AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Don’t be attacking my shit and acting like you innocent. So y’all niggas from Florida like throwing rocks and hiding yo’ hands, huh? I’ma show you how we get dine, baby. Wait until this shit is over.”
I slowly shook my head. I swore this nigga didn’t know how to pronounce the word down or town or any other word that rhymed with them. However, I was looking forward to getting fucked up, that was for sure. I wanted so much Houston running through me until they brought Astroworld back simply because of my presence.
* * *
“Jungle said Chelsea is free.Jenetta is still in bondage. He’s right. I had somewhat of a breakthrough sexually. Sorry. You probably don’t want to hear that.”
“I’m a professional. Talking about sex doesn’t offend me. Unless you’re uncomfortable with it… talk to me.”
“Well, umm… When I moved to Texas, I’d only experienced two men. Jonas and Jules. I had sex with someone before Jungle, and I realized that my trauma spoke loudly during that time. I closed my eyes and zoned out, just how I used to do with them. I’d imagine I was somewhere else with someone who loved me. It was how I coped with the abuse. I think I told you that much.”
“You did. So you did the same with this other man.”
“Yeah. I didn’t feel a thing, because I wasn’t there. Recently, I slept with Jungle. He made me keep my eyes open and on him the entire time. It was like he understood what I was doing without me saying so. I was only triggered once, and that was my fault for pushing him to be rougher. When he got rough, I couldn’t handle it. I nearly suffocated in fear.”
“Jungle is a smart man. He should be a counselor too.”
“Lawd. While he gives great advice, he’s full of shit sometimes too.”
“I got that vibe as well,” Isaiah said as he continued to chuckle.
We’d had a great time at the wedding reception. The food was amazing. Jericho had wanted soul food like only Mrs. Anissa could cook it, and she was happy to oblige him. Manman, Isaiah, and Alexz had helped her, along with Ms. Patricia, Lexi and Skyler’s mother. We’d had oxtails, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. That was perfect for me, because we loved oxtails and sweet potato for sure.
Seneca didn’t even so much as look my way. I was wondering if Kaysyn would join him, but then I realized she wouldn’t. She would have had to bring Jericka with her, and she wouldn’t dare have her around me now. I missed seeing her. I still wished I would have just kept my mouth shut. I would be seeing my daughter nearly every Sunday if I had.
“Jenetta isn’t just in bondage sexually.”
“I gathered that too. The court date is coming up, and I can imagine that has you on edge.”
“It does. My intentions were never for things to go this far. I only want to get to know my daughter. Sometimes I wish I would have never said anything and just got to know her on Sundays. At least I would still be able to see her.”
The tears suddenly fell from my eyes without warning. I didn’t know how to control my feelings where she was concerned. Jericka was an extension of me. The little while I was around her, I was able to see how sweet and caring she was. The way she played with the younger kids touched my heart. That was because of the way she was being raised. That was why I didn’t want to remove her from her home.
“I understand why you say that. Never in a million years did I think it would go this far. I don’t understand why they would go to these lengths if you were willing to sign a contract. Not only that; Jericho was family before we even knew you existed. He and Seneca were somewhat close, especially since they both work for Ali. Had you been a complete stranger, I could almost understand them going this far to protect themselves.”
“I told Seneca I didn’t want to take her. I feel like I’ve destroyed the bond between family and brothers. How do I move on from something like that? If the judge rules that they have a case, I’ll never get to be around the family if they will be there. I had such an amazing time today with everybody.”
“How did you feel when Seneca walked in?”
“I got tense, but Jungle helped me to calm down. Not tense as in angry, but nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. My presence has never been a threat to anyone, and I surely don’t want it to be a threat now.”
“I saw him and Jericho have words. Jericho didn’t look too happy about seeing him, but he shook his hand anyway.”
“Yeah. Jericho said that as long as they were against me, then they would be against him too. I never wanted to come between any bonds Jericho had formed out here. Y’all were his family when he thought he’d never see us again.”
Isaiah stood from his chair and sat next to me. He put his arm around my shoulders and said, “Seneca can be a hothead. He pointed a gun in my face when I was trying to date Joyy, based off what he thought was going on. When proven wrong, he got over himself and his actions quickly. I hope this is the same. How would you feel if they came to you and apologized for everything?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. My character is being attacked. That’s so unfair, especially when I was trying to go about this the right way.”
“I understand that. You definitely did it the right way. I wish there was more that I could say, but the only thing we can do now is wait to see what will happen. I just need you to try to be okay with whatever happens. Of course, if the judge is being unfair, by all means appeal the ruling, but I mean, if you can never have a relationship with her… can you be okay with that?”
“I would have had to be anyway when Kaysyn said no. I wouldn’t have gone against her wishes. That’s why I feel all of this is just so unnecessary.”
I wouldn’t dare tell Isaiah about what I thought would happen. Although I was nice, I was petty too. If they wanted to take me to court and it backfired on them, I would smile in their face and take my daughter with me. The attorney would be calling me tomorrow at ten in the morning, and I couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say. They said it was like a preliminary hearing, but the judge could do what he wanted.
“You’re right. I just didn’t want there to be any hate between me and them. But there is nothing I can do about it now. They hate me for being honest and non-confrontational.”
“Jesus was condemned. We are going to face ridicule, whether we have done anything to deserve it or not. What’s important is how we respond. I applaud you because I truly expected you to… excuse how I’m about to say this but… fuck some shit up around here.”
