Bonded In Truth

Plan of Action

Zaiere
My mind was still spinning at the news Jade broke to me last night, and I couldn’t do anything but stare at the woman I loved with so much admiration. My heart was full, and I felt complete. I heard my phone chime letting me know I had an email, and I was brought to reality quickly. I already gave Jamaal and Kentrell a heads up about what my next move with Monty would be, so the next person I have to reach was Dustin.

I sent out a group text and let them know we needed to link ASAP to make sure everything went accordingly. Jade’s homegirls were dependable people, and if she trusted them, then I trusted them, so I know she wouldn’t mind me filling in my homeboys on our current situation. The first thing I needed to do was get in contact with Dark Angel. Once Jade got up, she planned on heading out to the hospital, and I planned on letting her have a moment with her family before showing my face as well.

In the meantime, I was up and dressed, waiting for Jayme to hit me back with his location. The message I’d sent out was vague, but they knew what was up. I went to the local Walmart in the area and bought a trap phone, sending them all a text, including Jade, to let them know that I'd be discussing things further through a private line. I bought Jade one too, that way we could talk freely. From that point on, I was moving like a man on the run, and honestly, dealing with Monty felt exactly like that.

“Damn, nigga, it took you getting into some shit to finally come home, huh?” Jayme said as I answered the phone on the first ring.

"It’s good to hear your voice, bro.” I smiled, not answering his question but knowing it was all love.

“I know right.” He laughed.

“So, where is yo punk ass at?” he asked right as I was pulling into his yard.

“Look outside.”

“Oh shit, nigga, you ain’t tell me you were that close,” Jayme greeted me with a smile and a hug as he made it to my car.

“Yeah, well, you know how that goes.” I laughed, happy to be around my brother again.

“Where’s baby girl at?” I asked, looking for Neveah. I knew she’d gotten big from the pictures he often sent me during our talks.

“She’s at school right now, but she’ll be home later. I figured we’d need a little time to catch up on what’s really going on, so my moms is gonna stop by around seven to come pick her up. She doesn’t need to be involved in no parts of what’s about to be discussed,” he stated with a serious tone.

“Yeah, you right. That’s for the best right now,” I said, feeling guilty about the position I was putting my closest friends and family in.

“Damn right, now come on in and act like you home nigga. I missed yo apple head ass,” he said with a light-hearted tone, and I followed behind him as he went into his peaceful home on the outskirts of Atlanta.

I walked in and admired the changes he’d made to his home, genuinely happy that my friend was doing well, all while being a single father at that. After his baby mama died during childbirth, Jayme had completely stepped up and taken care of Neveah since day one.

We were all young and never expected her to have the complications she did during labor. His family, as well as hers, was a constant source of support for him and Neveah. We were all proud of him for sticking that parenting shit out alone, even when it seemed impossible. 

Jayme became a father at 17, and that never stopped his hustle. He stayed in school, graduated with honors, worked hard in college and got his degrees all while taking care of his daughter. I admired him to be honest. Now here I was, about to disrupt his peace in order to protect the family I was building for myself.