“Go head, Princeton,” Uncle Ace encouraged. “Since this is your son, you give him the first piece of advice.”
My father spoke from behind the bar. “First things first. Understand that you don’t know everything, but she doesn’t have to know that. She shouldn’t even feel that. As a man, you gotta know how to lead from a blind place just as well as you lead from a place you can see. It’s your duty and even more important now that you’re stepping into fatherhood.”
I nodded, agreeing with that bit of information.
“If Dai is your ending, meaning this is the person you not only want as your child’s mother but the person you want to share a life with, start moving that way from now on,” Uncle Ace added.
I thought about me and Dai committing to getting back on the right track after these last few months and then this hiccup with Alexis. Those events alone made me listen harder for the nuggets in this advice.
He continued. “A man of principle takes care of his family first always. Dai and Baby Sullivan are your family and your responsibility. Move accordingly. What you got, Jay?”
“Me or Pops?” Jay asked, pointing to himself and then his father.
“Go head, Unc,” I said to his father. “I don’t wanna hear nothing lil’ Jay got to say,” I joked.
“Cool.” Jay shrugged. “I’ll keep my advice, nigga.”
“Nah, I’m fuckin’ witchu. Go head, cuzzo.”
“Make sure she never feels alone,” he said seriously. “I may joke about my baby mamas and shit, but they never have to look for me. They know they can count on me, no matter what, to show up.”
“Consistently,” Enzo chimed in.
“Facts. Cause I know if they straight, my kids straight,” Jay said.
“What you having, nephew?” Big Jay asked.
My face lit up. “A little girl. Just found out today.”
“Damn,” Aura let out. “Lemme load up the choppas.”
“Swear I said the same shit. The doctor said girl, and I instantly knew I was going to jail behind mine.”
“My advice to that,” Enzo spoke. “Use your resources.”
I caught what he was hinting at and dapped him up.
“You got this shit, son,” my father encouraged. “Don’t be too prideful to where you can’t lean on your sources. I would say we did a good job at fatherhood. Look how you lil’ niggas turned out.”
I looked around the room. Despite me not being the most transparent when it came to my life, I knew that I had a family that still rallied for me even in times when I felt I didn’t need it. It was the Sullivan way.
I stuckaround G’s crib for a few hours, chilling with the guys. Once night had fallen, I sent a text to my partner in crime.
Me: Yo. How fast can you get to a pharmacy to grab two pregnancy tests?
Key: Whatever happened to a hello? How are you? How was your day? You know, pleasantries and shit.
Me: Can you just answer my question?
Key: No. You almost ripped my damn collar when I walked into your house without speaking. Same shit applies in text. Greet me.
I let out a frustrated breath and typed quickly.
Me: Wassup, Key?
Key: My favorite cousin in the world…
I wasn’t about to play with her. Leaving the basement, I walked back out to my car. Leaning up against it, I pressed her contact and hit the FaceTime button. She appeared on the screen with a goofy smile.
