It is What it is: A Hood Love Story

by B. , Ivory

  At first Jah thought Nice was just swinging by to check him and chill for a little bit. Not long after Los came knocking at the door along with Buju. By the time Real came knocking at the door Jah knew something was up. He could feel it in the air like his man Beenie Siegel. He wasn’t trying to hear shit they had to say though. Los sat across from his cousin who was sprawled out on the couch in his luxury suite like he had not a care in the world with a pillow over his head. The room was silent all except for the TV that was on for no apparent reason. Los exhaled hard and lifted his fitted off his head, ran his hand over his waves and just stared at Jah. He knew this was going to be hard because Jah was stubborn as hell always has been.

  “What’s good nigga?” “Ain't shit good my shit fractured,” Jah said from under the pillow referring to his hand. “How long you plan on going on wit this shit?” “Wit what shit?” Jah responded dryly. Los was getting irritated Jah knew what he meant instead he was avoiding the subject. Los decided to be more direct because he was never one to beat around the bush. “When are you going home nigga?” “I’m not, fuckin wit Keema,” Jah became instantly irritated taking the pillow off his head and sitting up. “Yo cuzo I’m not going home, this is between me and Keem. I can’t trust Keema, she a fuckin snake. I don’t know what’s going on, how the hell can I trust her when she go and do some dirt like that behind my back? Keema went and aborted my seed! Then threw it up in my face on some ha-ha nigga look what I did shit. Go home to her after that? Man get the fuck outta here.”

  “C’mon son, you, me and everyone in here know that you just talkin tough, you ain’t really through wit Keema.” Jah was mad he felt as if no one was taking him being upset seriously. The only thing anyone had to say to him was how he needed to go home. No one seemed to understand that Keema had wronged him. “Like I said this my shit. Y’all niggaz need to fall back and let me do me.” “Nah see that’s where you wrong this isn’t just you and Keema issue, everyone in this room is being dragged into you and Keema’s drama. Lucky stressing and when she stressing, she aggravated, and when she aggravated she not in the mood. When she not in the mood I ain’t gettin no pussy. And when I ain’t gettin pussy, I’m on some bullshit and when I’m on some bullshit, everyone feeling that shit. Get it!? Nigga you need to just take ya ass home.” “Yup, It ain’t shit left to do but to go home,” Nice interjected. “You gotta go home nigga,” Real added from the far end of the room. Buju was in the corner taking a hit of some good loud Jah had. “Yeah my nigga, you gotta go home to wifey” he adds, while exhaling making him sound as if he had helium in his lungs.

  Jah shot up from his laying position looking around the room in shock not believing what he was hearing. “Put ya’self in my shoes, if it was Lucky who pulled some shit like this, you would feel the same way?” “Don’t bring Lucky into this.” “Nah according to you she already in it. So you thinking that as long as you and Luck been together she ain’t never get knocked up. Then you find out she did but she just ran and had an abortion behind ya back without even telling you. Then she tell you on some ha ha look what I type shit. You would just run home to her like it’s all forgiven?” Carlos couldn’t lie he felt a little uncomfortable with even the thought of Lucky doing anything like that. “A’ight I see ya angle, your court date is at the end of the week, what you want me to do, go get you a suit from home or what?” Los had given up; he knew Jah would be difficult. “Suit! From home? Man what suit? Keema went straight iron chef on my shit! Cut up everything; even a nigga boxers.” Every man in the room laughed but felt bad. “I’ma have to cop something,” Jah concluded while scratching mercilessly at his cast never getting to that itch underneath. “Damn, this gonna fuck my aim up,” Jah complained looking at the cast on his hand in disgust.

