 45 minutes away?” I was bordering confusion at that moment. It was as if this whole thing
had already been planned and he was circling the neighborhood waiting on Born’s call.
“He’s with this chick that lives about 10 minutes away.”
“That nigga is a bona fide ho’. I never did like you hanging with him for that reason. Wasn’t he just next door at a chick’s house the other
night? Dang, he really needs to slow his role.”
“Yeah. Marcel’s THAT MAN! He’s got it like that! Playa-Playa!” Born joked. I personally didn’t see anything funny about that shit, especially with
the situation we were currently dealing with.
“Yeah. He’s the man alright.” I mumbled, annoyed.
“Baby, you know I’m just playing.” Born tried hard to minimize the impact of his jokes. He could tell that I wasn’t the least bit amused.
“You better be fucking playing, Born.” I said forcefully.
“Baby you know I’m playing with you.” Born coaxed.
“Well when all of this is said and done we need to talk.”
“About what?”
“Born stop acting stupid, you know we can not keep doing this. If you don’t leave the game I’m leaving you.”
“That sounds like that fucking India talking now.” Born was becoming pissed.
“Nah it’s me talking. It’s me having to leave my own house. It’s me having to worry every day. It’s me having to have a fucking shotgun in the
house just in case; it’s me facing the possibility of being left alone to raise a child.”
“Okay I get the picture now.”
“Do you really?”
“Yes, but I can’t make you that promise Baby Girl.”
“Then you don’t really love me.” I said as I backed away from him.
“You know I…” Born was interrupted by a knock on the door. “I’ll get it.” Born replied as if he was glad he had been interrupted.
“You better get it.” I retorted, dripping with sarcasm.
He opened the door without asking who it was.
“What’s up Playboy?” Marcel asked as he gave Born dap and stepped inside our house.
“A lil’ bit of something and a whole lot of nothing. What’s good my dude?”
“Nigga, you better start asking who it is at the damn door. You ain’t got ESP or Superman vision! Hell, your normal eye sight probably isn’t
even 20/20.” Marcel joked with Born.
“For what? Nigga, this is my house!” Born puffed out his chest and reached for his gun to show Marcel that he had everything covered.
“And that means…” Marcel said as he pulled his shirt up and revealed the handle of his chrome gun.
“RIGHT….RIGHT.…RIGHT!” Born replied and gave Marcel some dap to show that they were on the same level.
“What’s up Miss Lady?” Marcel turned and asked me.
“Hey Marcel. I’m good. What’s up with you?” I stood on my tip toes and gave him a peck on his cheek. Although I couldn’t stand his whorish
ways, he was still like a brother to me since he and Born were so close. Okay let me stop lying I don’t like the mother fucker like I said but I
treated him with respect because of Born and their friendship nothing else. I already knew Marcel was as grimy as they come but Born would
hear nothing of the sort.
“Nothin’ much Loretta. Girl, how much longer before you have this baby?” He asked as he rubbed my stomach and smiled at me.
“OOOWW!” I screamed while grabbing my stomach with an agonizing look on my face.
“What’s wrong, Ma?” Born fast walked over to me. Marcel jumped back with a surprised look on his face.
“The baby started kicking hard when Marcel touched my stomach.” I moaned as I rubbed my stomach.
“He was trying to give Marcel a pound, that’s all.” Born was trying to comfort me with that bullshit.
“It was not his hand it was his foot.” I frowned at him.
“You sure?”
“Don’t you think I know what part of my baby’s body is where?” I snapped.
“Yeah you right.”
“I’ll be okay.” I told him as I continued to massage my belly.
“Oh okay.” Born looked relieved and walked back over to where he had been standing minutes before. He waved Marcel over so that he could
give him the low down about what was going on. They stood a few feet away from me speaking in low tones. I tried to act uninterested in
what they were discussing. I was having a hard time hearing them. I tried my damnedest to eavesdrop but they weren’t having it. I just
stood there rocking back and forth rubbing my stomach. I watched as Born and Marcel dapped each other up again. Then they gave each
other a brotherly hug.
“Okay Loretta, we gotta go now.” Marcel said as he walked up on me.
“Okay Marcel. Can I say goodbye to my baby’s daddy?” I playfully asked knowing how Born hated being referred to as that. He says it sounds
like he’s a sperm donor or something.
“What I tell you about that?” Born raised his eyebrows.
“I’m just playing Baby.” I said to him as I walked over and hugged him tight. I pressed my head against his chest and could hear his heart
beating. Its rhythm was calm as if he had no worries in the world. It actually was kind of soothing but not reassuring. I didn’t want to let him
go. I had to savor this moment because it could very well be the last time we held each other and I want to remember how his arms feel
around me. I want the love that he has for me and our baby to flow through my body right to the baby, just in case he never gets to meet
his father. I know I’m supposed to trust Born, and I do, but I also have to consider the reality of the situation and be real about everything.
“I love you, Ma.” Born said with the most compassion I’ve ever heard. Finally, he pulled me away from him, looked me in the eyes and
passionately kissed me. We both closed our eyes and let our tongues dance with each other in familiarity. We both relished this moment with
each other. My heart was beating like a little girl who has just found out that her school crush also likes her. The butterflies in my stomach
were fluttering and my hands were sweating like hell.
“I love you too, Daddy.” I replied back to him without missing a beat after we unlocked our lips.
“You better love me.” He said.
I began telling myself, “I’m not gonna cry. I have to be strong. I don’t want him to see me break down ‘cause I need him to be focused on
his job at hand. He doesn’t need to be worried about me right now. That would take away from him being on point.” I tried to hold back the
emotions of fear. I didn’t want him to see me wearing my heart on my sleeve.
“OK. Alright, already. You love him and she damn sure loves you. Let’s get going Loretta. Come on Born, you’ve got business to handle.
Handle that man!” Marcel stated with what I could swear was a hint of envy, jealousy, and anger. I don’t know what that’s about maybe I’m
tripping, with the stress and all that I’m feeling right now. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.
“Alright man, take care of my babies they are my prized possessions.” Born told Marcel. Born gave Marcel an eye that appeared to say ‘don’t
let shit happen to them or that’s your ass!’ I know that I definitely saw that exchange.
“I will dawg!” Marcel replied as he walked out of the house in front of me.
“I better see you later on tonight.” I said to Born.
“You will Baby.” Born said lightly touching my arm to stop me and then he reached down and caressed my stomach. He leaned down and
gently whispered to my stomach, “You take care of Mommy, you hear me?”
“He will.” I smiled. “And I better see you tonight.” I told him firmly. I hadn’t realized that Marcel had walked back into the house to get my
bags for me.
“I got that.” I said referring to my pocketbook.
“Girl, give me that.” Marcel said as he took my pocketbook from me.
“You better not take anything out of there.” I jokingly nodded towards my pocketbook.
“I’ll be at the car.” He grabbed the rest of my bags with a nonchalant look on his face.
Marcel turned and walked out the front door. I turned and exited the house right behind him. I turned around for a quick second to get
another look at Born and we both mouthed “I love you.”
At that exact moment I felt like I was leaving him to die. I was overwhelmed with guilt of not being able to be there for him, but there was
no way he would allow me to stay. I guess that’s just him being the man that he is.
| Chapters 3- My Brother's Keeper |
The Author S. C. Dickens
Didn't See This Coming
| Didn't See This Coming |
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