Chapter 25
I had a full day today to prepare for Charlie’s birthday, but the first on my list was Rose Haven PD. The shit that happened at Shirah’s shop didn’t sit right with me. I couldn’t have my girl out here fighting and looking over her shoulder any time she stepped out of the house. I don’t know what the fuck Tierra has been on lately, but something in her has snapped.
I parked along main street and made a beeline for the small, quaint station. Rose Haven wasn’t what you considered an unsafe town. Of course, we had folks out here doing shit they shouldn’t, but it was nothing compared to the big cities. We had a small station that held maybe a few cells and a small number of officers. I used to think that was enough but for the first time, that shit felt inadequate.
I pushed the door until the little bell above it let out a sharp jingle. The front desk officer looked up, and before he could speak, I just held up a hand.
“Wes in?”
He gave a hesitant nod. “Yeah, but?—”
I was already moving.
I found Detective Wes Graham behind his desk, looking like he hadn’t slept in a day or two. Good. Neither had I.
He looked up when I walked in, the tension between us almost instant.
“Ben.”
“You got an update for me, or is she still playing tag with the whole damn department?”
Wes sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Still working on it. We’ve got a few leads out of town we’re checking—someone said they saw her hitching a ride, but nothing concrete.”
“So, she can pop up at my apartment, trash the place, hold a knife to me and try to take my daughter—and now fight my girl and her friend in broad daylight—and y’all still don’t know where the hell she is?”
He held up a hand. “I get it. Believe me. But she’s moving reckless, and she’s got nothing tethering her. That makes her harder to track.”
“She ain’t some ghost, Wes,” I snapped. “She’s Tierra. She’s unstable, yeah—but she’s loud. Somebody’s seen her. They just ain’t talking.”
“I’m not arguing with you,” he said, steady and firm. “But you barging in here like I haven’t been pulling overtime trying to find her? That’s not cool.”
I exhaled through my nose, pacing a tight line in front of his desk.
“I’ve got Charlie’s birthday party tomorrow. I don’t want any mishaps that could alter my baby’s day. The fact that y’all still haven’t located Tierra only worries me that she’s gonna show up uninvited and ruin shit.”
Wes’s expression shifted—something softened. “Where’s the party?”
“Altitude Adventure Park.”
“I’ll put a patrol unit nearby,” he said without hesitation. “Unmarked. You won’t even notice it unless you’re looking. If anything moves sideways, they’ll be there in seconds.”
That pulled a little bit of the pressure off my chest.
“I’m not trying to start shit,” I said, quieter this time. “I just don’t feel like I’m doing enough to keep my girls safe.”
“You’re doing exactly what you should be doing,” Wes said. “You got your daughter safe. You moved. You’re protecting the people around you. That’s what a good man does.”
I gave a slow nod.
“Just make sure that little girl has the kind of day tomorrow she’ll remember for all the right reasons,” he added. “Let us worry about Tierra.”
“Yeah,” I muttered. “Easier said.”
“But not impossible.”
I couldn’t refute what he was saying; if I went in with negative thoughts, I would get negative results.
“I hear you. I know y’all don’t handle restraining orders and shit, but you mind walking me through it real quick. I think I need the police report from that night, too. I just want to cover all my bases because this shit doesn’t seem to be getting any better.” I mentioned.
Wes stood from his desk and walked over to the filing cabinet behind him to pull out a few folders. Returning to his seat, he gestured for me to take a seat in the chair in front of his desk. For the next thirty minutes, he walked me through what I needed to do when I went down to the courthouse.
“I’m going to call up to the courthouse to get that order expedited, but you stay safe. We’re going to get this handled.”
I shook his hand and left to go file the necessary paperwork. Wes had, indeed, called ahead, and I was in and out with the piece of paper that was meant to protect my family. I wasn’t crazy enough to believe this thing would matter, although it should. I wanted to make sure I took all the steps necessary to keep my family safe. I had this bad feeling in my gut that all of this would not end in the way I wanted it to.
By the time I made it back to my parents’ place, it was the afternoon. I had to grab a few last-minute things for the party and mom offered to help me get the candy bags together. I had gotten everything Raya the Dragon that I could possibly find. That was Charlie’s only request when it came to her birthday and to go to the jump park, which was cool with me. I didn’t have the house set up completely yet since I added a few upgrades before moving my furniture in.
I walked through the front door of my parents’ place, announcing myself. I could hear Charlie’s giggles and screams from upstairs, so I knew either my pops or mom was playing with her. When my mom came walking down the stairs, I knew it was the former. She reached out her hand once she got to the bottom step, wanting to help me with the bags. I dodged her attempt and leaned in to kiss her cheek, then headed for the dining room to set up shop.
“I got it.” I told her.
“Boy, you act just like your father. I can lift things, too.”
I placed the bags on the table and then glanced over my shoulder to see a smile on her face. I lifted a brow with a shake of my head.
