Page 13

Chapter Thirteen

CHROME

A nother day…

another week, and Fade still hadn’t shown me she was locked in.

I fully expected to have a conversation at my party, but she ran like a fuckin’ coward.

I knew what it may have looked like to her, but all she had to do was open her fuckin’ mouth and speak her goddamn mind.

Maturity didn’t come with age, and I was slowly figuring that out.

Being the man that I am, it took everything in me not to chase after her.

When Zinc told me she left in tears, I was ready to put all our bullshit to the side and comfort my fuckin’ woman.

However, I wasn’t ‘bout to be the only muthafucka in this shit taking blows. A nigga had feelings. Shit, ones he’d expressed one too many times.

The ball was in her fuckin’ court.

“Chrome. Where you at, lil’ nigga?” Pops called out.

“In the kitchen, Pops. What’s good?”

He didn’t answer until he found me.

He took a seat at the table and grabbed a bag of chips out the center snack basket.

He rarely came over, so I knew this was something serious.

He had me a lil’ nervous.

I couldn’t lie.

“How you feeling?”

“I’m straight. How you feeling? And why you over here? Something wrong with Dukes?” I was firing off question after question since his visits were out the normal.

“Calm down with all that. She fine. She told me about that woman you dealing with. Where you meet her?”

“I was whooping down on Bartholomew bitch ass in the alley of her shop. Why?” I finished pearling the blunt and sparked up.

Inhaling deeply, I let the smoke fill my lungs.

I’d indulged in more weed that usual since me and Fade been at odds.

“She owns her own business, that’s good. I would hope she had some kind of movement at her age. You always loved them older. I don’t know why Neon so damn shocked at your choice of women.”

“Yo’ wife is nagging me,” I said handing over the blunt.

Pops took it and pulled on it a few times before handing it back.

He couldn’t multitask for shit.

Hitting the blunt and talking would have him in here coughing up a lung.

He was getting old, and he wasn’t gon’ be able to hang like he used to.

“My wife knows what’s best for you.”

“She knew what was best for me when I was a child. I been grown out here, Pops. She can settle down. Is that what you came over here for? To question me about my woman?”

“I heard she came to the party but left just as fast. What’s going on with y’all? What you done did?”

It was him assuming I was the problem for me.

I did a lot of shit, but when it came to my heart and feelings, I ain’t play ‘bout them. The way I felt about Fade, it wasn’t a muthafucka that could change a thing about it.

She was still gon’ be my wife, she just needed to get her shit together.

I went after her before, now she needed to put forth that same effort.

Not everybody took the higher roads.

I could be a cold ass nigga when my feelings got hurt.

Fade was still learning me but everything I presented to her was nothing less than a hunnid percent real.

I never gave another woman the impression that we would ever be since fuckin’ with her.

I was waiting on her to reciprocate that same energy.

“I ain’t did shit to that woman but love her indecisive ass. Ask what the fuck she did. Don’t ever play with me like that, Pops.”

“I’m not no fuckin’ talk show host. I ain’t ‘bout to be asking all these fuck ass questions. Tell me what happened, boy.” Pops never did have the patience for anything or anyone outside of his wife. He wanted you to get to the point as soon as the conversation started.

“I got a call a couple weeks ago ‘bout her ex causing havoc at the shop so me and the crew rode down there. I get there and he choking her the fuck out. I put a hot one in his arm to turn her loose. That ain’t what got me though, Pops. It’s when I went to knock his ass off, and she stepped in front of him. I’m thinking to myself like, not my bitch. I know mine ain’t protecting another nigga.”

“Her ex, is he the father of her child?”

“Yeah, and Mel love that nigga. You should hear how she talks to Fade behind that pussy muthafucka.”

“I’m gon’ stop you right there, son. When it comes to a real mother, she gon’ protect her child at all costs. Her standing in front of that nigga was for her daughter, not her. I know how it may look, but my mama wouldn’t let a soul touch my daddy, and he wasn’t shit. But… I loved him. He deserved every ass whooping he got plus more. However, if we were there, he walked away an untouched nigga. She did what any parent would. A child is innocent and shouldn’t ever see their mother or father harmed. I’m sure she explained why she did what she did to you so what’s the problem?”

“You would think at her big age she would clear shit up, but I ain’t heard from that woman in weeks.”

“It hurt yo’ pride to reach out first or something? Women emotional and don’t always think with a clear mind. You the man in the relationship, ain’t it?” He gestured for the blunt and I handed it over before answering.

