Chapter 7
Yani
After checking my watch for the third time, I picked up my cell and called Trust once more.
Tonight was planned and promised to Brendon and me weeks ago.
I carried around excitement all day just knowing that Trust was going to give us the time we deserved.
Unfortunately, it seemed as if he fed us another lie.
“Is Dad coming? I’m hungry.”
Looking at my son, I put on a smile and said, “He should’ve been here by now, but we can go ahead and order something.”
I waved over the waitress and went ahead and placed an order for Brendon and me. It seemed that Trust forgot about us once again. That had been an ongoing thing since Truce was born, and no matter how much I tried to ignore it, I knew deep down he was making a new home with Xara.
Time flew by and the guest of honor never showed. He left us high and dry, but it was alright. I got to spend time with the one person who had unconditional love for me. Trust no longer held my trust after tonight. I was tired of being the only one keeping us intact as best we could.
“Okay son-son. Let’s get ready to get up out of here. Do you want to order something to go for tomorrow? Mama has to work late, and Aunt Lina is going to pick you up from school.”
“Can Rell come too?”
“I’m not sure, but I can see.” Terell was Lina’s nephew that attended school with Brendon. They were two peas in a pod and did almost everything together. I was glad he shared a bond with someone at such a young age.
“Now, back to what I asked. Food. Yes, or no?” He nodded and I returned the gesture.
I loved my son and was beyond grateful for him.
He brought me out of my depressed ways several times.
He never let me just sit, cry, and waddle in misery.
He would try different ways to bring sunshine to my life when I felt so out of it.
Most of the time, the simple words of ‘I love you Ma’ was the cure and cleared away so many gray clouds.
At times, I wondered if Trust even knew how great our kid was.
He barely paid any attention to him lately and if I noticed it, I knew Brendon did as well.
He loved his father and for so long it was just them two doing any and everything together.
From sports events to father and son play dates, he was Trust’s number one priority. Somehow, Trust lost sight of that.
Once we got his to go order, I paid for our food and was out the door.
It was a little after seven, so we made good timing.
By the time we made it home, it would be close to eight and all he would have to do is get a bath.
I got his school clothes out for the next day, so he had nothing to worry about.
Our drive home consisted of him asking questions regarding his father and sister Truce.
Brendon had only seen Truce maybe three times and those days were spaced apart like inspection dates.
When she was born, a day we just so happened to run into them at the mall, and for her birthday.
I didn’t know what Trust was hiding but my son deserved to know her.
“Is Truce the reason we don’t see Dad like that?”
I’m going to beat Trust’s ass. “No baby. Daddy gets really busy nowadays. His company is growing by the day.”
“He tows cars.”
I hated that Brendon was so damn smart. He was seven but he spoke well and paid attention to so much. You would think he was around nine or ten if you didn’t know him.
“And fixes them as well. He’s a mechanic.”
“Barely. There’re a few games in OKC coming up. Do you think me and him can go to one?”
“That’s something you’ll have to speak to him about. If he doesn’t have the time, I’m sure me and Calina can take you and Rell.”
So much disappointment surfaced as he nodded and that hurt me more than anything. Trust had no idea on the damage he was causing. Brendon looked up to him and looked forward to the time they shared. He was dropping the ball and I didn’t think he even cared.
I had a few words for Trust whenever he decided to come home. It was one thing to let me down, but I became a different person behind the hurt of our child. Brendon wasn’t blind and he saw how his father was never around to show any type of support anymore.
We managed to get home and my blood instantly began to boil. Trust’s car was parked in the garage letting me know that he didn’t give a damn about the promises he made to Brendon and me. However, I kept my composure in front of our son and got him inside.
“Dad’s home. Why didn’t he come to the restaurant?”
“I have no clue baby but let’s see why.”
I checked for him downstairs, and he was nowhere in sight. That led me to checking upstairs and we found him asleep in our bed with Truce right beside him. Everything in me wanted to smack the shit out of him right then and there but instead I thought about the children.
Picking Truce up and being careful not to wake her, I carried her to Brendon’s room, placing her in his bed.
She would sleep with him for the night. She didn’t have a room in our house because truth be told, this was the first time I ever seen her under our roof.
Trust never brought her around no matter how much I requested for him to get her.
“Is Dad alright?” Brendon asked waiting for me in the hallway.
“Yeah baby. Get your shower, make sure you have a clean uniform hanging up, and then get to bed. Be careful not to wake your sister, alright?”
“Yes ma’am.”
I placed a kiss on his forehead and proceeded to inhale several breaths. I could feel myself getting to that place where putting my hands on him was a must. Trust had really played with us for the last time.
Making it back to our bedroom, I closed the door, and headed for the shower.
My body was shaking uncontrollably, so if I was going to talk to him without physically assaulting him, I was going to need to cool down.
I couldn’t even feel the effects of me being disappointed due to the rage that was coursing through me.
The cold water from the shower hit my body giving me the coolness I needed.
Trust was showing me more and more where his interest lied.
Our home was no longer his. I couldn’t tell you the last time he managed to follow through with something he said to us.
And the funny part about it all, these were things he mentioned for us to do.
The only thing suffocating me momentarily was the question does he treat Xara the same? I couldn’t help but wonder about the treatment she was getting. He ran to her without hesitation and always seemed to “forget” or let us “slip his mind.” I was so over the bullshit with him.
Stepping out the shower, I wrapped up in a towel and handled my face and mouth. I had managed to calm down a little and was ready for a conversation full of lies. That was all that seemed to come out his mouth when it came to speaking to me.
Taking a few deep breaths, I walked out and headed for the dresser that housed my undergarments.
