Chapter 27
August
While I walked down the hallway, my head was high, my heart was clear, and my mind was freer than a bird shitting and flying.
Not a soul knew that a significant change had been made.
It would shock the fuck out of them when it was revealed.
Wickedly, I grinned, knowing the stunned eyes locked onto me would shit bricks when the fully improved August Abbott Senior stepped back on the scene for good.
I was sure all heard the sternness in my tone when I spoke my peace to Thiago. I was down on my dick, but he should’ve known once I was able to comfortably stand on the kneecap blown out of the socket, I would be hell in a very nice, naughty way. I was motherfucking August Abbott.
Upon landing on the back porch, I shoved my hood on my head at the thick, choking cold air. Hurriedly, Mona swirled in my face. She was beautifully confused. So, I rubbed her cheek to remove the confusion from her face.
Tenderly, I said, “At ease, soldier. No need to be confused. Shit is what it is. But, um, you lookin’ good, Momma Bear. How life’s been treatin’ you?”
“Good, I guess.” She shrugged, stepping closer to me with lust or love dangling around her eyes. I wasn’t in the company of trying to figure out which one. It was too soon for that.
Pushing a few strands of her hair from her face, Mona gazed into my eyes and said, “I trust life’s been treating you well. You look very mentally and physically healthy.”
“Life’s been amazin’. I need us to wrap this healin’ thing up so we can healthily co-parent our kids. Blow on me the same way you blew on Min. I breathed with ease, seeing uncertainty in her brown eyes.
The wind whistled as she rolled her thumbs together.
She wanted to do something, but she wasn’t sure if it was wise.
To get her mind away from whatever she wanted to do, I grabbed her jogging pants’ waistline and stressed, “Let me have it, Mona. I deserve whatever come out yo’ mouth. You deserve to say it all … as it is.”
“I shot you. Multiple times. That was me saying all that needed to be said,” she answered choppily as the wind blew harshly, causing her to shiver and grimace.
Removing my jacket, I chuckled. “That wind eatin’ yo’ ass up. Why you ain’t got on a jacket? This ain’t that ‘Bama weather. This that polar bear asshole kinda weather.”
As I placed my jacket on her, she giggled. “My little ass windbreaker can’t fight this cold ass air. I wasn’t going to bother giving my body the appetizer of warmth. I didn’t do my research on the weather properly. Thanks for the jacket.”
“You welcome. Since you ain’t gon’ grill me out as I felt I deserve, catch me up to speed,” I demanded as the cold sat on my back, never phasing me.
Shivering, Mona asked, “Aren’t you cold?”
“Nope,” I answered, slowly shaking my head and rubbing her stomach. “I ain’t got long to be here. Catch me up to speed.”
“Why aren’t you cold?” she asked as if she didn’t hear me say I didn’t have long to be where I was.
“Being in ice cold water fo’ hours on end ‘cause you can’t stand the thought of hearin’ yo’self say what you did to yo’ wife gon’ make you not give a fuck ‘bout the cold,” I offered, glad that I was over that torture element X implemented the day after we arrived at a luxury spa. “Catch me up to speed, Mona.”
Nodding, she said, “We have been officially divorced for three weeks. I’ve changed everything back to Averhart.
Azaria still misses you but not like she used to.
She understands that you had to go away.
I’m doing great in school. I will take my G.E.D.
test in a few months. It could be sooner, but I want to make sure that I ace all parts.
I’ve been working for eight weeks as a retail stocker.
August Junior keeps me up late at night.
He’s moping around and is sad. I haven’t grilled him about him being stupid with Deminika.
I feel that it’s not the time to bring it up.
So, I let him be while sitting beside him. I didn’t know what else to do.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I announced, “You did all you could fo’ him.
He need me now. Thank you fo’ being an outstandin’ mom.
Congratulations on gettin’ the job an’ payin’ them funky ass taxes.
I’m proud of you fo’ continuin’ to study an’ not rushin’ to take that test. You gon’ ace it. What’s the news wit’ the lil one?”
“Angelette Abbott is in good health. Since she’s a singleton, her debut to the world is February 22nd,” she answered unpleasantly, pulling away.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, studying her sad face before she faced the wedding venue, which was beautiful. Black, crimson, gold, and silver fitted Aleana and Kingdon. Their attire would surely set it off.
“I really don’t want to be here,” Mona trailed off as the wind whistled.
“Then, leave,” I declared, backing toward the door. “I have to go, Mona. Come kiss our son.”
