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Jay

I would have to say that being my own boss is the best part of being a business owner. Yes, there are some ups and downs to that, but I don't have to answer to nobody but myself.

Going to school, playing ball, and getting my degree were things that I thought were important to me, but I quickly realized that school wasn't my thing. It ain't for everybody, and it took me a minute to realize that I was "everybody" and it wasn't for me. I ain't have my number one supporter pushing me to keep going anymore, and after a while, I couldn't motivate myself. Suddenly, I didn't want it as bad as I did when she was alive.

I didn't have no one to fall back on, and it wasn't like I could just go live with my momma till I figured shit out for myself. Wasn't no family in the picture, and I sure as hell wasn't gonna go live with Wrenden and Flora.

A group of customers walked into the store, and I examined from afar. I thought of a few pieces that I felt they might be interested in, and walked toward them.

"Wassup y'all, glad to see some new faces in here. Anything in particular I can help you find?"

They responded with smiles, telling me that they were just looking. I was gonna let them look around the store, then if they tried to leave without buying something I'd show them some clothes they couldn't resist. People can't be tryna come up in here for the free AC. I know it's hot as hell out there, but no.

My phone buzzed making me pull it out of my pocket. It was Sierra. Mentally, I tried not to be so annoyed, being that she was the mother of my child and my friend. But she was becoming kinda irritating these past few weeks, and I knew something was bothering her. She just wouldn't tell me what. Until she came clean, I would be dealing with her attitude being put on me.

"Yeah, Si?"

"Did you go get Correy? It's almost time and you said you would get him early today. Where you even at?"

I kissed my teeth. "I said I would, so what you reminding me for? Relax, man. I got this. And where else would I be besides Bizzy right now? You know I'm working."

"Don't tell me to relax, Jaylen. I hate that shit," she snapped back.

"Hate is a strong word." See. I ain't even do nothing but she steady pestering me. I don't know if she's having trouble at work or what. All I know is that I just had to put up with it, for the sake of our son.

"You coming by for dinner?" I changed the subject. She had rejected coming over five times already, which was also strange. She always felt so much better after we talked it out.

Me and Sierra had a relationship that wasn't the most common, but it worked for us. After she gave birth to Correy, I tried to give her what she wanted: me to be a father to our kid but also her partner. And for a while, it was fine. But we both realized that it would be better for all three of us if we were to just remain co-parents.

Making that choice five years ago was the best thing we could ever do for each other.

"No, I have... I have things to take care of."

"Okay."

"When you see him, kiss him for me."

"Mhm." I knew I was being dry, but I needed to get back to work.

"Alright." I clicked off the call and placed the phone back into my pocket.

Tony, one of my employees, was checking people out at the register. As I had thought, the girls who walked in were going to leave with something in hand.

Bizzy is my clothing store located right in the middle of downtown New Orleans. If you would have asked me if I thought I would end up in this city, I would have said no. I got out of Monroe because I couldn't stand to be there no more. There was too many attachments and not many things left for me.  After I came back from quitting school, I sold my old house, hopped in my car, and drove four hours to the big easy. At that point, I gave it all to God.

Wrenden hated the fact that I didn't have a plan, but I knew I would figure something out. I would always make it work.

I told Tony that he needed to lock up the store for the weekend before I left. It wasn't normal for us to close for three days but I was taking a trip, and I hated it when the store was open and I wasn't there.

The daycare was about fifteen minutes away but the traffic made it feel like it was double that. The only downside of city life was the constant blockage on the road. On top of that, loads of people would walk the street wasted during the night. Here, it was just one big ass party.

As I walked in, I strode up to the familiar face sitting at the front desk. "Hey, Nina." I flashed a smile. She smiled back and greeted me, only glancing up slightly from the computer. Not gonna lie, she was a beautiful woman. Full pink lips, brown sugar skin, and deep brown eyes. She was attractive in every way, but I wasn't sure how to make my move.

I don't know, it was just weird to think about being involved with someone else after all this time. Shit, would I even know how to put the charms on someone anymore?

"Hey. You're early today." She finally looked up at me and batted her lashes. I'on know if she knew what she was doing looking like that. "Yeah, me and little man taking a trip."

"Where to?"

"Home."

She looked surprised. "You not from here? I wouldn't have known if you didn't tell me."

I chuckled a bit. She kept writing on some papers and smiling. Someone behind me cleared their throat, as if telling me to hurry it up. "Nah, I'm from Monroe. It's a lil bit from here."

"Yeah, I know it. Y'all have a good time. Be safe, hear?"

"Alright, Nina." I flashed her another smile and got out the line to wait for them to bring him out.

I just hoped Correy lil bad ass wasn't giving them too much trouble. Four-year-olds can be a handful at times, and when he came here he would have a lot of bad days. I'm surprised they even be letting him come back.

"I don't know what he did, but I'm sorry in advance," I said to one of the caretakers. She handed me his hand and pursed her lips. "It's okay. He'll grow out of it." I nodded and whisked him away towards the car.

"Whatchu do today?"

