CHAPTER FORTY
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ONE
Tiana
The honeymoon was over and life was back to regular. I was also feeling a lot better physically, so I decided to start back going to school. I ain't going to lie, it would be something to get me back on track; plus, I needed to get my career going. I was now a married woman, and lying up at home was definitely not what's up. After I met Micah, so much had changed. I was so wrapped up in our relationship and all the drama that followed that I didn't have the time to focus on what Tiana wanted!
Baby Micah was also in daycare. I sure missed my baby. The first day we dropped him off, my soft ass broke down. I sat in the car about twenty minutes trying to see if the daycare workers were going to call. They didn't so I pulled off. As the days went by, I welcomed the break that I got.
Micah opened a barber shop in Stone Mountain and so far his business was doing good. So far our marriage seemed to be doing well. He also assured me that he would start classes soon.
The pain was still nagging at me, and sometimes it became unbearable. I started to pop more and more pain medicine to help manage the pain I was feeling. I wished I had someone to talk to, but I was scared to tell Micah. I was scared that he might think that I was a junkie of some sort. So I kept it to myself and made sure no one else noticed.
“Hey, babe, I'm home,” I yelled as I walked through the door.
“I'm in here,” Micah yelled back.
“Mommy, Mommy,” my little man yelled as he ran to me. This was one of the greatest moments every day when I came home. My little man was always excited to see me. I picked his tall ass up and kissed him.
I walked into the living room where his daddy was at. “Hey, babe.” I walked over and kissed him. I noticed he wasn't his happy self. So I took a step back. “What's going on with you?”
“Man.” He sighed. “A social worker called me today. They are not giving the girls back to Ayana until she takes classes and proves to them, she is capable of taking care of them. Until then, they are gonna be in state custody, living with a foster parent.” I saw the tears in his eyes.
“So what are you gonna do?”
“I need my girls, T. I swear they are my life. Ever since this shit happened, I really can't sleep. I need to get my girls out of the system,” he cried.
I wanted to say something, but I couldn't find the right words to say. In front of me was my husband crying for his children. I couldn't say I knew how exactly how he felt, but it was visible he was hurting bad. My heart broke even more when Baby Micah crept over to his daddy and hugged his leg. Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't take it anymore so I walked out and up the stairs.
Later that night after everyone was sleeping, I lay wide awake in bed. I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was the one who called CPS on Ayana. I assisted the state, which resulted in her kids getting taken, and now my husband was hurting. Tears flowed from my face; I wished I could take his pain away. At the time, I was so sure I was doing the right thing, but right now I wasn't too sure about it. I cried silently as I dozed off, thinking I had to help my husband.
I was up bright and early. I had to drop our son off at daycare before heading to class. Micah was awake when I walked down the stairs. “Good morning.”
“What's good, ma? Sorry I didn't make it to the room last night.”
“No, you good.” I sat down beside him. “Listen, I was up all night thinking.”
“Thinking? Thinking about what?”
“I know how much those girls mean to you, so why don't you step up and get custody of them?”
He looked at me like he just saw a ghost. I wondered if I just said the wrong thing.
“I'm sorry, I didâ” I started to say.
“Nah, I was thinking that all along, but I didn't know how to bring it to you,” he cut me off.
“Listen, Micah. Those are your children and they were here before me. If you want to get them, then go for it. When I married you, I knew that your children will forever be in your life. Plus, Baby Micah needs to know his sisters.”
“I don't know what to do though. I'm a street nigga. I ain't never had to deal with no court and shit.”
“Well, I am no expert, but I am going to find you a custody lawyer today. He or she will be able to steer you in the right direction.”
“Damn, ma, this is the reason why I fucks with you. You don't have a selfish bone in your body. After all Ayana has done to you, you still willing to help out. I love you, woman.”
The mention of that bitch's name put a bad taste in my mouth, but I didn't say a word. This wasn't the time to show my bad side. “You just said the correct word: woman. Little girls do stupid shit, but a grown woman will see the pain her man is in and will try to find solutions to help him out! We are a team, so this is a team effort.”
