“I asked you what you were doing here? How did you know where to find me? And…” It took her a minute, but she finally gave me the respect I deserved by turning back around and letting me gaze into those beautiful brown eyes of hers. “When did you get released?”
“A while back. I had some things to handle in Florida before taking that trip up. Enzo was put to sleep, I went and had lil’ discussion with yo’ people, then came here. Was I wrong to do so? I’ll leave,” I lied.
“Yes. No…” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly to gain some composure. I could see her battling with herself. “I… This is unexpected, so I’m trying to let it register.”
Nodding, I took a few steps back to give her some space. She was overwhelmed and it was clear that it was my doing. She was unsure of what to do. I could tell by how she kept twiddling her fingers and looking at everything except me. Nervousness surrounded her.
“I can go Mama,” I said gesturing to the door.
“Yeah, I think that’s best,” she followed with a nod of her own. A small smirk was given as I went to leave. She caught me by the wrists and said, “Wait. I’m sorry. That’s rude.” She circled around, got on her toes, and offered a hug. I wrapped my arms around her waist gently bringing her into my embrace. “Welcome home, love.”
For the past few weeks, she’d greeted me with words of endearment. She was warming up to a nigga and didn’t even realize it. It was cute.
“’Preciate it.” I let her go seconds later trying to keep that boundary she needed for comfortability intact.
“Yonnis came through for you. I’m glad he could.”
“Same. Come to find out, the lawyer I had was getting paid to keep me in that hell hole by Enzo. A nigga wasn’t supposed to make it out of there,” I replied.
Her gaze traveled along my frame as mine did the same in return. Heidi was bad and there was no other way to put it. Her shape went crazy, and her face card could get her whatever the hell she desired. She had to know she was shutting shit down just off the strength of looking how she looked. It didn’t help that she was in a button down with a pencil skirt giving off professor vibes. She looked damned good. She looked like Mrs. Bentley Atkins.
“You clean up well. Black looks good on you,” she complimented.
“Thank you, baby. Yo’ lil’ ensemble doing something to a nigga. I like it,” I threw back. She blushed off my words putting her head down. It was a stretch, but I slowly approached her face placing a finger underneath her chin. She allowed it. I gently lifted her head saying, “Don’t drop yo’ head ‘round me. You ain’t got no reason to.”
I was given a slow nod as she tried her best to maintain eye contact. This woman was fuckin’ beautiful. Every lil’ thing she did had my attention. No matter how subtle the movement, I had eyes on it. She wasn’t gon’ be able to escape me. I hated that for her.
“Mama, who’s he?”
“Lincoln?” I questioned her in a hushed tone. She nodded once more. “Use yo’ words baby. I’m the same nigga you been falling asleep to, the same nigga you been giving ongoing conversation, and the same nigga you got comfortable with. Ain’t shit changed, except it ain’t virtual no more. It’s real life. You got me for real beautiful,” I assured her.
“Mama…” Lincoln repeated himself.
“You want me to answer him, or you got it?” I inquired.
Releasing a deep sigh, she answered with, “I got it.” Turning around she went and got lil’ man off the steps. She walked himover to me to give an introduction. “Okay baby boy. So, this is Bentley. He’s mommy’s?—”
Cutting her clean off, I inputted with, “Man. I’m her man.”
“Huh? No, he’s not.”
“Does that mean he’s, my daddy? I won’t get teased anymore at school if he is,” Lincoln expressed.
“No. He’s n… Wait. You’re getting teased? Why haven’t you told me anything baby? I would’ve handled it, talked to somebody about it, anything,” Heidi voiced with concern.
“Bullies gon’ be bullies baby. If all they got to tease him with is his pops, then you doing something right. They had to find a flaw because he damn sure ain’t got none appearance wise or financially,” I chimed.
“Bentley, he’s six. Who bullies a six-year-old?” she questioned with tears.
“Other six-year-olds,” I said followed by a small chuckle. She looked at me sternly, and I straightened up. This wasn’t a joke for her, and I could tell. “Aight, aight. I’m sorry.” Bending down, I was eye level with lil’ man. “Answer me this Link. Can I call you that?” He nodded, and I continued with, “Cool. If you had a dad, what would that change?”
“Everything. I never had one before,” he whispered.
His response broke a nigga. I couldn’t hold you.Damn. How I’m ‘spose to respond to that.I only had what Daisy instilled in me.
“You can’t miss what you never had Link. It’s good that you’re expressing this now, but since yo’ family situation is a lil’ different from others, gaining a father takes time. Want to know something ‘bout me? I ain’t have a father either, or a mother for that matter. I know exactly how it feels to be parentless. However, I had somebody that loved me with all her heart, and that was my auntie. Heidi is yo’ mommy and whomever shechoose in the future will love you just as much as she does. Aight?”
He gave a nod of agreeance and understanding. I didn’t want to put too much on the table and let it be known that he indeed had a father in me. That would’ve probably scared Heidi and made her more cautious than what she was. I needed baby to want to be with a nigga willingly… even though my mind was already made up and plans were put into motion back in Florida for their move in.
