A Month Later...

De'Mario's POV:

I'm tired, hungry, and worried. I've been on my feet all morning and it's making me cranky. I got a headache from last nights episode. I had drunk so much, I passed out in Shawny's old dance room and locked myself in. Maria had to get me out this morning. I don't even remember what time she got home last night.

I'm standing in the court room trying to look as professional as can be but this hang over got me tripping. What makes it worse is this is the hearing that we both have to prove that we're eligible to be a good parent for Maria and bring reasons why the other parent is not. At times like this, I wish I could remember half the shit I did for Maria. Ive done drunk so much that my good memories are fading away.

Judge: "Do you have any witnesses?"

DO: "Yes, we do. We have just one and that is his Wife, De'Shawn Smith."

Richard: "Your Honour, the Plaintiff and his wife are no longer together. I don't think it would be a valid analysis."

Judge: "I'll be the judge of that."

Shawny came in and sat in the Booth. Shes beautiful as usually but she went back to her old self. No more fancy beauty queen with the heels and long weave. She had her poetic justice braids and some harem pants, demin jacket, black crop top, and her timbs on. That look brings back so many memories that I drunk to forget.

DO: "De'Shawn, What type of relationship would you say that De'Mario has with his daughter?"

Shawny: "A father/daughter relationship like I would assume. If you mean, are they close? Then, Yes. They bond pretty well and she loves him just as much as he loves her. You couldn't tell her nothing about her Daddy and vise versa."

I smiled at that because I never really thought about how close we were. My smile faded because her and I aren't that close anymore. When Shawny left, the babysitter took care of Maria while I was in my feelings and at work. I tried staying on track with her but it was too hard because she reminds me of Shawny too much.

DO: "How much time does he spend with her a day?"

Richard: "Objection your honour. My client doesn't live with her anymore."

Judge: "Okay, next question."

DO: "How much time did you spend with Maria when you were with the Plaintiff?"

Shawny: "Well, depends. You got weekends and week days. Weekends, D would spend more time with her to make up for the week Day. Week Days, she would go to school most of the time. Sometimes D would be home when she gets home and leave, then come back at dinner time but most days he'll be out and it'll just be her and I until dinner time."

DO: "If you spent that much time with her, how come you didn't know the abuse was going on?"

Richard: "Objection."

Shawny: "What type of question is that?"

DO: "My apologies, Has D ever given her a bath?"

Shawny: "No, he never wanted to."

DO: "Why is that?"

Shawny: "I don't know, you tell me."

DO: "Does D ever get violent with her?"

Shawny: "No."

DO: "How can you be so sure?"

Shawny: "Because he wouldn't do that to his daughter."

DO: "But, he did it to you."

Shawny: "Excuse me?"

Richard: "Objection your honour."

DO: "My client provided me with photos of bruises being on Mrs.Smith from the Plaintiff. They said to be made while the Plaintiff was drunk and wasn't aware of what he had done to her. If he could've done that to his wife, who knows what he could've done to his daughter while he was drunk."

The courtroom room went silent and Shawny looked at me with fear in her eyes. She had tears ready to run but she kept her composure.

Shawny: "Am I done now?"

DO: "Just one last question. Do you take medicine for bipolar disorder or do you not know how to control yourself?"

Shawny: "What the hell are you talking about?"

DO: "My client said you beat her for telling you the truth about the Plaintiff touching their daughter."

Shawny: "Hold the fuck up, First of all, she came with her face like that.. Her bitch did that to her face and the only truth about D doing that to Maria was that he didn't do it. She know Ajay was doing that to her daughter cause the bitch was doing it to her to. I did hit her that day because she tried to accuse Maria of lying and D of doing it to her but I know I didn't beat her because it would've been alot worse If I was to get that far. She know who the fuck I am. She better act like she know. If you want to get technical, Maria is MY daughter. I took care of her. Kacey only did it cause she had to. I taught that lil girl how to be a lady, cause her momma was a hoe. I taught her manners, I taught her how to cook, I read and sung to her every night, I did that. Her Daddy taught her how to sing and I taught her how to dance. We did that. So fuck what you heard."

