15. Dynastie
After my session with Dr. Simone, I needed a damn nap, and I didn’t even use the full hour. The last thing I expected was for her to bring up the baby I’d lost. I’d been sitting behind Major’s desk since the call ended, trying to figure out why she thought he should know, and nothing came to mind.
I was grateful he was asleep because I needed time to get myself together before seeing him again. To clear my mind, I checked my email. It had been a few days, and I had too many to count. I read them all, only responding to the ones that needed a response.
By the time I finished, an hour had flown by, and I felt as if I could face Major without raising his suspicions that something was wrong. I made my way to his bedroom and was surprised to find him packing.
I stood on the side of the bed and watched as he moved around the room.
He was so handsome, and I could spend all my days and nights admiring him.
His body was perfection because of his chosen profession, but his face was equally beautiful, and I found it hard to believe he let grown men punch him in it for a living.
“You decided to pack after all. You couldn’t sleep?”
“Not really.”
“Do you need help packing?” I asked.
“Nah. I’m almost done. I forgot to mention that my parents are coming over for dinner. They were talking shit about me hogging all your time and not bringing you over to see them.”
“Where’s the lie? I’m being held hostage.”
“I wouldn’t call it hostage, but we’ve been busy making up for lost time. Did you get through all your emails?”
“The important ones. I may have to go back to Onyx City for an interview with the newest draft pick for the Onyx City Blazers, but I’m waiting to hear back.”
“How was your therapy session?”
I’d forgotten I told him about my session.
“It was good,” I responded, avoiding his eyes when I responded.
“You sure?”
“I’m positive. What will we eat for dinner? I probably should get some groceries delivered.”
“Already taken care of. I called Brendan, and he’ll be here soon to make something.”
“Do you call him at the last minute often?”
He shrugged. “Not often, but I pay him well, so it’s cool.”
Something about his mood was different, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“I’m good. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. I feel a little tension in the air.”
“Must be your imagination. I’m about to try and get that nap in now.”
He put a few more things in his bag that was on the bench in front of the bed, then went to the other side, lying down with his back to me.
Not knowing what else to do, I followed his lead, climbing into bed and getting as close to him as I could, pressing my chest against his back, and wrapping my arms around his waist.
Usually, when I did that, he took my hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it, or turned around to face me, intertwining his limbs in mine. This time, he didn’t move. Something was definitely wrong.
“You look so good, Mama Lloyd. I can’t believe it’s been so long.” I greeted Major’s mother as we embraced.
“Oh goodness. It’s been way too long. You don’t know how happy it makes me that you and Major have reunited.”
“Me too. Hey, Papa Lloyd. You’re looking good too. Mama Lloyd’s been taking good care of you.”
“I’d like to think we take good care of each other. It’s good to see you again. Don’t stay away so long next time.”
We exchanged a warm embrace, and, as with the hug I shared with his wife, I could feel the authenticity in their words.
“If your son has anything to do with it, I’m never leaving. Freya! Oh my God. I didn’t know you were coming. Look at how pretty you are,” I said before wrapping her in a hug as soon as she came inside.
“Thank you, and I could say the same about you. It’s so good to see you. I hope my brother righted his wrongs and you plan to stick around.”
“He’s been holding me hostage, so I couldn’t leave if I wanted to,” I joked.
“Hopefully, you don’t want to,” Freya said with a smile.
“So far, so good,” I responded.
“Where is our son?” Mr. Lloyd asked.
“He’s in his office on the phone, but dinner is ready. We can go to the kitchen.”
The four of us entered the kitchen just as Brendan was getting ready to leave. Pleasantries were exchanged, and Brendan left.
“I swear he outdoes himself every time. I need to start working out with Major, or soon, I won’t be able to fit the clothes I brought with me.”
“Yeah, Chef Brendan throws down in the kitchen. I’ll never decline an invite if he’s cooking,” Mrs. Lloyd said.
Fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, yams, and cornbread were on the menu. I hadn’t had soul food like this in a while, so my mouth watered.
After we washed our hands at the kitchen sink, we made our plates and sat at the table.
“My mother told me something very interesting,” I said with a grin.
“Really? What was that?” Mrs. Lloyd asked.
“You two have been fellowshipping with my parents behind our backs.”
