“Am I missing something? Who’s a fake? Who’s in Miami? And seriously, what’s Chats with Angels?” Cheyonne inquired.
Her clueless self didn’t know what was going on. I kept a lot of things from folk, but it had been quite some time since I had to talk about my past. The Atkins knew already. However, this was fairly new to Klarity, Cheyonne, and Genesis. It was best to just explain everything now than deal with the constant questioning later.
Deeply sighing, I clasped my hands together placing them on my knee. “Okay, so years ago I joined a pen pal group with the church called Chats with Angels. It’s a program that allows inmates to speak with someone on the outside world platonically. I got paired with a man named Michael Pines. We wrote letters back and forth for quite some time. He never let meknow when he was getting released. He shows up unannounced, forces his way inside, takes my womanhood?—”
Royce walked in carrying a tray of food interrupting in pure Royce fashion. “And ended up scattered ‘cross the muthalovin’ seven seas after. Hurry up and get to the point Heidi before I get mad all over again.”
“Anyway, after the incident, I threw myself into my religion even harder. I quit the program and started attending a women’s retreat in Florida. It’s called Empathy Emporium. I never told anyone how it truly affected me because I didn’t want the sympathy or fragile treatment. I sought help on my own and got it. Cedees, if you’re ever wondering who convinced me to box, it was Dr. Wright. She’s also been advising me through this journey again with the program. Nevertheless, if I hadn’t joined again, I wouldn’t have run into the real Bentley, and we wouldn’t have known Enzo was trying to snake us. Royce, Mercedees, Bentley, and I all believe he’s here for the inheritance money,” I explained.
The room had grown silent, even the babies had stopped their loudness. The spotlight was on me, and I truly didn’t mind this time. I’d grown and accepted my past. I was a mother of a very loving and caring little boy, I had a successful business, and my self-esteem was back where I needed it to be. Michael no longer had control over me.
Joining Chats with Angels again was solely to ease me back into a world where I didn’t isolate myself from men. Giving them that kind of power wasn’t flying anymore.
I appreciated Bentley’s conversation and how easy it was talking with him. It helped a little that he was an Atkins. I knew the kind of standup men they were. He was very flirtatious, but his flirting wasn’t cringy for some reason. I actually enjoyed how soft he was for me. He was snappy with Royce at his visit but very calm and collected with me. I noticed that immediately.
“Aye, I can get Twenty-One to wipe fake ass out by tonight,” Genesis spoke up. “I ain’t never thought he was worth a fuck.”
“Baby, watch your mouth. Maaz might be used to it, but the other kids aren’t,” Cheyonne voiced touching his arm.
I was quite envious of all the couples here tonight. Yes, they were family, but they also created their own. I loved every single one of them tremendously but none of them had to experience loneliness the way I did. Royce bullied his way into Klarity’s life and ended up with a marriage that was unbreakable. Genesis kidnapped Cheyonne and that heffa ended up falling for him, pushing out the handsomest baby boy, then marrying him. Mama Iris and Senior had been through the most and he still made sure Mama Iris knew she was the only woman for him. I was happy for each couple here. I just hated that love was taking so long to find me.
“Nope. I actually wanted Mama Iris to invite him to dinner tonight. We keep the façade as if we don’t know, grill him with questions just to see if he knows what’s really up. Yonnis is working on getting Bentley out so Enzo, the snake’s name by the way, is on limited time already. He asked us not to touch him and that he’d handle him when he was free.”
“Oh, I’m gon’ put my hands on him fa sho. I ain’t gon’ kill him, but I’m beating the bi… nigga black and blue,” Genesis commented wearing a wide grin.
He was just like Royce. Unstable and quick to react. I guess it was refreshing to see Bentley was cool as a fan. He wanted his freedom of course. However, he wasn’t raising hell to get it. He’d trusted me enough to go to the one man that worked magic. I had no doubt in my mind that Yonnis was going to come through. I’d even instilled that same belief in Bentley. He was good knowing it would be any day now for his release.
“I don’t care what you do or anyone else for that matter, just don’t kill. Him. Oh, and don’t let him know we’re on to him,” Isaid making eye contact with everyone. They nodded giving me agreeance.
“I just texted, and he said he’ll be here. Senior and I will run out to get some food from Sizzling Cutlets. Dinners in an hour at the big house so be ready. Y’all heard baby girl. Don’t let the cat out the bag,” she reiterated.
Everyone stood with understanding. Children were gathered and bodies were clearing out. I enjoyed having them over, but I also liked my personal space and peace. Lincoln decided to tag along with Royce to continue playing with CJ and I didn’t mind. Once my house was back to its stillness, I cleaned up the family room. Moments later, I was in my library curled up with a book.
I couldn’t get into it too much due to my cell ringing minutes later. I scanned the screen and smiled. Popping in my airpods, I answered with, “Hello.”
“What’s going on beautiful? Sorry for the late call. I been meeting with Yonnis and the warden. I had to pay a few folk as well. How’s your day going?”
I had to hand it to him. His voice was good enough to listen to all night which was probably going to happen. He didn’t mind giving me that time. He wasn’t controlling the conversations we had either. He left that up to me.
“My day was cool. Same routine without a hiccup. How was yours?” I countered.
“Shit, the same old, same old. Chopping it up with Old Skool and waiting on Yonnis. Aunt Daisy gave me an earful ‘bout meeting with y’all again, but she gon’ fuss until she in the grave. She ain’t trying to lose me that’s all.”
I understood her frustration. Once the Atkins got a hold to you, it wasn’t no going back. You were pretty much moved to Sage Springs simply because Royce was family oriented. He wanted everyone close.
“She won’t lose you. Royce is not understanding when it comes to being told no, but he won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do. Any who, I just got done telling the family about Enzo. Genesis wants to do him in, but I told him what you said,” I said changing the subject.
“And Genesis is who now?” he inquired.
I’d been running down the family tree for him so he could get to know them without officially knowing them. The time was coming for him to be home and link. I was sure he’d find no use in them from how he spoke initially. He saw no bonds being made and that was observed from the very first link.
“Senior’s illegitimate son. He’s a firecracker for sure. Apparently, he’s met Enzo like two or three times already, I think. He had his crew jump him on one of those encounters,” I said laughing. Now that I was saying it out loud, I found it to be comical.
Bentley joined in laughter as well. His was low and rumbled like a bass instrument. It was soothing to the ear. “Shit, I might pay his ass to lay hands and feet again.”
“He’d love that.”
“Switch gears with me for a second beautiful. Why you single Heidi? Where lil’ man Pops at?” He knew about Lincoln simply from baby boy always yelling for me. He’d grown out of his shell and was more than comfortable here.
