Tears on a Sunday Afternoon

by Michael Presley

  “I started but I didn’t finish. I can read some of it to you when we finish playing.” He started walking up the stairs.

  “Okay, Son, I’ll be right up.”

  “Don’t be too long,” Emerald said at the top of the stairs.

  “I won’t.”

  I went up to his room a few minutes later. We played a Scrabble game and then Emerald read me a story. He had a little difficulty pronouncing some of the words but, all in all, he was way ahead of even the first-graders. After that, he fell asleep and I went back to my room to lie down.

  The pain in my face was excruciating. I took my right hand and felt around my cheekbone. Blood was oozing from a gash in my face. It took me a few seconds before I was able to open my right eye. At the same time, I pulled myself up from the bed.

  “I see that you’re up,” Malcolm said, his tall figure looming in front of me.

  As my eyes became adjusted to the room, I saw him wiping the butt of a gun.

  “What the fuck do you want?” I asked, a cornered and angry man. I could barely keep my eye open.

  “Do you like punishment? Because you knew that this was going to happen.” He remained standing in front of me. “I know that life is difficult sometimes, but this one is all we have. And the most important thing is making our loved ones happy. Dora and I have been together for over forty years. There isn’t much I wouldn’t do for that woman. We both love Emerald and, even though we don’t like what has happened to our daughter, we’re willing to deal with it.” He paused for a minute to catch his breath. “Dora wants a granddaughter. As for me, my grandson is enough.”

  “So, why don’t you leave me alone?” I asked, wiping the blood from my cheek with the white sheet.

  Malcolm exhaled loudly. “That’s your problem, Donald. You never listen. Dora wants a granddaughter, so Dora gets a granddaughter. You seem to have forgotten who you are. This isn’t a debatable issue. You have absolutely no rights here.”

  “Everyone has rights,” I said.

  “No, they don’t. Everyone thinks they have rights, but they don’t. I’m not here to discuss rights. You will impregnate my daughter.”

  I was barely able to look up because my head was pounding. “Why don’t you do it?”

  Malcolm moved swiftly for an old man or maybe I had lost too much blood from the cut under my eye. I didn’t see the gun coming toward my face. The impact sent me rolling onto the floor. I tried to get up quickly, but I couldn’t. I spit the coagulated blood out of my mouth and laid my face down on my left cheek; away from Malcolm.

  “I see you enjoy pain,” Malcolm said, moving me gently with his shoes.

  For the third time in my life, I felt powerless. Here I was, a grown fucking man, being beaten like a child by a man twice my age who wasn’t my father. I was in a pitiful state. I lay on the ground, like the bitch I was, knowing that one day my time would come.

  “Are you finished? Because I could turn the other cheek,” I said.

  “I’m finished for today,” he replied.

  I managed to get my hands underneath me so that I could slowly push myself up. My head was pounding and my right eye was practically swollen shut.

  “Donald, I don’t like beating you. I haven’t had to lay my hands on anyone but you in over twenty years.” Malcolm spoke to me as if he was talking to a seven-year-old child. “But, like I said before, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make my wife happy.”

  “I have a suggestion. Let me walk away with my son.”

  Malcolm laughed at me. “Why would I do that?”

  I tried my best to look him in the eyes but the pain was overwhelming. “Because, one day, you won’t have a choice.”

  “Donald, you’ve gone and lost your fucking mind. You’re definitely not taking my grandson. The only way Emerald is moving out with you is over my dead body.”

  I mustered all the strength I could. “Then so be it,” I said as I awaited another blow.

  “Your balls are growing, Donald, but you’re still way out of your league. I have put down men much bigger and stronger than you.”

  Since shooting my father, I noticed that I had become much stronger. I had killed a man; killing another one wouldn’t be that difficult. The only reason I didn’t kill my father-in-law that day was because it would have destroyed me. I had to be smarter than that and wait for the right opportunity. We were going to meet again and, the next time, I was going to make sure that I was in a better position to live or die as a man.

