It's ALWAYS Sunin'!

*"Your love makes me feel 10 feet tall, without it I'll go through withdrawals. Cause nothing even matters at all!" _Lauryn Hill X D'angelo- Nothing Even Matters*

Eyes of Joshua:

Me and the kiddo's finally got back to the crib around 5 and they were worn out..I fed them, gave them a bath afterwords I played around with them a bit and they were out like a light around 7:15ish which ended up being earlier than I intended but that was better for me.It gave me a chance to get the place cleaned up and get myself together since Kai was coming through..I was picking up in Marina's room when the doorbell rang...Damn I thought I said around 8:30 maybe I said 7 by accident, she got here early..It's cool..I said running down stairs..I checked myself in the mirror by the door..It'll do I guess..I opened up the door and it was Nisha..

"Oh damn what's up Nish come in I thought you was someone else.."I said backing up as she came in closing the door behind her..She gave me a hug.."What's up I thought y'all was supposed to be in the city for the week?"

"We were.."

"So what happened?"I asked looking out the window noticing she was by herself and Nutty was no where to be found..

"Nothin' I can't handle, I just came to take Jordy off ya hands.."

She said taking off her shades with her eyes blood shot red.."Yea he sleep I just put him an Marina down they had a long day, you good? you know you can always talk to me.. I mean I won't impose but I'm a good listener.."

She gave me a half smile.."I know you are.. sometimes I wish you was the one to come talk to me at that party 5 years ago and not Nutty.."

I stepped back and blew out.."Damn Nish, that's deep.. you don't mean that ya just goin' thru a little sunin' it'll all blow ova' you know Nutt ain't got um all sometimes, he'll come around.."

She sighed sitting on the couch.."Some things you won't be able to understand because that's ya' boy and ya' grew up togetha'.. He's not a good man Josh, nothin' like you..Did you know he was married?"

My eyes got buck.. I didn't wanna say the wrong thing..I knew he was but I thought he said he had taken care of that when he found out she was pregnant with Jordenn.."Look Nish I really don't wanna.."

"You know what it's cool, can you just bring me Jordy and we'll be on our way.."She said wiping more tears that fell..

"Hey you know he can stay here as long as he needs, it's no problem at all!I love having him around and so does Marina.. I don't need anything you know I got him.."

"Just between me and you I'm taking my baby and gettin' the fuck outta Harlem.. I can't take this anymore, the first time he cheated I made it work.. the second time he cheated I overlooked it again.. When he left me alone and pregnant with Jordy I forgave him and took his sorry ass back.. when he tried to put his hands on me last week while Jordy was watchin' I let it go and stayed strong..But this hea' is the last of the last.. I've had about all I can take of this Joshua, I just want my baby and I wanna dip.."

I just stared at her for a minute..What was I to do, I couldn't stop her from taking her son but I knew Nutty would bug out if I didn't say anything..Nigga putting his hands on her and shit, fuck is wrong with son?He know I don't even hang with strange ass niggas that do cornball shit like that..He been acting mad weird lately.."Ight I'll go get his stuff and load your car you can go up there if you want or I'll get him don't matter.."

She nodded handing me some keys to a car I didn't recognize..I grabbed them running up and grabbing all his things than coming back down.."Which car you come in?"I asked looking out the window and back at her..She pointed at the baby blue beat up hooptie doop..I just shook my head..I know my nigga ain't got her out here riding crazy like that!"Ight I'll be back"She just nodded remaining silent..I ran out putting everything in the trunk seeing some clothes in the back..What the fuck I thought Nutty and Nisha was the dream team.. I wanted what they had..I sighed closing the trunk making my way back across the street..She sat on the couch holding Jordenn rocking back and fourth..

"I love you so much baby boy.."She said in his ear kissing the side of his face..

"Ight you all loaded up, come on I'll walk ya' out.."She nodded standing up.."Hold on let me grab sunin'.."She nodded as I ran to my stash grabbing a couple of stacks.. I put the stacks in my pocket and came back out.. "Ight come on.."

I closed the door behind me so Marina wouldn't be alarmed and wake up..

