The One Night Stand {An August Alsina Story}

Chapter 9.

~August~

The minute I left her apartment, I sighed in frustration.

She couldn't kill this baby.

I know, when I first found out she was pregnant, abortion was the number one option but now, I'm reconsidering.

•One Week Ago•

I was chilling at home with Serena when I got a call that my grandma had a severe heart attack and was in the hospital.

I gave her her clothes and waited for her to get dressed before I sped to the hospital.

I can't believe this...

My grandma was my heart and soul.

She was there when nobody else was.

When I started slanging dope, she was there to get me off the streets.

When I wanted to drop outta high school, she was there.

When my moms died and my pops tried to leave, she was there.

When I cheated and got Sylvia pregnant, she was there with ha belt, but still there.

And now God tryna take her from me.

"I know I done fucked up, God, but please, please, don't take my Grandma, man. She all I got."

I wiped away a tear that started to fall.

I can't cry.

I pulled into the parking lot and woke Serena up.

I called my pops and asked what room she was in.

He recited the room number to me but I knew something was really wrong cause he's crying.

Pops never cried.

Not even when moms died.

When we got to the room, my whole family was in the waiting room.

My dad walked out of her room and took Serena out of my arms.

"Hey Grandpa's baby." He whispered to her sleeping form.

I took this time to actually look at him: he had deep bags under his eyes and his eyes are bloodshot from crying.

"Is she-" I swallowed and he caught the hint.

He shook his head.

"Everyone has already said their goodbyes. She's been waiting for you."

He smiled sadly at me.

I took a deep breath and turned the doorknob.

I can't cry.

I walked in and saw she's watching me with a weak smile.

"Hey Grandma." My voice cracked and I cleared my throat.

She chuckled weakly into her oxygen mask then began to cough.

"Well don't just stand there boy, get yo 'hind over here."

I forced a laugh and pulled up a chair beside her bed.

"Grandma ya can't leave me." I whispered, grabbing her hand.

"Hush chile," She said, patting my hand. "If it's in the Lord's plans, it's gon' happen. Plus, I'm old as hell anyways, baby. It's my time, August." She sighed.

"But Big Mama-" I started.

She raised her hand to silence me.

"August, now you know you can't stop His plan. If it's my time, then it's my time baby. Ya knew it was coming sometime. I'm 89 years old!"

She cackled out a laugh which got cut short when she coughed hard.

Once the coughing fit subsided, she grabbed my hand.

"August, baby, ya gotta promise me something." She croaked.

"Anything." I nodded.

"You gotta stop messing with these fast lil girls and settle down. Serena needs a successful woman in her life, not that chicken head Sylvia. And stop with all this sleeping around with different women and get you a real woman. Make me and ya mama proud, baby."

"Okay I promise." I vowed.

I knew what was about to happen.

But I couldn't cry.

"One more thing." She said, raking a raspy, deep breath.

"August, promise me this: no more abortions." She stared deep in my eyes."If you made the mistake of making 'em then you can't correct it by killing 'em. Ain't nothing in the great Bible that says killing babies is good. And please August, use a condom for once!"

She cackled again and I laughed a genuine laugh with her.

Even on her death bed she could still cheer me up.

She closed her eyes and I panicked.

You can't cry.

"Grandma!" I shook her and her eyes shot open.

"Move boy. I can't rest my eyes for 2 seconds?" She chuckled.

I tried to smile but instead I guess I looked like I'm about to cry.

"C'mere boy." She reached out to me and I wrapped her small body in a hug. "I love you August, never forget that."

We stayed like that for a while until she asked me to sing her a song.

She always loved my voice.

I took a deep breath and began.

Ama-zing Grace,

How sweet the sound.

That saved a wretch,

Like me.

I felt her grip on my hand loosen slightly, saw her smiling with her eyes closed.

I wiped my eyes and forced myself to keep singing.

I once was lost but now,

I'm found.

Was blind but now,

I see.

I stopped singing and looked at her peaceful face as the heart machine flatlined.

I couldn't control the hot tears as they slid down my face.

"I promise Grandma," I whispered, getting up and kissing her forehead. "I promise for you."

•Flashback Over•

Her funeral was the worst day of my life.

I didn't cry during the wait, didn't cry during the ceremony, but when they put her white casket with gold lining in the ground I broke down.

I had to keep my promise.

Bethany had to keep our child.

For Grandma.