“I’m sure you can. I actually don’t doubt it. But, not in my presence, you don’t.” I told her playfully.
She rolled her eyes and started going through the bags, pulling things out so we could get started.
“Uh, Benny, where are the toys? You know, the cute small ones.”
I waited a second to respond until she looked in the other bag.
“Nevermind, found it!” she exclaimed.
“Have some faith in your son. I think I got the hang of this thing.”
She nudged my shoulder, then took a seat beside me while I started spreading out the bags. We silently worked on the bags, asking for different things to put in each bag here and there.
“I went by the station today. I had to check on their progress with this Tierra situation. Do you know they still haven’t found her? It’s not shocking to me because she just trashed Shirah’s shop.”
My mother sighed. “Yeah, Lilith told me, and she wasn’t too happy about it at all. I don’t know what kind of drugs that girl has gotten herself into, to be acting like this.”
Shirah’s and my mom were super close, so I wasn’t shocked that she already knew what had taken place.
“I’m tired. You would think she felt she had done enough to us, but no, it’s all about Tierra. She needs to get some help and ASAP.”
My mother nodded and paused what she was doing to look at me.
“This will get better, baby. Just trust that God has a plan that neither of us have the playbook to. I understand it’s easier to say this, than to do it, but enjoy what’s in front of you now. You never know what new set of problems will come in the morning. Show God your gratitude by loving and protecting the things he has already given you. You understand?” she asked.
I nodded as she reached over and pulled me toward her in a motherly fashion, before placing a kiss against my temple like she used to when I was a kid. Man, I loved this woman.
“Now, get back to work. That child of yours seemed to have invited every damn pre-k student in the school to this party.” She commented with a smile.
I couldn’t help but to laugh because little miss popular didn’t miss a damn person to give an invitation to. But that was Charlie and I loved her heart. She didn’t want anyone to feel left out, so I didn’t say a word when she asked me for over one hundred invites. I just prayed all their asses didn’t come.
* * *
CHARLIE’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
Today was the big day. My baby was turning six today. When she came into this world, everything changed. It wasn’t just a celebration that she was a year older, it also served as a thank you for her presence in my life. Willow came over bright and early this morning to have a girl’s day, as they called it. She wanted to take her to get her nails and toes done.
I was a little skeptical of that at first because she was just a little baby in my eyes. Why did she need color polish on her toes and nails? According to Willow, it was just for today. She told me over and over that the polish probably wouldn’t even be there come tomorrow, since she wasn’t getting her gel polish. I didn’t understand the difference but if that’s what she wanted to do with Charlie, I wasn’t going to stop her.
My mother had braided her hair the night before and added green and clear beads to the ends. Charlie had been walking around, swinging her hair all damn day. We knew when she was coming in the room because she made sure to put an extra bounce in her step so they would clack together.
Charlie wanted to wear a princess dress which was beyond me, because she also wanted to flip and jump around at the park. I wasn’t in the business of telling her no on her birthday, so we made sure she was wearing shorts beneath her dress.
Once we made it to Altitude Adventure Park, we checked in with the front. We had rented the entire park for a few hours on account of Charlie inviting everyone she saw at school. I prayed that all the kids didn’t show and damn, did God miss that prayer. This park was swarming with kids and their parents. Good thing we actually made enough bags for every kid she invited and didn’t assume they wouldn’t all come.
I should have known better. Not to mention, I’m sure my child was talking about how her uncle was coming. Charlie wasn’t one hundred percent certain that Jordan was a celebrity, but when we were out with him, she noticed how folks acted around him. So, I know her little butt used that card to make sure all these folks showed up.
We were covering the many tables with Raya tablecloths, plates, cups, and silverware. I was glad that we had enough hands to help. Willow’s and my parents came to help, in addition to a few of my biker bros from the Black Thorns. Shirah and her parents, Jordan, and of course, my baby Willow, were all hands on deck as well.
I glanced in her direction. She has squatted down to Charlie’s Height to fix her birthday sash before she ran to go play again with the other kids. She was wearing a pair of shorts, showing off those thick ass thighs, her natural curls surrounded her shoulders, with a t-shirt that said Birthday Girl’s Bestie. If today wasn’t about my baby, I would have been taken this woman to the nearest stall and celebrated just how beautiful her ass looked crying out my name.
I released a breath to calm down before my dick got hard in this park, before walking over to where she was now standing in front of the cake she had made for Charlie.
“I still can’t believe you made this damn cake.” I told her, while wrapping my arms around her waist from behind.
I placed a kiss against the length of her neck as she giggled while trying to adjust the Raya ornament she put on the top layer of the cake.
“Stop that before you start something you can’t finish. I told you I could do it, but you were out here doubting my skills.” She said, looking over her shoulder at me.
I leaned in and kissed her lips a few times quickly before stepping back to stand beside her.
