“He too far gone, Senior. That ain’t nothing but a waste of money and them people time. I’m not about to torture nobody with Junior’s foolishness. I threw the towel in a long time ago. Klarity has every right to be upset. He never asks her to doanything he just does it. That girl is a hell of a woman because she lets you do you and still stick around. Stop scheming and being so conniving, Junior. She deserves better.” My mama pecked my father’s cheek and followed in the direction of her daughter-in-law.
Iris was gon’ preach and not give a fuck if I listened or not. Klarity had become her baby, and she was quick to turn on me nowadays. I loved everything about it though. My wife gained a genuine family, and they stepped behind her as if she was born into this muthafucka. My mama was right. She deserved the support, and I was glad she had it.
“She fusses a lot but she ain’t wrong, Junior.”
“I know, Pops. I got this though. Klarity said she’ll see me when we get to the crib so at least she going home with a nigga,” I said finding the bright side to my bullshit.
“Get this shit over with and go make it right with yo’ wife. We only get one woman that’s really down for us. Don’t let her slip away,” he preached.
“What I tell you? I got this.” We dapped up and I finished making my rounds.
One thing I knew fa sho’ was Klarity wasn’t going nowhere. I done did a lot of shit to get her to accept me and now that she was in love, I knew whatever I did afterward wasn’t gon’ make her walk. The loyalty she gave that fuck nigga wasn’t shit compared to what she was giving me. A devoted and faithful husband. I was who she deserved, and we all knew it. All she had to do now was acknowledge our marriage and live in happiness.
Sixteen
Klarity
To love a man like Royce was overwhelming at times. He was so spoiled and used to doing whatever he wanted that he saw nothing wrong in the things he did. It was like raising a child at times trying to teach him right from wrong. The thing with myhusbandwas no one ever corrected his behavior so now he thinks everyone is supposed to fall in line giving him what he wants. That wasn’t how shit worked with me.
Like now for instance, he wanted me home waiting on him hand and foot. A few folk hadn’t seen me and the kids with my auntie Symphony and Uncle Quill being the only ones on that list. They cared for me so much and I’d been ducked off because of crazy ass. They should’ve been granted a visit before now.
I lucked up pulling up to Tiny Treasures seeing Uncle Quill’s truck parked next to my aunt’s car. I parked next to their vehicles excitedly. I missed them something serious. CJ was just as excited as I was. He couldn’t stop screaming with joy bringing a smile to my face. Even Essence was beginning to wake up and look around as if she knew where we were.
Removing her from her car seat then CJ from his, we headed inside. It was such a pretty day outside that sitting in the house just didn’t feel right. Royce had been gone most of the morninganyway, so I decided to enjoy the day as well. I punched in the code on the door and access was granted.
It took CJ nothing more than a second to take off running. He spotted Uncle Quill first and that was all he wrote. The kids knew CJ and loved him. They all screamed his name in excitement. That alone made me happy for him. He was missed because much like his mother, he had a personality that could melt an icicle. He was going to be a popular kid. I just prayed that didn’t backfire.
“Oh my God! Is that the babyyyyy? Why is she so big already, Klarity?” Aunt Symphony’s eyes were as big as boulders. I guess Seri hadn’t been keeping her updated like I assumed she would.
“Her father makes sure she’s fed and so does his mother. They don’t let her breathe Auntie,” I responded.
Jesus, I’m claiming this nigga as their father. He really got me out here on this dumbass shit like him.
“Father? Mother? Am I missing something?” she asked looking back and forth between me and Uncle Quill.
“Uhh, yeah. Have you eaten? We can order lunch and talk.”
“I’ll go grab something for y’all. CJ, you trying to hang with me?” Uncle Quill volunteered his services and was even willing to take CJ along. He always read the room quicker than anyone I knew.
“Yeah!” he screamed.
“Aight. I’ll be back baby. Y’all good with Chick-Fil-A?” Aunt Symphony nodded and I followed suit. He walked out with my son in his arms.
My aunt grabbed my hand and pulled me to her office. The daycare teachers looked as if they wanted the tea, too, but I knew my aunt and she never told family business to her staff. She didn’t play that. I respected her so much for being that one person who could hold water in my circle.
She was seated before I was and was reaching for Essence immediately. I handed her over and all she could do was coo over my baby. Essence really was like a doll. Her big bright eyes, her bright skin, and her curly hair was everything a doll carried. It didn’t help that her cheeks were just as puffy. I had no love or respect left for Cojak, but we made some beautiful children that I couldn’t deny.
“Jesus, Klarity. She is absolutely beautiful. She looks so much like you, but I see Cojak in her as well. Oh, she’s going to make me cry from how pretty she is.”
“Please don’t, Auntie. She’s a baby and you see many like her come through your daycare all the time. I’m sure of it,” I said trying not to get the big head.
“You right. I’ve seen one too many kids come through here, but none has looked like her. Klarity this child looks unreal. Oh, look how she cuts a smile. I can’t stop looking at her. I heard you say her father and his mother makes sure she’s fed. What? Cojak got his shit together and acting like a man?”
“Not exactly.” I held my hand up showing the big ass rock she completely missed. When she saw it, her eyes were back to bulging. I was going to give her a heart attack at this rate dropping blow after blow.
“My God today. What the hell is that, Klarity? You’re married?” her voice was at a high whisper, but I was certain if we weren’t at her place of business, she would’ve shouted that.
“If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t find out until a week ago,” I stated with a half-smile.