He moved closer and wrapped his hands around me. I wasn't ready to be anyone's stepmother or play mommy to that bitch's children, but they were my husband's children and the best thing was for him getting them out of the system.
The entire time I was in class, my mind was elsewhere. I knew I said one thing to Micah, but I also knew who I was dealing with! Ayana wasn't the kind of bitch who was going to sit back and let Micah and me raise her children. I knew her all too well to know drama was on the way. I was ready though. I knew I would have to show this bitch that even though I hated drama, I never backed down from it before! If she brought it, I would be prepared to show my ass off.
I saw the teacher walk in, and I quickly dismissed the thoughts that were invading my mind.
I hope for this bitch's sake she just easy herself.
CHAPTER FORTY
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TWO
Ayana
If I thought these bitches from social services would at least give me a break, I was in for a rude awakening. They had me doing classes three hours of the day, and then I had to turn around and submit to a fucking drug test. I mean, come the fuck on. I had to do a fucking parenting class to prove to these bitches I was a good parent? I wanted to tell them to shove that shit, but the judge made it clear that was the only way I would get the girls back.
I was tired as hell. The night before, Lori and I were up in Club Obsession partying. I swear I had not partied like this since before I got with Micah. I was kind of loving this single life, because I could come and go like I wanted to without a nigga questioning me. Shit I was free to fuck whoever I wanted. Speaking of fucking niggas, last night while I was at Club Obsession, I bumped into this nigga Keyshawn who I knew way back when I was dancing. He was a known dope boy all over the west side of Atlanta. We ended up talking and I brought him back to the house with me. I swear that nigga ate my pussy so damn good I busted over six times. I ain't goin' to lie, I missed fucking him; however, he was a known ho and he wasn't into settling down with no one woman. While he was up inside of me, he kept telling me how much he loved me and he wanted us to be together. I didn't believe that nigga, but he was talking really good and I was prepared to play the role.
I lay beside the nigga as his ass snored up a storm. I meant to get his ass up early before Lori woke up, but the nigga was knocked the hell out after I put the pussy on him. I decided to let him sleep for another hour or so. I sure planned to get a few hundred dollars up off him before he left.
I was on Facebook politicking when I heard a knock on the door. “Ayana, open the door,” Lori yelled.
What the hell she wants?
I thought with an attitude. “Hold on a minute,” I yelled back with annoyance in my voice. I jumped up out of the bed and grabbed my T-shirt that was on the chair beside the bed. I quickly put it on, then opened the door a little, making sure she couldn't see in the room.
“Yo, you lost your damn mind! I know damn well you didn't bring this nigga Keyshawn up in here,” she said in a high-pitched tone.
“Lower your voice! I didn't think you'd mind, if I kept him in the room the entire time.”
“Are you fucking serious? That nigga is from the west side and you know Mari and them don't fuck with them west side niggas. You wrong as fuck. I gave you a place to stay, not make my home into your personal whorehouse.”
I was getting upset with this bitch! I was pretty much aware that this was her shit. But I wasn't no little girl and I just gave that bitch $400 the other day, so technically this was my damn room for the time being.
“Really? This is how you goin' to carry it? I would never carry it like this with you.” I shook my head in amazement.
“You know what, Ayana? I stepped up to help you when no one else would. Not even your own mother. I love my man and I'm not gonna jeopardize his safety over some nigga you're only fucking. Get this nigga out of my shit before I have to throw him out.”
“Nah, fuck that Miss High and Mighty. I will leave with him. Don't you ever think because you got an apartment you better than me. Bitch, I just had a minor setback. But watch me; you will see when I make a comeback. You carrying me over a lame-ass nigga who's fucking everything with a pussy in Atlanta,” I spat.
“Girl, bye! He might be fucking everything, but at least he didn't leave me for my best friend.”
I lunged toward that bitch, but I missed.
“Babe, what's all this commotion?” her man, Mari, asked, as he stepped into the hallway in his boxers.
“Go back to lie down, boo. Ayana was just getting her things so she can leave.” This bitch stared me down. She knew that he just saved her behind from getting a beat down.