  “I been thinking though, I know what this is, this is Karma at its best. Man y’all niggaz don’t know just how many bitches came to me claiming to be pregnant. I never wanted to be bothered with that. The first thing I would say is here go the money to handle that. There could’ve been a whole lotta bitches just screaming that pregnant shit because they knew that’s one sure way to get me to come up off some paper. Even when I knew I was dealing with grimey bitches I would go to the clinic with them, not for no moral support but to make sure they were really handling that and not trying to pull the okey doke on the kid and spend that abortion money on the mall. Real what did I tell you the other day when we went to pick up ya shorty?” Real looked at him blankly not remembering. “About having a kid Nigga, when you asked me why I didn’t have any?” “Oh you was like, the only chick you ever would have kids wit was Keem and for some reason she never gotten pregnant.” “Say that shit again nigga!” Real didn’t repeat it, he just looked at Jah realizing exactly where he was going with this. Jah got hyped up “You see what I mean, for some reason she never been pregnant, man it’s no tellin Keema probably been pregnant like five fuckin times by a nigga and did her thing behind my back, it’s just no telling. But for all them chicks I told I wasn’t ready to be no father and handed them money to get rid of a child that possibly was mine. Even the good girls, the decent ones, I would hand them money and sometimes have to kick some smooth shit like we can try again, but just not right now, I’m not ready. The one chick I would do anything to have a kid with was pregnant and didn’t want the baby because it was mine. Now that’s Karma at its best.” Jah laughed but you could hear the pain behind the laugh. Jah hissed laid back down and put the pillow right back over his head. On that note it was clear where Jah stood he was going home when he felt good and ready to. He was extremely pissed with Keema. She had really hurt him deeply and put a scar on his heart for real.

  Riiinng, Riiing, Riiiinnng Lucky was aggravated she had just laid down on Los’s chest and it was now a little after 11pm. “Hello.” “Lucky he still not home,” Keema cried. It was a surprise to everyone that Jah had that type of longevity when it came to being mad at Keema. He had surely proved everyone wrong who thought he would be back home in no time. “Keem I know,” Lucky said honestly feeling bad for Keema. “Lucky fuck it I’m done. I’ma pack my shit up cause I really hope Jah don’t think I’ma be waiting here for him like some dummy and he can pick and choose when he wanna be bothered. He got the wrong one.” In one breath Keema went from talking hard to breaking down and showing vulnerability. “I don’t know how I’ma do this Lucky, we through and I’m having a baby. I love him I don’t know if I can do this without him.” “Hold up! Keema, Keema now you gonna get through this,” Lucky said in a stern voice. She loved Keema but she needed to get a grip. “Keema listen, his court date is tomorrow and what you need to do is get yourself together and be there. He may not say it to you Keema but for sure he wants you to be there, that’s men. And trust if you not there he’ll always hold that against you, that you weren’t there at a time when he needed you most. You know what I mean?” “Yeah I know, but he won’t even talk to me.” “Keema so what, be there, that’s it. Get up early tomorrow; I’ll call Mika to make sure she can get you in there in the morning. Put you on some fly shit and I mean fly. Keema don’t you go up in there embarrassing me. Do you hear me? You a representation of me too cause you fam,” Lucky joked. “Go in there like that bad bitch you are, and make him see just what he missing out on not being home. Make sure you show maybe baby mama what that nigga got on his arm. And Keema don’t forget to flash that blood diamond for the bitch,” Keema burst into laughter.

  “Really though, Keem what’s the worst that can happen from this whole situation? If that’s Jah’s baby you’ll have a stepson. And the way you love Jah if that lil boy is his he’ll have a piece of Jah in him, so in time I know you’ll love him as well. Think about it Keem you can’t lose. Are you really gonna let this tear you and Jah apart? You know if he the dad you gotta let that man step up and do the right thing. I know you will because I know the type of person you are.” “Of course I will let him take care of his child, shit, I would demand he do even though I ain’t gotta do that with h
im. It’s just not supposed to be like this.” “I know Keem, but…it is what it is, that’s life. Get some shut eye Keem so you not looking tired tomorrow, I’ma give you a call early tomorrow morning to make sure you get to the shop and make that court date.” “Okay Luck, I love you.” “Love you too Keem.”

  Carlos laid beside Lucky ear hustlin on the conversation, and he would have to admit he was surprised at Lucky’s advice to Keema. He thought for sure Lucky was going to suggest Keema not be bothered with Jah and be on that fuck that nigga nonsense that woman be kicking. Instead she was telling Keema to stand by her man, no matter how stupid he was acting. That only made Carlos have even more love and respect for Lucky. “Baby girl damn so you would be the same way with me if I was in the same position. You’ll be on some ride or die shit, if I told you I just found out I have a baby out there too.” “Heeellll nah! You would be dead as soon as I found out; I would never get a chance to go to court with you.” They both burst out into hard laughter.

