Just Be A Man About It

7.

Malik

I was driving to Amar's school to check him out early. I figured he had heard about what happened to Naomi and really wanted to see his mother. My phone rang, and I used the blue tooth option in my car to answer it.

"Malik Henderson speaking, who am I speaking with?"

"Hey, Malik. How's Naomi?" Chance asks.

"She's okay. She's in pain but it's not taking that much of a toll on her, but her family did come and just fuck with her state of mind a little."

"Damn. That's fucked up. Anyway, I gotta go start this meeting. I just wanted to check on you."

"I'm good man. Make me proud."

"Shut up. I got this."

"Alright. Bye," I say.

After I hang up, I just laugh to myself. Chance is the main friend that I have who I can call my brother. We've been through the business, but we made it through it because of our strong brotherhood. If I needed him, he would be there and vice versa. I park next to the curb in the front of Amar's school building. I walk into the building and head to the main office.

"Hello. May I help you?" The secretary asks.

"I'm Malik Henderson, and I'm here to check out Amar Harris."

"What are you as in relation to the child?"

"I am his father."

She types away at her computer, then she picks up her phone.

"Ms. Walters, I need Amar Harris for dismissal. Thank you."

She hangs up her phone and turns to me.

"He'll be down shortly."

"Thank you."

I stand near the entrance of the office and see him walk down the stairs. He runs up to me, and I pick him up and swing him around.

"What's up bud?"

"Hey, Daddy. Why did you check me out?"

"Mommy had a little accident today and is in the hospital."

His eyes widen.

"Is she okay? Is the baby okay?"

"They're both fine, but just to be sure, the doctors are running tests on her and the baby."

"Good."

I walk out of the building, and Amar races to the car. I open the door to the back seat and make sure he's strapped in. I jog to the driver's side and hop in. I fasten my seat belt and pull away from the school.

"Did you hand out your invitations?" I ask, hoping that he remembered.

"Yes, sir. I gave them out right at breakfast so that I wouldn't forget."