"Nothing, Daddy. I was good." He was becoming a good liar like his me. All I had to do was check his report on the online portal and I would know. "I ain't them people in there that you be giving hell. You can't play me like that." He climbed up in his car seat and I made sure the child lock on the door was on. This little nigga liked opening the door on the highway.

The drive home I put on some low music and started bobbing my head. Through the mirror, I could see him in the back copying me. I laughed and started thinking about what I would make us for dinner.

I pulled into our complex and we started up to our place. "Daddy?"

"Yeah?"

"I tired can you carry me?"

"Nah since you wanna be bad at daycare you can walk." He pouted and followed me up the stairs. As soon as we got in, I started working on some spaghetti and checked my phone. Sierra had called me four times while I was on the road.

"What is it, Sierra?"

"Do you have my son?" She had a little attitude in her voice. If anyone should be pissed it's me, she the one blinging my line obsessively acting as if I don't know how to parent.

"He's our son, and yes he's with me. Yo, I don't know what's going on witchu' but we need to talk. Come over right now, and I'm not asking you."

She hung the phone up without saying anything else. I let the pasta boil and went into Correy's room. "You got everything you need?" He nodded. We both looked at his little suitcase sitting in the corner. Opening it up, I saw that all he had packed were some toys.

"So you don't need no shirts, drawls, pants, shoes? None of that?" He shook his head and laughed. Man, I wish I could be that carefree. Seeing that little smile pulled me out of the mood I get in around this time, just for a moment. But I'll take all the moments I can get.

I looked through his dresser and pulled out a few items and stuffed them in his Toy Story suitcase. I ain't really know what all to bring, so I just threw a few necessities in there.

I sat Correy up in his high chair to eat and went to open the door for Sierra.

Before I could even get any words out, she pushed passed me and let herself in. I let out a huge breath and tried not to let my emotions take over me. I was liable to do anything at this point and I needed to calm myself down before things got worse.

She ran over to Correy and started kissing all on him, trying to take him out of his seat. "Mama I eating," he replied and kept shoveling noodles in his mouth. I grabbed her arm and led her back to the living room, ignoring the smart shit she was saying under her breath.

"Si, what the fuck is up? Seriously, you moving weird and I wanna know why." I kept my voice low so I wouldn't scare Correy. She plopped down on the couch and rolled her eyes. She still had her business clothes on, and from the way her legs were crossed, I could see her little thong in between them.

"I have news but you ain't gon like it."

"What?"

"I got a promotion." I squinted my eyes, but I still smiled a bit. I was happy that she was doing well regardless of how things were between us. "Explain it to me. And how is that bad?"

"Well, this job would have me working as a national coordinator. So I wouldn't just be working with businesses in the south, I'd be working with businesses across the country. And I would no longer coordinate directly with each one, I would be working with the regional directors."

"So you the head bitch in charge is what I heard."  She nodded. "What's the issue then?"

"It's in New York. And I'm taking my son with me." My heart sank. It was like something in me broke, more damaged than it was before. I don't have enough people in my life to be losing two at once. I sure as hell wasn't gonna let her take my boy a thousand miles away.

"That's a no. You can take the job and I won't stop you. But you not taking my kid." If she wanted to act like Correy wasn't a baby we both made, then I would do the same.

She kissed her teeth. "Like hell I won't. If I have to drag your ass to court to straighten this out, then I will. Because when he was born, you didn't want anything to do with him then. So what's changed?"

"Sierra, that was four years ago. I was a fucking kid who lost everything, still trying to figure shit out for himself. You think I was supposed to follow you around while you were pregnant?"

This wasn't the time to be arguing over custody. Shit was rilling smoothly for us, so why did anything have to change? Of all times, why she had to do this now, at the worst possible moment?

"We'll talk about this more when we get back. Honestly, how the fuck could you even say that? I'on even know where you coming from." I ran a hand down my face." A public custody battle ain't what I need when my shit just taking off and I'm starting to settle into my life.

"Right now I think you needa go."

"Get back? You and who?"

"Don't play dumb now. Because I been reminding you and I let you know about this a whole year in advance. Me and Correy going home for the weekend." I made it clear that last year I wouldn't be coming back by myself. She didn't fight me on it then, so I don't know why she's trying to do so now.

"Oh give it a rest, Jaylen. She is dead and has been for five years."I turned my back to her and clenched my fists as tightly as I could. I ain't like nobody speaking on Domonique name like that, especially not no damn Sierra. The one who I used to blame for me not being there to help her before she died.

"Get the fuck outta my house right now," I spoke low, but she knew I was furious. Part of her even looked satisfied. "You not taking my son nowhere."

I grabbed her wrist and walked her to the door despite her resisting. She tried walking towards Correy but I blocked her way.  He didn't understand what was going on and kept yelling out for his mama. "I'm coming back to get you, baby." She said from over my shoulder.

Opening the door, I lowkey flung her ass out there. She deserved worse for saying what she said, but I wasn't going there. I couldn't. Not in front of our son.

She had been gone for five years but Sierra's words tore me right open as if it were just yesterday. It didn't matter how many years passed or how much I tried to distract myself from it. I would still miss her with everything in me.

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