  Keema did everything she was supposed to. She had woke up bright and early so early she had to force herself to lie back down to try and get a couple more hours of sleep. She knew she and the baby would definitely need it; she had a feeling this was gonna be a tiresome day. She met Mika at her shop at 7:30 am and was out a little after 9am. Her stomach was in knots she was so nervous and she couldn’t figure out why. Keema couldn’t figure if it was seeing Jah for the first time after weeks, or setting eyes on the, presumed until proven baby mama, or the court proceedings itself that had her nerves uneasy.

  Keema took a deep breath and exhaled as she pulled the huge solid wood door to enter the court room. The room was virtually empty nothing like Keema had expected. She had expected the benches to be packed full row after row like in criminal court where the bailiffs have to ask you to leave the court room and stand outside the door to listen for your name to be called because there was no room left to sit and standing while court was in session wasn’t permitted.

  Keema’s eyes scanned the court room until she spotted Jah’s lawyer. She walked directly down the aisle like the don diva she was dressed in all Prada. She knew she was looking good from the stares she was getting especially the security guards that checked her entering the court house; their tongues were hanging out of their mouths. Keema looked to her left and could see a woman sitting behind a huge oak desk with an older balding white man. It didn’t take much for Keema to figure that must have been baby mama and her lawyer. The woman seemed to be engrossed in a deep conversation with the man and Keema couldn’t see her face just the back of her head.

  “Hello Shakeema how are you?” Jah’s Lawyer asked. “You look lovely as usual.” As soon as Jah’s lawyer greeted Keema Bianca turned to look. It was as if she spun her head around like the chick from the exorcist upon hearing Keema’s name. While Jah’s lawyer was busy flirting with his nasty old ass, and planting two peck kisses on either side of Keema’s cheeks Keema and Bianca eyes were locked on each other. There was no introduction needed, they both knew exactly who one another were. They continued to stare and all it took was one look and Keema could see right through Bianca. She could see her motives as clear as day, Bianca wanted Jah. “Oh bitch and you want my man? Get the fuck in line with the rest of these thirsty bitches out here. I don’t think so, I done invested too much. I can see right through you, don’t even think that you gon take my man, and live happily ever after as a family; oh hell no!

  “Umm hmm, I can see right now this bitch gon make me kick a hole in her head,” Keema mumbled to herself. “Excuse me what was that?” Jah’s lawyer asked. Keema had unconsciously mumbled that out loud. Even though it was low, Jah’s lawyer still heard it. “Ha?” Keema said breaking her eye lock with Bianca giving her full attention to Steven who had a sly smile on his face. “Now, Now ladies don’t do such things, behave yourself,” he said while smiling. Keema blushed. “Now where is Jah? Court is about to be in session?” Keema looked at him blankly “I don’t know.” “What do you mean? Didn’t you just come with him?” Keema looked to the floor “No I didn’t.” Jah’s lawyer left it alone he could tell from her expression that Keema didn’t want to get into it. He could only imagine what type of strain this situation was having on their relationship. “Well I’m going to go out in the hallway and see if I spot him. Can I trust you to leave you alone in here? Or am I going to end up walking across the street to criminal court to bail you out?” Keema laughed “No I’m going to behave, I swear.” Steve gave her one last stern look before he left.

  Keema sat in the first row right behind the side Jah and his lawyer would be sitting. Keema felt Bianca’s eyes on her. She turned her head to see Bianca boldly ice grilling her. Oh unh, unh this trick is bold. I swear she lucky we ain’t in the streets. Keema had to check herself and remind herself she was pregnant. Bianca gave her a look as if she didn’t belong there and she was invading on something private, like she had no right to be there. Whateva hoe, I’ma post up right here, if it’s my fiancée business it’s mine. Keema lifted her left hand and flipped her hair over her shoulder making sure she stunted her engagement ring. Then Keema thought to herself fuck that she lifted her left hand held it up and wiggled her ring finger. Yeah bitch fall the fuck back, know your place Keema screamed in her head. Bianca saw that big red diamond and became instantly irritated, it was written all over her face. She rolled her eyes and finally turned her ass around. Keema smirked to herself “Oh this heffa is gonna be a handful. Please, Jesus please don’t make him be the father. Cause I’ma have to go HAM on this bitch. I see it already,” Keema said to herself.

