When a Hood Legend Claims It All 4 Read online

  We had a quick memorial and repass after the service with light refreshments and drinks. I stayed mostly to myself while everyone was excited about my son. I had no idea what to name him, so I settled for Wesley Parker Jr. Irving was livid about the choice, but I was hopeful that the stars were aligning in my favor.

  After the repass was over I took the baby and headed home. Pulling up, I spotted Irving’s car and rolled my eyes to the top of my head. He was aware that the test result from the paternity test was expected to be delivered yesterday and he’s been blowing my phone up ever since. It was sitting on my coffee table unopened. I feared getting news I wasn’t ready for, so I was stalling as long as possible.

  It wasn’t like Irving would've been a bad father. He was ready to step up to the plate and be everything the baby needed if he was the father. However, in his mind he had the idea of a family and that was something I didn’t want with him. To be perfectly honest, I barely wanted a family. I wanted Wesley and the only way to secure myself in his life was having a baby. Of course I had to be so desperate and in my feelings that I landed myself in this predicament.

  Putting my car in park, I took the key out of the ignition and got out making my way to the back so I could get the car seat out.

  Junior was a peaceful baby that didn’t require much. It could be since he was born I wasn’t exactly hands-on, so he was accustomed to being swaddled and a bottle propped up for him when he was hungry. I was glad he wasn’t a handful because I didn’t have it in me to care for a baby alone.

  “How long are you going to ignore my phone call?” Irving asked approaching me.

  I unsnapped the car seat from the base and carefully got it out of the car. “I’m not ignoring you. I've been busy.”

  “Busy with what?”

  “Being a mother,” I snapped even though it was the furthest from the truth.

  Irving shook his head and slid the diaper bag from off of my shoulders and took the car seat from out of my hand. He could tell I was struggling, and I appreciated the help. The heaviest thing I carried was my purses and now I was toting around a bunch of baby essentials.

  “You look like you’re drowning doing this alone. You won’t have to be so flustered if you actually allowed me to be a father.”

  “Who knows if you’re even the father,” I threw over my shoulder as I made my way to the front door.

  Irving said something, but I tuned him out unlocking the locks and stepping inside. I waited by the door and watched him place the car seat in the living room and the diaper bag on the couch.

  “Alright, you can go now.”

  Irving chuckled placing his hands on his hips. “You know why I’m here. I certainly didn’t come to walk you into your house. Why are you stalling? Let’s get these results over and done with? I get it that you don’t want to be with me, but if I’m his father I won’t allow anything to stop me from being there for him.

  I stood at the door for a moment with a grimace on my face. Rolling my eyes again, I shut the door, locked it and headed towards the living room.

  Picking up the envelope that held the dreaded information, I tore it open, pulled out the paper and scanned my eyes over the words. My heart was pounding in my chest before it dropped to my feet like I went down the drop of a rollercoaster.

  I landed my eyes on Irving’s curious gaze. I was stuck and didn’t know what to say.

  “I’m his father.”

  “Actually, you’re not,” I shot back. The shock began to wear off and was replaced with glee. Finally something positive was finally happening in my life.

  “You’re lying.” Irving stormed over to me and snatched the paper out of my hand. I allowed him to read it and crossed my arms under my breast when I noticed the shift in his demeanor. Not too long ago he was sure of himself, but now all the color had drained from his face and his eyes were bouncing back between me and the letter.

  “Now can you leave me and my son alone?” I asked cocking my head to the side.

  Pissed, Irving flicked the paper onto the coffee table and stormed past me. I didn’t appreciate his bitchy attitude but if doing that meant I wouldn’t have to ever see him again; I was fine with it.

  Irving left my house slamming my door behind him and startling Junior. I sucked my teeth and got him out of his car seat and cradled him in my arms as I went to the kitchen to make him a bottle.

  I didn’t know how I went this long without hiring a nanny. There was no way I could heal and try to get my body back in shape caring for a newborn. After I put Wesley up to speed on the paternity of our child, finding a nanny was something I was going to do.

  “Oh, please be quiet,” I sighed bouncing Junior’s whiny ass in the crook of my arm. I could kick Irving’s ass for waking him up. I had no clue how mothers with more than one child it did because I already had my mind made up to not go this route again. I tried to pour the water in the bottle, scoop out the formula and screw the top back on with my other free hand. Hiring a nanny was definitely my next move.

  Once I was able to get Junior settled in his Mamaroo with his bottle propped up with some blankets I got the letter and took a picture of it before I sent it to Wesley. We haven’t spoken since he found out Irving was possibly the father. I wasn’t about to call his ass either, but now that I knew Irving was no longer a factor, I was all for the shits. I just wanted my man now and I was confident I could definitely have him back.

  Peeking over at Junior who was looking drunk as he sucked on the bottle, my phone chimed in my hand.

  Wesley:

  Just because that nigga ain’t the father doesn’t mean I am.

  This definitely wasn’t the response I intended to get from him. I totally underestimated him thinking whatever I presented his way he was going to accept it. Granted, just because Irving was the only one tested another man could possibly be the father. However, I was built like that to sleep around. Irving and I was close since we had many gigs together. Many nights in New York was spent with him and it took more than a couple compliments for him to even get between my legs. It was just that one time and that one time threw a monkey wrench in my plans.

