"She’s right," Kori said from her chair, leaping up to go to Persha’s side.
Cricket leaned her forward. "Don’t even tell me that’s why you’ve been avoiding us. Girl, we’re family. You’re mama ain’t here. We’re all you have. Don’t ever do anything like that again," she chastised.
"I just don’t know what to do," Persha said, wiping away a few tears. "How am I supposed to tell my mother? You know how crazy she can get? After all she had to give up to raise me alone, and I fall into the exact same trap she did. Well, I mean my father died when I was a baby and there was nothing she could do about that. But she was a single mom and it was hard for her. What am I going to do?"
"You’re gonna pray that God blesses you with a healthy child and you’ll do what you have to do in order to take care of it. Plain and simple," Brenda interjected.
Kori threw her hands up. "Yeah, girl. It’s a no-brainer to me. We thought you had some real bad news! A baby, that’s not all that bad. Okay, so he skipped on you, but like Ms. Brenda said, he ain’t the first and won’t be the last. Straight up."
With newfound courage, Persha thought she was ready to face her mother, or at least to call her and deliver the news. Her mind was definitely made up. She’d have the baby without Clarke. And unlike her mother, she’d be very upfront about their relationship. When the child was old enough, she’d explain why she and Clarke were no longer together. Her own mother didn’t like talking about her father. All Persha knew was that he was killed in a military training exercise.
Even though she’d made up her mind to tackle this alone, still, deep down inside, a little part of her wanted to give Clarke another chance. She had to admit to herself that he was going through more than any one man should have to bear alone. And when he slapped her, well, that was just sheer reaction. She knew he didn’t mean anything by that. He loved her, and when the baby came, he’d love it too.
With the phone ringing in her ear, Persha couldn’t wait to share her news with her mother. Persha had already told herself that she would not allow anything to make her feel bad about her decision.
"Hey Mama!" Persha said through the phone receiver.
"Chile, where’ve you been! Lawd have mercy! I prayed and prayed the lord would steer you to me. I haven’t been sleeping well. I’ve told you time and time again that I don’t like when we don’t talk."
"I know Ma, but I’ve been going through a lot lately. I needed to get my head on straight, get my thoughts together so that we could really talk."
"Well, let’s pray. Chile, I need the Holy Ghost to take over and become a moving force in your life! I hope you see the light before it’s too late. God said-"
"Ma, I’m pregnant!" Persha said, cutting her off. There was no point in prolonging the inevitable. She saw where the conversation was going and she wanted to get it off her chest so she could take whichever scripture her mother was about to unleash.
"Ma? Are you there?" Persha asked. Still, nothing on the other end. She could barely hear her mother breathing.
"Persha? You’ve been fornicating?" Her mother actually sounded surprised by the revelation. Persha shook her head as she listened to Paula. "I told you what would happen. Didn’t I warn you, chile? You need to humble yourself before the Lord! Oh sweet Jesus! What have you done? Chile, what in God’s good name have you gone and done?"
Persha rolled her eyes. She didn’t feel up to the emotional trashing from her mother.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know," Persha said. "I’m having a baby for a man who may be involved with someone else and does not want to have anything to do with me or the baby. He’s married. I just thought you should know. That’s all!" Persha knew what she was doing wasn’t right, but better her mother hear the news before it got too late. Initially, she had no intention of mentioning the fact that Clarke was married, but then decided she might as well get it over with. She was causing her mother enough distress. She might as well do it in one big heep.
"Laaaaawd, have mercy! Whew, Chile. In the good book, Matthew chapter 5 verse 32, says anyone who causes one to commit adultery is himself an adulterer. And in Mark Chapter 10 versus 11, any man who divorces his wife to marry another woman commits adultery against her. Persha what have you done, Chile? What have you done?" Paula reeked.
"Ma, I never said anything about him leaving his wife for me. What’s done is done. They will divorce, but it’s not because of me. The damage was done long before me."
"In Luke chapter 24 verse 47 Jesus says repentance and remission of sins should-"
"Ma! That’s enough. Either you’re with me or you’re not! I don’t need scripture. I need support right now."
