“Wait. Is that what you think? I left because of Easy?” She exhaled. “Neptune, I cheated on your father. I did. Of course, that reduced my position in his life. I didn’t fight it, and I gladly agreed to leave, but he made it hard. He wouldn’t allow me to take you and your brother, so I stuck around. I walked on eggshells to keep the three of us together, but that wasn’t good enough.” She shook her head, urging tears to tumble down her cheeks. “One night, things just blew up. Your father threatened to kill your brother if I didn’t leave. I had already fucked up by picking a shitty father for my kids. I couldn’t be the reason we left you in this world alone.”
Valerie assumed I was oblivious to my father’s rage, but I wasn’t. It was rare that I was on the receiving end, but I had witnessed how cruel he could be to someone who crossed him.
“Little do you know, living without you was a hell of its own.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I got a lot on my heart right now, Valerie. You’re bold for coming here, but we have to table this conversation.”
So many times, I envisioned how I would beat Valerie with my words if we ever ran into each other. I promised myselfI would treat her like a bitch on the street since she left me hanging. But I couldn’t think of anything that would hurt her as much as being away from her kids. The sight of her tears didn’t bring me joy like I assumed they would. I didn’t want to console her, but one day, I wanted to hear her out.
She lifted her hands in a surrendering motion. “Yes, of course. I understand. We can get together when you have some free time. I pray that’s sooner than later.”
“I need to talk to Easy about this before I?—”
“Baby, I’ve been looking for you.” Kannon approached us, ending the conversation before I had the chance.
“My bad, mama. I needed some fresh air.”
“Don’t apologize. I respect it.” She faced Valerie. “Isthis ...your mom?”
Valerie beamed. “How did you know?”
“You two have the same pretty,oval-shapedeyes. Plus, the dimples were a dead giveaway.” Kannon glanced at me. “Do I need to grab security?”
I laughed at my shameless protector. “Nah, she’s good. Valerie, this is my girlfriend, Kannon.”
The ladies exchanged a handshake while looking at each other cynically.
“So you’re the beauty carrying my grandbaby. I hope we can become acquainted,” Valerie suggested with a toothless smile.
Kannon looked at me before saying, “One relationship at a time.”
My baby’s blunt response was exactly how I felt. Valerie may have been relieved that my father was dead and she was free to roam in her hometown, but both facts made me uneasy.
Valerie asked me to walk her out, and Kannon tagged along. The ladies exchanged small talk as we made our way to the front of the house, but Valerie stopped when Uncle Lester stumbled in our direction.
“Look who’s still a sloppy drunk. I see things haven’t changed. How are you, Lester?”
My uncle froze and squinted like he was staring at a ghost. “Oh Lord. I know I mustbe faded. I know damn well the devil herself ain’t walked into this muthafucka. My brother ain’t been gone a week, and your ass popped up? Bitch, bust a move.” He pointed behind us, and I saw his attention on Kannon. “You can take that bitch with you. She doesn’t have no business here either.”
“Uncle Lester, you’re faded.” I huffed. “Go sleep that shit off.”
“Fuck you, littlenigga! I’ve been looking at you funny ever since you switched up on your cousin over a bitch.”
One hit to the chin, and I dropped the old head to the marble floor. Like he was aniggaoff thestreet,I stood over the hater until someone snatched me off balance.
“Boy, have you lost your damn mind?” Uncle Luke bucked up at me.
“I’ll lose more than that for my lady and my daughter! I’m sick of him testing me over something that doesn’t concern him!”
Echo stepped between his father and me, then straightened my collar while looking at me with worry in his eyes.
“Come on, Nep. I’ll make sure shit is straight here. Get Kannon out of here.”
“Fuck that! I’m not going nowhere until I make something clear.” I grabbed Kannon’s hand and guided her to my side. “This woman is the mother of my child. She is going to be my wife. Youniggasmay have never had a real one, but my story is different. If you disrespect her, I’ll shoot your face off.”
Everyone in the foyer looked confused or upset except for Kannon and Valerie. My mother stared at me with pride, making her eyes wide, and my lady looked like she had fallen more in love.
“Are you ready to go home, Tune?” Kannon asked, gripping my hand.
“I’m ready, Kitty.”