  I began to peck my manicured nails on my screen issuing out threats so he could get the test done. Before I was able to press send, he sent a message saying he was going to come over tomorrow with a DNA test for the baby. It slowed down the burn that was inside of me and I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip thinking about now that he was so much closer to me what I could do to win my man over. Wesley Junior was in fact his child. All I needed was for him to be my man again.

  Wesley

  “Yes, Wesley.”

  Relief washed over me hearing Amena’s sweet sultry voice in my phone. She’s been dodging me like a bullet and I really didn’t like the fact that she was making me work this goddamn hard to get to her. We all made mistakes right? All I needed was one shot to get back in her good graces and I promised to God I was going to do everything in my power to keep her happy.

  “Why you playing hard to get? I know you seen me calling you. I just FaceTimed you. What you around one of ya new niggas?” I huffed feeling a pang of jealousy tug at my heart.

  Amena laughed. “Sweetie, if I was with a man right now trust and believe I wouldn’t be answering your call.”

  “So you are talking to other niggas now.”

  “That’s none of your business,” she responded sharply causing me to grit my teeth. This new Amena I couldn’t get used to. She use to be so easy going. It’s like I changed her into a hard woman, and I wasn’t liking the shit at all.

  I walked inside of the CVS and searched every aisle for the paternity test I saw online that could be done at home and sent off. I however was going to take it down to the diagnostic center myself in the city and wait for the results. I was able to pull a couple of strings that also had me coming out of pocket, but it was all worth it.

  I was no longer excited thinking about being a father only because Kesha did some fucked up shi
t, yet again. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but knowing she was prepared for me to play a role that probably wasn’t mine turned me off to the whole idea.

  The past week or so I’ve been occupying my time with getting this money especially since Amena wasn’t trying to give me any play.

  “Why you gotta be so hard, yo.”

  Click!

  Stopping in the aisle my mouth dropped as I pulled my phone from my ear to check to see if Amena banged on me and she really did. I was now staring at my home screen appalled. I dialed her back up and she answered right before the phone got transferred to her voicemail.

  “Yes, Wesley,” she answered.

  “Did you just bang on me?”

  “Correct.”

  I laughed shaking my head and proceeded to scour the shelves for this test.

  “I honestly don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you ain’t about to be disrespecting me like that.”

  “Who’s disrespectful? Me or you? You’re very aware of what my name is, and I won’t answer or allow anyone to call me anything but what’s on my birth certificate.”

  I blew out a deep breath trying to hold back what I really wanted to tell her ass. I wasn’t for her bullshit, but I wanted her back and I knew this was only a result of what I put her through.

  “All I want to know is if you’re talking to someone else.”

  “Why, so you can get in my head again? Have me drop them, so I can be strung along in the cat and mouse game you and Kesha are playing?”

  “Listen, it won’t be none of that,” I told her stopping at the boxes. There were three different tests. I picked the most expensive one thinking it made a difference then made my way to the front counter. “We need to have a face to face conversation because this phone shit ain’t cutting it. Let me come over so we can talk.”

  “We don’t gotta be in my house to talk.”

  “So how the hell can we get back on good terms if you won’t even allow me to see you!” I all but yelled out in frustration. This white lady looked at me with wide eyes and a flushed face from my outburst.

  Cutting my eye at her I went to the self-checkout and paid for my shit. Amena had me tripping and the shit had me uncomfortable.

  “That’s the thing, all we ever did was meet up or be at my place. Shit, I have never been at your house because your so called ex still had access. You don’t get it. I’m worth way more than what you have to offer. I’m no longer that airhead little girl that got high off your sweet words and drunk off your kisses. If you want me, act like it otherwise, leave me the hell alone.”

  Click!

  Again she hung up on me. This time I didn’t bother to hit her back up either. I had more pressing issues than to deal with her bitch fit. I know I fucked up, but Amena meant so much to me. If she couldn’t see that, I didn’t know what to tell her.

  ***

  My finger barely touched the bell, before the front door swung open and Kesha stood with a grey silk robe barely covering her body. I felt a displeased look cross my face despite the fact my dick was growing hard as I stared at her plump breasts threatening to spill out of the thin fabric. My eyes traveled to her sleek legs and then back up at her face.

  “Why aren’t you dressed?”

  She stepped aside with a snide smile on her face. “I was in the middle of getting dressed before you interrupted me. It shouldn't matter though because from the looks of it, you’re loving what you see.”

  Her hand went to my bulge and it twitched from the feel of her soft hands groping it. I couldn’t remember the last time I had some pussy. Really wanting Amena back had me blocking out all the possibilities I had in my phone that was ready to spread their legs from East to West if I gave them the time of day.

  “I’m a man. Shit, like this is bound to happen when a bitch is naked. Don’t get too happy as if you accomplished anything.”

  She jerked her head back at me with her lip curled. “Did you just call me a bitch.”

  “Where is he?” I asked back ignoring her question.

