26. Mercy
MERCY
“Can you go with us, please?” Faylin begged and I watched her through the mirror bounce from foot to foot.
I wanted to go to her school open house but didn’t want to overstep.
She’d been excited about finally meeting her coach for the last two days; she didn’t care about anything else.
“I don’t think daddy will behave if you aren’t there. ”
“Your daddy wouldn’t do anything to embarrass you,” I laughed as I washed my face. Faylin had come to my house after practice because Givens had a late workout, and my house was closer to her new school.
“Please?” she put her hands together like she was begging and fake sobbed. “I’m begging you.”
“Girl, stop playing.” I wiped my face one final time, then turned to face her. “You and your daddy will be fine.”
“But, I want you to come,” she whined, and I playfully rolled my eyes.
“Why? We both know I’m probably going to have a harder time with this than your Daddy,” I replied, and she nodded. “So, why put me through that?”
“Because I want the coach to know I’ve been training with the best,” she answered with a smile.
“Your father is Givens Robbins; I’m sure they know that.” I crossed my arms over my chest and watched Faylin look disappointed. Since Givens and I started dating, I hardly told her no. Whenever she asked me to show up, I did; even when she didn’t, I was still there. “Your mom is going to be there.”
“No, she’s not,” Faylin denied quickly. “She texted me the other day and said she had a meeting and wouldn’t be able to show.”
“A meeting?” I questioned, and she nodded.
I wanted to ask for more details, but I decided not to.
I knew that Shai was a deadbeat; there was no question about that.
She always had something else more important to do than to be there for her daughter.
That was obvious in how she never showed up to our games or called Faylin.
My alarm sounded, alerting us that the garage door was open, and I pushed off the sink to walk into my bedroom. I’d given Givens the passcode to my house when we’d gotten back a few days ago. He offered to give me his, but I declined. I didn’t need it; I could get in and out without problems.
“Your daddy is here,” I said as I passed her. Faylin sat on the end of my bed with a sad look. I entered the closet and started looking for an outfit for her open house. If Shai wasn’t going to be there, then I would step up. Faylin needed me, so my hesitation was over with.
“Ay, what's that look for?” Givens said when he walked into the room. I stuck my head out of the closet to see them embrace.
“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m about to get ready; I’ll be back.”
“Alright,” Givens nodded as he watched her leave. She closed the door behind herself, and he turned to look at me. “What’s up with her?”
“Did you know Shai isn’t coming tonight?” I asked and his face twisted in confusion. “To the open house, she said Shai wasn’t coming.”
“I know she ain’t sad about her mama doing her normal shit,” he said as he dropped his bag on the floor.
“No, she’s sad because she thinks I’m not coming,” I said, then went back into the closet. I grabbed a pair of ripped mom jeans, a white button-down, a khaki jacket, and a pair of khaki dunks. It was simple yet stylish enough to get a pass for not wanting to overdress.
“Why are you not coming?” he asked as he entered the closet.
“I wasn’t at first because I thought Shai was going to be there,” I answered, and Givens sucked his teeth. “Listen, you might not get this, but I have a role. I’m your girlfriend. Open house, first day of school, family stuff like that isn’t supposed to be my lane right now.”
“I disagree, but go on,” he said, shaking his head. “What changed your mind?”
“Faylin,” I answered as I started changing my clothes.
I’d showered when we got home about two hours ago, so there was no reason to do it again since I hadn’t done anything but lie in bed.
“She asked me, and I could tell it meant something to her. She said Shai told her days ago that she wasn’t coming because of a meeting. ”
“A meeting?” he questioned, and I nodded. “I just saw her lying ass at the arena. She wasn’t going to no damn meeting.”
“Well, that’s what she told Faylin.” I shrugged. Shai lying about where she was going was her business, not mine.
“So, now you going?” he asked, and I nodded. “Cool. I need to take a quick shower, but I’ll be ready shortly.” He walked out of the closet, and I finished getting ready.
Once I was done, I pushed my feet into my shoes and went to the room Faylin had claimed as hers. I knocked two times and waited for her to answer; when she looked at her outfit and then at mine, I started laughing.
“You think Krude would have something to say?” she asked as she pulled out her phone and started taking pictures.
“Krude will always have something to say,” I replied. “Your daddy said he would be ready shortly.”