Nisha put Jordenn in the car seat and he was still knocked out.. she hopped in the driver's seat and rolled down the window.."Thank you for everything Joshua, I know you'll be seeing Nutty soon please don't tell him anything please.."

"Hey I ain't see nun, ain't heard shit.. You came an got little man then straight dipped.."

She nodded.."You ain't like them niggas Joshua, you betta than all this shit.. Get ya money, and get out.. do sunin' betta than this.."

This was alot for me to take in for me.."That's the plan.."

"Just rememba' I told you this.. Everybody you think you know don't always stay the same.. some people pretend and really be evil.."

"What you gettin' at Nish?"

"The people closes to you keep them close and keep your eye on them at all times.."She sighed putting her shades back on.."I've said too much already, just watch ya back I gotta go.."She said looking around..

"You got heat to protect you and little man?"I asked as she pulled a burner out her purse and cocked it..

"You know I always keep that thang on me.."

"Ight than.. you got dough?"

She shrugged.."I quit my job cause he made me.. He didn't want me working he just would give me money and buy us whatever else we needed.. I got like 60 dollars, I'll get a little job where I'm going I still got my nursing license"

I looked at her like she was crazy..I looked both ways and pulled out a stack.."Here take this.."

"Joshua I can't take that.."

"MAN YOU BETTA' TAKE THIS SHIT NISHA!"She just looked at it, than back up at me.."Please, just take it this between me and you I SWEA'.. don't pay me back I don't care about this shit I make this in minutes..It's about 8 or 9 g's.."I said sticking in the window..

She smiled lightly taking it..I was about to pull my hand but she grabbed it caressing it..I didn't know what was going on..She kissed my hand and held it close I felt uncomfortable for a second until she let it go and I cleared my throat.."Ight than I gotta go Joshua, rememba' what I told you..Don't let nothin' slip, pay close attention to EVERYTHING!"

I nodded.."I got you Nish.. take care of my little guy.. call me private and hang up to let me know ya' safe.."

"I might.."She said starting up the car and pulling off in a swift manner..I ran back across the street..All I could think of is what she was talking about..Keep who close, watch out for what?Just when I thought I had everything under control, she made me think twice..And what was allat about wanting me to be the one to spit game at her and kissing my hand like that?Shits just getting weird around here..I went upstairs checking on Marina who was still sound asleep..I checked the time it was 7:46..I just tidied up a little bit and hopped in the shower to get ready for Kai..One thought of Kai and none of the dumb shit of the world mattered..I wish I knew how to express that better so I wouldn't stare so much..After I got myself together I looked at the time it was 8:27 almost that time..I lit a couple of candles and put some music on the surround sound on low..I looked around making sure nothing was out of place..I sprayed myself with some cologne.. 8:30 came around and my street was empty, Marina was still sleep..So I went to the balcony in my room and decided to get my smoke on..I sat out on my balcony getting lifted just enough and laughing at the dumb shit on the internet when I seen her Mercedes G wagon pull up finally.............................................

Eyes of Kai:

"Alright girlie Quans outside to pick me up, you good!?"Taylor called from downstairs..

I smiled at myself in the floor mirror.."Yeah, I think..I'm NERVOUS T!"

A minute later I heard a sigh and felt the presence of Taylor coming my way..She put her hands on my shoulder turning me around facing her.."Don't be"

"I don't know how not to be.."

"Yeah you do, it's in here!"She said taking her freshly manicured coffin cut nails and pointing towards my chest where my heart laid.."It's always been in there and don't let nerves defeat that baby."I nodded.."Ight then.."She said fixing my shirt.."You know you look sexy as hell right."

I rolled my eyes.."I don't know Taylor, I .."

"That wasn't a question.. Real rhetorical right about now.."She smiled fluffing out my hair and kissing my cheek.."Now I gotta get out here to my BALENCIAGA HEEL'S!And you gotta go too!Promise you'll keep an open mind and have a good time..And if you feel uncomfortable I'm one text or phone call away to brake a niggas JAW SIS OKAY!"

I laughed.."Okay."

