Page 12 of Royce (Atkins Family Saga #1)

Dressed in a cute pair of cargo shorts that stopped right below my knees and a top that showed off my daughter, I walked into the visiting room with one thing on my mind.

Cojak thought throwing money at me would erase the things he did, but it would never be that easy.

He showed me on one too many occasions that we weren’t of priority. He had some explaining to do.

I felt better today than I had in a long time.

After I went home and rested for a little, I was in a better mood.

I was thinking clearer, and my attitude had settled.

For the first time in a long time, I didn’t wake up thinking the worse.

My time for thinking I was the only woman that could hold him down was over.

Clearly it was someone else that could do the same.

Cojak was used to seeing me with lines of worry etched across my face. However, today, I wasn’t giving him the satisfaction. Me and my kids were good so there was nothing to complain about… other than him fuckin’ with my goddamn feelings.

Taking a seat at the table, the first thing out his mouth was, “The fuck you smiling for? Yo’ nigga in jail and all you can do is smile?”

“If I knew you was going to act like this, I wouldn’t have come. Shit, if I knew you was going to act like this, I would’ve left the money where I found it.”

“Hold up, hold up, hold up. What fuckin’ money? You got some bread and ain’t did shit for me yet?” Cojak was loud with not a care in the world about how he was speaking to me. His words were alerting though. He was playing as if he didn’t have a clue as to where the money came from.

“Oh, Cojak please. I know it was you that went and paid all the bills because you fucked up. You can stop with this tough guy act. I was with you for years, remember?” I threw back at him.

I didn’t understand why he was putting on for these niggas in here.

Taking care of home was what real men did.

Feeling shameful behind that was crazy to me.

You earned more respect when you had your priorities straight.

Yeah nigga, you cheated, but at the end of the day, those kids were his, too.

If he wanted to fuck me over, cool… but my kids deserved the best.

“I ain’t gave you shit, and you know that. How much is it, Klarity?” he questioned sitting up.

“Five grand,” I answered confusingly. I was sure it was him finally putting his pride to the side and stepping up. It had to be… right?

“Put that shit on my books then,” he demanded. His eyes lit up like fireworks when he heard the amount.

“Seriously Cojak, you didn’t handle the bills and throw me some bread?” I needed him to repeat it for my sake. I had to hear him say it again for it to register.

“Why the fuck would I give you some money, Klarity, when I’m the one that’s locked up?

That shit don’t even sound right. Look, put like four grand on my books and do what you got to do for the kids with the last band.

” He was trying to make that shit sound sweet, but I knew better.

I’d wash my car with a toothbrush and eight ounce bottle of water before I do anything else for him.

“ Tuh ! I’d be a fool to make sure you straight and my kids not when you’re the reason I was in the hole the way I was.

Every dime you had left over from the streets, you made me put it on your books.

All my checks went to your books. The money your mama had put up for you went to your books, now you think I’m ‘bout to take this bread and give it to you, too, when Essence doesn’t have shit yet. You a selfish ass bitch!” I shouted.

This time around, I didn’t give a fuck who heard me or what they said. I was tired and at my wits end with being disrespected, neglected, and disregarded. I wasn’t some weak ass yes bitch, and I damn sure didn’t want the daughter I was about to raise to think I was.

I allowed him to get off the way he did because our kids played a huge factor.

I always wanted them to have everything I didn’t, and a two-parent household was at the top of my list. They were innocent and new to a life they had no clue could either make or break them.

They had one protector, and I refused to give up my title.

“I got two years to do in this muthafucka, Klarity. Put the fuckin’ money on the books!” he shouted again. He wasn’t letting up.

“Why? You done found you a butt buddy in here or something? What? He promised he’d take care of you if you took care of him?” I taunted.

He reached across the table and wrapped his hands around my throat.

I guess he didn’t like me insinuating he was gay.

I couldn’t think of any other reason as to why he needed so much goddamn money on his books.

He was in jail where shit didn’t cost but a few dollars.

I was thoroughly confused on what the fuck he was doing with it.

“Aye nigga, I ain’t ‘bout to keep letting you put yo’ fuckin’ hands on her.” Cojak was picked up and slammed to the floor.

The man that my focus always seemed to shift to had Cojak’s neck under his foot and the guards running toward him.

They were trying their hardest to pull him off my kids’ father, but he wasn’t budging.

I couldn’t help but think what it would be like to have this kind of man’s protection. I’d never experienced it before.

“Get off him, Atkins. Atkins!” the guards yelled.

He ignored them and looked me dead in the eyes. I found myself damn near straining my neck just to look up at him. He was a giant compared to my tiny frame and oddly, I was more interested in why he felt the need to stick up for me than what he was doing to Cojak.

He was so close to my face I could smell his mint toothpaste.

It took everything in me not to lust over those full lips of his.

Even in jail, he kept his beard lined up.

It suited him and brought out a masculine feature I didn’t find in Cojak.

His eyes were low, lashes were long, and the deep brown irises drew you in immediately.

They had a story to tell. The tattoos that covered his earlobe on down were complimenting his rich peanut butter brown skin.

His aura and demeanor both screamed boss ass nigga.

