I had been released from the hospital and my mom decided she was going to watch over me at her home. I told her she didn't have to, but she forced her way into doing so. I stayed in my old room from when I used to live here. It's a plan room now, but all of my awards and trophies are still here. She said she and Naomi were going to cook for tonight. Naomi also took my car and parked it in the driveway.
(Sigh)
Why am I going so hard for Zuri? Maybe I do have strong feelings for her. We went to the park, went out to eat, went to the pumpkin patch, talked on the phone for hours...but the way I acted was different. He pushed her like she was some nigga off the street! That wasn't cool. I scared Micheal and the staff...damn. I didn't mean for all of that to happen. I'm stuck with a concussion, but he got a few bruises and he's okay. Bogus...
"How's the moving process?" I asked.
"It's going okay. I found a place not far from here...I didn't tell Justin yet," Zuri said.
"Let it be a surprise,"
"It feels so unreal how everything is happening. Like I'm actually leaving. I know everyone would be happy though,"
"I am. If you don't wanna stay there until you move then you can stay with me until your home is ready,"
"Thanks. Ever since you guys fought, he's been trying to be nice to me. I hate that it took for another man to give me attention and now he wants to be a gentleman again,"
"What's he been doing?"
"He's been telling me good morning, how good I look, offering to cook for me, he even apologized to me numerous times,"
"He's the one who put me in a come though,"
"Yeah, but you did beat him up pretty bad even though he just has bruises. Plus, he's been trending for the past couple of days because someone recorded his tantrum at the house recorded the fight at the dealership. It's all over the internet,"
"All over the internet? I didn't see anything!"
"Because you've been 'sleep'. His reputation is declining bad right now. I guess he's trying to clean it up,"
"He deserves everything he's getting. That's what he gets and I hope he really learns from this situation. Right now, my mom and sister are making dinner for the family...my dad is coming over,"
"You guys haven't talked yet?"
"No. I guess I have no choice but to keep my composure—at least I'll try to,"
"Just don't stress yourself out about anything because I'm pretty sure you still have a headache,"
"Yes. I gotta go downstairs...text me if anything is up, okay?"
"Yeah. I'll talk to you in a minute,"
I hung the phone and braced myself to go downstairs. I got up from my bed and stretched for a bit. My vision was still a bit fuzzy, but it was clear enough for me to see. I made my way into the dining room and they were placing the food on the table.
"Hey, baby," my mom said, giving me a hug.
"Hey, ma,"
"Did you sleep okay?"
"Yes ma'am,"
"Look, I know you and dad don't get along well, but can you please be cool?"
"I'll try. As long as everything is smooth, then I'm good,"
"Thank you. Doctor's said as soon as I have this surgery, then they can remove the tumor and I should be okay. Luckily I caught it early,"
"That's good, mom. When is it?"
"Next week. I'm ready to go under the knife,"
"I'm sorry about yelling yesterday,"
"Oh, it's okay. I know I was over reacting and I shouldn't have did her like that. How is she anyway? Still with that boy?"
"Yeah, but she just told me she's moving out. She already found a place. And now the man is trying to be nice to her and treat her the way she should have been being treated,"
"I hate when niggas do that," Naomi said.
"Is Kai okay?"
"That man is fine. He still doing the freakin' most,"
"That's Kai for you,"
The doorbell rang two times. I guess that was dad...Naomi went to go answer the door. I sat in my seat and prepared for what's next. He walked through the door and hugged Naomi. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I think I'm gonna regret this.
"Hey everybody," he greeted.
"Hey, Luther," my mom said.
"Everything looks so good! Thank you again for cooking ladies," he complimented.
"Oh, it wasn't a problem. I was gonna cook anyway,"
We sat at a round table. It was me, Naomi, Mom and my dad. My mom's name is Yuna by the way. We all started to scoop out our food and place it on our plate. I want to go up to my room so bad right now. I can feel the tension in the room, because he hasn't said a word to me at all. I think that's the better option.
"So, surgery is next week?" Luther asked.
"Yes. I want to hurry and get this over with. I just thank God everything is going well. How has your new job been?"
"Amazing! With the money I'm making, I don't have to worry about much at all,"
"You said you were gonna take me to Paris. Are we still going?" Naomi asked.
"Yes we are. Me, you and Yuna. What about you, son? You wanna go?"
"No thanks,"
"Are you sure—"
"No thanks,"
"Duke, be nice," Yuna said.
