Cruel Summer

Chapter 23

Sunday, December 2, 2018

7:53 P.M.

~Jamie~

"What? I've been so caught up in my own little world that I didn't even know." I heard Marcus say as I entered the room with my dinner. I ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and a slice of moist chocolate cake from the hospital cafeteria.

To be honest, the cafeteria food is the bomb.

"Hey, son. I told you I would come back in time for dinner."

"Hey T, let me hit you back later. Jamie just came in. I appreciate you for calling me. Seriously. Alright. Bye."

Marcus cleared his throat and put his phone on the nightstand as I grabbed a chair and sat beside him.

"What was that about?"

"Ryan isn't doing too good. You know Ryan goes to Clark in Georgia. She has two friends named Toni and Stacee. They actually came for Chance's funeral."

I nodded my head as I got my food out of the brown paper bag.

"Well, they said Ryan's down there doing drugs with some dude. I'm mad as hell at that girl. She's smart, Jamie. What the hell is going on?"

"What? Marcus, I hope that girl isn't lying."

"Nah, I hear the hurt in Toni's voice. She can't be. I believe her, too, because Ryan's been ignoring me. Don't worry about it. I'm going to see about her this upcoming weekend."

"Marcus, you can't leave this hospital. We are about to start discussing with your doctor about your treatments. I know she's your sister, but—"

"But nothing, Jamie. I don't need you telling me what to do. It's too late to try to be my father, ok? You missed that opportunity a long time ago." Marcus said sucking his teeth as he turned the tv on.

"Marcus, I know you're hurt. I'm sorr—"

My plea was interrupted by the increasing volume on the television. Marcus was flipping through various channels as he tried to entertain himself.

"Marc—"

"Hey, Professor Oglevee!"

"Mar—"

"Tommy, you ain't got no damn job!"

"Ma—"

"Damn! Damn! Damn!"

"TURN IT OFF!"

Marcus jumped as he quickly grabbed the hospital call light and looked at me.

"I made a mistake. Your mother and I made a terrible decision by having sex at our age difference. Yes, it was six years, but she was a damn minor! I knew better at my age, ok? Marcus, you are not a mistake. I remember when I first held you." I said as I put my food aside and held my baby boy's hand.

"I feel bad. Why didn't my mama abort me? I made her mom hate her, man." Marcus said as tears started to flow down his face.

"Marcus, don't ever say that. Kelly loves you so much. We would both sing to you every night. You loved to hear your mom's voice. Your little finger would just curl into hers. Your mama had you spoiled. She always said that she was gonna beat me up if I ever put you into sports." I said as tears started to fall down my eyes and I laughed.