"Persha, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all this time. Everything you need is right in the good book, baby. Everything!"
As a tear ran down her cheek, Persha sighed and rolled her eyes again.
~ Clarke
Clarke had been in a steep drunken stupor for days after his last encounter with Persha. What the fuck did he need with a kid right now? He was hoping Kelsa wouldn’t find out about it, and maybe somehow she’d take him back.
He knew for sure that if she found out about the baby, there was no way in hell they’d get back together. Lying on the sofa in Antwone’s carriage house, the game was watching him more than he was watching it.
His mind had been to so many places and back, and still nothing. No matter how much he struggled, his mind could not come up with a simple solution.
He wondered if he could somehow make Persha abort the baby. That way, they could make a clean break and go their separate ways again…and for good this time! Nah, that wouldn’t be cool, Clarke reconsidered.
Clarke hadn’t even told Antwone about the latest development in the fucked up scenerio. He didn’t need any more stress in his life, well, not any more than he already had. Besides, sometimes Antwone whined more than any bitch he’d ever been involved with did.
Like yesterday, Antwone said it was cool for them to kick it up at the house, watch the game and have a few cold ones because Michelle’s stupid ass was going somewhere. Then when Clarke started talking about the restraining order and how he needed to go by the house for more stuff, Antwone suddenly sat up with his face twisted. Clarke was under he impression that Antwone felt the same way about that crazy restraining order as he did until Antwone asked, "Why would you do that if you know you could go to jail?"
With his face unable to mask his own confusion, Clarke shrugged and asked, "Man, whose side you on?"
Antwone shook his head. "It’s not a matter of being on sides, it’s common sense. If you would’ve handled your business the right way, you wouldn’t be all caught up right now. That’s all I’m saying. And while it’s been cool for you to kick it here, Michelle is starting to ask about how long you’re gonna stay." He sipped his brew. "She really talking about letting you stay is like picking sides."
"No shit?"
"I told you I was getting this place ready for her mother. That Bitch is supposed to come here for a couple of weeks and ain’t no way in hell she staying in my crib. So this is where she stays." Antwone looked around as if he was inspecting the place.
"Aw, dawg. Well, that’s why I need to get back over to the house and talk to Kelsa. She’s got to see how crazy all this shit is; changing locks, restraining orders, and not letting a brotha in the house and shit. All my plants are probably dead by now."
"Clarke, what I’m trying to say is you may need to get your own place. Man, she had way too much control over your life to begin with. You don’t need her. And you know I’ll take care of you whether you’re here or not."
"Aeey, look man, kicking a brotha a few duckets is different from what I have with Kelsa. Some of that shit is mine too. Why should I just walk away and let her win?"
"Because you had another woman living up in her house, bra. You oughta be glad you still alive!" Antwone snickered. "Yeah, Kelsa told Michelle the whole story, Dawg."
They both leaned back. Clarke watched as Antwone sipped his brew, but he was seeing something different in his friend.
"So you’re saying I should just throw in the towel then?" Clarke asked.
"Nah, that’s not what I’m saying. But, man, you don’t want to be a liability to nobody. I mean think about it, Clarke. What do you have to offer anybody? And you know I’m down with you and all, but selling that magic wand of yours all the time ain’t even cool."
"Why you gotta go there?"
"I’m just saying. Just because I don’t pay for it anymore, it don’t mean you ain’t still selling in a sense."
Clarke started fuming. So now Antwone all of a sudden thinks he’s better than somebody because his shit’s all in tact. Well, Clarke knew how to set him straight, but first he had to make sure he’d have a place to stay until Kelsa took him back.
"Well, when you’re married you become one. So it’s not like Kelsa didn’t know what she was getting into. And besides, it ain’t like you kicking a brotha down like you used to either."
"Shit, man, priorities change. That’s all I’m saying. By your age, you should have a few things in your own damn name so that regardless of what any of these hags do, you still got your own when they’re gone. Look at you now, man. If I didn’t let you chill in the back, where would you be? And If I didn’t give you the down payment for your ride, shit, you’d probably still be driving around in that old bucket you used to have."
