Against All Odds

3.

Jayceon in the mm

***
Jayceon Rodgers

Okay Jayceon, you can do this. I have to coach myself because if I don't I will turn around and get right back on that plane.

The day my mom died was the most heartbreaking day of my life. She was my everything. She had been battling with Leukemia for 10 years before the Lord called her home.

I had been staying in Foster care for about a week and now that I'm 18, I've been kicked out of the system. Apparently it was in my mother's will for me to stay with her sister, Jamie, if something ever happened to her. Don't get me wrong, I love my aunt and all but, making the move from Louisiana to North Carolina is a lot for a yungin' to take in.

I looked at my phone and saw that it was almost 3:30. My cousin, Jacob, was supposed to picking me up so he should be here soon.

15 minutes later....

I get a text from my cousin saying that he's outside so I gather all my luggage, or what little bit I have, and make my way to his car.

"Wassup fam?", Jacob asks after I put my stuff in the trunk and get situated in the car.

"Nothing much, just livin' to be honest."

Once he pulls onto the road we get to my aunt's house in less than 20 minutes. I look around and take in my surroundings.

Nice neighborhood, nice house, nice cars.

Maybe I could get used to this.

My thoughts are interrupted as I hear my aunt come out. "Is that my nephew little ole' Jayceon?"

I chuckle. "I'm not so little anymore aunt Jamie."

"I see. You're a grown man now."

After we catch up and I get my bags in my new room, Jacob and I go out so that I can get used to the city.

"So, how you liking Chapel Hill so far cuzo?", Jacob asks while stopping at a red light.

"It's straight. It seems like a nice place to settle down in. Nawlins' gone forever be in my heart tho'.", I reply while looking out the window.

"I understand. Look, I know you dealing with a lot right now-".

I slightly roll my eyes. I've been hearing the same, "I'm here for you" speech for the past month. If everybody was there for me like they claim they was, why didn't I see anybody when my mom was being abused by my dad or when my mom had to sell our car just so we could have food on the table?

"If you don't mind, ion' really wanna hea' dat' right now."

"It's fine, I understand completely."

After a few moments of silence, we pull up to this brick one story house. He tells me to get out and we go up to the door.

"Briana open the door!"

A girl opens the door. She has her long brown hair in a ponytail and is wearing black leggings and a hoodie.

"Don't be banging on my door like you the police. You know they don't like black folks."

"Move out the way and I hope you cooked because I'm starving."

She then opens the door wider so we can walk inside. I look around and the inside is even nicer.

"Oh Yea, Bri this is my cousin Jayceon. He just moved up here from Louisiana. Jay, this is my greedy, manipulative best friend Briana."

She smacks her lips. "Don't listen to him. But it's nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy Chapel Hill and if you ever need anything I'm always willing to help."

She smiles as we shake hands.

"Well thank you Ms.Bri, I'll keep dat' in mind."

"Enough of the chit chat, where's the food?", Jacob asks searching through cabinets.

"Well I hadn't planned on having guest. But I guess I can whip something up real quick."

"Ayye, Chef Bri-yar-dee to the rescue."

"Yea Yea, now get out."

***
After eating and playing a couple rounds of Monopoly, we were finally leaving.

"See you guys later. Come back to see me soon."

"Aight", Jacob and I reply before pulling out of the driveway.

Once I get back to the house and get my shower, I lay in bed and started thinking.

Thinking about how my life will never be the same....

***
Jacob Payne

As soon as I step in the house, I hear a baby crying and see diapers and bottles all over the floor.

"Man, take this thing. It won't shut up and I don't know what else to do", Rashon says handing Chaylin to me.

She immediately stops crying and clings onto my shirt. Before I can say anything else Rashon goes into his room and slams the door.

I've been taking care of Chaylin for about 3 days now and she's still a secret from my mom and Briana. I thought all I had to do was feed her, change her diaper, and bathe her, but even that's hard. When I'm trying to go to sleep, she up looking at me listening to herself "talk".

Rashon then comes from the back and throws all of my stuff on the floor.

"What are you doing!?"

"I can't allow you to stay here if you got extra baggage. Either you stay here or get rid of that".

I look down at Chaylin and see she's sound asleep.

"Where am I supposed to go, bruh?", I start gathering mine and Chaylin's things.

"You really choosing that thing over a place to lay yo head? You've really changed,Jake."

"This 'thing' is my daughter and unlike you at least I didn't have two baby momma's by the time I was 16!"

"Keep on and ya lil friend Bri might be be number 3.", he smirks and starts walking to his room.

I put down the car seat Chaylin was in and grab the nearest vase hitting him over the head with it immediately knocking him out.

"Keep her name out ya mouth,son".

I kick him in the nose hearing a cracking sound. I grab my things and the car seat and walk outside to my car.

As soon as I get in, Chaylin starts crying. "C'mon Chay, please be quiet for daddy." I start rubbing her tummy and give her the pacifier as she falls asleep.

I start my car, and notice the gas light comes on. I reach in my pocket and see my last $20 bill. I sigh and start driving to the nearest gas station.

Back to mom's house I guess...

*****
What y'all think?

-Niyah