by A'zayler
Out of nowhere a soft grunt came from Yara. Cannon’s head whipped around to her to make sure she was okay. She was stretching, but no cries followed so Cannon was in the clear to keep talking to her father. Too bad, he didn’t feel the same way.
“Whelp, that’s my cue. I’ll talk with you later, sweetheart.”
“Nooo, Daddy, we’re not done talking yet.”
“I’ll call you back a little later before you go to bed.”
As much as Cannon wanted to keep talking to him, she didn’t. Yara was still such a sore spot for him, that anything about her put him in a bad mood. So, once he ended the call, Cannon had no other choice but to put her phone down.
With sad eyes, she looked over Yara’s little body. Cannon felt so sorry for her. Her precious little life had come at such an unexpected time and now she had nobody to love her except Cannon.
“How could they not love a little baby?” Cannon asked herself.
She still remembered the day her mother and stepfather had found out about Yara. It was such a sad day in their household. Back then Cannon didn’t understand why because she hadn’t been told anything, but the moment she was, everything made sense.
“What do you mean you’re pregnant, Karina?” Aaron’s deep voice bellowed throughout the living room.
Continuous sobs escaped Karina’s lips as she stared at the white stick in Aaron’s hand. Cannon, oblivious to the problem at hand, walked toward her mother.
“You’re pregnant, Mommy? That’s so good!” She squealed with glee while clapping.
Karina’s melancholy eyes traveled to Cannon as her head began to shake from side to side. “No, it’s not, baby.”
“Why not? You all have been talking about another baby for a while now.”
“Yeah, we have. We’ve been talking about adopting a child for years now, but I guess your mother couldn’t wait anymore.” Aaron tossed the test onto the floor and marched from the room.
Cannon was so lost as to why this wasn’t a good thing. She stood there watching her mother nearly cry herself into convulsions, before following her father from the room. She found him seated on the edge of their bed with his head cradled in his hands. Once she was comfortable next to him, she leaned into his shoulder.
“Why are you so angry, Daddy? Your own baby is better than adopting someone else’s, right?”
Aaron’s large frame came up until he was sitting straight up. His wet eyes took in Cannon’s face before he pecked her forehead.
“I can’t have kids, Cannon. I had a procedure done in my childhood that made me sterile.”
Cannon gasped and covered her mouth. Though she hadn’t known before, she was more than old enough to know what sterile meant. Now she knew why their house was in such disarray. Her mother had cheated and gotten pregnant. Oh no! Cannon’s sad eyes went to the only man she’d ever known as her father and watered.
“You’re not going to leave, are you?”
Aaron’s arm went around her shoulders and he pulled her to him. “I don’t think I can stay.”
“But I don’t want you to go.”
Aaron’s eyes watered all over again as he held her and cried. Cannon even shed a few tears at the thought of not having her father with her every day. He may not have been her biological father, but he was everything that she needed.
“I can’t make any promises, Cannon, but Daddy will try for you.”
Cannon squeezed him tighter and nodded her head into his chest. She was a daddy’s girl through and through, so she felt the pain from every tear he was shedding. She was young and had only had one serious boyfriend so she wasn’t as familiar with the pain of her mother’s infidelity, but she knew it had to hurt. When her boyfriend had broken up with her for the new girl at their school, she’d felt horrible, so she could only imagine what her father must have been feeling right then.
For a while Aaron did his best to be there, but the pain of the situation was just too much for him to handle. Especially when Yara came home from the hospital. He packed his things and left immediately after. Karina fell into a depression that was nearly impossible for her to get out of, which was another reason for their impromptu move. She’d needed a fresh start, so there they were. In country little Columbus, Georgia.
“This is all your fault, little girl.” Cannon said as she kissed Yara’s bare feet.
Cannon stared at her sister for a little while longer before sitting back on the sofa and staring out of the window. It was such a pretty day, too pretty to be sitting in the house, so she decided to get out. Yara needed more milk anyway. It took her a few minutes to get Yara’s stroller and bag together before they were out of the house and making their way down the street.
The sun was shining bright, making Cannon happy she’d worn shorts. The heat in Georgia was unlike anything she’d ever felt before. She had been living up north in Denver, Colorado for so long, she’d nearly died getting stuck in Columbus. The heat was just disrespectful. Slap you in your face, mess up your hair, sweat off your makeup kind of disrespectful.
Even with her liking to walk as much as she did, she was beyond thankful when she finally made it to Walmart. The atmosphere in Denver had been so peaceful that she would walk all the time, but she could tell that would be something short lived now that she was in Georgia.
The cool air from the store misted over her damp skin as soon as she walked through the door. Patrons were everywhere getting what they needed, her included. She was on the baby aisle picking up the milk that matched Yara’s WIC voucher when the smell of cologne drifted up her nose.
She didn’t want to turn around and look right into the man’s face, but he smelled too good to ignore. When she looked up he was looking at the can of milk in her hand.
“Can you help me? My baby mama gave me this shit and I don’t know what to do with it.”