“Nah, I’m just not ‘bout to be the only one putting forth the effort. She made me work for her ass and if I’m being honest, I still am. She ain’t showed me shit except how many games she could play. I’m over that shit.”

Fade had a nigga heart fa sho. I mean, all it took was for her to call my phone and tell me to come to her and a nigga would hit eighty in a thirty for her ass. I couldn’t resist her no matter how hard I tried. However, the lack of communication came naturally to her. She wasn’t sweating a nigga.

Defending her while she was unsure of a nigga had to be the stupidest thing I’d done so far. Her name hadn’t shown up on a nigga call log or text thread… and yet, I still woke up the next day thinking she’d finally hit me. I was waiting but shawty was living. How the fuck did muthafuckas think I was supposed to feel or act behind that shit?

My phone ringing on the counter caught my attention. I sighed deeply and walked over to it knowing it wasn’t her. Litty’s name was on the screen, so I answered. He didn’t want shit. He never did.

“Yo.

”

“What you doing nigga?”

“Shit, cooling and chopping it up with Pops. What’s good?”

“Everybody in the chopping business today, huh?” he said laughing.

“Nigga, what the fuck is you talking ‘bout? What you calling me for Litty?” I was already growing tired of the call, and it had only been a few seconds.

“Me and Tarin at the abortion clinic and yo’ woman is, too. I think she finna chop y’all lil’ shit up, bro.”

“Nigga what?” I heard him but for some reason, his words weren’t registering. It was like I didn’t want to process Fade getting rid of my child.

“Yeah.

I told her I was gon’ tell you and she said fuck ya!

Aside from a nigga finding that very fuckin’ hilarious, I ain’t want you to miss the opportunity of having a kid.

Come get yo’ woman out this muthafuckin’ clinic, nigga.

”

“Send me the lo. I’m on the way.”

I hung up and grabbed my keys out the drawer.

Pops was right behind me.

I had the phone on speaker, so he heard everything.

I didn’t really have too much to say at the moment.

My fuckin’ blood was boiling, and a nigga saw nothing but red.

“Give me the keys, son. You don’t need to drive right now,” he said grabbing me by the arm temporarily stopping me in my tracks.

“Aye, I love you, Pops, but I ain’t even in the mood for the bullshit. Get the fuck off me and get some fuckin’ bail money together.”

“Don’t you go down there on that bullshit, Chrome,” he warned me.

Litty dropped his location, and I knew exactly where to go.

“Too late.”

I hopped on my bike and peeled the fuck off.

I didn’t bother putting on any safety gear, that was how hot a nigga was.

We were having issues but damn.

I didn’t think we were at odds that bad to where she would kill a nigga baby.

My plan was to marry her pretty ass before she gave birth to a nigga kid, but the family came first.

The order didn’t matter at this point ‘cause both was happening regardless. My name and my kid were both gon’ be hers and anything else she wanted from me.

She thought that shit she did a few weeks ago was breaking a nigga down, if she aborted my baby, that would’ve pushed me over the ledge.

Kids wasn’t on my bingo card for another few years, but I saw a future with Fade.

I immediately envisioned all that shit from the first time that woman gave her body to me.

Taking something away from me without knowing was stealing.

She was robbing me of fatherhood, unconditional love, and more.

I’d be damned if she made decisions for the both of us.

The clinic was near the downtown area, so the traffic had picked up.

I bent every corner to get to her mean ass.

She was taking something I could never get back.

I didn’t give a fuck if I did create another one, this was my first and she was voluntarily snatching it from me.

Knowing she was carrying my child would be the only thing stopping me from ringing her neck when I saw her.

My cell rang as I pulled into the parking lot.

I parked right next to her shit.

She had the nerve to be at the door with her shit.

The protestors were outside doing they thing and little did they know, I was ‘bout to make sure didn’t nobody in that muthafucka get an abortion.

I hopped off my bike with my gun in tow.

“Sir, save the innocent. These are human beings!”

“Oh, I’m ‘bout to save a lot. Give me a minute,” I said cocking my shit.

I walked in the building and spotted Litty immediately. When he seen how I was coming, he stood with a smile on his face and pulled his strap as well. He pointed to Fade, who was sitting on the other side of him with her back to the door. She didn’t have a clue as to what the fuck was ‘bout to happen.

