by La Jill Hunt
“Knight! KJ!” He used variations of the nicknames his son had.
King’s heart began pounding as his head filled with thoughts of Amber Alerts, pedophiles, and horror stories of abducted kids. He rushed back through the house and out the front door to his car, where he had left his cell phone. He pondered who he should call first: the police or Melissa. There was no way he could explain this.
“Dad! I’m right here!”
He heard his son’s voice in the distance and glanced up. Knight was a little ways down the street, headed toward him, along with a woman and two other boys who looked to be a couple years younger than his son.
King waited until his son got in front of the house before he began yelling at him. “Boy, didn’t I tell you to wait for me out front! I been calling your name for the past fifteen damn minutes!”
“You said go outside and bounce my ball. That’s what I was doing. Then I saw these guys, and so I walked down there.” Knight pointed at the two boys who now stood beside him.
“Hi, I’m Lisa,” the woman greeted him as she walked up. “These guys belong to me.”
“Nice to meet you. This guy belongs to me!” King affectionately smacked the back of his son’s head.
“Dad, this is Mike and Aaron. They live down the street.”
“Whoa, my mom has your CDs,” Aaron said. He looked to be a little younger than his brother. “She always talks about how the Hot Boyz was the first concert she and my aunt ever went to, and you were her favorite one and the best dancer!”
“Aaron!” Lisa quickly put her hand over her son’s mouth, and King laughed at her embarrassment. He could hear the Southern drawl when she talked, so he knew she wasn’t from around there.
“It’s okay,” King laughed. “I was back in the day. Those were the good old days.”
“They were.” Lisa nodded. “And I am such a fan, but my son didn’t have to put me on blast.”
“I told them I’m moving here, Dad. Now I have friends in the neighborhood! Well, when we get the house fixed.” Knight gestured toward the front of their home. There was still yellow police tape hanging across the front.
“I’m so sorry about the fire,” Lisa told him. “How is your wife, uh, Scorpio?”
“She’s doing a lot better. Lucky to be alive, and we’re glad that she is,” King said.
“Is there a lot of damage inside the house?”
“Not upstairs in my room!” Knight answered. “Or the game room either. We can just stay upstairs and eat out. Dad never let anyone hang out downstairs anyway.”
“Boy, be quiet. There’s no electricity or running water. We just have to find somewhere to stay temporarily until we get things straightened out. I am meeting with the insurance company this week. We’ll probably have to just rent a spot for a minute,” King told her.
“What about over there?” Michael pointed to a house down the street.
It was the first house King and Scorpio toured when they first visited Harrington Point. King loved it and had been tempted to purchase it, but he and Scorpio decided to have their home custom built. “That house is for sale, not for rent.” King laughed.
“Maybe they’ll rent it to us, Dad.”
“It has been sitting there for sale for quite some time.” Lisa shrugged.
Their conversation was interrupted by a loud thud. They all turned around to see Yolanda standing in the doorway, listening. King didn’t know how long she had been there. She bent over to pick up one of the large Louis Vuitton suitcases she had with her. King didn’t move, but Knight along with the other two boys rushed over to help her.
“Hello,” Lisa greeted her.
Yolanda barely spoke back and gave the three young men a muffled, “Thanks,” as they helped her carry the bags to the sedan parked in the driveway. She popped open the trunk of her car, and they hoisted the bags inside.
“I’ll be back for the remainder of my daughter’s things,” Yolanda said just before she climbed into the car.
King just shook his head. He didn’t know what things she was talking about and didn’t care.
“Who was that?” Knight asked.
They watched her drive off, and then she paused for a second before she continued down the street.
“Nobody important,” King told him.
“Dad, Miss Lisa says they are having a cookout for all the neighbors this weekend and we’re invited. Can we go?”
“I don’t know. We’ll see. I gotta figure this living situation out first.” King sighed.
“You guys can stay with us. We have plenty of room!” Aaron offered.
“I’m sure he appreciates the offer, Aaron . . .” Lisa shook her head.
“Dad, I’m telling you, call about the house across the street,” Knight said.
“It’s worth a try.” Lisa shrugged. “And you are invited to our home for the cookout this weekend.”
“Maybe Knight can spend the weekend,” Michael suggested. “Right, Mom?”
“Can I, Dad?” Knight pleaded.
Lisa said, “I don’t have a problem with him staying over if it’s okay with his dad. I know you have a lot to deal with right now.”
King hesitated before answering. Although he didn’t have a problem with it, he knew he would at least have to run it by Melissa. Or did he? She had given him full control over their son, so ultimately it was his decision. Still, he did need to think about it. Their new neighbors seemed friendly enough, but they were still strangers.
“We’ll see,” he said.
“Well, even if he doesn’t sleep over, he can come and hang out when he gets out of school on Friday,” Lisa offered.
“Shit, school.” The words slipped from King’s lips before he could stop them. “I gotta enroll him. I don’t even know what school is around here.”
Lisa laughed. “Well, I don’t know about the public school, but my kids go to Wentworth Academy. It’s a really good school, and they enjoy it.”
“We gotta wear uniforms though,” Aaron said. “And we gotta go to church.”
