Page 17 of Pieces of Us

She rolled her eyes and smiled.

“Noted. Birthday?”

She hesitated a moment before she said, “June twenty-second.”

“Wow. A day after mine.”

“There was no escaping you, even if I wanted to. She literally acts just like you—very smart, loving, and selfless. She’s a piece of us—our love.”

“I want you to go through with that divorce, Mo. I want my wife by my side. We need to get back what was stolen from us. I understand that you all made a baby together, so I have to deal with him being around, but you and him…no more. Don’t make me have to show out…

because I will. It’s time for you to come back home. ”

“Dr. Newson. Your 2:00 p.m. is here.” Anna’s voice sounded over the intercom.

“Be right there, Anna.” I stood and walked back over to Morgan, pulling her into my arms. “I was expecting a phone call, but your presence was worth it. See y’all on Friday.”

“See you Friday.”

She placed a soft kiss on my lips then walked out as I continued on with the rest of my day.

I pulled into the Wilsons’ residence, grabbed my medical bag, then exited the car. Victor had two guards waiting at the front door who I’d seen a few times when I’d visit.

“How are you, Mr. Nehemiah?” the guard I knew as Joey asked.

“I’m good. I’m here to see the man of the house.”

“He’s expecting you. Can I check your bag?”

I chuckled. “Really?”

“It’s standard protocol, sir.”

I handed over my bag as Leo, the other guard, searched my person.

“All clear,” Leo said.

“Have a good evening, sir.”

Joey handed me back my bag just as Diana opened the door. If her heart matched her beauty, Diana and I would probably still be married with me regretting divorcing her for Morgan.

She stood before me wearing a red, short-sleeved blouse with black slacks and black red bottom heels. Her hair was slicked back, showcasing her round, brown face and striking features. Her eyes were red and puffy, so I was sure it had to be serious.

“Nehemiah, thank you for coming.”

“Where is he?” I wasn’t there for the formalities.

“Follow me.”

She closed the door then I followed her down the massive hall to a bedroom on the right.

She opened the door, and I followed her inside. Victor was sitting up in bed watching CSI: Miami.

“Daddy, Hemi’s here.” His eyes turned from the TV and landed on me.

“My man Hemi. It’s good to see you.”

“Would you look at that? A criminal watching crime shows,” I jested, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

“Gotta make sure I stay ten steps ahead.” He smiled. “I know why she called you here, but she shouldn’t have. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not, Daddy. You refuse to acknowledge the fact that something is wrong with you. You’ve been complaining of chest pains and passed out last week. You also refuse to see a doctor, so I brought your son-in-law—”

“Ex.” I corrected.

I saw where this was going. She was trying to use this as a tool to weasel her way back into my space.

I could smell her bullshit from a mile away.

The crazy thing was she did everything she could to push me away, and now that she was in danger of losing her only living parent, she tried to tactfully find a way to make this a thing.

Not fucking happening. Not when I finally had the chance to get my love back.

“…your ex son-in-law to see what is going on with you.”

“You’re paranoid. Nothing is wrong with me.”

“Let me check you out, Vic. Just to ease your daughter’s mind.”

He sighed deeply as I reached in my medical bag, retrieving my stethoscope. I moved closer and placed it under his left breastplate while looking at my watch. The slow strumming of his heart let me know that something was indeed wrong with him.

“Take a deep breath for me.”

He did and started coughing profusely.

“Daddy!” Diana yelled, and he waved her off.

“I’m okay, Diana.”

She stomped her foot and whined, “No, you’re not, Daddy! Nehemiah…”

“Vic, you don’t sound too good. While a low heart rate is good, yours is beating at forty beats per minute, and your breaths are short. I’m not a heart specialist, but D has a right to be concerned. You need to go to the hospital, man.”

“No! Them motherfuckas killed my wife—”

“Mama died giving birth to me, Daddy. That wasn’t the hospital’s fault!”

“Because they made her lose all that blood! She said she didn’t feel well, and them motherfuckas ignored it. I’m not trusting them assholes to tell me shit. I’ll take me out before I let another motherfucka do it!”

“So, you gonna leave me here alone? You’re just going to die on me?”

“I’m—Diana!”

She was out of the room before he could finish his sentence. He sighed deeply as I looked at him.

“Don’t look at me like that, Hem. She doesn’t understand how hard it’s been without her mother here. They killed her, and she just expects me to trust they ass to fix me?”

“I don’t know what happened on that table, but what I do know is that you got someone to live for. Your wife’s family is all the way in Bermuda. We all know they can’t come here, and she’s not going there. Don’t make her an orphan because you want to be stubborn.”

We were quiet as he shook his head. I didn’t understand this man’s thought process. Why would he want to hurt the one person that needed him by slowly fading away?

“Hemi,” he called out to me, taking my hand.

“I know what me and your father did was wrong, but don’t be mad at your pops.

It was me who told him to put his foot down and make you marry my daughter.

I knew something was wrong with me back then, but I didn’t want to alert Diana. Only your father knew.

“I pressed y’all because Diana would need someone when I’m gone. I wanted you all to have children and start a family because I know I’m not going to be here much longer. Nehemiah…I need you, son. I need you to give my daughter something to look forward to.”

I shook my head. “It’s over, Vic—”

“It doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to remarry her, but please, please give her some offspring.”

“Come on, man. Don’t do this. Diana doesn’t even want kids. She hates them.”

“She doesn’t. She was just afraid because of the story I told her about her moms. She was thinking what happened to her would be her story, so she tried to prevent that from happening. Nehemiah, you’re the only one I trust with my daughter. I hate how shit ended between y’all, but she loved you.”

“You’re asking for a lot right now, Vic.

I can’t be that man. She elected to opt out of this marriage and the possibility of us creating a legacy the moment she began showing disinterest and sleeping around with different men.

I’m sorry, but I can’t help with this. Go to the hospital, old man.

Don’t break your daughter’s heart just because you don’t care about yours. ”

I stood, placed my items back in my bag, and exited the room. As soon as I closed the door, Diana was standing in the hall, leaning against the wall, smoking a pre-roll.

I didn’t speak, only nodded at her then trekked down the hall.

“I fucked up.” I heard behind me. I stopped and turned to look at her. “I know we were forced into a marriage, but I really did fall in love with you, Hemi. The only reason I pretended I didn’t was because you set the tone of how life with you was going to be.

“You didn’t love me like I loved you. You were so caught up in Morgan Prescott that you never even looked at me the way you looked at her.

On our wedding night, you called out her name in your sleep.

I knew then I could never compete with her…

not back then and not now. That’s when I started sleeping with other men.

I got jealous and wanted to hurt you, so I hit you where it hurts. Your pockets.”

She scoffed while shaking her head.

“And that didn’t even do shit to you.” She sighed and walked closer to me. “I resigned from taking your assets, but I’m keeping the money. I feel I deserve a little compensation for putting up with your grumpy behind for all these years.”

She reached on top of the shelves lining the wall, pulling down a Manila envelope and handing it to me.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a contract I had my lawyer draw up stating that I’ll only take the money and leave the assets. It’s already signed, sealed, and now delivered.”

I stared at her for a moment before I leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her forehead and wrapping my arm around her shoulder. “Good luck with everything, D. I’m sure you heard the conversation with your old man. He’s going to get his shit together.”

“Yeah…I’ll prepare my black dress because we both know his ass is stubborn.” She chuckled lightly.

“Take care of yourself, D. I’ll see you around.”

“You too, Nehemiah. Good luck with getting your girl back.”

I didn’t know how she knew that, but I didn’t want to protract the moment by asking. I simply nodded and continued my stride out of the door.