“I do know that! I also know that no one has touched you since, and this is the last time that we’ll discuss this unless you want the bodies to start piling up. I can’t even think about that shit, Faith, so stop playing with me. The only reason I entertained that DNA madness for a second is because you insisted. You and I both know that’s my daughter, or I wouldn’t be standing here.”
Faith rolled her eyes. Before she could fire off another sassy response that wouldn’t change my mind, someone knocked on the door.
“You expecting someone?” I asked.
“No. My sisters are the only ones who come over. The majority of the time, they have sense enough to call first,” Faith said as she passed me to walk to the door.
She tore the door open without looking out. I could tell that she regretted that decision when her shoulders fell.
“Hey, I actually have company right now,” she explained.
Who the fuck did she have to explain herself to? Leaving my position, I moved toward the door to see who it was. Fucking Casper. I should have known. I opened my mouth to dismiss him, since he obviously didn’t hear what she said. Right before Isaid what I had to say, my baby girl came back into the room and stopped me.
“Who is it, Mommy? Is it Auntie Hope?”
“It’s me, little bit!” Casper said like somebody gave a damn.
When Jada ran to the door to greet him, I almost burst into flames. I could feel heat coming from my collar when that dead bastard reached down and picked my daughter up.
“Do like this for me, Jada,” I spoke up, as I covered my ears to demonstrate what I wanted her to do. When her ears were covered, I slowly turned my attention to Casper.
“Put my daughter the fuck down.”
He looked at Faith first like she was the one talking to him. I didn’t know what year he was born, but I knew what end date would be on his gravestone if he thought I was a joke.
“My bad, man,” he said, extending his hand for me to shake.
“Take your dick beaters off my baby. I don’t want no grown-ass strange man picking my daughter up. Shit’s weird.”
“This is my neighbor I was telling you about, Reed.”
“Oh, I remember Casper’s slick ass. That don’t mean I want him holding my daughter.”
“It’s actually Jasper,” he clarified like I gave a fuck.
Since I didn’t want to make a scene, I reached for Jada and placed her on her feet. I didn’t even feel comfortable picking her up right now, and here this dude was scooping her up like she needed a father figure. I was her fucking father figure. After a five-second stare off with Casper, I took my baby’s hand and led her out of the room.
“I guess I’ll go,” he muttered.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Faith said, trying to soothe his wounded ego.
I didn’t give a damn about his ego. He saw me pull up and knew my car was still outside. It didn’t matter what the nature of Faith’s and my relationship was; he shouldn’t have broughthis ass over here being nosy. He was lucky I had an appointment to play dress-up or tea party or something with my daughter, or I would have kicked him in the ass on his way out the door. I turned to look back, and Faith was staring daggers into me. I guess I was in trouble now.
“You didn’t have to do that, Reed,” she hissed.
“You didn’t have to apologize on my behalf. I’m an adult. I don’t want him or any other man picking my daughter up, Faith. Women either, really. People aren’t wrapped too tight, and neither am I. I will go to jail or hell behind mine.”
“Ooo, Daddy, you said a bad word,” Jada said, like I was about to be sent to the corner.
I felt like I was already messing up by cursing in front of her. I never wanted my child to see me in a negative light. This was all so new to me. I had been around kids before but not long enough to worry about what I said and did.
Kneeling in front of her, I pinched her cheeks as I spoke. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m not used to being around little princesses. I have to practice my manners. Can you help me with that?”
“Yes, I’m really good at helping.”
“I bet you are. I might have a hard time at first. If a time comes when I can’t help but say a bad word, I will say earmuffs, then you just cover your ears and sing. OK?”
“OK, I got it.” She nodded before dragging me further into her room.
