I took the olive branch. “Yes. Thank you.”
Lakesha gathered three glasses and ice from a bag in the freezer. By the time RayRay had returned from the restroom, I was on my second glass of tea.
I chuckled. “This is tasty.”
“Don’t look so surprised,” she said.
RayRay lowered his head and said grace. Seeing his head bent and hearing his earnest words, my heart expanded. I knew coming here had been the right thing to do.
Thank God for guidance.
RayRay picked up his hot dog and took a bite.
“Hi, RayRay,” I said, when it appeared Lakesha wasn’t going to help with this conversation. In fact, she was steady eating her food.
“Hi,” he answered, with too much attitude for a preschooler. But at least he answered.
I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants. I had no idea what else to say to him. My son. I walked to where he sat and bent to his level.
“I know I wasn’t there for you in the past, and when you came to talk to me, I didn’t say much, but I’m planning to fix that. You and me are going to be spending time together.”
He kept his head lowered so I couldn’t see his reaction. I noticed a tear roll down the side of his face. My heart squeezed, knowing I was the one who had hurt him, caused him pain.
I gave him a quick hug, ignoring the stiff shoulders. “I’m sorry I hurt you,” I whispered. “I hope you’ll give me another chance.”
I felt his little head nod and my heart constricted. I stood and beckoned to Lakesha. We went outside, leaving the door cracked so we could see RayRay.
“I’ll start paying child support,” I said. “Let me know how much you’ll need. And, I’ll get him clothes, sneakers and supplies for school.”
Lakesha’s eyes lit up.
Inside, I revolted at her reaction.
“That sounds like a plan. There’s these new Nike’s I been meaning to get—I mean for him. Uh, and they were a hundred dollars.”
I cocked my head. “Isn’t that too much for a child?” I asked. “They grow so fast.”
“Nothing is too much for my—I meanourchild,” she emphasized.
I nodded. “All right. I’ll be by tomorrow with a check for you. And, then we can talk child support once the DNA results come back.”
Lakesha stepped back. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish. “DNA results?” she hedged, then her attitude kicked in. “You think I’m a ho or something? I know who my baby daddy is. I don’t need no DNA test to tell me that.”
“You need to calm down,” I said, holding up a hand. “Since you already know the results, what do you care if we take the test?”
She slid her gaze from mine and bit her lower lip. “I guess. But it’s a complete waste of time. It’s like you’re already trying to get out of giving me my money.”
“Hold up.Yourmoney?” My voice held steel.
“Whatever,” she said, with a shaky laugh. “I’ve got to get back inside. Call me when you coming by with that check.”
Her sugary tone grated on my nerves. However, I held my tongue. Before I could say goodbye to RayRay, she closed the door in my face. I looked up to the sky and groaned. “God, I don’t know if I can deal with this woman.” Why had I gone there? I discerned Lakesha was going to be trifling, trivial, and as annoying as a fly in my ear. I trudged away, bemoaning the fact that I was the one who made a son with her. A son who needed me in his life. I couldn’t swat them out of my life.
I hurried to my car, shifting gears.
Now that I had started the healing process with my son, it was time to tackle the other important person in my life, then check on Big. I pulled out of the complex and made the U-turn to head to the Lovetown Medical Center.
The entire way, I ignored the question churning through my mind.What if Niya was finished with me forever?