  “Aren’t you going to hit me again?” I asked.

  “No, Donald. The next time I hit you, you won’t be getting up. I’m going to give you two weeks to get my daughter pregnant. After that, I’ll talk to you again. But our conversation will not go as beautifully as this one. This time you could get up off the floor; next time you will lose some limbs. Which one?” he said, smiling. “I’m not going to tell you. But you will lose one limb after another until my daughter is pregnant.”

  “Might as well start now because your daughter and I will never fuck again,” I said. At that point, I didn’t care. One thing was certain; there was no way in hell I was going to have another child with Lauren. Emerald was not a mistake; Lauren was. I had been a fool once and that was forgivable. To act foolish again would make me an idiot and I was no fucking idiot.

  Chapter 11

  10TH DAY

  The first day of the work week had started like any other. New Yorkers were hustling at the break of dawn. I dropped Emerald off at school before heading into Manhattan where I was meeting a friend for lunch. Even though it was never advisable to drive into Manhattan around midday, I still pulled the car onto the Brooklyn Bridge and headed to the sights and sounds of our trademark city. After deciphering the recent traffic changes, I pulled into a parking lot on 57th Street. The sign on the parking lot advertised the best rate in town; $35 a day. I gave the attendant my keys and started to walk toward the restaurant. I was meeting a lawyer friend who had gone through some serious drama in his life. But, lately, things had been good. The new practice he had opened with an older gentleman was flourishing. He was happily married with a son. His story was enough to fill three books.

  Rashaun was a black man and, when I say black, I mean the shiny kind. I spotted him as soon as I walked into the restaurant. He stood out like an elephant amongst chickens.

  “What’s up, Blacky?” I shook his hand and gave him a bear hug.

  “What happened to you?” Rashaun asked, looking at my right eye. “No, let me guess. You had to jump through a window.”

  “It’s a long story,” I replied, not wishing to get into it.

  “Does it involve pussy?” he inquired, dazzling me with the whiteness of his teeth.

  “Yeah, something like that. How are Andria and your son doing?”

  “The little man is five now and he thinks he could take me. But I have some moves to show him. Emerald must be big now,” Rashaun said as we sat down.

  “Yeah, he is and smart as hell,” I boasted.

  “The boys and I still can’t believe that you could have a son so smart,” Rashaun said.

  “What do you guys mean by that? Emerald takes after his father, the genius.” I made an effort not to laugh.

  “Okay, Donald, we won’t go any further with that one.” Rashaun drank some of the water from his glass. “When are you leaving that shitty situation you’re in?”

  “If I could do it tomorrow, I would, but that’s easier said than done.”

  “Yeah, I feel you. Remember what I had to go through?”

  “Yeah, crazy-ass Kim. Have you heard from her since she left New York?” I asked.

  Rashaun shook his head. “You had to go there, didn’t you?”

  “Man, if you don’t feel like talking about it, we don’t have to.”

  “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Have you all decided on your order?” The waitress was petite with her hair in a ponytail.

  We both picked up the menu and scanned through
it the same time.

  “Let me have the chicken sandwich,” Rashaun said.

  “And to drink?” she asked.

  “Heineken,” Rashaun answered.

  My face and my mouth were aching so I ordered pasta with broiled fish; along with a beer. When the waitress had left the table, Rashaun spoke, “Kim called me about a month ago. She left a voice mail saying that she was coming to New York and wanted to talk. She claimed that she had something very important to discuss with me.”

  The waitress returned with the Heinekens and placed them on our table.

  “What’s left for you and her to discuss?” I asked.

  “I don’t really know. I’ve heard that she’s married with a young girl and her career has really taken off in Washington. I would assume that the change of scenery had worked out well for her. I can’t think of anything that we would need to discuss.”

  Rashaun picked up his Heineken. I drank some of my mine as well.