"Ight now push them big ass feed the village tittie's up sky high and go LIVE HONEY, JUST LIVE CHILD!"She said holding her hand out for me to leave out with her..Every since we were kids she's always been the one to give me that extra boost I needed to face this world.. To face my biggest opponent, which is.... Me.I turned off everything in my dad's estate as I locked up and walked her to Quans car..He got out opening the door for her..

"What's goodie Kai, you lookin' real good tonight wonder wea' you headed?."He said lifting his eyebrows at Taylor as she giggled..

"Thanks I'm uh headed out on the town.."I said smiling looking away..

"Yeah she's always been a horrible liar, go get in ya car so we can make sure you pull off safely.."Taylor said from the passenger seat..

"Okay T have fun tonight.."

"Oh I will you make sure you do the same and more!"She said winking at me I shook my head..

I made my way to the car as Quan ran behind me"Let me get that for you.."

"Why thank you!"I said as he opened the driver door for me..

"Ight than you good, you got paper?"He said feeling his pockets..

"Yeah I got it covered.."

"Cool, cool tell my nigga Josh I said waddup tho!"

I laughed.."And exactly who said I was going to see Joshua, cause all I said was I was going out on the town?"

"Well judging by that Marc Jacobs Decadence perfume, your soft dewy makeup, and new outfit along with that bedtime stories for little black princesses you tryna hide I'd say that's got Josh and Rina written all ova' it.."

"You think she'll like it, all I got for Jordenn was a gift card I didn't know what he was into.."I said biting my nail

He laughed shaking his head.."Put ya' seatbelt on and drive safe Kai.."

I nodded.."Thanks Quan."

"No doubt, now I gotta go lay the plumbin'.."He said looking over at Taylor..

"LA LA LA! that is T.M.I !"I said shutting my door as he made his way to the car..I started my car up and drove off beeping at them and waving..

"Incoming text from Daddy kissy face, heart eyes, black heart, black heart, black heart, brown fist, dollar bill sign, police officer.."My car said connected to my Bluetooth..I clicked the screen to hear the text.."Hi Baby Girl, just checking on you."

"Siri call Daddy.."

"Calling Daddy kissy face, heart eyes, black heart, black heart, black heart, brown fist, dollar bill sign, police officer."I laughed as it rang...

"What's the word, pretty bird.."

"Hi Daddy.."

"Well at least I know that you're alive since I haven't heard from you in about three days you took my keys and said forget me and your mother.."

"Sorry daddy I been chillin out with Taylor.."

"Aww yes Taylor, how's she doing?"

"Good not that you care."

"Hey I always was fond of Taylor your mother on the other hand, that's a different story.."

I rolled my eyes.."I know.."

"Okay well I just needed to hear your voice I'm good now, call your mother.."

"Okay I'll call her now daddy love you BYE!"

"Bye baby girl."

"Siri call Ma"

"Calling Ma A.K.A Karroll instant headache exhaust face, upside down smiley face, peace sign, crying face"

I laughed to myself.."Mmhhmm."My mom answered..

"Hey ma.."

"So I guess you won't be here to help me cut up vegetables next weekend for that Sunday dinner either huh?"

I sighed looking out the window switching lanes.."I'll be there soon ma, I just.. I needed some space.."

"Oh! I'm driving you crazy am I? Well, sorry I love you, BIRTHED YOU, and am always concerned for your safety.."

"I know and I love that.. but it's been a year and it's a bit much at times.."

"I see."

I shook my head.."Hey why don't you come shopping with me and Taylor sometime next week."

"I will do NO SUCH THING!You are my daughter and I will NOT split time with the likes of her!"

"Taylor's a good person mom, she's good company.. you might like her if you actually got to know her.."

"Please! I know her type, she hangs with ghetto people and does ratchet things I will not take part in!"

"Mom we haven't always had money, I think you forgotten where we came from.."

"Me and your father worked hard to shield you from all of that and I don't want to hear another word of it!"

"Well like it or not she's my girl so if you wanna spend time with me before I get home she'll be here as well.."

"Just make sure she's paying her own way, you know her kind.."

"No I don't know her kind ma.. But right now you're showing your kind.."

