1986 - The Penthouse, California
MICHAEL
My knees buckled at the side of that bed. Brenda progressed so much. It was almost baffling.
Prince sat on the edge waiting. I couldn't even talk and already felt emotional. She would be a glorious mother soon.
"How far along are you, B?" I question through a whisper of my own. Over my shoulder, Prince bashfully grinned. His eyes faced that woman with devotion and promise.
"Eight months." Brenda sniffled. Dim lighting captured the entire bedroom as she held onto her stomach. That wedding ring still shined on her finger.
"How are you going to raise the baby? Have you already considered nannies? Are you going on a hiatus?" I still remained calm with the reasonable question.
Moments later, she sighed out loud. Prince and I looked on with concerned expressions. Silence haunted the bedroom again.
"I'm putting her up for adoption. It's the best option. My daughter deserves a normal life and stable family. No matter what, I can't give her that security. And couldn't live with myself if the press found out about her." Brenda wouldn't face either of us.
Prince and I completely understood the adoption idea, but one question still lingered.
"Who is the father?" I finally asked. Even Prince kept facing his wife and never blinked.
"You, Michael." Brenda finally looked up at me while the baby kicked a little.
I didn't want to believe her. Prince reasonably walked out of the room, slamming its door. With no regard for the sleeping nurse on that living room couch.
"What?" I narrowed my eyes at Brenda Michelle.
"I didn't want to tell either of you because drama would've popped off. I wanted the baby to reach her adopted family and none of this would be happening." Brenda sat up again on the bed.
"If I am the father, why would you lie to me and Prince?" I still felt puzzled when Brenda stopped making excuses.
"You are the father. Ouch!" Brenda strained to focus on me when the baby started kicking again.
"How do you know?" I questioned. Regardless of her pain for once. I needed answers.
"Test results don't lie. Fuck!" Brenda clenched her teeth as kicks resumed. That horrible New Jersey accent emerged. I wasn't even turned on by it anymore.
If she could lie about children, I deserved to be an asshole right now.
"You're just looking for an excuse to avoid motherhood. Do you even know how many women would love to be you right now?"
I snipped right back.
"I'm in a very different situation, Michael." Brenda stopped wiggling on the bed to halt pain.
"Madonna and Whitney have every reason in the world to consider adoption in this case. You don't." I shook my head.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Brenda folded both arms.
"What is more important than taking care of that child l right now? I'm not letting our baby girl go to another family just so you can fuck Prince and do nothing all day! Whether this is my baby or not, take some responsibility and raise her yourself." My voice ranted while tears dripped right down my face. I couldn't even believe this woman.
"An irresponsible parent wouldn't even plan something like this. I'm her mother. She's my child. The only reason why I wanted you here is because you're her father. I called months ago, but you were too busy messing with Kim to make another simple phone call. We could've resolved this problem during the first trimester, Michael!" Despite the pregnant belly, Brenda still pointed towards me with a stern finger.
Just when I planned to finally walk out for the night, Prince stormed right back in. Even turning on the light switch. I squinted immediately afterwards.
"Does the ring on your finger matter anymore? You've lied to me for eight months! I'd do anything for you. How the hell could you do this?" Prince shouted moments later. I completely understood the frustration.
"Don't even go there. You slept around on me again. How I supposed to know that Michael would get me pregnant? Matter of fact, whether Michael was the father this time or not, it's not like you could give me a child anyway. Look at what happened the first time. I almost died in the ambulance because of that miscarriage. " Brenda lowered her voice once more while sitting up against the pillows.
"What the hell did you just say?" Prince slowed down his words. I almost dropped my jaw near him.
"You know exactly what I said, Nigga. Get out of my house. I don't even care if you want a divorce. Just leave me alone." Brenda shook her head after pointing to the bedroom door.
I wanted to leave, surprised by everything that just unfolded. But as soon as Prince heard "divorce", the fury turned into desperation.
"What?" Prince suddenly trembled.
"Go ahead and divorce me if I'm such a terrible person for cheating back. Marriage can't even stop you from playing games." Brenda repeated herself.
"I'm not doing that. Please give me the contact info for that adoptive family. I want to be involved as much as possible." Prince oddly confessed his loyalty without even considering my presence.
This man clearly lost his mind. I would've given up right then and there. As much as I loved someone.
My opinion meant nothing to that couple.
And I was the father of this child.
