Chapter Twenty-Two: "This Happened"

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KAKUYA POV


It's been five months since DeVante and I got back together, and I have to say I'm so glad we're in a better place now. Jodeci is working on their new album, and my work with Speak Up! just earned me a fellowship in New Jersey, where we live.  DeVante cut his session time with Jodeci two hours early so we could have a nice dinner together. I decided to make his favorite: T-bone steak, rice, and broccoli. I decided to get some white wine for him and vodka for me. After shopping for the food, I got back to the house and prepared to cook. The phone began to ring. Damnit! I was going to answer it but my hands were wet from washing my hands, this must be why God invented voicemail.


VOICEMAIL:


"Hello, this is Dr. Sarai Benjamin from Cedars-Sinai Medical Hospital in California. I was calling to speak to Mr. Donald DeGrate regarding the child between he and Miss Ariel Shrader. Mr. DeGrate, and Ms. Shrader had a baby girl two weeks ago, Raia Patricia DeGrate-Shrader was born May 19, 1993. I'm calling to confirm that this is your signature on the certificate. Thank you, have a wonderful day!"


My heart sunk into my stomach when I heard that voicemail. DeVante had a baby and didn't even tell me! Now that I think about it, that baby was conceived the night before we broke up and born right after we got back together! Not only did he cheat, he lied to me too! The reason he came home so late was because he was watching his second daughter be born. Tears flowed like a waterfall and I ran my hands through my hair.


AN HOUR LATER....


I had the wine glass in my hands and held it in my hands when DeVante walked in. My face was red, my eyes were puffy, and I was in no mood to be lied to. I'm going to ask DeVante this once, and he better choose his words wisely. He doesn't and it's going to be his ass!


DeVante: Babe, where's dinner? You okay? Oh  I get it. You watched Boyz N The Hood again, Ricky ain't gon outrun that bullet baby.


I got up from the floor and wiped the tears.


Me: I got a voicemail from the hospital....said that little Raia was born two weeks ago. Happy, healthy little girl.


His face was washed with defeat. He was caught.


DeVante: Baby, I was going to tell you.


Me: When? When she was going to hit puberty? I can't believe you, accusing me when you were doing it all along! I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME!!!!


DeVante: I do love you! I've loved you all the time.


I'm not dealing with this shit no more, he wants to be a hoe with all these groupies, then so be it. I don't want no part in that. It's over, and I really do mean it this time.


Me: I wish you could be a man and tell me the truth. It ain't fair the way you treat me. You don't deserve me, you'll never hurt me again, I'm done.  I MEAN IT!!!


I pushed past him and grabbed my things. I can't take this pain no more. I cried as he grabbed my arms and made me face him.


DeVante: I'm sorry.


Me: Get out of my face. I'm tired of this. We can't even be friends no more!


I moved past him, took my things downstairs and left.



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