“So, you’re going?” she smiled hopefully, and I nodded. “Yes!” she threw her arms around me and hugged me tight. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome,” I said, then hugged her back. My phone started vibrating in my pocket, and I let go to pull it out. “What does Madea want?” I swiped the screen to answer her facetime. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Why did my grandbaby call me crying, saying you won't go to her open house?” she immediately said. I cut my eyes at Faylin, who stood beside me with an innocent look on her face and her hands behind her back. “Mercy DeCorte, if I ain’t teach you shit else, I taught you to be there for family.”
“Madea-“
“Don’t Madea me, girl,” she said, cutting me off. “Faylin needs her mama there with her. This is an important time in her life, and your presence matters.”
“Madea-“
“You know what? Talk to your granddaddy! Maybe he can talk some sense into you.” I cut my eyes at Faylin, who was trying her hardest not to laugh. “Gabriel! Come get on this damn phone to talk to Mercy about acting like she ain’t showing up for her daughter.”
“Madea!”
“Shut the hell up, Mercy,” she fussed. “As a matter of fact, don’t worry about it. We will show up for our baby. She texted the family the flyer earlier today. We will be there.” She hung up the phone before I could say anything.
“See, what happened was-“
“See, what happened was my ass,” I said, cutting her off.
“You know the whole family is going to show up, right?” Faylin smiled proudly and nodded her head.
I wasn’t even mad at her; if anything, I was happy that she wanted me and my family to be there.
I pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead.
“You better be lucky I love you, or I’d kick you and your daddy's ass.”
“Damn what I do?” Givens said, coming down the stairs. I let go of Faylin to turn around and see him, and I immediately rolled my eyes.
“Krude is going to clown us hard,” Faylin laughed when she saw him dressed in Khaki and white like we were. “Let’s take a picture.” Givens came to stand next to me and threw his arm over my shoulder. Faylin handed him the phone and he took a few pictures before handing it back to her.
“Let’s go,” I said, and they nodded. “And just so you know, the entire DeCorte crew will be there because somebody called and snitched on me.”
Givens looked at Faylin, who smiled sweetly at him and shrugged. “I’m not sorry about it, either,” she said, then laughed.
“Sprint!” I yelled to the girls as I ran with them. “This is the last lap. Get it down, and you can go home.”
“Coach, I can’t feel my legs,” Lulu whined from beside me, and I shook my head. Out of all the girls, I knew she would complain the most. She hated running on the track, so I was running with them. “Let me free.”
“Thirty more feet, Lulu,” I laughed as I grabbed her arm to pull her. “Come on.”
“I can’t make it,” she dramatically whined, and I rolled my eyes. “Just let me fall, and I’ll forgive you.”
“I plan to feed y’all,” I said, and she perked up.
“Let’s go, ladies!” Lulu said as she turned around to run backward. “I’m hungry, and coach is feeding us!”
“Party at Coach’s house!” One of the other girls yelled, and I shook my head. “Let’s go!”
“Party, my ass,” I laughed as I slowed down. “I had it delivered a little while ago, and it’s waiting in the cafeteria.”
“Close enough,” Faylin said as she looped our arms together and pulled me.
“Whatever,” I replied and came to a stop.
The girls huddled around me as they tried to catch their breaths.
“After y’all stretch and grab your things, we are going to the cafeteria so y’all can eat and hang out.
We have a break in our schedule, and I want y’all to enjoy your time together.
I’ve spoken to everyone’s parents already and they know to come a little later today. ”
“Okay, Faylin’s mama,” Lulu laughed. “We appreciate you looking out for us. We love you!”
“Go on, Lulu,” I said, waving her off. “I love y’all, too.”
The girls stretched out like I told them to, quickly grabbed their things, and headed to the cafeteria.
Even though the arena had a custodial crew, I picked up behind the girls after every practice.
Once finished, I grabbed a ball from the rack and started shooting around.
I wasn’t hungry yet and wanted the girls to enjoy their food and bond.
“Where is my daughter?”
I turned around to see Shai standing at center court with a mug on her face. I could never deny that she was beautiful, but she had an ugly spirit.
“In the café,” I answered, then went back to shooting.
“Tell her to come down here,” she said, and I shook my head. I wasn’t in the mood for her ass, and the way my temper was set up, I would drag Shai across this entire gym, and no one would be able to stop me.
“That’s not my job.” I shot three more times before turning around to see her standing there. “You know where the café is.”
