The Reality of Our Lives

Time change

Narrator- A year and some months has gone by. Janiya is now one years of age. Jaden and Chelsea are sophomores in high school. Jaden has been loyal to Chelsea and making sure that he comes by everyday to see Janiya and Chelsea. Instead of just selling drugs, Jaden has started rapping to make a living. He has started making more money and has even bought himself a car. His relationship with Shakira has improved tremendously. In fact, Jaden spends some nights at Shakira's house and the whole family bonds. Even Cortez chimes in and have talks with Jaden. Brandon and Princess are happily back together. After Nancy met up with Shakira, she had Jada to stay away from Jaden. She just told her that she didn't think it was safe for her to be around him and he's a bad influence. Jaden tried to reach back out to Jada but she never replied to him so he eventually stopped. Ada and Ronnie have grown to be more lenient on Chelsea. They've started developing a better relationship with Jaden and Shakira. Janiya is walking and saying "Da Da."
Mackenzie went off to college and doesn't really talk to Shakira as much. Jaden has been thinking about proposing to Chelsea. He already bought her an engagement ring. He decides to have a talk with Ronnie before he follows through with his plan. He meets with Ronnie to go fishing on a Saturday. Ronnie takes him to a lake and they begin talking.
Jaden- "I was so happy to come here with you today because i have to ask you something."
Ronnie- "Well what do you have to ask me?"
Jaden- "I want your blessing to marry your daughter."
Ronnie- "You want to marry my daughter?"
Jaden- "Yes i do."
Ronnie- "You're not old enough."
Jaden- "I know that we're young but i also know that she's the love of my life."
Ronnie- You have your whole life ahead of you. You don't really know what you want."
Jaden- "I do know what i want. I want Chelsea as my wife. With all due respect i came here to do it the right way. I'd be so appreciative if you could give me your blessing."
Ronnie- "I-i don't know about that."
Jaden- "I love her and we already have a daughter together. I just want to do things the right way."
Ronnie- "I'm giving you my blessings but it's way too soon. Ada is going to freak out once she finds out."
Jaden- "Can you please not spoil the surprise? I just want to keep this between me and you."
Ronnie- "You have my word i won't."
Jaden- "I hope you know that this is my first time fishing."
Ronnie- "Your pops never took you to the lake?"
Jaden- "No, he showed me how to use a gun instead. All i ever wanted to do was go fishing. He told me that wasn't for real men."
Ronnie- *laughs* "Now where is he?"
Jaden- "He's in prison."
Ronnie- "He should have been there for you. It's not your fault because we don't choose our guardians."
Jaden- "I always wanted a good relationship with my dad but he never let me do anything fun. He was too busy treating me how to survive the arrest life."
Ronnie- "It's not right but since you have had that experience it'll make you a better father."
Jaden- "That's all that i want to do. I want to make sure Janiya don't ever have to want or need for anything. I wasn't poor growing up but my father was a very wicked man. He also feared that someone was going to try to kill him so he was always cautious. His fear moved into me when he kept teaching me about not lacking."
Ronnie- "That sounds pretty harsh. I couldn't imagine a child having fears of being killed. Geez..."
Jaden- "I'm so surprised I'm telling you this because i never open up to anyone about my father."
Ronnie- "Well that's good because you should talk to someone so you'll overcome your childhood traumas."
Narrator- Jaden sits alongside the rocks and puts his head down and he starts sobbing. He tries to calm himself before Ronnie notices. Sure enough, Ronnie notices and he sits right down besides Jaden. Ronnie waits until Jaden is done sobbing to ask what's wrong.
Jaden- "My dad made me be so disrespectful to my mother. I never got the chance to tell her i love her. I never even got to say goodbye. I hate him!"
Narrator- Ronnie puts his hand on Jaden's shoulder and reassures him that everything is going to be ok.
Ronnie- "Your mother will be so proud of the brave young man you're becoming. Don't hate your father for what he did. It ain't no telling how your father's upbringing was. He probably didn't know any better. I'm not saying that as if it's an excuse because it's not"
Jaden- "All i wanted was to be able to say goodbye. She didn't even tell me that she was sick. Why wouldn't she tell me? Why wouldn't she? Did she hate me that much?"
Ronnie- "She doesn't hate you. She probably didn't want you to be worrying sick about her. I can guarantee that she loves you and she'll always love you. I don't know your mother but I'm sure she would be very proud of the person you're becoming."