Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
JACOB
A s if enough shit hadn’t happened today, Mekayla’s father took a turn for the worse. When we got to the hospital, I chose to valet so we could get to where he was a little quicker. They were still in the emergency room, and I noticed there were only a few people here. A tall guy quickly embraced Mekayla when we walked in. A curvy woman approached LaTee and me with a tight smile.
“Hi, Grandma Mercedes.”
It was like something shocked Mekayla’s senses, and she hurried back to us. She looped her arm through mine and said, “Jacob, this is Mercedes, my biological mother. That’s my brother Zhori. The two of us share the same parents. You’ll meet my other siblings at a later time.”
I nodded and shook her mother’s hand. She seemed a little nervous after Mekayla’s introduction, and I wasn’t sure why. I knew their history, but Mekayla had told me that she’d healed from all of that.
“Umm… Mekayla, you can go see him,” her mother said.
“Can all three of us go at once?”
“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask the nurse. LaTee can stay with me if you want.”
“No. She has to stay with me.”
“Mekayla, if necessary, I can stay in the waiting area,” I offered.
“No!” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I would like for you to be with me also.”
I nodded. Glancing at her mother, I could see that she seemed to know what was going on. I wished someone would tell me, though, because I was in the dark. Her brother seemed to be also. We walked to the doors, and the person over the intercom asked who we were going to see. After Mekayla told her his name, the doors opened. There was a sign saying that children under the age of eleven couldn’t be back there.
I didn’t make Mekayla aware of it because she seemed to be extremely touchy and fragile right now. I didn’t want to be the person she lashed out on, because my Henderson petty would come shining through quick as a muthafucka. This wasn’t the time for that.
“Ma’am, how old is your daughter?” a nurse passing by asked.
“She’s eight.”
“She’s too young to be back here.”
“Oh well,” Mekayla said and kept walking.
I was somewhat stunned as the nurse followed us. “Ma’am, if you don’t adhere to the rules, I’ll have to call security.”
“Do what the fuck you have to do then.”
My eyes widened. Uncle Storm said he could see that she would be a handful, but shit, I was still stunned. She seemed like she was falling apart emotionally on the ride here but mild as fuck. This came out of the blue. We walked into the room where her father was, and I could see he was struggling.
“Grandpa Stacy!” LaTee yelled and ran to his bedside.
He turned his gaze to her and tried to smile. She climbed into bed with him and lay on his shoulder as tears fell down Mekayla’s face. I slid my arms around her, and she flinched.
“I’m sorry, Jacob.”
I nodded as she leaned into me. She pulled away and went to her dad’s bedside. She kissed his head and said something in his ear. When I saw the tear fall from his eyes, it softened me. While I had witnessed death, most of the instances were quick. Seeing him like this took me back to the night my grandmother died. It was an emotional moment for the entire family. I leaned against the wall and tried to focus my attention on Mekayla and LaTee.
“Daddy, this is my boyfriend, Jacob. He’s gonna take care of me and LaTee, but you also know that I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
He nodded and tried to smile again.
“Excuse me, ma’am. We have to escort you out.”
I frowned. These people were fucking tripping. Mekayla stood up straight with a frown on her face as the guard’s gaze went to LaTee. She was still in bed with her grandfather. When she ignored him, that seemed to bother him. I could see the frown on his face, so I stood up straight as well, making sure he saw me. He glanced at me and came further into the room. I walked over to Mekayla because if he thought he was gonna put his hands on her, he had another thing coming.
He said something in his lil walkie-talkie then stood there and stared at us. When Mekayla’s dad’s machine started beeping, I turned my attention back to them. He’d coded. Nurses came running into the room, and we had to leave out anyway. However, when we stepped into the hallway, there were two other guards there, waiting to escort us out of ICU and apparently out of the hospital.
“Please come with us, ma’am.”
“Y’all can’t be serious. My daddy is in there dying, and y’all are trying to put me out? This is fucked up! I will be pressing charges too! Muthafuckas!”
LaTee wrapped her arms around me, so I picked her up and hugged her tightly. Her entire body was trembling. When Mekayla saw me holding her, she only got louder. “Put her down!”
I frowned and licked my lips, slowly lowering LaTee to her feet. My eyes didn’t leave Mekayla’s. I could see the sadness and hurt in them, but for some reason, I felt like it didn’t reflect what was going on right now. She pulled LaTee to her and hugged her tightly. Once the nurses walked out of the room, the doctor came to Mekayla and said, “I’m sorry. We lost him, ma’am.”
Mekayla fell to her knees, and I stooped in front of her. “Can I hold you, baby?”
