Chapter 45
Me and Gianna spent Saturday figuring out a plan for her move.
I was able to secure her a moving company to go in Monday and pack everything for her and Ronnie and take it to storage. She needed her best friend though, so they decided to get a suite for the week while they apartment searched.
Of course I offered for her to stay with me, but she didn’t want to leave her friend. I understood that. Ronnie was her confidant and I wasn't going to intrude on that. She knew that whatever she needed I was there.
Sunday, I followed her to the hotel where Ronnie was waiting. Once I paid for their suite and made sure they were good, I headed out to go pick up my son. While driving, my eyes kept flicking to the dark bruise at my temple and the swelling around my lip.
It wasn’t the worst. The blow to my abdomen felt and looked worse than my face. Still, because of my complexion it was noticeable and my family would be worried. I hated for my son to see me bruised, but it wasn't much I could now. Just had to face the music.
When I pulled up, I gave myself a final glance in my mirror. Pulling the fitted hat lower on my head, I got it out, footsteps heavy as I walked up the steps. I could hear my son's footsteps.
"Daddy here's Pop-Pop!"
I smiled, using my key to open the door. Melo barreled right into me. "Hi, Daddy!"
I kept my head down and reached down to scoop him into my arms. "Hey, buddy." I hugged him tight, burying my face in his neck still trying to hide my face.
My Pops was smiling right up until I had to lift my head. The smile slid off his face. He stared at me, concern and anger blending on his face. Questions swirling in his eyes. I avoided his gaze.
Melo pulled back slightly and gasped, his little mouth dropping open. "Daddy who hit your face!" He stared into my eyes as I watched tears spring into his.
I quickly blinked my own away at seeing my son become so emotional. "Daddy's okay, buddy." I kissed his forehead. "I promise."
"Betty," Pops called out, eyes still locked on me as he approached.
"I'm coming!" Mama's chipper voice replied.
Pops approached, he reached out and took Melo from my arms. "Go and get your stuff, Melo. Let Pop-Pop talk to your dad."
Melo nodded sadly his eyes still searching mine as Pops set him on his feet. As soon as he was out of sight, he reached out and grabbed my hat off my head, that dark bruise covering my temple and blooming downwards making him inhale sharply.
"What happened?" he asked low, voice restrained with anger.
"I just had an altercation, that's all." I shrugged casually.
My mama rounded the corner all smiles. "I'm here—" she stopped in her tracks when she saw me. "Good Lord—" she exhaled, hand pressing towards her chest. She rushed over grabbing my face and turning it. "What happened?"
"It's fine, Ma." I pulled my face from her hand. "I just got into a fight."
"With who?" her voice rose slightly.
I didn't respond.
Her eyes narrowed. "It's because of Gianna, isn't it?"
I exhaled a heavy breath shaking my head. "He won't leave her alone. I had too."
"So you fought him?!" she asked sharply.
"Betty—" Pops placed his hand on her arm. "Calm down," he said evenly.
She let out a shaky breath and nodded.
He turned back to me. "Tell us what happened, son. And don't you lie to us," he warned that stern voice of his letting me know that he wasn’t accepting any half-truths.
I dragged my hand down my face before finally nodding once. "Yeah," I admitted quietly. "It's because of Gianna."
Mama closed her eyes briefly.
Pops stayed still. Calm. But that vein ticking in his jaw told me he was angry as hell.
"He's been stalking her," I explained. "Following us. Breaking into her apartment. He stole her underwear out the dresser."
Mama's eyes widened in horror while Pops cursed low under his breath.
I continued, "Then he started escalating. Showing up places. Leaving flowers on her car at the police station. She's scared, Pops."
"And the police?" he asked.
"They're involved but they ain't got enough to hold him on, apparently." I shrugged.
"So you decided to handle it yourself?" Mama snapped.
I looked away. "I just wanted to tell him to stay away from her. That’s it."
"And look what happened!" She threw her hands up emotionally. "Remel, look at your face!"
"Mama—"
"No!" Her voice cracked. "You have a child!"
That part hit me hard as hell. The room fell quiet for a second.
Melo came bouncing back around the corner with his backpack but slowed when he noticed the tension. His little face looked worried all over again. "Daddy?" he asked softly.
I forced my expression to soften. "Yeah, buddy?"
"Did the bad guy hurt you?"
Jesus Christ. I swallowed hard. "I'm okay."
He walked over slowly and wrapped his arms around my legs carefully like he was scared to hurt me more. "I don't want nobody hurting you, Daddy," he whispered.
That almost fucking broke me. My eyes squeezed shut briefly as I rested my hand against the back of his head.
"I'm alright, son." I reassured him. But holding my son while my mother stood there crying quietly and my father stared at me like he was trying to figure out how bad this really was; I realized this situation wasn't just affecting me and Gianna anymore.
It was bleeding into every part of my life now.
Mama folded her arms tightly over her chest before finally speaking quieter this time.
"I knew something was off the moment that situation at the restaurant happened." She shook her head slightly.
"Ma—"
"No, let me finish." Her eyes finally lifted back to mine. Fear sat in them more than anger. "You're not reckless by nature, Remel. You're a good man. Gentle. You don't move like this. You don't fight." Her voice cracked again. "This thing with that girl is changing you."
Pops glanced at her carefully but didn’t interrupt.
I exhaled slowly. "I love her," was all I could say. And that was all I needed to move however I needed to move for her protection.
Mama let out the heaviest sigh. "I know you do." She shook her head slowly. "That's exactly why I'm scared, son."