  Moments later Keema heard the big wooden doors to the court room swing open and close. She turned around to see Jah and his lawyer walking in, she almost fainted Jah looked damn dapper in his suit. Then her attention went to the cast on his hand and she was overwhelmed with emotion. Keema had to fight back tears as her eyes watered up. She felt responsible for his hand being broken. She knew she had pushed Jah to the point of really hurting her that night and he had rather hurt himself than her. Keema stood up as she saw him walking down the aisle to take his place behind the big oak desk beside his lawyer. Jah noticed Keema as he was heading down the aisle and his manhood had a mind of its own it started to salute Keema and he was trying his best to keep it in check. He couldn’t front though he felt an air of relief, like a burden was lifted off his shoulders when he saw Keema’s pretty face. “Yeah she gon ride for her boy” Jah thought to himself.

  He stopped right in front of Keema and she couldn’t breathe, it was as if the air been sucked out of her. She wanted to ask him when was he coming back home? But she wasn’t going to play herself, or act extra thirsty. She looked in his face and his eyes looked tired as if he hadn’t had a good sleep in sometime. “Baby are you okay?” Keema whispered placing her hand gently on the side of his face. Jah moved his face to the side avoiding her hand from being on his face for long. “Baby” Keema said feeling rejected. “Ayo it’s Ijah,” Jah said in a matter of fact tone. “What? What are you talking about?” Keema asked confused. “My name is Ijah.” Keema made an O with her mouth showing surprise at Jah’s attitude. Damn it had been damn near three weeks and this is how he was acting. Well fuck him she told herself despite her heart feeling as if it had dropped to her toes. Keema sat down and stared ahead at the judge who was entering the court room. “All rise.” the bailiff called.

  The judge ordered paternity test be done before the next court date. Both parties wanted the test done at their recommended testing facilities neither parties trusted one another. There was fear by both parties that the other party might try and pull something shady. The family court judge ordered that Jah, Bianca and Taj go to a court appointed testing facility and if both parties wanted to go to their own separate independent testing facilities that would be fine, as long as the facility was certified then the results would be admissible in court. Jah’s lawyer agreed to go to the testing facility recommended by Bianca’s lawyer only if Bian
ca would attend the facility that he preferred. Jah’s lawyer also asked to have both blood and mouth suave DNA tests done. Both lawyers agreed to each other’s conditions for testing. There was a continuance for child support until the paternity was confirmed. The tests were scheduled for the following week, as well as the next court date to have the results read.

  After court Keema got right up and diva strutted out of the court room. “Fuck Jah,” she spat. As she was walking she overheard Bianca all in Jah’s face. “Oh my god Jah what happened? Are you okay? Taj is gonna be so worried when he see your hand like this.” Jah looked right past Bianca. He wasn’t even paying attention to what she was saying. His eyes were glued on Keema as she walked out the court room door.

  “Jah I’m so sorry about my lawyer’s behavior he just wants to make sure there’s no room for error with the results.” Jah turned his attention to Bianca “Damn I mean, dude was going real hard. What he think a nigga trying to pulla fast one? Have the test results tampered with, or have someone else come and take the test for me? C’mon now fuck outta here wit that shit,” Jah spat he was truly offended. “Oh no” Bianca responded as if she was shocked at Jah’s accusations. “Really that’s what your lawyer was sayin in so many words, that’s why the judge had to choose a place, but yo it’s nothing, I think it’s in everyone’s best interest that he chose a place.” “I agree, we have to go to three different places but at least we know when they say Taj is yours it’s not a mistake.” Jah looked at her blankly “If he’s mine,” Jah said correcting her before walking off hoping he could catch Keema before she left. He had the sudden urge to talk to her even though he had been avoiding her phone calls. He realized they had some issues to work through. And he was willing to do that, even if he wasn’t sure about going home yet.