I was trying to understand what she was feeling, but I was starting to get real bothered. That wasn’t good for nobody. She quickly stood and wiped her tears, then grabbed LaTee’s hand and walked away. I took a deep breath and followed them out of ICU, nearly walking into her mother. I didn’t see her walk in.
“Mekayla, are you leaving?”
“I’m being put out because I wouldn’t send LaTee out. Fuck these people!”
Her brother blocked her path, but she said, “Move out of my fucking way, Zhori!”
Instead, he grabbed her. She started screaming and fighting him, but she eventually caved. I closed my eyes for a moment. He’d obviously figured out what she needed. The guards were standing behind me, letting them have their moment. However, the minute she pulled away from Zhori, they closed in on us. Zhori said something in her ear, and she nodded then grabbed LaTee’s hand again and walked off.
I was dumbfounded for a moment and hadn’t made the first move to follow her. Zhori approached me and said, “Please, be patient with her. She’s really trying to be this positive and peaceful version of herself that you’ve probably gotten to know, but who she is now is the Mekayla I grew up with… broken, angry, confrontational, and alone.”
I closed my eyes and nodded. Her trauma was visiting her in this moment. I had never dealt with anyone like her, but I could definitely understand the turmoil she was in. I could see the signs now. Shakayla, Uncle WJ’s middle daughter, used to be the same way, and I didn’t know why. I just thought she had an attitude and was being rebellious. She was crying out for help.
I walked away to find Mekayla and LaTee in the waiting area with the guards, waiting for me. When she saw me, she walked toward the exit. I didn’t bother to stop her, since they were putting her out. Plus, I knew she wouldn’t want to talk about it with LaTee paying close attention. Instead, I would come up with something to make her smile, and I had the perfect idea if I could get her to stay the night.
When the valet brought up the vehicle, I helped LaTee inside as Mekayla walked around to the other side of the vehicle. While I was making sure she was in her seat belt, I saw Mekayla getting inside. I took a deep breath as she glanced at me then closed LaTee’s door. I did my best to stay calm as I got inside the vehicle, remembering what Zhori had said.
After closing the door, I slid my hand to hers. “I’m sorry about your father.”
She nodded then slid her hand away from mine. I put the vehicle in gear, and we made our way back to Nome. By the time we got to China, I could see the ice around Mekayla starting to melt. When we left, she had a fuck the world type of demeanor, her head high, and a frown on her beautiful face. Now, she looked like she would cry any minute. Her shoulders were slightly slumped, like they were when we left Nome.
Once we got to my house and I’d pulled into the garage, I turned to her and said, “Don’t move until I open your door for you.”
She gave me a tight smile. I got out and helped LaTee out then walked around to her side. When I opened her door, she fell into me. I rubbed her back, doing my best to console her grieving heart. She slid down my body and walked away from me, going to LaTee who was crying her eyes out as she watched her mother do the same.
I sent my mama a text. I know it’s been a long day already, but could you see if Aunt Chrissy could help you fry chicken and french fries for Mekayla. Her father just passed away and she’s having a really rough time.
After sending the message I went to the back door to unlock it. They trudged their way to the couch as I did my best to get some things situated for them, hoping they would stay. I sent Maui a text message, asking her to run to Walmart, Target, or a store like them, to get them some items of hygiene and clothes. She agreed.
I went to the couch where they were and knelt before them, slightly wincing as I did. I shifted my weight to the other knee as Mekayla watched me. “Can y’all stay here tonight, baby?”
LaTee turned her attention to Mekayla as she closed her eyes. When a slight smile formed on her lips, I knew she would say yes. I kissed her lips.
“I was hoping you would ask. I need you, Jacob. I’m sorry for my behavior earlier. I just…”
I placed my fingers over her lips. “We’ll talk about it later.”
She nodded and leaned over to hug me. After kissing her cheek, I tried to get up and fake fell over her, causing LaTee to laugh. “Oh goodness. I’m sorry,” I said, then faked falling over LaTee.
She giggled so hard tears fell from her eyes. I sat next to Mekayla and kissed her head. “Everything is going to be fine.”
My phone vibrated, so I pulled it out to see a message from my mama. Oh no! We’re on our way. You think they would be overwhelmed if I told everyone else?
I glanced at Mekayla to see she was reading the text along with me. I smiled slightly as she turned her head, pretending she wasn’t. “Well?” I asked.
“Well, what?”
I twisted my lips to the side as she smiled and shook her head. “We won’t be overwhelmed.”
They won’t be. Y’all come on.