“Chapel,” Lisa corrected him.
“I’m used to that. My mom made me go to private school my whole life. But Dad said when I get to high school next year, I can go to public and experience real life.” Knight nodded at his dad.
“Maybe,” King told him. “Wentworth Academy. Okay, I’ve gotta remember that.”
“Why don’t you finish up here, then stop by our place when you’re done? I can give you all the information on the school,” Lisa told him.
“Sounds like a plan. Come on, Knight. Help me grab some stuff from inside before it gets dark. You know our lights are cut off,” King said jokingly.
“I’ll see you guys in a little while,” Lisa told him, then headed back down the street with her sons. There was something about her that made King instantly like her. She was warm and inviting, and her demeanor made him feel better.
King grabbed the basketball from Knight and played keep away for a few minutes before they went back inside to grab a few of King’s things. When they finished, he secured his damaged residence as best he could, reminding himself to have the locks and alarm code changed as soon as possible. He had a feeling that things between him and Yolanda were about to get ugly.
When they arrived at the Wells home, they were welcomed with a home-cooked meal of pork chops, macaroni and cheese, yams, greens, homemade biscuits, and peach cobbler. King had the best time laughing and talking with Lisa and her husband, Marcus. They were a great couple. He also met Marcus’s younger brother Sam, who seemed to be cool, and there was also their adorable 8-year-old daughter Cocoa. When it was time to go, King was looking forward to returning the following weekend for the cookout. Lisa also gave him an armful of departing gifts, which included plates of leftovers, dessert, and a basket of goodies to take to the hospital for Scorpio, along with the promise to meet him at Wentworth Academy the following morning to assist with getting Knight registered.
“Dad,” Knigh
t said as they drove down the street.
“What?” King glanced over at his son.
“Today was a good day. I’m glad I’m here.”
“Me too, son.” King smiled.
“Call about the house across the street,” Knight said, drifting off to sleep.
King promised, “First thing tomorrow. Right after I enroll you in school.”
As he looked over at his son, who looked very much like he did at that age, King knew that even with all of the chaos and confusion going on in his life, having his son by his side was the best decision he had made in a long time.
Chapter 17
Marcus Wells
“Man, that dude was cooler than a fan.”
“Yeah, he was,” Marcus said to Sam. They had just enjoyed dinner with their neighbor, King Douglas, member of the Hot Boyz and R&B superstar. Marcus tried his best to act like it was no big deal when he opened the front door and saw King and his son standing there. The truth was he was starstruck at first. He had gotten plenty of ladies back in the day while listening to the Hot Boyz. Hell, he could even credit them for helping him get as much ass as he did.
Back in the day, Marcus would create “Marcus’s Magic Mood Mixtapes” featuring slow jams, most of which were sung by King Douglas and the Hot Boyz. Marcus would set his eyes on a certain young lady at school, flash his smile, flex his pecs, and stare into her eyes, convincing her that the tape he was putting in her hand was made just for her. And just like that, he had her. Within days after listening to the tape, he had the prized possession between her legs, too. The mixtape worked like a charm on all the girls, except one.
“Who woulda thought King Douglas would be chilling at your crib having dinner?” Sam shook his head. “Man, life is good, I tell ya, and it’s about to get even better.”
“How so?” Marcus asked.
“This meeting I set up for us. I’m telling you.”
“What’s this all about, Sam? What’s the deal?”
Since his unexpected arrival at their home a few days ago, Sam had been talking nonstop about some big meeting he was scheduling, but wouldn’t give him any specific details. Marcus knew it had to do with money, and although he told Sam over and over again that he wasn’t interested in any investment deals, Sam wasn’t trying to hear it. He and Lisa already had a financial planner who dealt with his share of the $97 million lottery winnings that he split with his brother.
Sam was adamant about Marcus coming to the meeting, and Marcus agreed to attend just as a support for his brother. There was no way he was going to be writing any checks though, that was for certain. Sam’s unexpected visit was causing enough drama in their house. His wife was barely speaking to him, and it wasn’t even his fault. She didn’t seem to understand that Marcus was just as surprised as she was by Sam’s arrival on their doorstep. Not only did Lisa despise his brother for multiple reasons, Sam’s sudden appearance definitely complicated the plans for Lisa’s sister Shar and her best friend Kendra to come and hang out for a couple of days, which pissed Lisa off even more.
Marcus was hoping that after the wonderful evening they had with King as their dinner guest, Lisa’s good mood would continue into their bedroom. He told his wife not to worry about the kitchen, he would handle it, and after he made sure the kids were settled, he directed her to go upstairs and relax. She didn’t have anything smart to say and didn’t give him any dirty looks, so Marcus took that as a good sign.
“Have you considered hiring a housekeeper to do that?” Sam asked.
Marcus looked up from the dishes he was loading into the dishwasher. “Do what?”
“Clean, cook, wash dishes, do laundry, sweep, mop. You do know you’re a millionaire now. You can afford to pay someone to do that stuff.” Sam pointed at the food waiting to be put away and the additional dirty pots on the stove.
“Now you know damn well my wife ain’t gonna let nobody come in this kitchen and cook nothing. This right here is her sanctuary, man. I wouldn’t even suggest that to her.”