“Sir, you can’t bring firearms in here,” the receptionist was quick on her feet. However, I didn’t give a fuck about none of that shit she was spitting.

I rounded the set of chairs and didn’t stop moving until I was squatted in front of Fade. I tapped her knee with my Glock gaining her attention. You could see the blood drain from her face when she realized it was me. I smirked once we locked eyes. I was probably the last person she expected to show up and rain on her fuckin’ parade.

“You got something you want to tell me, Mama?

” I questioned.

Steam was radiating from a nigga body as I tried not to empty my clip.

“Chrasmere, get that gun off me.”

“Get the fuck out this building, Fade, before I catch a body,” I warned her.

“ Ha! I’m not doing shit. Go be with whoever you were with at your party and leave me alone. This ain’t got nothing to do with you.” She pointed to her stomach, and I felt as if God himself was holding me back.

Nodding, I stood and walked over to the receptionist.

“Who she supposed to be seeing today?”

“Sir, I can’t tell you?—”

Aiming my shit at her head, her hands went flying in the air as she took a few steps back.

She was shivering in her fuckin’ boots and all that mouth she had a minute ago was gone.

“Look bitch, I’m losing my fuckin’ patience. Which doctor supposed to be killing my baby?”

“I-I can look and see if you g-give me a minute.” I gestured to the computer with my gun, and she quickly went to pecking.

“What’s her name?”

“Kosha Jordan.”

“She’s scheduled with Dr. White.”

“Aye Litty, go get all them muthafuckas from the back. I need to let some shit be known ‘round this bitch.” Litty went to the door that led to the back and it was locked. He cocked his shit and the receptionist hit that button so fuckin’ fast I ain’t even have time to warn her for playing with me.

“ Tuh .

Clown,” Fade said and stood from her seat.

She grabbed her purse and acted as if she was gon’ walk out.

Today wasn’t the day to play with me and that went for everybody.

I let a shot off and it blew right pass her head.

She hit the floor and screamed causing everyone else to do the same.

The few that was at the door got up out this bitch quick.

I guess they had more sense than the ones that stuck around.

I’m sure this shit was very fuckin’ entertaining.

“See, when I told you to get the fuck out of here, you ain’t have no motion. Ain’t shit funny now, huh?” The door opened and all the staff from the back walked out with their hands in the air.

I smiled and asked, “Which one of y’all muthafuckas is Dr. White?”

“I am. What’s this about?” he questioned.

His face was beet red and nothing but fear settled in his eyes.

My gun shifted and he became my new target.

“So, you was gon’ kill my baby? You was gon’ let my wife get on one of them fuck ass tables and kill a child that ain’t even met me yet? Muthafucka I should do yo’ shit in right now.” There wasn’t a marble in sight for a nigga.

All my shit was lost.

I was pissed and wanted every person folded that was ‘bout to be involved in the murder of my child.

“Sir, all I do is a job. The choice is always hers to make,” he said more frightened than he was a second ago.

“Nah, it ain’t her fuckin’ choice. That muthafucka ain’t had a choice in this shit since I put dick in her. Let me make myself clear ‘round this bitch. That’s mine and better not nan one of you muthafuckas touch her. I don’t give a fuck how many times she show up ‘round this muthafucka. You better play like Ray Charles and act like you don’t see her pretty ass. Get the fuck over here, Fade!”

She was still on the ground with her arms shielding her body. I walked over and helped her up as gently as I could. My child was still baking in this dumb muthafucka.

“Get the fuck off me! Why would you shoot at me when I’m carrying yo’ baby, Chrome?” she screamed and tried her best to fight me off, but I wasn’t budging.

“I’m glad you understand who the fuck you pregnant for.” I brought her over to the staff and said, “Remember the face and take fuckin’ heed. Let’s go, Litty.”

“Nigga, me and Tarin got an appointment,” he said.

“Nigga, I can assure you we got a few minutes on our hands before twelve show. Let’s go,” I ordered.

He grabbed up his girl and followed us out.

My grip never loosened around Fade’s arm as I physically drug her ass out the building.

I warned her on several occasions not to fuckin’ play with me.

I didn’t take too kind to threats, and she was threatening me with my child’s life at this point.

If she wanted a nigga attention that bad, all she had to do was pick up the phone and talk.

She made this shit complicated, not me.

“Let me go!” she argued.

She was pushed against the door of her jeep, and I was in her face just as soon as her back hit the door.

Nothing about me said try me the way she’d been doing.