  “Rashaun, you never know what women will do. She was crazy about you; I’m sure you knew that. You’ve gone on with your life and she seems to have done the same.”

  The waitress reappeared with our food.

  “Donald, I don’t want to see or hear from that woman. Kim did a lot of damage to me. I’m happily married with a son and another child on the way. My practice is chugging along and, when I wake up in the morning, I don’t have to be concerned about what will happen next. Peace of mind is a good thing.”

  I raised the Heineken to his. “Cheers, my friend, on your upcoming arrival. But, please, I don’t want to be another Godparent. We’re cool but I’d have to decline.”

  Rashaun placed the beer down on the table and started in on the food. “I feel the same way. Andria doesn’t want to tell anyone about the pregnancy since anything could happen in the first trimester. I assured her that we won’t have the same kind of drama we had when Wisdom was born. That part of our life is over.”

  I looked at Rashaun; he seemed much happier these days. The phone call from Kim obviously had him shook, but he’d soon forget about it and go on with his life.

  “That’s good, my brother. All that drama is behind you.”

  “So, what about you, Donald? Can my practice assist you with anything?” Rashaun asked. “And don’t worry about paying us; I’ve got you covered.”

  Rashaun was a good man. If my situation ever led to standing in front of a judge, I definitely planned to take him up on the offer. But my fight was different. Blood had been drawn and blood would have to be spilled to finish this battle.

  “I’m definitely going to keep that in mind. You know your shit. I saw how you got Tyrone off.”

  Rashaun looked at his phone. “Thanks, Man, but I’ve got to go. I have to pick up Wisdom.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean. I have to pick up Emerald from school a little later myself. Don’t worry about the bill; I’ve got it.”

  Rashaun rose and I followed suit. We exchanged hugs and he left the restaurant. Kim’s call was troubling me. Whenever a bitch calls after a long period of time, claiming to have something important to talk about, it’s never anything good. My cell phone rang and I looked at the name, then at the number. Yeah, the saying is true. Bitches are a dime a dozen but ladies are one in a million.

  “What’s up, Donna?”

  This was my second time in Prospect Park for the week. I parked my car on Park Avenue and walked through the entrance on Ocean Avenue. I meandered down to the boat rental club next to the lake. I had taken Emerald riding on one of the paddle boats about two weeks earlier. Donna had instructed me to meet her by the boathouse. I had on a blue and white sweat suit with white Air Jordan running shoes. I spotted Donna in a brown sweat suit, talking to a black man in jeans and a white tee. She waved at me and immediately left the man, who seemed perturbed by her actions. Some women looked good in anything they wore. Donna was one of those women.

  “Praise God, you’re here,” she said as she scampered over to me. “That man was promising me everything. He’s a manager at McDonald’s, but he’s trying to change to Wendy’s. He said I could have his paycheck,” Donna said as we walked to a small clearing.

  “So, did you take him up on his offer?” I asked, a big smile on my face.

  “Imagine me fucking with a manager from a fast-food restaurant. I’m glad the brother has a job, but you know my lifestyle. I need a bankroll, not a hundred-dollar bill. I already make four times his salary. What the hell? I’m going to get a discount on a Big Mac? Plus the motherfucker has three kids.” She stopped at the clearing and opened her feet until they were shoulder-length apart.

  I stood next to her and reached down to touch my toes. “Maybe he’s first-rate in bed.”

  Donna went from her feet being shoulder-length apart to a complete split. “Dicks are a dime a dozen. That brother isn’t even playing on the same field as me. Even if we weren’t involved in this venture, I still wouldn’t fuck with him.”

  “You want to dine in five-star restaurants, where the check is never questioned?” I asked as I lifted my hands into the air and stood on my tiptoes.

  Donna glared at me like I was asking a stupid question. “Dating him would be like you dating a crackhead with no teeth. A sister can only stoop but so low.”