“Trust. Trust. Trust, wake up!” I was becoming irritated all over again.
He started to move around, and I finished getting dressed. He finally sat up and gave me his attention, until he realized where he was. He began to panic and look for Truce.
“She’s in the bed with Brendon.”
He calmed himself and redirected his attention back to me. “What’s up baby?”
“You made plans to have dinner with me and your son. You never showed. What happened?”
“Damn. My bad baby. Xara called and asked me to get Truce from daycare at the last minute. She was fussy so I brought her back to the crib and we must’ve fallen asleep after I fed her.”
“What time did Xara call you?”
“Huh? Why does that matter?”
“Answer the question, Trust.”
“Like right before they closed.”
“Did you inform her about today?” He nodded and I scoffed. “Cool.” I had a plan in motion of my own.
A woman of my caliber has never played second place and I wasn’t about to start. One thing about me, I made promises to myself, and I planned to keep every single one of them. I wanted my family to work but it was clear that Trust had other plans.
“Baby, I’m sorry. It slipped my mind and Truce doesn’t really do well in big settings. I’ll make it up to y’all, I promise.”
All he got from me was a nod and a smile. He was in for a rude awakening. I tolerated his games and foolishness for far too long.
Laying down, he wrapped his arms around me, and I released a small chuckle. Nigga better count the minutes ’cause his time was coming to an end. I snuggled up under him knowing what I had in mind.
“Goodnight beautiful. I love you.”
“I love you too baby.”
&
“Bitch did you really pack up all his shit?”
“Every last thing he owns is in the back of that U-Haul. He puts Xara before me and plays family with them more than with me and Brendon, so he needs to be with her and not me.”
Hopping out my truck, I went and spoke to the neighborhood movers that would help you out for a hot meal and a few bucks. He thought shit was sweet with us, but I was tired and now he could be where he was always at.
“Where do you want it Yani?”
“In the middle of her yard is fine with me. I don’t give a damn where you put it. It ain’t my shit.” I was in one hell of a mood today.
I called the hospital to find out what time Xara got off work and she would be pulling up shortly. I wanted to properly give her what she succeeded on taking from me.
“I thought you left all the hood shit behind you. I didn’t know you still had some of it up in you,” Dawn said standing by laughing.
“I left the hood because I finally became financially stable. I’m still Yani from the block. I matured and became a better woman for my son, but let’s not forget that I plays no games.”
“I’m proud of you for remembering your worth bestie. You love Trust and I get that this might even hurt to do this, but you deserve real happiness.”
“Thanks.”
Dawn had been telling me for a while that Trust was not my end game. I didn’t want to believe her, so I ignored all her warnings. Trust had been so good to me over the years that I knew he would make me his wife on paper and not just by common law. However, he had quickly made a fool out of me.
I looked to the honking horn and a wicked smile appeared from ear to ear. Xara had finally decided to join us. I came dressed in sweats and a hoodie for a reason. I was tired of her and her spiteful ways. Whatever type of time she was on, so was I.
She parked next to the U-Haul and immediately started making her way toward me. I was ready for whatever.
“What the hell are you doing at my house and what the fuck is all this shit?”
“Hey girl. I’m just dropping off your man things he left at my house. Why you look so confused? You didn’t think I knew where you lived?”
Once she realized that the things belonged to Trust, she smiled. I couldn’t lie, that gesture pissed me off.
“Oh, you didn’t have to do that, Yani. He has more than enough things here. However, I’m sure he’ll find a place for these things the way he did the others. We appreciate you though.”
Going upside her head was the only thing floating through my mind, but it wasn’t even her fault. Trust created this bullshit. Xara owed me no loyalty.
“No worries. I figured the least I could do was give him to you officially instead of you creating ways to take him from me.”
“That’s cute and you’re so damn slow, it’s funny.
Baby he left yo’ ass a long time ago. It’s you that’s just now realizing that.
This house has both of our names on it. Trust plays house with you when I allow him to do so.
I could call that man right now and he’ll come running.
You my dear no longer have that privilege.
You better recognize who that nigga belongs to. ”
“Bit—”
“Calm down Dawn, I got this.” I had to restrain her from lunging at Xara.
“Y’all are comical.”
“Baby ‘allowing your man to play house’ with another woman is not a flex first of all. Second, I may have been late realizing that Trust is no longer the man he promised he would be, but you know how the saying goes, better late than never. I didn’t come here to engage in a pissing contest with you about who he loves the most or cares about because honestly, he doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.
I just came to drop his stuff off to the house his name is on because it definitely ain’t on mine without an official ring but go off sis.
I wish you two nothing but the very best on your life together and any future endeavors. Toodles.”
With that, I walked away leaving her speechless. I was hurt to know that Trust had made a foundation with another woman, but I refused to drop a tear or show how either one of them had me. My poker face was impeccable.
“Bitch.” Dawn just couldn’t walk away without putting her hands on Xara. She hit her upside the head and dared her to retaliate. Dawn was being a bully and I loved it.
“Girl let’s go. I promise you she ain’t worth it. If she was, my foot would’ve been in her chest cavity by now.”
I spoke calmly and my eye contact never diverted. I wasn’t there for all that to begin with but with her smart-ass mouth, I could go in it at any given moment.
“Get the fuck off my property bitch!” she shouted.
“Gladly. Fellas where we at with it?” I asked still not breaking eye contact.
“That was the last of it, Yani.”
“Cool. Meet me at the ATM down the street in the Krogers parking lot.”
Their job was done and so was mine. I was washing my hands with the bullshit Trust brought into my life. I quickly learned that putting trust in someone and expecting them to do right by you was foolish. I regretted one thing and that was not leaving sooner.