She was supposed to be the more mature one in this relationship, but she’d been on nothing but childish ass games, and I was over it.

I was so close to catching a case behind her ass I was ‘bout to blow a fuckin’ fuse.

“What the fuck you think you doing, Fade? Why you moving so goddamn foul?” I yelled.

She’d turned her head and gave me her cheek the second I raised my voice.

“I could ask you the same thing. I mean damn, you showing yo’ ass like this behind that other bitch that’s having yo’ baby, too?”

“What? The fuck is you talking ‘bout. The only muthafucka good enough to have my child is you. I’m not dogging shit raw if it ain’t you.”

“Right and I’m supposed to believe you and that bitch from the party ain’t fuckin’ around. Look, she already gave me the run down and how she’s pregnant for you, too. I won’t play second to no bitch, especially a bitch that ain’t got shit on me,” she threw back.

Her and Rini must’ve had a run in other than my party.

I didn’t know what the fuck that delusional bitch told Fade, but baby should’ve had enough sense to come and talk to me about it.

I haven’t lied to her yet and telling her about an old bitch wasn’t shit.

That hoe wanted me, but I was no longer available, and she knew it.

“You so fuckin’ dumb! A nigga told you he loved you, ain’t it? You think I’m ‘bout to deal with you and a hoe that would suck the next nigga dick while pregnant for somebody else? That wasn’t my baby she was carrying, and the stupid bitch got an abortion a few days before my birthday. All we had to do was talk and this shit could’ve been avoided, Fade.”

The sirens were getting closer the longer we stood there arguing.

I couldn’t run from this one, so I willingly stayed put.

I done went in them people establishment and showed my ass.

I knew the consequences before I even left the crib, which was why I told Pops to get my bail money together.

I would make the same decision a thousand times over behind her though.

My fuckin’ child life was at stake.

I was gon’ do whatever the fuck I had to, to save it.

“She said?—”

“What the fuck yo’ nigga say though? My words supposed to be trusted before anybody’s. I mean damn, Mama. Where the fuck do a nigga stand with you?” I had yet to pipe down.

I was still on ten and slowly getting to the point of putting my hands on her.

I was beyond pissed the fuck off.

“You weren’t supposed to be this !” she shouted.

“What the fuck does that mean, Fade?”

“You weren’t supposed to be my weakness. You wasn’t supposed to be anything other than a fun time and now…”

Now she wanted to cry for a nigga.

Her tears raced down her face as she realized all this back and forth bullshit was for nothing.

I always knew who I wanted; it was her who needed to figure that shit out.

I been on go from day one.

“Now what? Tell me what’s up.”

“Chrasmere, I don’t know?—”

“Yeah, I’m very fuckin’ aware that you don’t know shit when it comes to me and you but hear me when I say this. You gon’ have a nigga baby whether you want to or not. You gon’ marry a nigga whether the fuck you want to or not. And you gon’ be a happy fuckin’ camper in this bitch whether you want to or not. Now take yo’ ass home.”

Twelve finally pulled in and I kissed her lips.

My mind was made up already and wasn’t shit changing.

Fade was the end for me, and I would do whatever was necessary for her to realize it.

That other nigga made her an option; she was a permanent fixture in my shit.

I wasn’t giving her up and I wasn’t ‘bout to let her give up on us either. We were just getting started.

“I love you, Mama.”

I dropped my gun in her purse and backed up with my hands above my head wearing a smirk. I was cool on going to jail. Aunt Gina was gon’ handle shit when I touched down, so I didn’t have a worried bone in my body.

“Get down on the ground!” was yelled at my back from several officers.

I followed orders and was cuffed up within seconds.

Fade didn’t move from the spot I left her in.

Her waterworks had yet to slow up and as bad as I wanted to comfort her, I couldn’t.

I didn’t bother to look back because I knew I’d be a free nigga by nightfall.

I was placed in the back of a unit and whisked away.

All my life I’d been afraid of loving a woman the way I loved Fade.

I knew me and I knew the extent I’d go for mine.

I tried my hardest to stay away from such a soul tie, but Fade had me wrapped around her finger.

I would do any and everything for her.

I watched my father crash out behind my mama the same way.

I was very aware of the addiction formed between us.

Me staying away from her was like asking a fiend to stay away from the rock that surrounded them.

It was easy to say but harder to do.

Now that she was pregnant, it wasn’t shit her or my people could say to me to make me think clearly.

I was crashing each and every time.