Chapter 18 Bentley #3
By the time I was ready to go, it was a lil’ after four in the afternoon. I only stuck around for so long ‘cause Iris wanted to bullshit. I ain’t mind simply because if my mama really was her ace, she was just trying to get as close to me as she could. I wasn’t sweating it.
I walked out the front door moments later wanting Heidi’s whereabouts. This woman still had no idea that I was out or even in her city. This was a nice lil’ surprise that I had planned for her. I missed her pretty ass, I couldn’t lie.
“Where you headed cuz?” Royce shouted at my back.
Turning around, I responded with, “To Heidi. Why?”
“Heidi who?” he asked with dropped brows.
“Mitchell. I’m gone so holla at me, not while I’m with her though,” I said throwing up the deuces.
She was under his radar way too much for my liking.
She ain’t need his protection or anything else for that matter.
I had more than enough money for her to do whatever the hell she wanted and enough love to make sure she never felt lonely or unloved again.
She ain’t know it, but she was more than good with me.
“Muthafucka please don’t take me there. I don’t even play when it comes to her,” he warned me.
“That makes two of us. Don’t go blowing her phone up cuz. I ain’t too fond of interruptions,” I threw back.
Hopping in my whip, I pulled out without giving Royce time to say anything else.
Cruising down the private road, I typed in Heidi’s first and last name.
To my surprise, a business pulled up called Heidi’s Hideout.
I hit the maps and pressed go on the location.
I ain’t know where she was, but I was hoping she was there.
Once I was on the main roads, I zigzagged in and out of traffic with ease. The only time I was able to get a piece of mind was when I was alone. My thoughts settled, and I didn’t have to think about the constant pressure of being one big happy family. I wasn’t with all that just yet.
My mother was loved by the Atkins but for some reason, I felt that from everyone except Senior.
Her own brother wasn’t caring enough in my eyes.
It made sense on why Royce fought so hard to keep everyone close.
He saw his father's mistakes and wasn’t trying to repeat history.
Big cuz wasn’t so bad, I guess. He was gon’ have to put in way more effort when it came to me though.
The downtown area was cool. It was Heidi’s lil’ lounge thing that had my attention though.
Her lil’ shit was spotted damn near immediately after I hit the busy and crowded space.
She had a spot that was in between other bars and restaurants giving her a hint of competition.
I found a parking space behind an all-white Range Rover.
Stepping out, I threw a few quarters in the meter and headed inside. I knew she was somewhere around by the fact that her name was being shouted by a lil’ one that ran across the room.
“Mama Heidi. Mama Heidi. I got to pee!” he screamed at the bottom of the steps.
“Okay, okay. Come up and use the bathroom,” she spoke gently. She was heard but not scene.
I walked over to where lil’ man was at the steps and leaned against them.
I could wait for her. I had nothing but time.
The expectations of this pop up was fifty-fifty.
I expected her to be happy for a nigga but also display caution.
She expressed how inmates terrified her, and I knew the back story on the last one she spoke with.
I was risking the bond we built so far, that I knew.
Minutes passed before the smell of her perfume clouded my senses.
That hit me before the sound of her heels against the hardwood floor was heard.
The closer she got, the worst my containment got.
It was taking everything in me not to grab her up and tell her Daddy was home.
That would’ve caused her to hate a nigga for real.
“Excuse me sir. Can I help you?” she questioned stepping off the stairwell.
I remained quiet as she came around to face me. When it finally registered who was in front of her, her hands flew over her mouth before she turned around giving me her back. This was one hell of a surprise, so her reaction was understood.
“Damn, you can’t even look at me?” I inquired in a low tone.
For months we’d held conversation with each other.
Where it started out as simple anonymous messages, we progressed to real shit over the phone.
I knew when she was upset, happy, or sad all from the tone of her voice.
I took the time to learn her virtually, now I wanted the time to do that physically.
It required much more, but I was willing to do whatever it took to bring her back to Florida.
Still giving me her back, she asked, “Bentley, what are you doing here?” I gently touched her waist, and she swatted me away immediately. “Don’t touch me.”
“My apologies, Mama. It won’t happen again.”
“I asked you what you were doing here? How did you know where to find me? And…” It took her a minute, but she finally gave me the respect I deserved by turning back around and letting me gaze into those beautiful brown eyes of hers. “When did you get released?”
“A while back. I had some things to handle in Florida before taking that trip up. Enzo was put to sleep, I went and had lil’ discussion with yo’ people, then came here. Was I wrong to do so? I’ll leave,” I lied.
“Yes. No…” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly to gain some composure. I could see her battling with herself. “I… This is unexpected, so I’m trying to let it register.”
Nodding, I took a few steps back to give her some space. She was overwhelmed and it was clear that it was my doing. She was unsure of what to do. I could tell by how she kept twiddling her fingers and looking at everything except me. Nervousness surrounded her.
“I can go Mama,” I said gesturing to the door.
“Yeah, I think that’s best,” she followed with a nod of her own.
A small smirk was given as I went to leave.
She caught me by the wrists and said, “Wait. I’m sorry.
That’s rude.” She circled around, got on her toes, and offered a hug.
I wrapped my arms around her waist gently bringing her into my embrace. “Welcome home, love.”
For the past few weeks, she’d greeted me with words of endearment. She was warming up to a nigga and didn’t even realize it. It was cute.
“’Preciate it.” I let her go seconds later trying to keep that boundary she needed for comfortability intact.
“Yonnis came through for you. I’m glad he could.”
