I Need You

Chapter Fourteen : "Zoë."

Tamir Bryant

Something doesn't really hurt you until you either see your mother or your child cry. In this case, I️ saw both of them cry at the same time over the same situation. I️ really can't deal right now.

I'm trying my best to be the strongest one through this tough obstacle but come on now, it's not easy losing someone, especially someone very close to you. Alexus and I️ shared a bond. We didn't just have a child together, that was real deal my best friend for some years. Now she's at rest and it hasn't settled with me and I️ doubt it'll ever will.

"Why they keep hugging me?" Kendrick grew agitated at the attention he was receiving at his mother's repast. He hate to be touched on or hug unless it's by his mother, grandmother, and me. He doesn't like attention and he doesn't like people in his face.

"They're your family. Chill out." I️ responded while he continue to hold a frown.

Viewing Alexus' body was hard for Kendrick, he just stared at her and continue to say "Mommy, wake up." He started crying which of course caused me to shed some tears. My son really loss his mother at the age of three. Lord knows this is about to hurt him for the rest of his life.

"Wassup, lil man?" Nas came over and dapped Kendrick.

"He's by irritated right now." I️ said to Nas as he took a seat with us at the table.

"I️ can tell by his facial expressions. How you holding up?"

"I'm straight. Just trying to make it." I looked over at my son who was too quiet for me. He really was just staring off. I️ let out a low sigh.

"You know I'm here for y'all. I️ know this isn't something that's going to be easy but it's all going to get better, g."

"Preciate that, Nas. I really do." He gave me a handshake while Kendrick watched.

The repast lasted longer than I️ actually expected. We finally laughed instead of crying the whole time. My girl is really gone. At least she's up in heaven with her mother. Save a spot for us.

"Why your fat head ass ain't answer the phone?" I️ turned around from my closet to see Kendrick talking to his iPad, I'm guessing on FaceTime with somebody.

"Aye lil' boy, watch your mouth." I️ went over and snatched the iPad out his hand to see who he was talking to. "Oh wassup, Ki. What you doing?"

"Can I️ talk to my sister alone?" Kendrick crossed his hands over his chest.

"First of all, this my sister."

"All of first, I️ don't care." He retaliated smartly and all I️ could think about how much this lil nigga act just like me.

"Y'all play too much." Kilen laughed through the phone.

I️ mugged Kendrick before giving him his iPad back. He thanked me and went to sit on the bed so he could talk to Kilen. I️ shook my head and finished putting up my clothing before walking out of the room.

Later on that night I️ decided to go to hospital to check on someone I️ have yet to check on. I️ couldn't never bring myself to come see her because I️ was scared to see her in the condition she's in.

I️ dropped Kendrick off by my mother's house because he's terrified of hospitals and I️ thought it was best if I️ came alone. I️ asked the receptionist directions to Zoë's room. I️ walked into her room to see a little girl sitting on the couch while watching a show off of Disney Channel. She immediately looked at me, slowly getting up from her seat, making her way to me.

"I'm Karson." She greeted which made me stare at her, unintentionally. Wow. Zoë really has a child.

"I'm Ace. How are you, pretty girl?" I️ squat down to her height.

"I'm good. Just ready for my mommy to wake up. She's been sleeping for a while." My heart shattered a little seeing her face drop. All I️ could think about what Kendrick is going through and I'll hate for another little child having to go through the same thing.

"Are you here alone?" I️ questioned, watching her shake her head.

"My granny went to get me something to eat. She will be back soon." She clasped her hands together, looking at me. "Are you Kendrick's dad?"

"You know my son?" I️ raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. We go to the same daycare."

"Really? Well isn't that something." I️ said right before Zoë's door open. In came her mother, looking the same since the last time I've seen her.

Her eyes widen once she saw me. I️ stood up from squatting as she walked over to me. She immediately pulled me into a hug, rubbing my back.

"Tamir. It's so good to see you. You look so handsome and grown." She looked at me, smiling which caused me to smile.

"Thank you. It's good to see you too. How have you been?"

"I've been well. How have you been? Congratulations on the tattoo shop!" She smiled once again.

"Thank you, Thank you. I've been good just living life and being a father to my son."

"Tamir," she held her chest. "Let me see him because I️ know he's handsome."

I️ chuckled some before pulling my phone out to show her Kendrick. She cooed and said how much he looks like me. Alexus always said how she just carried him because doesn't look like her.

"He just turned 3 and bad as ever." I️ glanced at Zoë which turned into a stare since I️ didn't really look at her when I️ first got her.

"She's not able to respond but she can hear you. I'm going to let you have your moment with her. Come on, Kars."

"Ok. It was nice meeting you Ace." She waves at me before running out the door before her grandmother.

"I'll talk to you later, Tamir."

"Yes ma'am. It was nice seeing you again." I️ said right before she went out the door.

I️ took a deep breath and walked over to Zoë. Man everybody know how much I️ love this girl with everything's in me. When she hurts, I️ hurt. I️ know I️ hurt her by leaving her in the darkness back then but that wasn't my intentions. I️ just wanted her to stay out the mix and be safe but I️ never told her that's what I️ was doing. So she felt like I️ gave up on her.

I took another deep breath before letting her name come out my mouth.

"Zoë..."