I walked back into the room and slammed the door behind me! “Keyshawn, you need to get up! We got to go.” I starting shaking this nigga.
“Man, what you need?” he asked groggily.
“We got to go! This ain't my shit and Lori bitch ass mad that I brought you over here. So we got to go.”
“We? Where the fuck you going?”
“What you mean? I'm going with you. Last night you were telling me how you want to be with me.”
“Ma, that was the alcohol talking. I ain't ready for all that. I mean, we cool and shit, but I ain't tryin'a be in no relationship and shit. I'm a street nigga.”
Tears welled up in my eyes! I wasn't crying over this fuck nigga; I was mad that I believed that bullshit-ass lie.
“You know what? Fuck you, nigga. I was only trying you to see where your head was at! Now I know. Get the fuck out of my face and please lose my number,” I lashed out.
I started to gather my belongings and stuff them into garbage bags. I was tired of everybody and their bullshit. I was shocked that my bitch behaved like this all because of her nigga. These bitches were all the same; they would fuck their friends over all because of a piece of dick.
I grabbed my bags and walked out the door. I went back inside twice to grab the rest of my shit. The lame-ass nigga Keyshawn finally got his ass up and walked out. He didn't say a word; he jumped into his Impala and burned tires pulling away. I slammed the door shut and walked to my car. I placed the bags into my trunk then got into my car. I looked back at the house. I was mad at this bitch; I could have beaten her ass.
I pulled out a cigarette and lit it. I took a few drags before I pulled off.
This shit got to end,
I thought as I drove down the street. I had a few hundred dollars, but I knew it wouldn't last long. I had to get a room so I could figure out my next move fast!
* * *
I had enough money to pay for a room at the Metro Extended Stay on Memorial Drive. I dialed Daquan's number. It was time to fuck him again so I could get some more money. I hoped this time he was more generous because I needed enough money to get a lawyer so I could fight for my children. I ain't goin' to lie, I missed having them around; plus, this was the only way I was going to get child support from their no-good-ass daddy!
I got out of the shower. I was about to get dressed when I heard my phone ringing. First I ignored it, but it kept ringing. When I picked it up, I noticed it was the social worker's number. I wasn't in the mood to deal with this bitch right now. But I picked up anyway.
“Hello, Miss Warren, how can I help you?” I asked in a dry tone.
“Hello there. I have some news concerning your daughters.”
“What might that be? Y'all letting them come home to their mama now?” I asked with an attitude.
“No, ma'am, at least not as yet. You need to first find a place that is suitable for you and the girls, then the court will consider giving the girls back. However, the father of the children, Mr. Brown, filed court papers. He wants to get custody of the children. A court date is set for the hearing.”
“What the fuck you mean, this nigga filed for full custody of my children? So this nigga can whup my ass, abandoned his children and me, and now he filing for custody? Are you kidding me?”
“Well, as the paternal parent of the children, he has all rights to file for custody of his children. If the courts deem you unfit, they will then look at the next parent to see if he is fit to take the children. I advise you to be present at all court hearings if you do not wish to lose full custody of your children.”
Without saying another word to this bitch, I hung the phone up. This bitch pretended like she was on my side, but she really wasn't. I threw the phone onto the floor and grabbed my hair and screamed, “Noooooooooooo!”
This couldn't be happening! This nigga was trying to get custody of my children. The same children I carried for nine fucking months and pushed out of my pussy. There was no way I was gonna allow my children to be around this nigga and his bitch. I grabbed the bottle of cheap wine I had on the nightstand and I put it straight to my head. I didn't give two fucks that it was burning my chest.
“Noooo. It will never happen, Anthony,” I screamed as I threw the bottle into the wall. Glass splattered everywhere; kind of how my soul was feeling! I fell to my knees crying. I couldn't believe Anthony would do me like this. This was me, the love of his life. I gave him his firstborn. I was hurting inside. “God, please help me, please, God. I can't take this anymore. I just want to die, God,” I cried as my lips trembled.