"I was nice. I said no thanks. Ya can enjoy yourselves,"
"Well, when I get there, I wanna try their food. See what it's hittin' on," Naomi said.
"A lot of people from overseas don't eat how Americans do. That's why they all look so healthy," Yuna said.
"Trynna get like them,"
We all began to eat our food and they continued to talk. I was texting Zuri while they held a conversation. We were sending memes back and forth and I laughed a few times.
"What you watching over there," Luther asked.
"I'm just texting someone,"
"Who?"
"Why?"
"Just trynna start a conversation,"
"How about we all get dessert?" Yuna suggested.
"Yeah!" Naomi agreed.
"I'm fine," I said.
"Well, I'm not fine. Why won't you talk to me?" Luther asked.
"You already know why,"
"Can we please not start this right now?" Yuna asked.
"No! I'm trynna be a father and he's not allowing me too!"
"You've had 29 years to be a fucking father! Get the fuck on with that shit, man!" I yelled.
"Duke! Calm down!" Yuna yelled.
"Nah, fuck that! You wanna act like everything is cool, but you just a dead beat ass nigga! You ain't shit and you gone ever be about shit!"
"Who you talking too like that? Not me! Boy I'll beat you til you 5'3!" Luther threatened.
"Do it then, nigga! I ain't with all that talking! I ain't with all that talking!" I said, pushing my chair back.
"You just left the hospital!" Naomi yelled.
"I don't give a fuck!"
"Go outside with that!" Yuna shouted.
"I tried to make up everything I did and you never gave me a chance,"
"I did. You just kept doing the same stuff and I got tired of it. You've barely been there for us and now all of a sudden that mama sick, you wanna be a happy family,"
"She needs help,"
"SHE'S ALWAYS NEEDED HELP!"
"You raise your voice at me again..."
"Fuck you, man,"
Next thing I know, a cup of water was thrown at me. I charged after him so quick you would have thought I was The Flash. We were wrestling at first, but then I slapped him in the face. He tried to punch me, but I dodged it. I slapped his ass again and pushed him on the floor. He got back and tried to grab me, but I moved and he fell.
"STOP! GO OUTSIDE!" Yuna yelled.
"You wanna play?! Huh?!" Luther yelled.
"You a weak ass nigga! You've always been a weak ass nigga! And everybody knows it!"
"I'll give you another concussion!"
"You could barely fight me. Be so fucking for real right now. You weak as fuck. Throwing some water at me? That's some bitch shit,"
"DUKE! THAT'S ENOUGH..." Yuna said. "I just wanted a cordial and friendly dinner tonight...and what do you know? I know you don't like your father, but this has gots to stop! Now! Ya not gone tear my house up!"
"I'll just leave," I said.
"No—" Naomi spoke.
"I'll go upstairs and get my shit," I said, going upstairs.
"I can't believe this..." Luther said, dusting himself off.
"Luther—"
"Find somebody else to pay for your medical bills, because I'm done..."
"Wait, you can't just do that,"
"Oh, I can! Since he's so big and bad, he can pay for it,"
"Dad, that's messed up," Naomi said.
"That's to Duke,"
"You know, I see what he's talking about now. You didn't handle your responsibilities like that man you should have been and when Duke had had enough, you can't handle it?"
"I've tried—"
"Like he said...you've had 29 years and another 10 years for me. I tried to forgive you, but to pull this off? You know what you did and you never changed, I see. You always walked out because you don't wanna handle the broken home you created. Why you think Duke was fighting that man? Because he's an abuser just like you..." Naomi spoke. "You're so fucking pathetic and Duke was right about you. You wasn't there for my ceremonies. You wasn't there for my graduation. You wasn't there for my first heartbreak. You wasn't there for my celebrations and birthdays. You wasn't there when Duke got drafted. You wasn't there for his stuff either. Most of all, you wasn't there for mom when she needed you the most. You are a coward and I should have listened to my brother. You're so sick..." Naomi spoke.
She grabbed her purse and left the house. I came back downstairs and I was just about to leave when I noticed Naomi was gone.
"Where is she?"
"She left..." Yuna said.
I took one look and Luther and I opened the door to leave the house. I hopped in my car and I pulled the fuck off.
"Yuna..." Luther spoke.
"Get out..." Yuna cried.
"I'm sorry—"
"Get out! I don't need nothing from you," she cried.
He put his head down and shook his head as he walked towards the door. He took one look at her before leaving the house. You see why it's important for parents to have a good relationship with not only each other, but to their kids?