“How long will y’all be gone?” She choked up, facing me.
Trying not to become affected by the immeasurable amounts of sadness in her teary-filled eyes, I sucked in my feelings and shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“That’s not good enough for me!” she yelled, shaking and not from the cold.
“August Junior is why I bashed a bitch’s head in.
Me feelin’ as if his an’ my lives was at stake again back in August is why I choked you, pressed my boot on a womb I needed occupied ‘cause I saw a forever wit’ you.
I drowned you, called you names, hurt yo’ feelin’s, an’ destroyed our marriage.
He is who I need to become unattached to.
He is the one I need to heal from. I’m too gotdamn attached to him, Mona.
I need to loosen my reins on my son. I lost you ‘cause I was tethered to my son in a way a parent shouldn’t be that damn protective.
I … God forbid August Junior die an’ I ain’t untethered from him.
I’mma murder everything in my fuckin’ face.
I ain’t gon’ care who it is. He’s my gotdamn lifeline, an’ that’s dangerous.
So, I’m takin’ our son fo’ however long it take fo’ me to make sho’ he ain’t my lifeline.
I’mma keep him wherever we at so he can heal from makin’ a stupid mistake, givin’ a bitch all the right to date rape him.
I’m gon’ say this … it’s a high possibility we won’t be back befo’ Angelette born.
18 years of tetherin’ … I have to sever, an’ I’on want to do it, but I know it need to be done,” I said, just as it was said to me a month ago.
Snot flew out of her nose as she cried, “Do you love me?”
“Yes.” I nodded, refusing to walk to her. I needed to capture her entire facial expression, her body movements.
“Are you fucking Thiago’s ex-wife?” she asked through quivering lips.
I didn’t answer.
The jackguh came out with each step Mona took. Through gritted teeth, she hissed, “Are … you … fuckin … Thiago’s … ex-wife?”
Again, I didn’t answer. Her fingers spread; she wanted to shoot me. I chuckled and shook my head. Harshly, she sopped her juicy bottom lip into her mouth. With fire brewing in her eyes, Mona spat, “Nigga, are you fucking Francesca?”
“I have to go, Mona. I’mma see you when we return. You can keep the jacket. A true nigga who care ‘bout you wouldn’t want yo’ pregnant, fine ass in this type of environment.” I chuckled, walking backward. “Take it easy.”
“A true nigga who care about me wouldn’t leave me wondering whether he’s fucking another bitch or not!” she spat, fingers curling into her palm. She was ready to get active, and I would activate on her ass. In a gentlemanly way, protecting himself.
“Wrong. You see, I’m single, just like you.
I ain’t ask if you fuckin’ an’ suckin’ on Thiago.
Why? It ain’t my damn business. Do it hurt to think that you are?
Of course, it do. That’s why I’on think ‘bout it. I focus on me! Mona, my time up. Therapy fo’ August Junior start in thirty minutes,” I told her, seeing what I needed to see when we first landed on the porch.
Her anguish about us … me … her hood fairytale.
Proud to have riled her enough so she could heal, I stopped walking and smiled. All women hated when a nigga smiled in their faces and didn’t offer an answer they were looking for. It struck all the angry demons forth.
“You black bitch, you! I hate you! I should’ve shot your ass in the face after shooting you in the knee!
I hate the day I met you! Your dick-selling ass wasn’t even worth my time!
I didn’t want to be married happily for a few damn hours; that’s what it felt like!
I desired a thriving marriage filled with the same love we’ve shared since dating!
I hated that I didn’t see a single red flag to show that I needed to get the fuck away from you!
Now, I’m the one tethered to you! Three damn kids!
If I could undo everything, August Senior, I would!
I didn’t even see this shit coming! I hate your family, but they love our daughter!
They are all for self! I’ll be surprised to see you in their faces again after they allowed us to walk in the flaming pits of an 18-year secret!
I hate that I still love you, August. I hate that I like Thiago more than I should.
But then, I may only like him because I’m lonely and miss you …
miss what we had before the blow-up. I’m constantly confused as to what to do about us.
I don’t know if it’s wise to forgive you and fight for our love, or to let that shit be a lesson that once some shit happens…
to never return to the person who could’ve killed you …
but most definitely had something to do with a loss of y’all’s twin child.
I … I … I don’t like this life that I have.
I don’t trust anybody. I don’t smile. I barely laugh.
I’m miserable with a life I didn’t crave for.
” She exhaled, plopping in the chair next to me.