  Kesha pointed towards the living room where he was in his Mamaroo facing the TV zoned out like a zombie.

  Finally looking the baby she named after me in the face, every emotion I rid myself of rushed me like a stampede. He was tiny as fuck, but I was able to pinpoint features we both shared. Part of me wanted to say fuck the test, I didn’t need it, but Kesha played too many games and at this point going off looks on a new born wasn’t exact proof.

  “How long was he in front of this TV?” I asked getting defensive.

  “Not long. Why?”

  “I don’t think he should be in front of a damn TV. I read newborns can’t really see so it’s pointless having him strain his eyes towards a bunch of different lights and colors.”

  Kesha sighed rolling her eyes. “Um… I appreciate your concern, but don’t come here acting like daddy of the year after abandoning me and having me deliver our son early.”

  “It was a few days and it isn’t abandoning shit if I’m not sure if he’s my son or not. Thanks to you I spent a good amount of months putting in time and effort into something that may not even be official.”

  Again, she rolled her damn eyes and I was getting sick of her already.

  “And if he’s your son how will you feel that you missed out on the most important time of his life. What real father misses the birth of their first born child. Son at that.”

  “What type of mother lies about the paternity of her child?” I asked back. Of course it would hurt me knowing that I missed the birth of my child, but fuck that, she wanted to go tit-for-tat I was all for it. I was done with the bullshit and games. It’s been this way for a while with her and my patience was running thin. She had no one to blame but herself.

  “You need to let that go. You’re his father. Once it’s proven hopefully we can put this all behind us and move on… a family.”

  “Weren’t you getting dressed. I ain’t fucking you, so you might as well put some clothes on.”

  Smacking her lips she stormed off towards her stairs and I focused on little man. My demeanor changed instantly unsnapping the restraints and picking him up. He cooed the entire time I held him and stared at me in my face as if he knew exactly who I was. If this little boy wasn’t my son my heart was going to completely break because the vibe was so strong between us.

  “I got you lil’ man,” I mumbled cradling him in my arm as I got the box open with one hand. I read over the directions which were pretty simple. I swabbed him first, put the sticks in his envelope and then swabbed myself. He was knocked out, so I gently placed him back in his Mamaroo and filled out the paperwork and envelopes.

  Kesha returned wearing gray spandex shorts and a matching gray sports bra. It did nothing to hide her curves, but it was better than her being naked.

  “What’s next?” she asked.

  When I looked into her eyes they now held a sadness that didn’t move me.

  “You gotta swab yourself and I should be able to get the result today.” Pulling my phone out I checked the time to see how much longer I had before the diagnostic center closed. “I gotta get there before five.”

  Lifting the swab, she opened her mouth, stroked the insides of her cheeks and then placed them in side of her envelope I filled out.

  “My mother is dead,” she randomly said. “Her memorial was yesterday. The day she died we got into a heated argument and hours later I got a phone call from my father. When I got to the hospital we were told she was dead.” She paused as if she was fighting back tears and shook her head. “Everything that’s been going on hit me all at once. I passed out and was rushed to get an emergency c-section with Junior.”

  Now I was feeling bad. I knew how tight Kesha was with her mom. They only got on each other’s nerves because they were one in the same, spoiled, bratty and entitled. Yup, even as a grown woman they held those childish ass qualities.

  Standing to my feet, I brought her into my arms. She welcomed my embrac
e and leaned her head against my chest sniffling as she held onto me tightly.

  The way she wept I could tell she’s been holding this shit in for a minute. I was feeling like an ass for being too hard on her when she had a lot on her shoulders.

  I lost my mother too, but the pain was different since she had the opportunity to actually grow up with her. I was stuck and had no clue what to say so I allowed her to get it all out.

  “Aye.. we gonna get through this. I will be here for you,” I told her once her cries subsided to a few deep breaths. I lifted her chin with my pointer finger and thumb the lone tear that rolled down her cheek.

  She was quiet just staring at me until I saw her inching up towards my face and I turned my head, so her lips landed on my cheek. It was always something with Kesha.

  Her face flushed and she snatched herself out of my arms glaring at me now only because she felt like an ass hole. Again, that ain’t have shit to do with me.

  “I understand you’re hurting, but as long as I’m present in your life, things like that won’t happen between us. That ship done sailed.”

  “Is it another woman.”

  “Why does it always have to go back to that? If Junior is proven to be mine, it will be only co-parenting. I’m trying to do this the right way and not have feelings involved. I’ve fucked around enough, and you deserve more; something you’ve always been telling me. I’m not the man you need, Kesha. I can’t love you the way you want me to.”

  “You can,” she whined with her lip quivering.

  “I can’t and I won’t keep dragging you along. Like you said, you’re beautiful and have your whole life and career ahead of you.”

  From the look on her face, nothing I was saying was registering. It definitely wasn’t what she expected to hear.

  “Just leave!” she shouted pointing towards the door. I looked at Junior who jumped from the sound of her voice which had me frowning. This was the dramatic shit I was talking about. I couldn’t wait to get the result of the test because if she was going to continue to act like a child I was prepared to take on full responsibility of my son.