  I took my left hand and pushed against that side of my face, then I did the same with the right hand. I turned my head around, hearing a slight crackling sound as I worked my head. “I guess you’ll never date your plumber.”

  “Yeah, I would, if he owned Roto-Rooter. Are you ready?” she asked.

  “Let’s go,” I said.

  We joined the rest of the joggers and bicyclists on the trek around Prospect Park.

  Donna jogged effortlessly. “I see that you’re a runner.”

  I matched her step for step. “I try to mix it up with cycling.”

  “I’m bringing someone else on board,” she stated nonchalantly.

  “Are you asking me or telling me?”

  “Both.”

  “Why do you want to involve someone else?”

  “I won’t be able to be there so we need someone to give you the signal.”

  We started up a small hill. “Well, don’t you think I should be choosing that someone, if it deals with communication between me and them?”

  “I have no problem with that, as long as the person is trustworthy and they’re not part of our deal. The person I had in mind would be doing me a favor. I’m also in the position to fuck up his life, if I so choose.” She increased her pace as we came down the hill. “I don’t care who you get, as long as the person knows absolutely nothing about what’s going down and the take. Anything you decide to give him would be coming from your end. My guy wasn’t getting anything.”

  I kept up with her, doing longer strides. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll have that covered. What’s up with Kathleen?”

  “She said she saw you and your wife at the party. She said you have a beautiful wife.” A visible smirk came on Donna’s face.

  “I’m sure you know about doing your wifely duties. I was simply playing husband. What’s your husband’s name anyway?”

  Donna stopped and I followed suit. “Are you implying that I don’t love my husband?”

  “Whether you love him or not is absolutely none of my business.”

  “Just because I have a little fun on the side doesn’t mean that I don’t love my husband.” Donna turned around to look directly into my eyes. “Well, let me tell you something. I’ve been with my husband for over ten years and there isn’t a man alive that I would trade him for. That man is part of my soul.”

  I yawned visibly. Whatever love Donna had for her husband was none of my concern. “Are you finished?”

  Donna realized that her affirmation of her love for her husband had been wasted on me. “Go to hell, Donald.”

  “Does that mean that you, Kathleen and I won’t be getting together again?” I was trying to piss her off even more. “I thought we
had a good time.”

  “We did, but I’ve had better,” she said, widening her stance.

  “Maybe I need to try harder.” I brought my heel to the back of my thigh. “They say it’s always better the second time around.”

  Donna reached into her pocket for her keys. “Donald, I’m going to give you a call, if I need to talk to you.”

  I watched Donna disappear behind some trees on her way to the exit. Even though the run wasn’t even close to what I was used to, it energized me. The swelling on my face had gone down so that it was barely visible. I wanted to go home and be with Emerald but the thought of dealing with Lauren and Annette on any level did not sit right with me at that moment. I took out my cell phone and called Julie. She didn’t answer. I called Brian but his cell phone went straight to voice mail. I scrolled through my address book looking for a number to call. It was filled with female numbers and a few males. I put the phone back into my pocket. I needed a shower and a few hours to relax. I slowly walked back to the car. A slight headache started to play with my nerves. Yes, I was going home. Home was where both my headache and my salvation resided.

  Chapter 12

  9TH DAY

  “Donald, you’re taking all the risks, yet you have to cut it down the middle,” Julie said; a cold harshness in her voice. “Granted, Donna was the one who brought it to you and helped plan the robbery, but do you think that she deserves half?”

  “Julie’s right, Donald. Donna doesn’t deserve half,” Brian said.

  “How much do you think she deserves, Julie?” I asked, looking at her across the table. She had previously informed me that it made her uncomfortable when I looked at her.

  Julie averted her eyes. “To be honest, I don’t think she deserves anything.”

  “And you, Brian?” I asked.

  Brian glanced at Julie. “I’d say give her twenty-five percent.”

  “She’ll be mad,” I said, “and that could create major problems.”