She sniffled and wiped her tears as she stormed out of the courtroom. The judge was surprised just as much as I was. Kacey was feeling salty asf though.

Richard: "I knew that was coming." He whispered in my ear. We both shared a laugh we were both thinking the same thing.

That's the first time I've seen Shawny since that day at the hospital. Maria gets to see here whenever she wants and that's when Nia is watching her. So, I won't be home when she's with her. As far as I know, we both have each others number still and can easily text or call but we just don't. I haven't filed for a divorce and she haven't either, it's just too hard. No one but Kacey, Richard, Maria, Nia, and our parents know about us not being together anymore. Mia and Ari had a clue but surprisingly, they fell for our lie. I dont need to hear all the "I told you so's" So, I think it's best that we keep this from everyone as long as possible.

De'Shawn's POV:

Before walking inside the house, I checked my mail. Nothing but bills, bills, and bills. I blow out a breath of stress. I'm behind in everything. The break up has really took it's toll on me. I didn't realize how much money Med school really cost until now. Not to mention that Im behind on my rent as well. The pharmacy ain't paying enough and Doing hair barely brings in enough to pay rent in California. I could make a living in Michigan with this shit but not in California.

Reality really hit me in the face last week. I had to choose between quitting Med School and getting another job. There's no way in hell that Im quitting Med School. I needed fast money and I needed as much as I could get. My schedule wasn't fitting in another job besides the ones I promised I would never do in my life. I chose the easiest and most degrading one there was. I'm ashamed to even tell you. Stripping. Yes, I'm a stripper. I'm actually the best they have there and I don't find that appealing at all. Im not proud of what I do and won't tell a soul that I work here. Everyone is surprised that Legacy's wife works at a strip Club but they promised me that they wouldn't tell either.

I met that bitch Star that called De'Marios phone while we were on our honey moon. I don't trust her at all she a sneaky bitch and If I ain't careful, my secret will be out before my birthday comes which is only a couple months away.

I walked into the house and went straight into my room. This is where I am whenever I come home. I am just like the girl I used to be and it's not even funny. Besides the stripper part, I kinda miss being the old me. No drama. I won't lie though, I get lonely too. This is how it used to be before.

I remember when I had just moved to California and I moved into that house in L.A. I was just 18 years old then and now Im back in the same boat at 25. I could've been ma- nevermind, that already happened. That's the reason why I'm back where I started in the first place.

When I was little, I thought I'd be married and have my first child by now. Seriously, I wanted my first child at 25. I thought it was too old to have one at 30 and too young to have one at 20. But, I can't even afford a child let alone carry one physically, now that Im struggling financially now. This is not the way I've pictured life.

I browse through my phone as I sit on the edge of my bed. New text that remain unanswered. Missed calls that remain unreturned. Inboxes left on seen. Newsfeeds slapping. I don't ever be on my phone frfr. Im too busy and I hate talking to people unless it's to Trey at work or my parents and Maria.

Speaking of Trey, my parents and Maria, they've been keeping me motivated to keep hustling. The money I get from working at the Strip Club is what's paying off my debts. I want to give up at times and quit but They always tell me to keep pushing. Lord knows I'm tired, I just don't know what else to do If Im not pursuing my dreams.

When I first saw Maria After that long absence, she was too happy. So happy, she started crying. My poor baby thought I was dead. I take Whatever time I have off to go see her and make sure that D is not around because it's awkward with him there.

Working at the Pharmacy is good and Im not having problems with that at all. Trey and his wife are still having them problems, Though. It has been three months and she haven't changed a bit. I honestly don't know what to tell him because as you can see, it didn't work out for me.

No one but a few people knows about D and I not being together anymore. I don't have anymore nosey remarks coming from Mia and them but I still want to keep my distance because it's bound to come out at some point. I just ain't ready for all that right now.