Looked like the party would be here all over again. I loved my family. Although they didn’t really know Mekayla, because she was important to me, she was important to them as well. Before I could say anything to her, the doorbell was ringing. I frowned because it was too soon for anyone to be bombarding us. I’d just given my mama the okay.
I huffed and went to the door to find the mayor standing there. He pushed past me and asked, “Where’s Pam?”
I rolled my eyes and said, “She’s in there, Martin.”
When I followed behind him, he went straight to Mekayla and grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
She smiled slightly and said, “Thank you, Uncle Mayor.”
What did she say that shit for? That nigga was grinning like a Cheshire cat. “You not just saying that shit to butter me up, huh?”
“Isn’t that why everyone says it?”
The smile fell from his lips, and he frowned. “Naw. They say that shit ’cause I’m really the mayor.”
“Nigga, you resigned. You ain’t the mayor of shit no more,” I said as Mekayla chuckled.
He gave me a smirk. “If you would attend the family meetings like you should, you would know that me and Marcus were reinstated. The best part is that we don’t have to abide by no fucking political shit. We can do what the fuck we want.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s because ain’t no fucking body out here but us. And we ain’t gon’ listen to you or Uncle Marcus thuggish ass.”
He pushed my head and said, “Oh, but I bet y’all asses gon’ listen. I’ll fuck your sewer system up and have shit backing up all in your house.”
I huffed as he turned to LaTee. “What’s up, lil mama. I’m sorry about your grandfather.”
“Thank you.”
“But you know what we gon’ do?”
“What?” she asked.
“We finna have a party to cheer you up. The whole family is coming over. Uncle Marcus has a daughter that’s somewhat close to your age. I think she’s five or six.”
“Really? A party?”
“Yep. Aunt Chrissy and Grandma Jen are coming over to fry chicken and french fries, and I think Aunt Tiffany is coming to help them. Everybody is coming, even some of our cousins.”
I frowned at him and asked, “Who?”
“Mal and Danica. They were at WJ’s house with Nesha and Martha when your mama called.”
“Oh,” I said with a head nod.
“So, I thought it was joke to call you mayor. I thought they called you that because you stay in everybody’s business.”
Uncle Storm frowned at Mekayla as I chuckled. “You know, since you grieving and all, I’m gon’ let you make it with that one, Pam. But you best believe, the next one won’t be free. You been sliding too much around this bitch.”
She laughed as he plopped down next to her. When she leaned against him and he didn’t frown or make her move, I knew she was in the family for sure.
“Hey! Jacob!”
I frowned and ran to the front door at the voice I heard. When I saw Karima, I ran to her and lifted her from her feet, swinging her around. “Damn! What’chu doing back already?”
“I actually went back to start wrapping some things up. My family needs me here. Y’all got more shit going than a little bit. All hands need to be on deck, if possible. I withdrew from school, and I’ll just go back to Lamar.”
I lowered my head. “But you seemed so happy to go. The family would have managed.”
“Well, I was somewhat homesick too. I felt so out of the loop being way out there. I almost fell apart when Kane got shot, knowing I couldn’t get here right away. I missed y’all.”
I gave her a soft smile. “Well, we missed you too. Welcome back.”
I grabbed her hand and led her inside to officially meet Mekayla. I couldn’t remember if they’d met before, but whatever. “Mekayla, this is my cousin Karima. She’s KJ’s sister and my counselor.”
Karima gave me a smile and hugged Mekayla. “I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you too.”
Mekayla’s phone rang, so she excused herself. Karima glanced back at me and said, “She’s so beautiful, but I can tell she has a lot of hurt inside.”
I frowned slightly. “How?”
It was obvious she was hurting from the death of her father, but I knew that wasn’t what Karima was talking about. She smiled up at me. “She watches her daughter like a hawk. I was watching her when we were talking up front. Her shoulders are extremely tense, like she’s on guard in case something happens. Usually, people who are grieving or depressed are more relaxed looking, if that makes sense. The shoulders are more slumped than tense.”
I turned my attention to Mekayla to see her shedding more tears as she talked on the phone. LaTee went to her and lay on her lap, and Uncle Storm sat next to her. She leaned against him again. I’d surely have to tell Uncle Jasper about this. Maybe Uncle Storm was weakening from a category five to a tropical storm. Uncle Jasper said that shit all the time. I smiled slightly while watching them.
“That’s a rare ass sighting,” Karima said. “I knew he was a teddy bear at heart though.”
She walked further into the room where Mekayla sat and introduced herself to LaTee. She had barely been gone a couple of months and was already back. I slowly shook my head. I just wondered if there was more to it than what she was saying.