“Listen,” she said as she mugged me. “I’ve been meaning to come to you as a woman anyway, so we may as well get this over with.”
“Go on,” I said as I dribbled the ball between my legs and behind my back. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Legacy entered the gym and headed our way.
“You need to back off,” Shai declared.
“Back off what?”
“My family,” she replied, and I nodded. “I see the posts my daughter makes, talking about her family. You aren’t family. You are just her daddy’s latest play thing. Y’all won’t last for longer than a few months. Givens and I have an understanding, but I think you’re becoming a little too invested.”
“Really?” I laughed. “That’s news to me.
” I stopped dribbing and threw the ball to Legacy, who caught it.
“The last time I checked, Givens was in my bed every night. I show up for Faylin without being asked. She calls my phone when she needs something. We spend time together as a family.” I stepped into Shai’s face and stared down at her.
“If I were just a little plaything, as you like to call it, please tell me your role because I’m big mama around these parts. ”
“I’m the mother of his-“
“You are the egg donor,” I corrected her. “Because for the last few months, I’ve been the one who has been there. You don’t have a say so in shit. Givens and I take care of Faylin.”
“Yet, I run it all,” she declared. “If I say so, all that shit goes away, and Faylin will be back home with me. You are walking around with your chest out like Givens has been this way Faylin’s entire life. You better ask around before you start thinking you run something.”
“Excuse you?”
“What, you think Givens has been father of the year this whole time?” she humorlessly laughed.
“Girl, please; he has been dropping a bag into my account weekly since Faylin was born. That’s been his contribution.
Money and a little bit of time until he needed to clean up his act, and you came around. ”
“Shai, you’re full of shit,” I replied and shook my head.
“Am I?” she questioned with a shrug. “He comes to me saying Faylin can live with him the day before your camp. Then he has that little run-in with Javien, which all but disappears. Girl, you are being played. Givens doesn’t love you; he loves what your image can do for him. Trust me.”
“Mommy?” Faylin said, coming into the gym. I watched her make her way to the court. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to pick you up,” Shai said.
“What? Faylin’s face twisted in confusion as she came to stand next to me. “Why? I told you I didn’t want to come to your house.”
“It’s not an option,” Shai said, shaking her head. “Go grab your things.”
“But-“
“No but’s,” Shai said. “Go get your shit.” She turned and looked at me, and I swear she damn near snarled. “You can tell Givens that our daughter will be at home with me.”
“Mommy, I don’t-“
“Faylin, go get your shit!” Shai yelled, and Faylin jumped. “I don’t have time for your shit. I have stuff to do! Now, go get your stuff.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she nodded, then left the gym.
“You know what, Shai-“
“Let’s go, Mercy,” Legacy interrupted me and grabbed my arm to pull me away. “I know you want to go off, but you can't, sis. Go call her daddy and talk to him.”
I kissed my teeth and laughed. Legacy was right. I needed to talk to Givens, but not for the reason Shai said. I needed him to know that his baby mama was at the end of her life, and I wasn’t playing.
Faylin returned to the court with her bags, and I quickly fixed my face and attitude. She wasn’t going to have to deal with my bad attitude just because her mama was a bitch.
“My daddy didn’t answer when I called him,” she told me as we hugged. “Can you tell him to call me as soon as you talk to him?”
“Yes, baby girl,” I replied, then kissed her head. “I love you.”
“Love you, too,” she said, then let me go.
“Let’s go, Faylin,” Shai demanded, storming out of the gym.
I watched as Faylin followed Shai with a sad look on her face. Shai had me wholly fucked up.
“You did good,” Legacy said, and I mugged her. “For real, you did!”
“Only because you pulled me back, and Faylin ended up coming in here,” I said, and she nodded. “But as soon as I talk to Givens, that will be it for her.”
“Oh hell,” Legacy groaned, but I didn’t care.
I wasn’t one for disrespect, and the way Shai walked her big-headed ass in here like she paid the bills in my house, wasn’t it.
I also needed to get the full scoop on Givens and his parenting.
If he hadn’t been active in Faylin’s life before me, I needed to know why. “Please don’t do anything stupid.”
“I won't,” I said as I backtracked. I threw my hand in the air and smiled. “Scout’s honor.”
“You weren’t even a girl scout!” Legacy replied and threw her hands in the air. “You can’t have scout’s honor if you were never a scout!”