picked up the phone and dialed Destiny’s number. I had everything she needed on tape. First, I needed to delete the part where he was hitting me because I didn’t want that bitch to see how he was treating me.
“Hello,” she answered.
“Hey, how you doing?” I asked.
“Good. I meant to call you. Was it you that got Hassan locked up?”
“Nah, that wasn’t me. Might be one of his other bitches,” I lied.
“Oh, OK. Do you have anything for me?”
“Yes, I have it all for you. Do you have the rest of my money?” I cut straight to the chase.
“Sure, I got it. I’ll call you and let you know when we’re going to meet up.”
“A’ight,” I said before hanging up the phone.
I was happy the bitch was keeping her word. I was broke and had tons of bills that needed to be paid. I didn’t plan on staying here. As soon as I got the money, my son and I were leaving. Starting over fresh might not be a bad idea, after all.
* * *
After Josiah left for school, I decided to visit Corey in the hospital. I hoped his ass wasn’t on all that bullshit of us being together. He needed to accept he was just a fuck—nothing more, nothing less. I parked in the hospital parking lot and sashayed off into the building.
“Hello, sir. I’m here to see Corey Griffin.”
“What’s your name, and can I see your identification?”
“Sure. My name is Imani Gibson.” I handed him my driver’s license.
“OK, ma’am. He’s in room 102B.”
I took my ID and walked off. They were acting like they had this nigga under high security and shit. I took the elevator up to the second floor. His room was the first one on the right. I walked into the room and noticed his sister sitting by his bed.
“Hello,” I said as I walked closer.
“Hey, may I help you?”
“My name is Imani. I’m a friend of Corey’s,” I nervously said.
“E-manyi... That name sounds familiar.”
“Hey, Mani.” Corey opened his eyes and spoke with difficulty.
“Hey, Corey. How you doing?” I stepped closer to his bed.
“Sis, this is Imani, Josiah’s mama.”
“Oh, OK. Corey told me he had a son with you. I would love to meet my nephew.”
I didn’t know how to respond. I wasn’t here for all that. I only stopped by to see how he was doing. I didn’t respond. Instead, I smiled at her.
“Corey, how you feeling?” I said as I smiled at him.
“I’m fucked up, B.”
“Corey, do you have any idea who did this to you?”
“Nah, but I’m thinking it’s your boyfriend. He’s the only one I got beef with,” he said in a weak tone.
“Boy, what you talking ’bout? Hassan wouldn’t do no shit like that to you,” I said.
I was kind of furious that he would think Hassan tried to kill him. I knew Hassan had his ways and all, but he wouldn’t go as far as to try to kill somebody.
“Like I said, my gut is telling me his pussy ass had something to do with this. With God’s help, when I get outta here, I’m going to handle that nigga myself.”
“Corey, stop it. Don’t be getting yourself riled up,” his sister interrupted and rushed to his side.
“I ain’t come up here to hear all this ’bout Hassan. I just wanted to know how you were doing.”
“Imani, or whatever the hell your name is, my brother is in here fighting for his life. I don’t know what’s going on between Hassan and my brother, but I plan on letting the police know about it. So if you know anything about who shot my brother, it would be best if you start talking.” She stared me down.
“Listen, chick, I don’t know anything, so I don’t care what you tell the police. I only stopped by to check on a friend, but I see I ain’t welcome up in here.
“Corey, I hope you feel better soon. I’m out.”
“Aye, Mani. Can you bring my li’l man up here to see me? I want to see him.”
I turned to him. “Corey, Josiah don’t need to get involved in any of this. He has no idea you’re his father, and I don’t think the first time y’all meet should be up in here.”
“Excuse me, don’t you think you’ve caused my brother enough pain by keeping his child away from him all these years? What kind of woman are you? You have a man that loves you and his child, but you prefer to play a side bitch to another woman’s husband, lying to that nigga, making him think he’s the daddy. Enough is enough already. All my brother wants is to be a father,” she spat at me with anger in her voice.
“This is between your brother and me. I didn’t fuck you, so you have no business with me. Your brother knew what the deal was from the beginning, so he can stop playing the fucking victim. I’m done explaining myself to you, so get the hell out of my way before I move you my-damn-self.”
“Bitch, I wish you would, but you get a pass this time because my brother is here fighting for his life. The next time we meet, it won’t be so friendly—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Corey started coughing, and his machine started beeping.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
A nurse rushed in, and then the doctors followed.
“Code blue, code blue! Please get out of the room,” a nurse yelled as they gathered around his bed.
I walked out of the room, even though I wanted to stay and see what was going on. I decided to leave, not because I was scared of his dumb-ass sister, but because I knew I didn’t belong there.
As I walked to the car, I whispered a prayer for Corey and then started to ponder on what he said to me. Why would he think Hassan did this to him? Was there any truth to this? I have to find out one way or another, I thought as I pulled off.
Later that night, I heard that Corey passed away. I felt sad about his passing because I knew he was part of my son. I felt guilty because I kept my son away from him for his entire life, and now, he would never get a chance to meet his father. “Oh God, how do I clean this mess up?” I screamed out in anguish.
I’ve been through a lot in my lifetime, and I just needed it to end. I wished, at times, my mama was still alive, so I could lie against her shoulder and tell her about e’erything that was going on in my life. I felt so alone. I held my head and continued crying my heart out. At least Corey was out of his misery and didn’t have to worry about this wicked world anymore.... I wondered, how would Hassan feel if I were no longer here. Would he miss me? Or would he move on with his life and replace me? So many questions that I needed answers to.
Chapter Four
Hassan Clarke
I had my hopes up after I talked to Mama. I was confident that she would get me a bond. But that hope soon disappeared when two days went by, and my name wasn’t called for bond or an attorney’s visit.
I knew I didn’t have any other choice but to call my office collect. It took everything in me to do that because I didn’t want to involve my firm in the situation. I knew it wasn’t a good look. But I swallowed my pride and dialed the number.
“Mr. Clarke, is that you? What the heck is going on? We’ve been trying to reach you.”
“Yes, Shari,