"Well, everybody ain’t got an Ivy League college education like you. That don’t mean a brotha ain’t trying to hook things up. Besides, you said the money for the car was a gift, now you trying to throw it back up in my face and shit?"
"Nah, it ain’t even like that, bra. I’m just saying, you dropped out of college, never went back and stop talking to your pops because he was trying to set you straight. You married Kelsa because I got married, and all the while you’re sitting up in this dead end job passing out those misleading ass business cards and not doing anything to make your life better."
Antwone looked at Clarke. "All I’m saying is, what if something happened with us?" he said in a sincere tone. "This shit with Kelsa should be a wake-up call for you. If she files for divorce, you just out there, man, all exposed and shit. That’s all I’m saying. And trying to go over there when she can get you locked up ain’t gonna make things any better. Leave her ass alone and get your shit together. That’s what I’m really saying."
"Hmm. I peep." Clarke tipped his head back slightly.
Oh, he heard just what Antwone was saying loud and clear. He knew for sure he needed to get back with Kelsa, and real quick like. And once that was settled, he might even bring Antwone back down to earth. It was clear that brotha must’ve forgotten just who the hell he was really dealing with.
Thinking about how he wanted to sock Antwone in the jaw after all that, he was glad he didn’t. With time running out, he knew he’d have to find a way to get back in Kelsa’s good graces.
When Antwone walked out of the carriage house, Clarke laid back. He suddenly had an idea and Antwone was nowhere close by to talk him out of it.
Clarke picked up the phone and dialed Kelsa. After the first ring, a recording came on announcing the number had been changed, and at the customer’s request, and it was unlisted.
"What the fuck?" Clarke said as he looked at the receiver, then down at the numbers on the phone‘s screen, thinking he had to have dialed the wrong number.
When he called right back and got the same recording, Clarke slammed the receiver back into its cradle and cursed again.
Clarke searched for a phone book. When he didn’t find one, he picked up the phone and dialed the information directory.
"Yes, I need the number to the Yellow Taxi Cab Company," Clarke said after the operator picked up. He knew the effects of the beer were already sinking in, and since he planned to have a few more to give him liquid courage, he didn’t think it wise to drive.
After waiting about ten minutes, he was in the back of a cab being whisked off to his old house. At the corner he gave the driver a fifty dollar bill from his emergency stash and told him to park one house up and wait.
"If I’m not back in twenty minutes, just leave and keep the change," he said, slamming the door behind him.
Clarke walked up to the front door and stopped. He frowned at the sound of music blasting loudly from the house.
"What the hell? Is Kelsa having a party or something?" he said to himself. He inched closer to the door, listening to voices and laughter ringing out. The sounds of fingers snapping and people cheering nearly sent him into a fury.
Damn, he thought. How in the hell is she having a party and I don’t nothing about it? It’s not even her birthday.
He started figuring that it must really be over, because Kelsa wasn’t even the type to have lots of people all up in the house. She was just private like that.
At the door he considered turning back and leaving. He really didn’t need to see any other brothas trying to push up on his wife. She was still his wife. But then he thought maybe this could be a good thing. If someone was trying to get close to Kelsa, he’d straight knock that fool out, and quite surely that would show her he meant business.
After ringing the doorbell a few times and there was no answer, he started pounding on the door. To his amazement, it swung open and the music was still blasting while a few women he didn’t recognize were standing next to each other in a line looking like they were about to bust a serious dance move.
Others were in the kitchen hovering over a table of various snacks. And nearby a chair was decorated with ribbons, streamers and other things. He didn’t see Kelsa right away.
"Ohhhh, lookie here lookie here! Look who decides to show up for the party," Kelsa’s friend, Menesha, said.
Suddenly the music stopped. She all but pulled Clarke inside. It wasn’t until he was damn near surrounded by all of the guest when he realized that there were nothing but women up in there.
"So, you came back to the scene of the crime, huh?" someone taunted.