India In The Hustle

Chapter 28

INDIA

   "I should've answered the phone man." I said looking at my uncle as he laid in the hospital bed. The doctor told us he didn't have much time left so everyone came to the hospital quick.

   "Stop worrying about me nephew." He tried to say but started coughing hard as I handled him some water but he denied it.

   "I could've been here for you uncle." I said looking at him but he shook his head.

   "You have a family nephew. That beautiful women right there and your daughter treat them right." He said as I turned my head to the other room seeing India sleeping on the recliner chair. I told her plenty of times to go home but she stayed here. She showed the love she has for me.

   "I know uncle." I said watching him. It was just us in the room. Jazzy took my mom to the cafeteria for some food.

   "Watch over your mother for me. She going to need you more than ever." He said closing his eyes as I rubbed my nose trying not to show my emotions.

   "I've been meaning to tell you something." He said coughing as I stood up walking over to him. Hearing the door open seeing my mom and sister walking back into the room.

   "Heather." He called my mother as she looked up to him walking over to his side grabbing his hand.

   "Yes." She said with tears dripping down her face. Watching my uncle grab her head bringing it to his lips kissing it.

   "I'm gone tell them." He struggled to get out as I frowned. What he had to tell us.

   "Tell us what uncle?" Jazzy asked looking at him as we heard the beeping machine louder.

   "I'm you guys father." He said as we heard the machine stopped watching him close his eyes. Hearing my mother scream as my mind went back to what he said. I'm your father.

INDIA

   "Go home India." Odell said as we walked out the room. I woke up from his mother screams knowing that his uncle was gone.

   "I want to be here for you Odell." I said looking at him. His uncle just passed and I yet to see him cry. I know he wasn't a person to show his emotions but you could look in his face and see he wasn't right.

   "I appreciate that baby girl but I need you to go home." He said handling me the keys as I bite my lip.

   "You not coming home?" I asked as he shook his head. He needed his time. His process of grieving was being by his self.

   "Can you take my mother home." He asked as I nodded my head as I saw her walking out the room crying.

   "Yeah." I said as he pulled me into a hug then rubbing my belly feeling Kaylee kick.

   "Odell it's okay to cry." I said in his ear as he pulled me back looking at his mom.

   "I'm good baby girl." He said.

   "Odell I wanted to tell you." His mother started off but he cut her off.

   "India gone drop you off." He said with a frown on his face walking away from us. Something wasn't right. I never seen Odell talk to his mother like that.

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   "Mama Heather do you need help with the funeral arrangements." I asked her. It's been two days since I heard from Odell. I tried to call him but he didn't answer my calls. He did reply back to my texts. Asking how was the baby doing and how I was holding up. I learned he had different ways of grieving and that was being alone.