Undercover

PART 18

#Undercover 18

“I’m so glad we didn’t have plans on leaving town today! What happened?” Saddiq’s parents ask. “I don’t know. The police just pulled up and shoved him to the ground. They put his unconscious body in the back of the cop car and left” I explain frantically. “Go get in Saddiq’s car and lead the way to the police station. I don’t know what the hell is going on but I plan on sitting there until we find out” Saddiq’s father says. “I’ll drive. You’re in no state to drive sweetie” Saddiq’s mother says taking the keys from my hands. She’s right. I’m a nervous wreck. I pray that he is ok..

“Mr. and Mrs. Harrington?” an officer says. Saddiq’s mother and I jump up and run over. “Sorry that it’s taken so long. We had to get Mr. Harrington processed. Please, follow me so that we can talk. By the way, I’m Chief of Police, Donald Weaver” he says escorting us to an office. He explains that Saddiq has been cooperative through the entire process so they’re going to allow us to visit him. We have 15 minutes. After that, we’re required to follow visitation guidelines and come back tomorrow between the hours of 12PM and 5PM. Saddiq’s father looks pissed. I’m surprised that he hasn’t said anything. I don’t know him very well but I can tell that he’s holding back.

“Saddiq, honey!” his mother yells out as she runs up to hug him. As they hug, his father wraps his arms around both of them. I look around and find me a seat. “Mo” Saddiq says towering over me. I look up to him and say “Yes?” He gets on his knees right in front of me and lays his head in my lap. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry, Mo” he keeps repeating. I want to break down but I know I have to be strong for him. I lift his head in the palm of my hand and say “Hey. You have nothing to be sorry for. We only have 15 minutes with you. Let’s make the best of it, ok?” I say leaning in to kiss him on the lips. He gets up and sits in the chair beside me. “Saddiq, you want to tell us what’s going on?” his father says in a stern voice. He’s shaking and twitching something serious. I reach over and grab his hand and give him a warm smile. The shaking and twitching stops. “I’ve been doing some things that I shouldn’t have been doing to bring in extra money. I’ve was selling drugs before I met Monica last year. Things got a little serious so I decided to back out. The guys that I was running with wouldn’t take no for an answer so I kept selling…but not as much as I was. I literally haven’t touched anything since December. I’ve been giving them money out of my work check and throwing the weed away just to keep them off my back. I feel like I was setup or something. Something’s just not right” Saddiq explains. “Well who are these guys you were running with, Saddiq. We need to get them in here as well so we can get the truth” his father says. “Pop, it’s not that easy…” Saddiq begins to say but his father cuts him short saying “It is that easy. It’s either you or them. You literally just graduated college today. You’re a black man with a degree, son. You just going to let that slip through your fingertips because you chose to make a stupid decision and sell weed? Weed? You could have called your mother and I and asked for what it was that you felt you needed. You know that!” Saddiq looks so ashamed. We finish up our short visit. Before we head out, he grabs my hand and pulls me into his arms. “I love you. All of you. You hear me?” he says holding me tight. I whisper back, “I love you, too.”

“Before you all go, I have some of Saddiq’s belongings. He stated that he wanted everything in here to go to a Monica….Monica Washington” Chief Weaver says. “That’s me” I say grabbing the belongings. He walks away and I take a moment to sit. Saddiq’s parents sit with me. I open the bag and his car keys, wallet, loose change, and a maroon box are in the bag. There’s a note as well. I read over the note in silence and open feel inside the bag for the box. I open it. It’s a small diamond ring and engraved inside “Forever & Always”. “Is that an engagement ring?” his mother asks. “No, ma’am. According to this note, it’s a promise ring” I say handing his mother the note as I continue to stare at the ring.

Damn, I love this man.