“I mean, I didn’t doubt you could make a cake, baby. I just didn’t expect you to walk in here with two cakes stacked with designs and shit. I was sure you were about to get a box cake out of Walmart and add a toy or something on top.” I told her as I dodged her hand.
I laughed and held my hands up in mock surrender.
“I’m just stating facts. You never told me you got down like this. How was I supposed to know you were a part-time pastry chef?” I asked with a smirk.
She kissed the front of her teeth as her mom walked over with a big smile.
“Tell this man this is a tradition.” She told her mom.
Anna looked over at me and nodded. She glanced back at the cake and you could see how proud she was of it.
“It is. My mother taught me, and hers before her. It’s a family secret recipe and skill that we make sure all the women have. The birthday cake is special to your big day, and it only makes it more special when someone you love makes it.” Her mother said.
I couldn’t agree more, but it was still shocking, yet dope as hell.
“I hope you know I’m expecting a birthday cake for my day.” My mother said, walking over to stand beside Anna.
“All I’ll need is the time and the place.” Willow said with a smile.
They hadn’t been in each other’s presence long, but they acted like best friends. This wasn’t Willow’s first time meeting my parents, but seeing her with a cake she made for Charlie only made my people like her more. Because of the many times she came by to visit us, they had already built a bond, but this showed how much she cared for Charlie.
“Yeah, me, too!” Jordan chimed in, throwing his arm over my shoulder.
I shrugged it off, and he stepped to the side with a tilt of his head and wide eyes. He got on my damn nerves sometimes, pretending like he was offended.
“Niggas find themselves a woman and get to acting different.” He commented.
“You ain’t never lied about that. Some even forget what house you live in or your number?” Shirah added.
Willow kissed her teeth, looking over her shoulder at Shirah and Jordan, who were now trying to hold back their laughter.
“If y’all don’t gone, just made for each other.” She said, mumbling that last part.
I laughed and walked out of the birthday room to watch Charlie play with her friends in the bounce houses. She looked so carefree; it was a look I hoped I could keep on her face. I was so engrossed with watching Charlie that I hadn’t realized Willow had come out of the room until I felt her arms wrapping around my waist. I glanced over my shoulder to see her smaller frame masked by mine, so I unwrapped her arms and pulled her in front of me.
“You looked so spaced out. You okay?” she asked, as I held on to her.
“Yeah, I’m just happy we were able to give her this day. Look how happy and at peace she looks. Her last few birthdays, she always held this sad look, wondering where her mommy was. Today, she didn’t ask for her at all. Granted, I know it has something to do with that situation?—”
I released a sigh. “But, she looks like she isn’t missing something. She looks whole out there and I’m grateful as fuck for that. I’m not crazy enough to believe I can protect her from everything, but I’m damn sure gone try.”
Willow turned in my arms and reached up to cup my chin, tilting her head back and poking out her lips. I laughed as I leaned down to kiss her a few times before standing up to my full height.
“Exactly, don’t be stingy with the goods.” She said then smiled.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, then smacked her ass before gripping it. I leaned in and kissed her again when someone cleared their throat. We both peeked behind me to see my mother standing with a knowing smile.
“Son, it’s kids out here. Don’t be out here being fresh. Also, call them in, the pizza is ready. Anna and I, with the help of y’all dads, put a slice on every plate.” she said.
I nodded and released the hold I had on Willow to call all the kids in. Once we got all the kids seated, we said a prayer, keeping it short because I wasn’t sure of every child’s religion. There was enough pizza for the adults to eat as well. So, we all sat and ate with them. Since there were so many kids, we decided to go ahead and do the cake now, too. I was not trying to gather these kids again.
The venue lent us a rolling table to place the cake on. We moved it to make sure the cake was in the center of the room, with a number six candle lit in the middle. Willow was standing off to the side with a big smile as I stood beside Charlie.
“Ms. Willow! I need you next to me. I need help with my wishes. If you and daddy help me blow the candle out, my wish will come true! I know it!” she exclaimed.
I don’t know how this child came up with shit like this, but I wasn’t here to tell her it wasn’t true. Willow walked over and stood on the opposite side of Charlie with a big smile. I looked out at the kids.
“Ready… one...two... three. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Charlie. Happy Birthday to you!” we all sang in unison.
“What’s your boyfriend’s first name—” Shirah sang, causing everyone to laugh at my frown.
“Nah, none of that. This is why you banned from my child now!” I joked, causing everyone to laugh again.
I returned my attention back to Charlie with a smile.
“Alright, baby. Did you make the wish? You ready to blow out the candle?” I asked.
Charlie’s eyes were still closed, so whatever she was wishing for must have been big. Finally, her eyes opened, and she nodded eagerly. The three of us leaned forward and blew the candle out together. Everyone around us cheered and clapped. I couldn’t drop my smile even if I tried. This was the life I didn’t know how to pray for.