Cannon looked from him to the WIC folder he was extending in her direction. She giggled and grabbed it from his hand. She opened the folder and read the type of milk he needed.
“Okay, they give your baby the Similac with the blue top, so you get her these cans.” Cannon used her pointer finger to show him the size to get. “Then, the number right here tells you how many cans in that size you can get.”
“So, get six?” he asked her, still dumbfounded.
Cannon snickered again. “Yes, get six for this one,” she flipped through the rest of the vouchers to check their dates. “Fill all of these, because they expire tomorrow.”
“Aww shit, I should have known her dumb ass would do something like this.”
Cannon’s laughter escaped her lips again. The dude was average height and brown skin with a nice build, but nothing that made Cannon want to drool. The clothes he wore were flashy along with the jewelry he was wearing. Everything about him screamed he was the plug. Cannon knew a drug dealer when she saw one, and he was most definitely that.
“Appreciate it, baby,” he told her as he fumbled in his pockets. “Here, take this and get your nails done.” He pushed the hundred-dollar bill toward her.
“You don’t have to pay me for helping you.” Cannon declined the money.
“Just take it. Let me do something nice for you.” His eyes roamed over her body appreciatively. “Where your man at? You still with your baby daddy?”
Cannon could already tell where their conversation was headed, so she decided to ease her way right on out of the trap he was trying to set for her.
“Yeah, that’s why I don’t want to take your money.”
The dude nodded his head. “Aight, bet. I can respect that, but take it anyway.” He stuffed the money into Yara’s stroller before winking at her and walking away.
“You’re not going to get the milk?” Cannon slightly yelled from behind him.
“Nah, she can come do this shit herself.”
Cannon was amused by his behavior, but didn’t render any further conversation. It was clear he’d just wanted to talk to her. Her eyes went to the money, and she
smiled.
“At least I got some free money out of the deal,” she whispered to a sleeping Yara.
It took her a little longer to get finished in the store before she was back out of the door and on her way down the street. Hopefully, she wouldn’t die from heat exhaustion on her way home. Luckily, she hadn’t. When she finally made it home, she stripped her and Yara of their clothes and collapsed onto the sofa. The air was just what they’d needed.
4
Because you’re all I need
The suds from the soap and water floated through the air as Don leaned down and scrubbed the dirty tires of Danna’s car. It had been weeks since the last time her car had been cleaned and it was in desperate need of some tender love and care. She’d considered taking it to the local car wash, but what was the point of doing that when she had a man that could clean it for free?
With her large purple shades covering over half of her face, Danna sat on the small stool in the corner of Don’s driveway. Close enough to see what he was doing, but far enough not to get wet. Her legs were crossed while she wagged one of her ankles absentmindedly.
“I don’t know why you’re always lying to me. I know you be out here entertaining these li’l niggas.” Don squeezed the water out of the light blue rag. “Like they can do some shit for you that I can’t.”
Danna rolled her eyes. Here we go. “Don, what the hell are you talking about? What even made you say that?”
“That shit you just said about the nigga at the carwash. I know you said something to the nigga to think it was okay for him to ask for your number.”
“Don, shut up.” Danna fanned the fly from her face. “You love to take my words and spin them around to make me look like the bad guy. All I said was I didn’t like taking my car there because of all the attention I get. The boy asked for my number one time. You act like I said he got down on one knee and proposed. You really need to get ahold of yourself.”
Don’s insecurity was really starting to get on Danna’s nerves. Any time she mentioned anything about another man that wasn’t as old as him, he immediately went off the deep end. She could understand the minor intimidation that might come from her being a young girl, but damn. She loved him, and had made it more than clear.
“You better watch your mouth,” he eyed her from his crouched position near her tire. “You know, just like I do, you be enticing these niggas. You’re a flirt; that’s what you do. I know your ass, even if you think I don’t.”
Danna smiled because he was right. She was, and she did indeed throw herself around for attention, but that was only when she felt like it. Don made it sound like she was out in the streets smiling at every man that walked past, when she wasn’t. She was young, fine, and men noticed her. What was wrong with that?
“Flirting doesn’t mean I want them. It’s just something to do to pass time by.”
“You need to cut it out. I’m about fed up with that shit.”
“Well, if you would stop being afraid of my daddy and what he has to say about us, then I wouldn’t have to do this.” Danna stood from where she was sitting and walked toward the garage opening and leaned on it. “This is your fault.” A daring smirk rested on her face. She already knew what was going to happen next. It never failed.
“My fault!” Don boomed incredulously.
And there it was.
Danna smiled at him trying to suppress her laughter. She loved to provoke him into anger on her behalf. It was cute and always reminded her how much he loved her, whether he wanted to hide it from the world or not.
“How is it my fault? You knew I was too old for your ass when we got into this shit. Just like you knew I was your daddy’s people. That didn’t stop your fast ass then, and it ain’t about to stop you now.” Don grimaced as he walked toward her with the soaking wet cloth dangling from his hand.