“Okay, then the other stuff. You love her so much, you shouldn’t want her mopping floors and washing windows. She deserves better than that. And you talking about you want another baby, too? You better hire someone and lighten the load. What’s wrong with you?”
Marcus thought about what his brother was saying. Maybe Sam was right. When they first bought the house, Darby, the real estate agent, suggested hiring household staff, but Marcus never considered it. They did everything themselves, with the exception of the pool service. Marcus even did his own landscaping. In the grand scheme of things, their home was so big, it never seemed to get messed up. The kids played upstairs in the game room, and everyone had their own space, which they kept clean. Lisa did all the housework and never complained. Maybe hiring someone to help around the house would be a good idea, especially if they planned on having another baby.
“You have a point.” Marcus tossed his brother a dish towel. “But until then we can handle it ourselves.”
“Man, I would have a maid and a damn butler up in here. Oh, and a nanny. I wouldn’t lift a finger and Lisa wouldn’t either. I tell you what: how about I treat you guys to a housekeeper?” Sam offered. “Maybe then Lisa would stop being so damn mean to me.”
Marcus shook his head and exhaled loudly. “Sam, we don’t need a housekeeper right now, and if we do decide to get one, we can afford to pay for it ourselves. And another thing, I’m going to need for you to please stay out of Lisa’s way while you’re here at the house. Please.”
“I haven’t even said anything to her, man. I can’t believe she’s still tripping. Hell, me and Kendra ain’t even together no more. How long is she gonna be mad at me?” Sam took a cigar out of his pocket and was about to light it. Marcus went to stop him, but before he could say anything, he heard his wife’s voice.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Hey, don’t do that. You know we don’t allow smoking in our house,” Marcus scolded his brother while he silently prayed Lisa hadn’t heard their conversation before she walked in.
“My bad. Damn, I forgot,” Sam apologized as he put the cigar and lighter back into his pocket.
“You forget a lot of stuff, don’t you?” Lisa glared at him.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Sam asked.
“You forgot that your brother was married when you invited that ho over to the house that time. Oh, and more importantly, you obviously forgot that I don’t like your black—” Lisa was talking so fast that her words were running together, and she looked like she was ready to assault him at any moment.
“Baby, baby.” Marcus stepped in front of her just in case she happened to take a swing at Sam, who seemed amused by her anger instead of concerned.
“Come on, Lisa Lisa. Why are you always tripping?” Sam smirked.
“Sam, chill,” Marcus said over his shoulder. “As a matter of fact, why don’t you head out to the backyard? You can smoke there.”
“Fine.” Sam shrugged and eased past them as he walked toward the back door leading to outside.
When he was gone, and they were alone, Marcus stared at his wife. “Lisa, baby—”
“Don’t, Marcus.” Lisa glared at her husband.
“I know, and I’m sorry. I’m gonna talk to him, I promise.” Marcus told her.
She continued to stare at Marcus for a second, then without saying anything else, she turned and walked away. He listened to her footsteps as she went up the stairs, and he waited a few moments before finally going out the same door as Sam. Outside, Marcus followed the trail of smoke that was coming from where Sam was seated near the pool, smoking his beloved cigar. The sun had set, and the night sky was clear and full of stars. A slight breeze chilled the warm air, causing Marcus to shudder a little. It was peaceful, and he paused to enjoy the scenery of the landscape before going over to join his brother.
“She still tripping for no reason?” Sam asked.
Marcus took a seat i
n the chair next to him. “Man, why do you keep doing this? I told you if you stayed here, you’d have to keep a low profile. You promised me.”
“I have been keeping a low profile, Marcus. I stayed out of her way like you told me. All I wanted to do was smoke a cigar after dinner, that’s it.” Sam shrugged.
“In my house though, Sam? Come on, now,” Marcus told him.
“I forgot, honestly, and I tried to apologize. It’s like I can’t catch a break with Lisa. No matter what I try to do, she flips out on me, and you know it. You’d think being a millionaire would’ve made her ass loosen up a bit.” Sam took a long drag and slowly let it out, then he held out the cigar for his brother.
“Nah, I’m good.” Marcus shook his head.
“The way she was acting, you woulda thought I was about to fire up a damn blunt.” Sam laughed. “Which, by the way, I have upstairs if you need some. Lord knows Lisa does.”
“That ain’t funny, man.” Marcus tensed up.
“Damn, why the hell is everyone so tense around here? You would think we would all be happy as hell right now and enjoying one another. We got more money than a platinum-selling rapper, but we not even enjoying it for real. We won that money together, me and you. And even before we won it, we had each other’s backs. You think I enjoyed being back in Carolina without my brother to enjoy? No. That’s why I came out here. I miss you, and despite her treating me like trash every time she sees me, I miss Lisa too, and the kids,” Sam told him, his eyes now filled with tears.
Marcus felt bad. He didn’t realize his leaving even mattered to him. “Sam, come on. It’s not like that. I mean, we ain’t leave because of you. You know that. It just got real dangerous for my family. You gotta remember it’s just you, but I got a wife and kids to look out for, and I had to make sure they were safe.”