This man wasn’t just anybody and you could tell by the way he had the entire room silenced.

“Ball in your court, My Baby. What you want me to do with this broke ass nigga?” he inquired.

My Baby? Who the fuck was that?

“Atkins. Don’t spend a night in the hole. Get the hell off him now!”

They were still pulling and trying to get him to move even an inch, but he was too solid for them.

His gaze never left mine and for the life of me, I couldn’t seem to look away.

The woman that was stationed at his table finally got up and gently touched his arm.

They shared a soft look, and he rose up.

That quick I was pulled out of a fantasy and pushed back into reality.

He was a taken man. I guess being a protector was just his character.

For a split second, I felt like I mattered.

For a split second, I felt like a man knew my value.

I couldn’t be upset that he was with someone else because if the shoe was on the other foot, I would’ve encouraged him to help.

He was a good man, and I was appreciative.

“Stop letting that pussy nigga talk to you crazy. Matter of fact, stop letting that nigga talk to you period. You hear me?” His voice was low, deep, and so damn pleasing. I found myself nodding slowly to his statement.

When he was satisfied, he removed his foot off Cojak’s neck, bent down to hug the woman he was with followed by a kiss on her cheek, then allowed the guards to escort him out the room. Cojak was still scrambling for oxygen at this point. I was quite amused at the scenery.

“Jackson let’s go! Sorry, ma’am, visitation for him is over. You have to leave,” one of the guards voiced pointing toward the door.

“Gladly,” I said standing and exiting the room, then building altogether.

I smiled the entire way back to the car.

There was never a time where I wanted anything bad to happen to Cojak, but there also was a time where I believed he’d do anything for me.

I was fooled on more than one occasion, and I was cool with that.

It was a lesson learned. He was a lesson learned.

I could move on knowing I did everything I could as a woman to be his rock. He just didn’t appreciate it.

Once I was inside, I got comfortable and drove to the nearest Chick-Fil-A to grab me up some chicken tenders.

I felt like I was deserving of something greasy since I’d endured enough of Cojak’s bullshit.

It took me little to no time to cop my meal and be back at the house.

God must’ve known I needed to relax and kick my feet up.

As I parked in the driveway, something told me to check my mailbox again.

I waddled to it thinking maybe, just maybe, there was a note left behind this time or some sort of clue as to who was looking out.

I pulled down the flap and it was empty.

A sadness washed over me but quickly left once I realized the money left behind was a blessing and greed didn’t need to come from it.

I took that stroll back to the top and took the few porch steps to the door. Inserting the key, I turned the knob and pushed the door opened. It wasn’t even open for a second before I pulled it shut, my hands flew over my mouth, and I took in deep breaths.

“What… the… fuck?” I asked aloud in disbelief.

When I left home, the only thing inside my living room was the shit I’d been living with for the past few years.

However, opening the door to a living room full of shit for CJ and Essence was blowing my fuckin’ mind.

I absolutely believed Cojak when he said he ain’t did shit for them.

He was too selfish to think of anyone else.

Pushing the door back open, my eyes moved from the very first bag of clothes from Gucci to the many bags and boxes that followed behind it.

I peeped a crib, bassinet, swing and many other essentials for my daughter as I scanned the items. Diapers, wipes, bottles, you name it.

They were all there. CJ was thought about as well with rows of sneakers that lined the back wall from the ceiling to the floor.

He had so many hats to match the many outfits I lost count after twenty.

Tears raced down my face as I stepped into the house completely.

I was shaking so bad I didn’t know what to do for real.

On one hand, I needed to report a break in but on the other, the break in was simply to make sure I knew somebody out there had us.

I didn’t know who, but I was very thankful and grateful for everything they were doing.

I reached in my purse and called my auntie. It suddenly dawned on me that she said Seri would be coming by with some stuff for the baby. I didn’t think they would go all out like this.

“Hello.”

Still struggling to do anything but cry, I managed to get out a thank you. “Thank you, Auntie, for doing all this. I don’t know how I’m going to pay you back, but I swear I am.”

“Girl, what the hell is you talking ‘bout? Do all what?” She was just as confused as I was earlier.

“You know. Buying all this for the kids. You didn’t have to, but you did, and I appreciate it a lot,” I said trying to make my way through the clutter.

“All I got my baby was a few outfits and CJ a new pair of shoes. I’m confused on what all this is child.”

“So, you didn’t fill my living room wall to fuckin’ wall with all kinds of shit for them? I mean, it’s a little extreme but that’s just you,” I answered.

“I promise you that wasn’t me. Maybe it was their trifling daddy finally stepping up. Look, I got to go. Serinity should be there later on with my gifts. I’ll talk to you later baby. I love you.” With that, she disconnected the call, and I tossed my phone on the hall table.

I was utterly confused and grateful at the same time.

The gifts would be accepted a hundred percent and put to good use.

However, I was lost as marbles trying to put two and two together on who the fuck was being so kind.

I hadn’t met anyone or been on any dates, so I was really at a loss for clues.

Whomever it was didn’t mind blowing a bag on my kids. I guess for now, I could truly relax and let my daughter make her entrance in peace.