Unintentional

The Departed

Nyree

"What the hell?" I spoke aloud as I pulled up to Jr.'s school. There were a pair of police cars parked at the front on the building. I looked back at Lacey who looked at me and shrugged. I shook my head at her. "Anything you wanna admit to me CiCi? These cops might be here for you." I joked as I unstrapped her from her carseat.
"I didn't do nothin', mama." She smiled as I placed her on the ground. I held her hand as we walked inside together. Upon approaching the sidewalk, I took a peek over at the cop cars; there was no one inside. What the hell were the laws doin' at an elementary school anyway?
We walked into the front office where one of the officers happened to be standing. I went straight over to Indie, the office secretary. This wasn't my first time coming to pick up Jr, so she recognized me immediately. "Hey Nyree, how's it goin." She smiled, giving me and Lacey a wave. "Can't complain. What's goin on though? Why are the cops here?"
Indie's face grew serious as she leaned over the counter. "About that. It's about Jr; well his mom at least." My grip on Lacey's hand tightened a bit. "What about her?" I absentmindedly put my hands over Lacey's ears, afraid of what Indie was about to tell me. "They found his mother on the side of the highway this morning."
I blinked twice as I took in the news. What the hell was going on? Something told me that I already knew who was behind this. "Where is he?" I asked her. I know he needed someone with him right now. They were wrong as hell to break some news like this to a kid by himself. They could've called one of us and waited until we got here.
Indie pointed to what room he was in. Without hesitation I burst in. "What's goin on in here?" I demanded to know. I saw Jr sitting in a chair across from the principal's desk. The second cop and some woman dressed in a plain suit were standing over him.
He looked up at me and I almost cried from the look in his eyes. Tears were forming in his eyes, and I couldn't help but to run and hug him. "Who are you?" The plain dressed woman had the nerve to ask. I cut my eyes as I looked over to her. "I'm his step-mother. Now again, I ask what the hell is goin' on?"
I didn't give a fuck about the fact that me and Jacey weren't married yet. I always have and always will be his mom. The cop walked over to the door to close it before anyone spoke any further. I took the seat next to Jr, pulling Lacey onto my lap. I busied her with the tablet I pulled out of my bag just so she wouldn't be too much into the conversation.
"I'm officer Dunlap, and this is Crystal Woods with Child Services. Unfortunately ma'am, the body of Chassidy Crewe was found this morning on the side of Interstate highway I-20, a few towns over." I was heartbroken at the news for the simple fact that Jr had to hear this. Honestly if it weren't for him, I'd probably crack a smile. I was being cruel. My pregnant ass needed to stop.
"What's that got to do with y'all bringing CPS into this?" There was no way in hell they were takin Jr away from us. I wouldn't dare allow it, and Jacey would raise hell. "I was called because the question is raised as to where he needs to be placed." Crystal replied.
"There is no question, he's been 'placed' with me and his father. He's perfectly fine where he is, so you can gone on back to ya big boss and tell him I said that shit." I spit out, grabbing Jr and Lacey's hand both and proceeded to checking him out. How dare these assholes try and pull some stupid shit like that. That's exactly why I didn't fuck with government officials of any sort.
After strapping Lacey in, I hopped in and started the ignition. I called Jacey on his phone, but it went straight to voicemail. "Fuck." I mumbled under my breath speeding out of the parking lot.

Jacey

Today was the last day of my boy Max bein in this hellhole before he was released in the morning. I had to come see him and see how he been holdin' up. All this drama with Chassidy and the baby, and plotting on the Beliveau's, I hadn't really had much time to really sit down with my homie.
I was glad to see him looking better at least. His bandages were all healed up, and he even had enough strength to get up and walk around for a bit. I gave him dap before I sat next to his bed. "What's been up wichu? You lookin' better, that's a good sign." I smiled.
"Yea man, finally ready to get the hell up outta here and get back to work." I nod my head, "You already know the boys been waiting for you to come back. You family, man." I caught sight of him lowering his eyes as if he had something on his mind.
Courtney sat quietly for another minute or two before he sighed. "Look man, I appreciate everything you've done for me as my friend. On some real shit." He began. I looked at him sideways. "You ain't gotta thank me my nigga. Real niggas do right by real niggas, it's nothin." I said to him. Courtney shook his head, looking even more frustrated.
"I've done a lot of fucked up shit in this lifetime, even to the people who've been down for me the most. You especially. I understand if after this you don't wanna let me come back to work with y'all." What the hell was he talking about? I can't remember a time when Max ain't have my back. He wasn't makin sense at all.
"What you talkin' bout man?" Max looked away for a second before finally saying. "I lowkey was fuckin wit Chassidy some months ago. She says she's pregnant." He looked at me expectantly, waiting for my reaction. Damn. My brothers told me she was smashing the homies, but I never once thought Max would be the dumbass to fall in her trap. Especially after all the shit he knows she tried to put me through.
I couldn't control the laughter as I leaned over, gasping for air. This shit was comical; I wasn't mad at my nigga at all. Chassidy wasn't mine. I wasn't gone stop him from makin his money either, he had a kid to feed just as I have three. And knowing what I know, he didn't need to be worried about that bitch anymore.
"Aye man, kill allat. Don't even worry about that shit. Just be concerned about getting out, and getting back to this money." I said reaching out my hand to dap him up. His body relaxed a little as he lay back in bed. "So what's been up with you? How's it going with you and 'Ree?"
   I smiled at the mention of my baby's name. "Mann, shit is crazy at home." I started, catching him up on everything he missed out on in the last month or so. From the shit with Jourdan and Raoul, 'Ree and Lacey moving in, down to the fight between Baby and Chassidy. I wanted to share the news about the baby, but I didn't want it to seem like I was rubbing my happiness in his face.
   "Damn man. I wish I was there to see that shit. You know Chassidy always had it in for 'Ree." He laughed aloud. "True, but you know Nyree crazy as hell, and she was not going fa' that shit. Ever since them hormones kicked in, she been wildin'."
   "Hormones?" Courtney questioned, lookin at me sideways. I sighed, unable to contain my excitement. "Testosterone." I smiled, and he made the connection almost immediately. He sat in silence a moment with a mixed expression. I could sense the pain and envy, as well as the genuine happiness.
   "Damn Jacey, yo ass wasted no time, huh?" I modestly shrugged. It wasn't at all planned, but I damn sure wasn't upset about it. I know for a fact we conceived that night at Monty's. "Damn, Jacey. Congratulations man, forreal. I'm happy for you." He said, looking me straight in the eye.
   "'Preciate it, bruh." I smiled, and he pounded my fist as I stood from my chair to head out. It was getting close to 5, and I knew I couldn't miss dinner; 'Ree would kick my ass. "One last thing though. Not on no weird shit, on some real shit." He said to me.
   "Wassup?" I asked, stopping directly in front of his bed. "Give her better than I did, man. Better than any nigga; She deserves that." He didn't have to tell me, I knew. 'Ree deserved everything, and that's exactly what she'll get. "Always." I nod and held up the peace sign on my way out the door.