"Don't get snappy with me KAI PRESTON!"

"Okay ma always a pleasure talking with you I gotta focus on the road.."

"Well be safe and watch who you keep company.."

Be SaFe AnD waTcH wHO yoU keEp cOmpaNy.I said to myself mimicking her under my breath.."I'm sorry what was that?"

"Nothing ma I love you, I really gotta go.."

"Hey! I love you more, be safe honey.."

"I will ma!"

"Okay just keep me posted.."And with that being said she hung up..No good-byes from her as usual I shook my head not needing the GPS because I knew all of Harlem like the back of my hand and had a photographic memory..Something I picked up from dad being a detective...I remembered how to get to Joshua's which wasn't but 20 minutes away..I pulled up and parked in front of his Brown Stones..And I had to say I was just so impressed at his choice in living..I took some deep breaths..I grabbed my phone and clutch along with some things I got for the kids I thought they might like..I looked at the time..8:57! I'm late, let me get across the street..I didn't even have to knock he met me at the door and his cologne swept my nose..He gave me a slight smile and I looked off shyly feeling myself turn hot.

"Come on in, it's freezing out here."He said stepping aside..It smelled amazing with the candles he had lit and I could hear Lauryn Hill playing softly.."What's that?"He said pointing at both of the small gift bags in my hand.

"I bought a little something for Marina and Jordenn.."

"You really didn't have to do that.."He said and his low eyes and mellow tone that was more mellow than his usual mellow which gave off a vibe that he possibly had a little something something to smoke...

"I wanted to."

"Well I'll take the one for Jordenn he's uh not here his mom came to get him early.."

"Oh no! What happened, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, she just uh.. they just missed him.. don't worry tho I'll make sure he gets this, I'm sure whateva' it is he'll love it!"I smiled as I held it out and he grabbed it.."But Marina's room is the first door up the stairs, she's sound asleep you're welcome to leave it on her dresser for her.."

I nodded looking towards the steps.."I guess I'll be back.."I said walking backwards then turning forward heading up the stairs..

...............................................

Eyes of Joshua:

I listened from downstairs..

"Hey hope you're having a good sleep.."She laughed and I smiled, I could make out her shadows from where I stud.."My daddy says if you speak sweetly to someone while they're sleep it creates a aura of good dreams, anyways I got you a special book you're father can read you to sleep..It's for all little black princesses and I thought it'd be perfect for you so here it is I'll leave it on your dresser..."I heard footsteps towards the door then a pause.."Hey I remember you, you're the Cabbage Patch doll baby from the party.. Ahhh so this is who you belong to.. I used to love these thing when I was your age you have great taste Marina..Sweet dreams.."

The way she talked to my daughter was unfamiliar..It's what I wanted her to experience from her own mom..What I wanted to experience from mine..Yet here's this woman I barley even know doing so much in this one moment than she'll ever know meant the world..

I leaned against the wall as she made her way down the stairs..Just beautiful..What's another word beyond beautiful?

"Hey."She said standing before me..

"Thanks."I said as she nodded..I held out my hand as she took it and followed me.."Make yourself at home, you hungry yet?"

"Actually I am kind of hungry.."

"Good, what you craving?"I asked taking out my phone..

"Surprise me"She said shrugging..

I laughed.."I got you.."

I sat on the bar stool across from her watching her out the corner of my eyes as I ordered us some food.."You allergic to anything?"

"Olives that's about it.."She said looking around like she was exploring all my African art..

"Cool I got you.."I ordered than turned my attention back over to her.."I haven't told you yet, have I?"I said looking her up and down

"I'm sorry, told me what?"

"How hard it's gonna be to look away from you."

She laughed.."Not until right now."

"You want a drink or anything?"I asked not knowing what to do or say just going with the flow..

"No I'm okay for now"

"So I hear you're on vacation?"

"You heard right!"

"That's good.. I got a little business to take care of but once that's out the way I plan on taking one too.. You should think about going on a second vacation.."

"I might just do that.."

I nodded my head slowly.."So do you have any kids or am I the only one.."