The three of them were tickled by my statement and laughed.
“We were at war for a few months, but realized your fight wasn’t our fight,” Mr. Lloyd said.
“And we missed our friends. At the time, we thought whatever was going on with you and Major would blow over quickly, but it was much more serious than we knew. We decided to stay out of it,” Mrs. Lloyd added.
“I was surprised when my mother told me, but happy that y’all didn’t let our issues ruin your friendship.”
Major entered the kitchen, kissing his mother and sister and giving his father a one-armed hug.
“Damn, this food smells good,” he commented on his way to the fridge.
He pulled out one of his premade meals and went to the microwave. Every day, I felt bad that he couldn’t eat the delicious food I enjoyed, but it didn’t seem to bother him too much. He was disciplined, and I was impressed by his willpower.
When he joined us at the table, I noticed he wouldn’t look at me. I had no idea what was going on, but I would try to get to the bottom of it when his family left. I tried to pretend his behavior didn’t bother me, but I was very much bothered, although he was the only one who noticed.
“Have you started the new project yet?” Freya asked.
“We almost have everyone in place and should be starting within the next two weeks,” Major responded.
“Are you excited?” his mother asked.
“You know I don’t like people in my business, so this is out of my comfort zone.”
“Your fans only see bits and pieces of you, so you’re kind of a mystery to them, but that’s what’s going to make it successful,” Freya said.
“This ain’t about money, but hopefully my doing this will serve its purpose. I’m glad y’all came over because there is something I want to discuss.”
“This sounds serious, Son. Everything okay?” Mr. Lloyd asked.
“Everything is fine, but there’s something I want to include in my memoir and documentary that’s very sensitive, but I won’t do it unless everyone is comfortable with it.”
His parents looked at Freya because they knew exactly what Major was referring to, and the sensitive information affected her more than anyone. I didn’t meet Major until after the situation had occurred, but once we grew close, he’d shared the details.
“Only Freya can make that decision,” Mrs. Lloyd said.
“Why do you need to include something that happened to me in your memoir?” Freya asked.
“It’s a part of my story, and I don’t think I would’ve pursued boxing had it not happened.”
The summer before Major entered high school and Freya entered sixth grade, something unimaginable happened. While Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd were at work, and Major was walking home from football camp, someone Major thought was a good friend went to his house.
Dontrell and Major had been friends since elementary school, and he’d been to the Lloyd’s home many times. They’d fed him and given him a safe place to go when things were rocky at home. So, when Freya saw him at the door, she didn’t hesitate to open it.
Unfortunately, Dontrell was not who the Lloyds thought he was, and when Major got home, not even ten minutes later, he found Dontrell attempting to rape Freya. Her shirt was torn, and she was naked from the waist down. Had Major arrived a few minutes later, Dontrell would’ve succeeded.
Major blacked out and beat Dontrell so badly that he was unrecognizable. Unfortunately, while Dontrell was on his way to the hospital, Major was arrested. Although Dontrell was ultimately charged and convicted of attempted rape, assault, and a few other things, Major had a legal battle of his own.
Dontrell had the audacity to press charges against him, but thankfully, the judge who presided over Major’s juvenile case was not only the older brother of five younger sisters but also a part owner of a boxing club.
He gave Major probation and required that he become and remain a member of the boxing club until he graduated high school. It was life-changing for him in many ways.
“Okay,” Freya agreed.
“Are you sure? Because I can mention it but gloss over the situation if I need to,” Major offered.
“I’m sure. I think it’s important to tell the whole story,” Freya said.
There was a heaviness in the air, and Mr. Lloyd tried to lighten it by saying, “Have y’all talked about kids yet? I need a grandson to balance out Maja’s girl power energy.”
My eyes met Major’s, and I expected a smile, but his face was blank.
“I’m ready whenever Dynastie is ready,” Major said, keeping his eyes on me as he spoke.
He called me Dynastie, which confirmed my suspicions about his attitude toward me. Conversations continued to happen around me, but I wasn’t tuned in and didn’t contribute.
After his family packed food to take home, the leftovers were put away, the Lloyds left, and Major and I were alone again. I couldn’t wait to confront him about his attitude.
“What the hell is your problem?”