“Mmhmm, over the phone you can tell me anything. I need to see what you look like in person when you’re telling me that nonsense.” She looked me over as I gave my best effort to seem convincing. But like any mother, she saw right through me. “You’re not good, son.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Don Nasir Desaun. Why are you lying to me?”
I sighed, hating that she was able to figure me out so easily. “I’m stressed to the fucking max right now! Excuse my language.”
“It’s all good. I want to know how you’re truly feeling. Let it out.”
“It’s just…this situation with Dakota’s mother has been a lot to process. I never thought that things would go this far. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it.”
“Trust me, I don’t think anyone did. The girl certainly had a little fire in her, but to go to that extreme and cause physical harm to someone…I’m still in disbelief.”
“I know. But I don’t know what else to say…she just snapped and nothing else mattered. Not even Dakota.”
Sighing, my mother shook her head. “I really hate that my grandbaby has to grow up without her mother.”
“Yeah, me too. This isn’t the way things were supposed to go.”
“Of course not.” She shrugged. “But, hey, we have to deal with the reality of the situation. Kierra completely lost it, and she has zero remorse for what she did. Unfortunately for her, the judge saw that, which is why she was sentenced to life in prison. I know you have a soft spot for her, and you want things to be different, but you have to realize that she’s gone and there’s nothing you can do to bring her back.”
“Man, I don’t want to believe that shit. Dakota needs her mother.”
“Yeah, she does. But most importantly, she needs love and all of that is right here. Have you given any more thought to moving back home like we discussed? Just so you can get the kind of support that you need. Being a single parent isn’t easy, son. You need help…our help.”
I blew out a heavy breath and folded my arms over my chest.
The idea of packing up and moving wasn’t something I was too thrilled about. Not only did I have to leave the only home Dakota had known, aside from her mother's, but I had to leave behind the life that I’d built, which was one that I’d grown to truly appreciate.
“Trust me, I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. I still haven’t come to a final decision.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I have a life in Dallas. Dakota has friends. I have friends.”
“But there’s no family out there. You need family.”
“Yeah, I know. I just need some more time to figure things out.”
“Mmhmm, well, you need to figure it out soon. Fall will be here before you know it, and Dakota will be starting pre-k. I’m sure you don’t want to have to put her somewhere and snatch her right back out if you decide to move back.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Exactly, so figure it out, and if you need a little more motivation to stick around, just think about the pretty little thing you have curled up in your bed back there.”
I groaned. “Please don’t bring Nova into this.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll leave it alone for now. But I already know you’ve been thinking about it. Now that she’s divorced, you can go ahead and see—”
“She’s not divorced. He hasn’t signed the paperwork yet.”
She waved me off. “I’m sure that’s only a matter of time.”
“I don’t know. It’s looking like it’s going to be a lot longer than planned. He’s refusing to sign them.”
“Why am I not surprised?” she said before dropping her head and placing both hands on her hips. “Son, this may be the one time I encourage you to go cause bodily harm to someone.”
Slamming my fist into my hand, I said, “Believe me, I want to. But I’m determined to let Nova handle it. I don’t want to cross any lines.”
