Contrary

Prologue

"We are gathered here today to commemorate Dayson Malik Wilson's life, to some he was a lover, a father, a friend, a brother, and a son. For he was loved throughout his life, another brotha down to gun violence. He's in God's kingdom now, no longer suffering from pain along side his family and friends where they await to welcome him" The preacher said as he pulled out a handkerchief to dapple the sweat above his lip

The man on the piano was playing a soft tone behind the preachers voice. Glancing around there were a lot of mourning faces, many tears and pain from Dayson's murder. Gurgling caught my attention I looked down at Kaden who was sucking on my finger.

"Hey baby" I cooed at him through teary eyes

Kaden looks just like Dayson, I'm sad that he's gone because now I'm a single parent I have to teach my son how to be a good real man, I'm not sure how I'mma do that because I'm not a man I just gotta try my hardest. Softly caressing his chubby cheek I thought about all of the stigmas that might apply to him as a black man in America, the neglectful mental health that men have been put thru and still do. I gotta make sure I teach him emotional intelligence, my heart hurts for my son's soon to be apart of the 'statistics' all of those labels that are going to be put on him because of his skin tone.

"For Dayson didn't always walk the path of light as anyone could instead he chose a different life, through allat God still loved him as do we. From tha football games to tha basketball games he was good at everything and loved amongst the community, he had a good life ahead of him but at some point everything comes to an end, may Dayson's body fuse with the earth and his spirit ascend to the heaven's" The Preacher said as he raised his hand closed his eyes and bowed his head

"Amen" Everyone said

"Now a couple of words from his family and friends" The preacher said before walking to the side

Moments later one of Dayson's cousins Kenny walked up to the microphone before clearing his voice "Dae Dae was my big brodie, everywhere he went I went, everywhere I went he was right there behind me. We were family I gave him my all and he did tha same in return, I will fo'eva be in debt wit' him he keep me safe and sane. He always looked out fa' a nigga, we stomped the streets together, now imma look out fa' him & his. I luh you cousin fo'eva tha big homie"

It was silent until Alicia Dayson's mom came up to the stand "I never thought there would be a day I put my child in the dirt before he did me. It breaks my heart to kno' my only son is no longer on this earth to share more memories with-" she sniffled as she dabbed her nose with a tissue "this all still feels so surreal to me, like I will wake up tomorrow morning and Dae Dae would be there asking me if I was gonna cook" She left out a laugh

Everyone in the funeral let out a laugh with Alicia. She always loved me like I was her own, she was always there to push her son to do the right thing despite what he wanted. She always set him straight and call him out when he was wrong.

"Noami know that I'm always here if you need help, you don't have to go thru this alone. I'm more than happy to help out with my grandson, you always have a place with me. I love you like my own" She sent a kiss my way with her hand

I grabbed it smiling placing it on my chest. We've had our differences but at the end of it all I always knew she was coming from a place of love and I just didn't want to here it. I had my moments of being stubborn.

"Dayson I pray that you have a happy ascending and I wish to be apart of your next life, I'm thankful for the moments I was able to have with you. The restless nights, the nights you'd come home later than you should've-" she left out a light laughed dabbing her eyes with her tissue "I will forever cherish the memories we've had together I love you Dae Dae"

.....

"Can I hold him?" A relative of Dae Dae asked me with dirty hands

I gave her a small smile "Sorry no he doesn't like to be held"

She pierced her lips "It's okay honey I've had 3 kids"

"I understand that the answer is still no"

She narrowed her eyes a little "He looks just like Dae Dae I want to hold him precious self for like 10 seconds"

I shifted in my seat to cross my legs "Respect my boundaries I said no"

She gave me a mean mug "Girl who the fuck you talking to like that?"

Before I could say something this handsome milk chocolate man interrupted "With all do respect he is her baby, she has every right to deny anything pertaining to him-" he fixed his glasses a little "Let's not create a scene this is about Dae Dae let's keep the energy positive celebrating his life & memories"

The lady didn't say anything she threw me a glare before walking off, I chuckled as she walked off. I took in his appearance, he was dressed very clean, he smelled delicious with his visible fresh cut and locs.

I gave him a small smile "Thanks for that, most of his family members react like that when I say no"

He waved me off "Nah she just entitled as hell"

I looked at him calculating "You right"

We both stare at each other before laughing "Enjoy the rest of your time hea Mama"

"Thank you, you too"

He glanced at Kaden "He definitely does favor Dae Dae, bye little King"