"You're the only one I haven't been blessed in that way yet..Maybe one day.."She said shrugging..

That's the easy part baby.."Yeah it's not easy being a parent, no type of handbook or guide to prepare for this.. But Marina is the better half of me that makes me whole.. What made me give a fuck about anything because before her I didn't."

"Do you and her mom see eye to eye if you don't mind me asking."

"Not at all.. it's like this when I met Marina's mother she was broken, she's always been kind of broken.. but she reminded me so much of my mom it drew me closer to her.. thought I could save her.. but once she had Marina she just lost it all completely.."

"Do you love her?"

"I did.. I mean I used to or at least I thought I did.. but as time went on and the way she treated our daughter turned me sour..I respect her for birthing our seed but that's as far as that goes..But she needs professional help and it's nun anybody can do she has to make that decision own her own..I've always had soul custody of baby girl but after this last incident I just don't feel like I could trust her around my daughter at all.."I shook my head thinking back on what had went down the other night..

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Nah it's cool, enough about that..I wanna know Kai..Let's talk about Kai!"

She giggled crossing her legs.."What about Kai?"

I got up sitting real close to her.."Tell me anything on your mind.."..........................................

Eyes of Kai:

I breathed in deeply when he got close to me..The doorbell rang..

"Food hea'!"He said smiling sizing me up biting his lip..He got up to answer the door..But as for me I exhaled..Everytime he's that close to my body I have these tingles I've never had before..

"Let's eat!"

"What we eating?"

"Pho noodles, best in Harlem you'll love it! You like Vietnamese food?"

"You been talking to Taylor?"

"Who?"He said sitting the food on the table and going in the kitchen to grab something..

"Tay Tay!"

"Oooh ya sista' right.. Nah why you ask that?"He said looking at me over the bar through the kitchen..

"No reason.."How the heck did he know I was craving Vietnamese food all day..I love Pho!

He smiled."Here's some ice cold water I didn't know what you drink"He said handing me a bottle of Fiji..

"This, this is perfect!"We ate and cracked up all night..

Eyes of Joshua:

I listened to her and all her crazy stories of her and Taylor in middle and high school..My phone kept blowing up but I didn't have time to pick up..Then there was a knock at the door..Yo fuck is at my door this time of night!?"I'll be right back.."She nodded

I looked out the peep whole it was Jonsey..I opened the door and stepped out closing it.."Yo fuck is you doin' bangin' at the door like the cops for!?"

"Son fuck allat, I been callin' ya phone all night, what you got up that you can't answer nigga!?"

"I'm busy, what's UP!?"

"Look I don't mean to brake ya' little parade but we got business to handle somebody came thru and hit up all our traps in Queens bro!"

"WHAT!?"

"You heard what I said we gotta roll out NOW!"

"FUCK! I got Marina with me and Kai's hea'.."

"Look just leave Marina wit my girl and fuck a Kai let's be out son!"

"Yo watch ya mouth!"

He lifted his hands.."My bad bro but we really gotta handle this.."

"I KNOW! You think I don't know this.SHIT!"I sighed running my hands down my braids.."Ight let me say bye to shorty and get Marina togetha' I'll meet ya at the garage in BX."

"Ight just bring Rina to the crib, KC will be waiting I'll let ha' know.."

"Word life.."

"Ayo be safe, niggas out hea' on some funny style shit.."He said as I nodded heading back in..

"Niggas don't want no war.. not wit me, it's on.. yo you do the same kid."

"No doubt."He said looking both ways as he got on his motorcycle speeding off..

I walked in.."Hey.."

"Everything okay.."

"Yeah, I mean yeah and no I kind of got an emergency goin' on I have to handle.."I said feeling fucked up but I had no choice..

"It's okay don't sweat it.."

"I promise I'll make it up to you.."

"We'll see, if I text you those two words can I count on you?"

"You got me Kai.."

She got up and held out her hand but I took her in for a hug..She pulled back.."Go handle your business Joshua."

I nodded watching her leave out the door..I shook it off and grabbed Marina, my strap and stash..I was getting to the bottom of this tonight, niggas had me all fucked up!

Too.Be..Continued...