Danna eyed him sexily as he approached her with a vicious glare that didn’t intimidate her in the least. He may have scared everybody in the streets, but not her. She had him under a love spell that he couldn’t break even if he tried. One of the main reasons why she never thought twice about provoking the animal in him. She was a remedy for his anger and tamed him every time. They just connected like that.
“You keep on trying me, fucking around with these young niggas and watch what I do.” His face was so close to hers, she could have given him an Eskimo kiss.
“I don’t fuck around with nobody but you, so whatever you plan on doing, do it to yourself.”
“Yeah, aight.” Don nodded while still standing in her face.
Danna crossed her arms over her chest and smirked. “You love me don’t you?”
Don’s frown deepened.
“Just say it because you know you do. That’s the only reason you’re always trying to shine on me about other men.”
“Nah, I just don’t like being disrespected.”
“Disrespected by the woman you love. I get that.” Danna grabbed the front of his tank top and pulled him the rest of the way to her mouth. “I love you too.”
Her mouth was on his seconds later. With a twist here and a tangle there, Danna used her tongue to initiate the brewing passion she felt rising in her stomach. Don wasted no time matching her efforts. He’d even dropped the towel he’d been holding and grabbed her bare back with his wet hand. The short crop top left just enough exposed skin above her shorts to allow him to feel her skin.
“You like starting shit with me, don’t you?”
Danna nodded her head but continued her assault on his lips. She kissed him deeply and even raised one of her legs to wrap around his waist. Naturally, Don’s hand gripped her thighs and picked her up from the ground. With no effort, he held her and walked into his garage. The small futon in the corner was used as support as he sat down so that she could kiss him comfortably. Danna took full advantage.
“You’re the only person that makes me forget shit. Like literally, forget everything.” His lips found her shoulder and placed a kiss there. “I forget all the good, the bad, and the logical shit. When you’re around all I care about is us. Fuck everything else.”
Danna sat comfortably in his lap with her arms still draped over his shoulder. “That’s a good thing isn’t it?”
Don shook his head. “Hell nah. I’ve got too much stuff going on inside of me to be losing my mind like this. I got too much shit to lose to be that careless.”
“Loving me isn’t being careless though. I wouldn’t do anything to make you lose your mind.”
His eyes found hers at the same time his hands grabbed her neck. “Purposely.” He spoke quietly. “You wouldn’t do anything purposely, but some shit you just can’t help.”
“Like what?”
“Like who you fall in love with. You can’t help loving my psychotic ass no more than I can help loving your young one. I ain’t never wanted to be in no shit like this . . . with you of all people.”
Danna got somewhat offended at that, because what was wrong with her? Yeah, she was young, but so? She was just as grown and capable of love as a woman his age.
“What you mean me of all people? What’s wrong with me?”
Don stared at her with a tortured look. “You’re Echo’s fucking daughter. I ain’t supposed to feel shit for you.”
“He’s your boss, but that’s it. Your personal life and business life have nothing to do with the other.”
Don was quiet as if pondering her statement. “You think so?”
“Yeah, and if it does we can just run away together. I’m tired of Columbus anyway.”
His deep chuckles brought a smile to his face. “You’d run away with me?”
“Is the sky blue?”
Danna basked in the smile on his face. She loved the way he loved her. It was like an ongoing battle with his heart and mind. In one instant, he was doting on her and professing his love for her, in the other he was biting his tongue and trying to hold it back. He was always unsuccessful because everything he did showed his love
for her, whether he vocalized it or not.
“One day we will. I’m going to kidnap you and we’re going to blow this city.”
The sound of leaving and living a life free of judgement made her smile. She couldn’t wait for the day. Damn. Danna hung her head. An image of Quay’s smiling face invaded her mind. Her crush on him was something serious. They’d texted back and forth a few times, but it had been nothing major. Every time he tried to see her and hang out, she declined.
As much as she would have liked to, there were two things prohibiting it. The first one being the man in front of her, and the other being her father. Though, he was never really around anymore, he’d expressed too many times to count that his people were off limits. It was a fact that Don fell into the category as well, but as long as nobody knew about him she was good.
Quay on the other hand had already made it known the moment he made her his, the world would know. It sounded too good to be true and she would definitely want it just like that, but only if her situation was different.
“But, until that day,” Don pinched the side of her butt. “Stay out these niggas faces before I kill your ass.”
Danna rolled her eyes and smiled as he removed her from his lap and sat her on the futon. He was out of his seat and headed back to her car moments after. She contemplated responding to him, but chose not to. She knew she wasn’t going anywhere and he did too. The argument was pointless.
“What are you doing for the rest of the day?”
“Got a run to make. I was hoping you would go with me.” Don sprayed the soap from her car.
It took Danna no time to decide that wasn’t happening. It was a pretty day outside and the last thing she wanted to do was ride around collecting money with Don. That was tedious and boring. Maybe had he mentioned the movies or shopping, she might have obliged, but that street shit, he could keep.
“No thanks. I think I’ma stop by the nail shop.” The chipped pink paint that had been decorating her nails for the past two weeks looked a mess, and needed to be addressed immediately. “If you’re not out too late just call me and I’ll come back through tonight.”
