90's Love

8

"Yeah mama, it's coo over here. Andre really doin it big out here. I met his boss and his family and his girlfriend and the school I got to is stupid big. Bigger than the school I went to."

"Sounds like you like it over there baby?"

"It's growing on me slowly. I miss you mama how you been? How's everything that way?"

"Oh I'm doing alright, picked up more shifts at the bank so when I get this money ima set it off up in here and decorate it like I live out there where you are." She chuckled.

"Antwon." Monica knocked on my door. I turned to see her standing in the door way. "Hold on mama...yeah?"

"Your father wants to speak with you."

"Okay, I'll be there in a few."

"I'm back ma."

"Uh uh! Who was that? I didn't send you all the way down there to be a Mack daddy like you were doin down here."

"Ma chill!" I laughed. "That's Andre's girl Monica."

"Monica? Who is Monica what happened to Victoria? See ya daddy always been a playa always having a different woman on his arm. That's another reason why we didn't work out."

"Ma please don't turn into an Oprah episode."

"Sorry baby." I just get so frustrated thinking about it.

"Ma, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, anything baby."

"What really did happen between you and Andre?"

The other side of the line became quiet. "Hello?"

"I don't wanna talk about it Antwon."

"Why not? I deserve to know I'm not that little 8 year old anymore."

I heard her sigh deeply. "I met your father in high school, we were actually high school sweet hearts. My senior year I had gotten pregnant with you. We both were ready to graduate both had dreams of making it out of the hood and doing big things with out lives. After I found out I was pregnant things didn't go as planned. I found a job in town and so did your father. We tried to work on our relationship but it was like nothing could save us. Your father was getting good money working in the factory and women saw that and every time I looked there was someone new on his arm. Just like now. We argued a lot, fought a lot it just wouldn't work. So I gave up on him then I found out he had gotten somebody pregnant around the same time as I was pregnant I was furious so around when you were maybe eight I just stopped him from seeing you. I know now it was wrong but then I had to do what I had to do."

"So you kept him away from me because of your selfishness? Did you ever think about me! About how a boy needs a father in his life any child needs their father! I hated this man because I thought he abandoned us but all along it was your fault."

"I'm so sorry Antwon!" I heard her say through sniffles.

"Yeah, and so am I!" I hung up the phone.

I paced back and forth in my room waiting for my boiling blood to cool down. I was heated the only person I felt I could trust showed me that I couldn't. I hated this man for years and now I find out that he didn't do anything wrong.

I took a few deep breaths before walking toward Andre's office. I gave a couple soft knocks before entering the room.

I glanced around his office diplomas on the wall, along with black art it looked like a mini library.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yeah, sit down." He motioned to the brown leather seat in front of his desk.

"How are you feeling about everything? The move the city and things like that?"

"It's an huge change. I go from living in the hood to living in La la land."

"Yeah." He chuckled. "It took me a while to get use to it all. But it's better opportunities here, less violence there are still some but not like there. I just hope it's something you will enjoy I don't want you to be here if your not happy."

"So your saying I can go back whenever?"

He didn't say anything just slowly nodded his head. "I have your best interest at heart if your not happy I don't want you to be somewhere unhappy that's a hard feeling. If you wish to leave and go back home then just say the word."

I took a deep breath as I slowly shook my head. "There's nothing for me back there."

"What about your mother?"

"I just spoke to her, she told me the reason why you didn't come around. She told the truth the same thing you told me. She made me hate you, I hated you for leaving I thought you abandoned us but I find out that you were there all along but she stopped you."

"She did. I wouldn't abandon you. You're my son and I love you. I love you and Tyren with my whole heart I wouldn't do anything to hurt the either of you."

"I know and I'm sorry for having that hate toward you for no reason."

"It was a reason and I'm glad we have an understanding now. I'm happy you decided to come and stay here I'm sure you probably didn't want to but I'm glad you're here."

"Me too."