“Call me when you on your way.”
I closed the door and went to see MJ. He was in his room playing with his toys. I loved spending time with him. It gave mea sense of peace. I had to admit, four years ago, when I became a father, I was scared as hell. I didn’t know where I would turn for advice on it because my father was locked up for life. I saw many pictures, but we never visited him. I was at a loss for how to be a man. The void I had ignored doubled in size when I became a father myself. All the guidance I had missed, which I had told my mother didn’t affect me, was suddenly exposed. I probably still didn’t have all my shit right, but all I knew was that I wanted to be there. So, I did. I tried every day to teach him and show him things I never knew.
He was going to be much better than I ever was. If I had anything to do with it, he would never have his hands in this street shit, risking his freedom. That was my burden, and I prayed that it wouldn’t be forever. Kids changed you, and as I grew older, I realized that I had to be an example for him. Just seeing him play in his room was enough to make my heart swell.
“We gone watch Spider-Man?” He asked with the action figure in hand. Spider-Man was his nigga for sure.
“With popcorn. That’s what I promised, right?” I crouched down to his level.
“Here!” MJ said, shoving a car in my hand.
“I got you, daddy coming right back,” I said, hearing my phone chime. I stepped out of the room to check my messages, and it was Dyami. A wide smile stretched across my face. Instead of responding to her message, I called her. Her voice sounded so sweet.
“Hey, Marcos.” She answered.
“I thought I was gone have to come find you,” I said.
“No, I just didn’t want to bother you.”
“Dyami, you ain’t ever bothering me. I want to see you.”
Silence. Her nerves were evident, and it gave me confidence.
“I have my son this weekend, but a nigga trying to see you ASAP so don’t think yo’ pretty ass gone hide from me.”
“That was your son at the restaurant?”
“Yeah, I have him every weekend. Is that a problem?” I said, and I walked by Junior’s room to make sure he was cool. Things had gotten a little too quiet for me.
“No, I want to see you too, so that we can catch up. It’s been so long.”
“Hell yeah. Too long. What’s your schedule like?”
“I’m usually free only on the weekends, because I work all week.” She dodged.
“I’ll find time. If I can’t find it, I’ll make some. Tell me the day.”
“My girl, Chante, and I go out after work on Wednesday at this work bar. You can meet us there if you have a friend for her.” I couldn’t get over how timid she sounded. That wasn’t her. All I had to do was crack that shell, and it would be done.
“I’ll take being a part of your plans until we create our own.”
“Okay, hold on, somebody's calling me.”
“You got that. I just wanted to hear your voice for a minute. I’m gonna call you later once I put my son to bed.”
We disconnected, and I was already making plans for her in my head.
Chapter 6
Dyami
Iopened my door and plopped on the couch, tired. I’d just cleaned my house from top to bottom. My house was never messy, but I was meticulous about cleanliness. I hated the feeling of living in chaos. I had finally accumulated so many things I wanted, and keeping my place intact was a swell of pride. This couch felt so good, though. I felt like I could spend all night here. It was Saturday night, and Sundays were for sleeping in. I would curl up with some ice cream and watch my favorite shows. For the past few years, that has always been my routine. Saturday, cleaning my mom’s house, then mine, Sunday lounging, and getting ready for the work week.
A FaceTime call from Marcos came through, and I sat up straight. I debated whether I should answer. My finger slid up to accept the call. It was just after ten at night, and he did promise to call back. I still couldn’t get over the fact that Marcos was a father. A quick assessment of his state seemed as if he was lounging, too. A little tired from a day of daddy duties, no doubt because the energy he had earlier was depleted.
“Hey,” I intentionally made my voice light.
“What you got going on tonight?” His thick voice came through. Every time he asked me what my plans were, this tension gripped me just like it was currently. My throat got dry, and my chest started to pound.
