Still In

XXVII

Dave

I walked in the coffee shop and looked around before spotting Sean and Tanya sitting down. Walking over, I dapped up Sean and gave Tanya a head nod. We hadn't seen each other since the first meeting. She had Sean call me and schedule another meeting and let me know to make sure to 'leave my dog in her cage'.

"Wassup." I said, sitting down.

"I'm gonna get straight to the point, Dave. We need to figure out a way to be cordial or something for the best interest of the kids. I don't want this change to be too drastic especially for Daniel. First things first, we need to set some ground rules. I don't give a damn who you suck or fuck- don't have them around my kids unless I meet them and approve of it. I've met Dawn, yes, but when you have my kids, she needs to disappear. If you have a problem with that, you just won't have the kids that week. The same rule applies to me."

"That's some bullshit." I said. "Why should I have to get your approval?"

"Because I don't want nor need any and everybody around my kids. As well as I want and know what's best for my children."

"You're still a child your damn self."

"And somehow more mature than you." She said.

"Fuck this." I said, getting up.

"Look, just proving my point."

"Come on y'all." Sean said.

"No, she don't run my life."

"Dave, man."

"Nah, I don't nee-"

"Dave, sit the fuck down and shut the fuck up! Damn! Whether you like it or not, Tanya made a valid fucking point. You know damn well if she had some random nigga around the boys, you'd be tryna kill him and her. Stop being a fucking child and listen."

I huffed and sat down. "Continue."

"Thank you." Tanya said. "That brings me to my next point-respect. I don't disrespect you, Dave. I haven't disrespected you since we've met. I-"

"You disrespected me when you kissed that-"

"Don't cut me off. That's disrespectful. Anyway, I listen to what you have to say whether I want to hear it or not and I always have. If we're going to co-parent efficiently, you need an attitude check cause you know I don't take disrespect lightly."

"Okay." My phone started ringing and I saw it was Cash. "One second."

"Wow." Tanya mumbled.

"Smoke." I said, answering.

"Smoke?!" Tanya and Sean asked in unison.

"Aye, man, we need you down here. Niggas' getting reckless."

"Alright, bruh. Give me 20 minutes."

"Bet."

I hung up the phone and slid it back in my pocket. Looking over at Tanya, she had an expression that was mixed with confused and pissed.

"What?"

"Did you just answer the phone as 'Smoke'?" She asked.

"Is there anything else we need to talk about?"

"Yes! You're back to being Smoke?"

"I've always been Smoke." I shrugged.

"Keep that dumb shit away from my kids, Khamere."

"Okay."

"I'm dead fucking serious."

"I know, Tanya." I said. "I gotta go. We done?"