“Same. Come to find out, the lawyer I had was getting paid to keep me in that hell hole by Enzo. A nigga wasn’t supposed to make it out of there,” I replied.
Her gaze traveled along my frame as mine did the same in return.
Heidi was bad and there was no other way to put it.
Her shape went crazy, and her face card could get her whatever the hell she desired.
She had to know she was shutting shit down just off the strength of looking how she looked.
It didn’t help that she was in a button down with a pencil skirt giving off professor vibes.
She looked damned good. She looked like Mrs. Bentley Atkins.
“You clean up well. Black looks good on you,” she complimented.
“Thank you, baby. Yo’ lil’ ensemble doing something to a nigga.
I like it,” I threw back. She blushed off my words putting her head down.
It was a stretch, but I slowly approached her face placing a finger underneath her chin.
She allowed it. I gently lifted her head saying, “Don’t drop yo’ head ‘round me. You ain’t got no reason to. ”
I was given a slow nod as she tried her best to maintain eye contact. This woman was fuckin’ beautiful. Every lil’ thing she did had my attention. No matter how subtle the movement, I had eyes on it. She wasn’t gon’ be able to escape me. I hated that for her.
“Mama, who’s he?”
“Lincoln?” I questioned her in a hushed tone.
She nodded once more. “Use yo’ words baby.
I’m the same nigga you been falling asleep to, the same nigga you been giving ongoing conversation, and the same nigga you got comfortable with.
Ain’t shit changed, except it ain’t virtual no more.
It’s real life. You got me for real beautiful,” I assured her.
“Mama…” Lincoln repeated himself.
“You want me to answer him, or you got it?” I inquired.
Releasing a deep sigh, she answered with, “I got it.” Turning around she went and got lil’ man off the steps. She walked him over to me to give an introduction. “Okay baby boy. So, this is Bentley. He’s mommy’s—”
Cutting her clean off, I inputted with, “Man. I’m her man.”
“Huh? No, he’s not.”
“Does that mean he’s, my daddy? I won’t get teased anymore at school if he is,” Lincoln expressed.
“No. He’s n… Wait. You’re getting teased? Why haven’t you told me anything baby? I would’ve handled it, talked to somebody about it, anything,” Heidi voiced with concern.
“Bullies gon’ be bullies baby. If all they got to tease him with is his pops, then you doing something right. They had to find a flaw because he damn sure ain’t got none appearance wise or financially,” I chimed.
“Bentley, he’s six. Who bullies a six-year-old?” she questioned with tears.
“Other six-year-olds,” I said followed by a small chuckle.
She looked at me sternly, and I straightened up.
This wasn’t a joke for her, and I could tell.
“Aight, aight. I’m sorry.” Bending down, I was eye level with lil’ man.
“Answer me this Link. Can I call you that?” He nodded, and I continued with, “Cool. If you had a dad, what would that change?”
“Everything. I never had one before,” he whispered.
His response broke a nigga. I couldn’t hold you. Damn. How I’m ‘spose to respond to that. I only had what Daisy instilled in me.
“You can’t miss what you never had Link.
It’s good that you’re expressing this now, but since yo’ family situation is a lil’ different from others, gaining a father takes time.
Want to know something ‘bout me? I ain’t have a father either, or a mother for that matter.
I know exactly how it feels to be parentless.
However, I had somebody that loved me with all her heart, and that was my auntie.
Heidi is yo’ mommy and whomever she choose in the future will love you just as much as she does. Aight?”
He gave a nod of agreeance and understanding.
I didn’t want to put too much on the table and let it be known that he indeed had a father in me.
That would’ve probably scared Heidi and made her more cautious than what she was.
I needed baby to want to be with a nigga willingly…
even though my mind was already made up and plans were put into motion back in Florida for their move in.
Standing, I looked down at Heidi and she mouthed, “Thank you”.
I ain’t know what she was dealing with internally, but if she allowed it, I could be that escape goat for the both of them.
I could be that shield of protection in every area of their lives and sense of peace. She just needed to realize it.
“Bentley, can you play with me on the game for a little bit? I finished my homework already,” Lincoln asked.
Looking over at Heidi, I waited for her permission. She was claimed on my end, but I still wanted her to feel like she had control. She gave a nod for the umpteenth time approving our son’s request.
Yeah, I said our son. The fuck she thought.
“He has a game area upstairs. He’ll show you where it is. Are you thirsty or anything? I can make you guys some snacks.”
“Nah, I’m good. You can have dinner with me later though. I found a restaurant not too far from here called The Gilded Fork. You’ll give me that?”
“Give you what Bentley?”
“A moment of peace. I been ripping and running since I got out. A nigga just need some peace right now. Believe it or not, you provide that. So, what’s up? You gon’ do dinner with me?” I questioned again.
I could see the many ways she wanted to decline a nigga written all over her face.
I was just hoping OG looked out for me for the one time.
I ain’t want much from her today. Dinner and meaningful conversation was all I was looking for.
Hitting her with the details of being my wife and mother to my kids would’ve scared her off fa sho.
“That’s…”
“A simple request. I took heed and put us in a public setting. It’s dinner Mama. You got to eat.”
She was hesitant as hell, but she finally agreed with, “Fine. What time?”
“How ‘bout… 6:30? I ain’t trying to keep you from lil’ man for too long,” I answered with a smile that stretched from ear to ear.
“That’s fine. I’ll see you at 6:30.”
She walked away and my focus stayed glued to her backside. This was ‘bout to be a walk in the park. She just ain’t know who the hell I was.