I set my phone down on my nightstand and stretch. I didn't have to work at pharmacy or class today because I had to go to that court thing. So that means, more hours at the club tonight. I need the money. I wouldn't be doing this shit If that wasn't the case. I promised myself that I would never be broke and living on the street. I was in that predicament once before with my "Father" John and I will never be in that situation again. So If that means strip, then I'll strip. But don't get me wrong, I'll never in my life give up my goodies for money. Don't mistake me for a prostitute. I'm not having no type of sex with a nigga that ain't named De'Mario or my Husband. I ain't even with him and he's taken the Husband title for now so these niggas are hit. I'll be a celibate bitch for as long as it takes.

I kick my timbs off, pulled my patra braids in a bun, and put on a scarf on before I laid on my bed. I think imma get some sleep before I go to the club tonight. That's something I haven't been getting lately and this is about my only chance.

De'Mario's POV:

The case was flipped today. Yes, flipped. That dumbass judge said that Shawny wasn't a good source because she was too bias and had no evidence like Kacey did. They said that I have a drinking problem and that Maria shouldn't be with neither one of us because my fame and addiction will taint her childhood. What type of shit is that? Talking about If I really cared for Maria that I would put her with a family that will be focused on her and could raise her properly.

If I lose my daughter, I would lose my mind. The moment I lose those, my life is over. I don't give a fuck what anybody got to say, Maria is not getting taken away from me. They for life fucked up If they thought otherwise. She's not going anywhere.

The moment I got home, I got a phone call from Pops. He and I don't fuck with each other forreal. Its a lot of words unsaid between us, I don't feel like giving him the time that he chose to miss out on. He had 18 years to do that, I don't wanna hear that shit now.

Me: "Wassup?"

Pops: "We need to talk."

Me: "Awe, Don't you think it's too late for that?"

Pops: "It's not about the past. Im not trying to give you any excuse or explanation. This is about my granddaughter."

Me: "You don't even know my daughter like that, so why you so worried?"

Pops: "You forgot you were my son, didn't you? Boy, you really thought you was keeping her away from me?" He chuckled. "I've seen that child more than you have in the last few months. She know who I am. Gone head and ask her."

Me: "Why you feel that you should start being a grandfather when you couldn't even be a father?" I snapped.

Pops: "Just like you said, don't you think it's too late for all that? I'm just starting of on a new generation. Cause you obviously don't know who the fuck I am, Boy."

Me: "Yeah, Whatever man."

Pops: "I'm on my way to talk some sense into your knuckle head ass."

The tone finished his sentence by hanging up. Did this nigga just hoe me? It was too long before this nigga was beating on my damn door like he was the police. I thought twice about opening it but I ended up doing it anyway. The moment I opened the door, he let himself in and didn't shake is OG stance.

Me: "You ain't gone have a seat?" I motioned him to the couch but he declined.

Pops: "Nah, this won't take too long." He never stopped staring me in the eyes. "Do I need to make an example out of you?"

Me: "Too late for that, you've been doing that all my life. Is that supposed to be a threat?" I scoffed.

Pops: "I don't make threats. Smith's make promises, and we NEVER break promises. So, I can cut your pinky off, or your tongue. Do I need to do that to my own son? Well, you probably don't even claim me so I shouldn't feel no remorse, right?" He smirked.

Me: "That won't be necessary."

Pops: "Then why the fuck did you give up on my granddaughter?"

Me: "I didnt give up on her."

Pops: " You smoking and drinking all the time, she barely sees you. You got the baby sitter damn near raising her. Tell me that's not what I think it is."

Me: "Don't tell me shit about my daughter because you don't even know what it means to raise a child."

Pops: "It couldn't have been no worse than you cause you're no better than me. If Im not mistaken your just like me at your age.Young and dumb. Not knowing a goddamned thing about life and never will. I still don't. You lost Shawny over that shit and on the verge of losing your daughter too. If you don't wake the fuck up and change your ways, Maria is going to be lost in the system."

Me: "You don't know shit about me and never will. Shawny left forget own reasons and Im not losing my daughter. So, get the fuck out." I pointed to the door with so much anger built inside of me.

Pops: "I was just leaving anyway, don't say I ain't warn your dumbass. Just know that If you lose Maria to the system, you gone have a rude awakening. That's a promise." He chuckled evily and walked out slamming the door.

-----------------------------------------------

D better keep in mind that his Pops just as crazy as he is and don't give a fuck.

What yah think?

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