Reality (Sequel to Future)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

With Deon on my hip, I stood there as the police officer searched me and Deon. What kind of person would sneak some shit in using their baby? I walked in to see Chresanto in the hospital bed sleeping. I smiled slightly as I pulled up a chair next to his bedside. I liked how he looked when he slept. Peaceful. Considering all that he's going through right now, its nice to see him look like nothing is wrong even if it is just for a moment. Deon turned his head and spotted Chresanto. He let out an enthusiastic cry. It was crazy how they could be apart for weeks at a time and Deon would react the same way every time he saw him no matter how long they had been apart. Chresanto's eyes blinked open and scanned the room first before landing on us. He cracked a small smile and started to get up when he winced in pain. I looked at him sympathetically.

"You need help, babe?" I asked.

He shook his head before sitting all the way up and groaned a little. He held his hands out to me indicating that he wanted to hold Deon. I got up and placed Deon in his arms. I kissed the corner of Chresanto's lips and sat back down.

"So what were you doing asleep? It's almost one o'clock " I giggled.

He shook his head.

"It's the meds they're giving me. They be knocking me out all the time"

"Are they working?"

"A little bit. The only reason why its taking so long to heal is because the cut is mad deep"

"How's your walking?"

He adjusted Deon so that he sat upright in his lap and then he began to stroke his curly hair.

"I gotta hunch over a little bit"

I shook my head.

"Baby...you can't go back to prison in this condition"

He chuckled.

"Mabel told you about me going back soon, huh?"

"Were you?"

"Of course I was gonna tell you, B. I found out when she did"

"Well you gotta do something. Fake it like you cant walk"

"I ain't no bitch, Bahja"

"Better that than a dead man. I mean come on, Chres, you could barely sit up when I came in here"

He sucked his teeth.

"You always coming in here on some bullshit, B"

"Stop cussing in front of him" I scolded.

"Stop making me do it then. I'm going back, Bahja. Nothing you or Mabel say is gonna change that. You need to be worried about what the hell is going on in my house"

I looked at him confused. I was also kind of scared. What was he talking about? Did he know about Devin? Any suspicions he had must have come from Mabel. Still, I played dumb just to keep from incriminating myself.

"What are you talking about? The only thing going on at our house is me taking care of our son"

"So why the hell is Mabel telling me that people are trying to take my family away from me?"

"Well, if you want to be technical, damn near everybody is trying to take us away from you. Just take your pick: the judge, the prosecutor, Reggie, Akila-"

"That ain't what she was talkin' bout, man" he said shaking his head. "Don't lie to me, Bahja. What ain't you tellin' me?"

I sighed and took his free hand in mine.