The Last Thug Ryder

Part 6

Ryder pulled up to the spot in a cheerful mood. He walked in whistling an upbeat love song. Nathaniel and Jay wore identical smiles as they watched him.

Jay- "Married life looks good on you uce baha"

"Ickday lol"

Jay- "Awola!"

"What?"

Jay- "You didn't even get angry."

Ryder shrugged.

Nathaniel- "Why are you giving him crap for when you tried to run every chance you got to avoid marriage."

Jay- "Ayyyye? I wasn't running...I was strolling."

Dommie- "Baha stroll my ass."

Nathaniel- "What are you on about? You were another dumb ass who tried to run."

Dommie- "Remember that time Thaniel when you shiiiedup! Sup uce."

"Sup boys. Being Fags as usual I see."

The boys all grunted.

Nathaniel- "Sole everything algoods?"

"Ye she's settling in."

Nathaniel- "You look like a man who woke up with his mind made up.."

"I want to give our marriage a go."

Dommie- "That means an annulment is out the window."

"Yeah."

Dommie- "So... You'll be going for a divorce if things don't work out?"

"NO. No divorce. I'll make this work if it kills me."

Jay- "Good on you uce. Divorce isn't something we approve of. So what if she tries to leave you?"

"I thought of that.. I'd lock her in the basement so she can't leave until she falls in love with me."

Nathaniel- ....

Jay- ....

Dommie- ....

"LMFAO!"

Ryder knew they laughed cause they would do the same if their wives tried to walk out on them. They were all of the same mindset. And that's why they were boys.

Dommie- "I'm happy for you uce. She's one of the good ones."

The others all agreed wholeheartedly.

Jay- "The playboy is finally hanging up his title. I hear alot of hearts breaking right now baha"

"Yeah well...shii happens."

Jay- "Haha your wife deserves the best from you."

"It's what I'm g'na give her.."

Jay- "Auuuuuuuu bolo!"

"Gafs! Haha"

Ryder wasn't able to finish work and return home to his wife til dinner time. He was distracted all day with thoughts of his wife and the look on her face when he drove away this morning with his parting words. He missed her and he hated to admit it. He knew the girls picked her up today to most likely gossip some more. It made Ryder smile. He walked through the front door to the smell of home cooking. He paused at the door and closed his eyes content. He could get use to coming home to this. Ryder always thought marriage was for other people but not for him. He loved sex too much with women who wanted no strings attached like him. He loved the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of getting the girl. And always after it followed boredom. He never bought any of the women home seeing his house as invading his personal space. He didn't want women getting too comfortable with him knowing he was only around for a good time and not a long time. He recalled a few girls who wanted a commitment and a relationship with him but he was always quick to shut that dream down. Ryder wondered if maybe it was because his subconscious knew he was already tied to Alofa. Shaking off his stupid musings, he opted to go take a shower before saying hi to his wife and devouring the food she was making. By the time he walked back downstairs, he could hear faint laughter from the dining area. Ryder frowned when he heard a deep voice. He strolled in and found his parents at the table with another guest who sat at the head of the table which was Ryders nafoa (chair) so his back was turned to Ryder. His mum spotted him near the door and got up to greet him. His mum was a soft spoken woman. She always seemed fragile next to his dads booming commanding voice. Ryder embraced his mum with affection. He caught his father's stare and nodded in greeting. His father nodded back.

"This is my son Ryder"

The stranger who sat in Ryders seat got up to turn around and shake Ryders hand. To say Ryder was shocked was an understatement. He looked down at Iosua's hand that was extended out for a handshake. Ryder knew he was being rude but he was burning and didn't give two sh*ts at that moment. Turning his head to his dad, he stood silently waiting for him to tell him why they were here. He felt his mother shrink behind him knowing there was no love loss between him and his father. She knew the night could escalate into a battle of words between Ryder and his dad. His father always looked down at Ryder with hatred. Always thought Ryder would end up behind bars with his good for nothing life. Calling his boys hoodlums who should be locked up with him. It was always the same sh*t between them but for his mothers sake, Ryder always managed to walk away before the burning need to slam his fist into his father's face consumed him. More so now that he stood face to face with Iosua. Did Alofa call him? Did she really have the damn audacity to ask her lover to come rescue her?!

"Is that how you treat a guest in your home boy? Shake his hand."

"A guest would mean someone was invited by me to enter my home. If I knew yous were coming, I would've come home sooner. You're in my seat bud."

Ryder saw Iosua gulp nervously, not really knowing what was happening but he sensed the tension. He stepped aside and moved to another seat further down the table. Ryder stepped aside to allow his mum to take her seat again before he took his. His father continued to glare at him. Just then, Alofa walked in carrying more food and placing it on the table. She gave Ryder nervous glances as she placed the food down. She could see Ryder was barely holding onto his temper. He wore a look of boredom but his eyes were bright with rage that he couldn't hide. She looked indecisive of where she should sit and finally chose the seat next to her husband who still hadn't looked at her. His parents complimented her on the food that looked delicious and bowed their heads to bless the food. His father engaged Iosua in conversation acting like Ryder wasn't about to lose his sh*t.

He finally turned to his son.

"Out with your friends again boy?"

"Yup"

"Those good for nothing boys who should all be locked up. Trouble makers."

Ryder ignored him knowing his father was trying to bait him.

"Iosua is going to be working under me as Assistant pastor. He's a very good boy. Always respectful and has never been in trouble with the law"

Alofa kept offering Ryder food but he ignored her as well.

"I'm very proud to have him be part of our church."

"You should adopt him and then you'll have a son you can be proud of"

Ryders sarcastic remark said in a false tone of indifference riled his Father.

"I had a son boy but you took him away from me!!"

His father's outburst made the other 3 at the table flinch. Ryder put his fork down and leaned back in his seat facing his father's rage.

"Yes, you've never ceased to remind me how the wrong son died that night."

His mother couldn't hold in her sobbing anymore. She was so distressed by what was happening.

"Watch your tongue boy!"

"If I could take Genesis' place I would."

"You should've died, not my son and my parents."

Alofa stared at Ryders father with stunned disgust. That a father could say that to his own son. To blame him was unfair.

Ryder felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Pulling his phone out, he saw it was one of his old thots calling him. Alofa saw the girls name on his phone before he answered it. He didn't see the devastation on her face before she masked it. His father was yelling at him to get off his phone, they weren't done talking but Ryder continued listening on his phone like his father didn't speak. He hung up, putting his phone back in his pocket and pulling his seat back to stand.

"Let's do this again sometime."

He leaned over to kiss his mum who was quietly crying and dabbing at her tears ignoring his fathers demands that he sit back down. Without a second glance he turned and walked out of the house.