The Streets Or Me: A Louisiana Love Story (13 page)

Seeing him standing in front of me sent a wave of emotions through my body. I had my reservations about leaving Legacy, knowing that he would be upset or even hurt him in a way. Regardless of the fact that I am pregnant, I was supposed to be his rider no matter what. Nonetheless, the moment he cheated on me and lied about it, all beats were off for me.

My plan was to come to New Orleans for a week, just to clear my head. That week eventually turned into two then three, and before I knew it I had rented an apartment and gotten a job here. Dr. Lee even referred me to a great OB/GYN to take care of me. The place I got is nice, like really amazing, but it gets really lonely coming home from work and not having the one I love to greet me. There were so many times I wanted to hop in my car and go back home, but my pride wouldn't allow what my heart wanted so badly.

I cried myself to sleep so many nights because I missed him so much, but he had hurt me so bad. I even called Chino and Luke just to ask if he was doing ok. Luke said that he had been going crazy since the day I left. They were the only two who knew exactly where I was, given the fact that Legacy is standing here right now let's me know that one of them told him to come.

I want to turn away so badly, but the tugging in my stomach and the longing look in his eyes won't allow me to move. He's hurting and he misses me. My heart skipped at the realization, but I kept a straight face as he stared at me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Can we talk?" He asked.

"About?"

"Why'd you leave?"

"You know why I left, Legacy."

"You carrying my babies though, Khy."

"That's one of the reasons I left. I can't bring our children into this lifestyle."

I love Legacy, but I don't want to bring our babies into this lifestyle, subjecting them to the dangers that I know are sure to come.

"You don't think I know that, but you could've stayed."

"Why would I stay when your head is so wrapped up in this lifestyle? Your thirst for power, money, and control were your only focus. It took you two months to actually come look for me."

Anger flashed across his face at my statement, but I didn't care.

"You really doubting my love for you?"

"What do you expect when you cheated on me and constantly put your lifestyle before me?"

"I’m trying to make it up to you."

"You can't go through life depending on being able to make shit up, Legacy. We have two babies coming, you think I want to bring them up in the lifestyle you live?"

"So you run away to the most dangerous city in the state to work in a clothing store!"

"Don't patronize me, Legacy. There's nothing wrong with managing a clothing store, let's not forget I was a clothing store manager back in Monroe. Besides it's only to get me out of the house for awhile."

"Were you not planning to come back?"

"What does it matter? It's not like you give a damn."

"Stop saying that shit. If I ain't give a damn, then I wouldn't be here. I don't wanna argue, that's not why I came here."

"Why are you here?"

"I want you to come home so we can straighten all of this out."

There is really no preamble behind that simple, yet meaningful statement and I find myself ready to decline with 'no'. But what good would that be for the babies? Would I really be able to handle two newborn babies alone? Do I really want them to grow up without their father? I mean not that it would be a horrible thing, but Legacy wants to be in their lives. Not too many guys would actually stick around to be in their kids’ lives. I don't think it would be fair to deprive him of actually wanting to be a father.

"If I come back, it's only for the babies."

"Khy, you can't-"

"That's it Legacy, nothing more."

He reluctantly nods then reaches out for my hand.

"I can't just leave, Legacy. What about my job, my car, and my house?"

"You can quit and we'll keep the house as a getaway spot."

"What about my car?"

"I got a few connections here, I’ll have them ship it back to you, just come with me."

I reluctantly take his hand and follow him out to his car. I smile slightly as he helped me inside then hurried to his side as I typed my address in the GPS. The car ride back to my apartment was silent aside from the sounds of the radio playing. He cleared his throat nervously as he glanced at me.

"So you thought of any baby names?"

That simple question made me smile brightly as I rested my hand on my stomach.

"I’ve played around with a few, but nothing serious. I thought it was inappropriate to settle on anything without your input."

"I’m here now, so let me hear what you thought of."

"I was thinking Lyric or Amaura for the girl and Legacy Jr. for the boy."

I saw a smile smirk play at the corner of his mouth when I mentioned the boy being named after him.

"I like Lyric and we can make Amaura her middle name, but-"

"But what?"

"I don't want our son to be a junior."

"Ok well what would you name him?"

"Legend and his middle name will be Kyion."

I smiled at the name because it was actually different than the usual baby names. We had pulled up in front of my apartments and he turned off the car. He turned in his seat and placed his hands on my stomach.

"Not bad. So they'll be Lyric Amaura Martinez and Legend Kyion Martinez. I like them."

"Yea, I do too. Lyric...Legend, your mom and dad love you guys. Whether we we're together or not, the four of us gon' be a family no matter what. I promise to be the best father I can be to ya’ll."

I smiled as he leaned down and placed a kiss on my stomach. I think he's gonna be a great father, I just hope he does what he's supposed to do.

I sat in the visitation room of the jail, waiting to see Miracle. It had been a lil over a month since the last time I got to visit her because she had been in solitary confinement, and I had been busy with A’Laya and getting back in school. I had enrolled and got accepted to Grambling State University, pursuing my degree in Sports Management. I figured if I can't get into the NBA, I might as well start my own management company or sport's agency.

I even went to church and got baptized, meaning I’m completely done with the street life. Legacy made Marco his right hand, meaning he officially has a lil power in the streets now. I had to give it up, shit was getting heavy in the streets; although I know my street mentality will never be completely gone nor will I fully be away from the enemies that I made along the way, I finally feel at peace with myself, knowing I don't have to hustle and kill just to make a living.

I wanted to turn my life around for myself, my kids, and for Miracle as well. I knew as long as I was living the street life then she'd forever be deep in it as well, and I couldn't have my future wife dying in these streets because of me. It's already bad enough she behind bars 'cause of dumb shit. The lawyer said the judge set her trial date back another month so we still don't know what's gon' happen.

The door to the visitation room opened. Filled with excitement at getting to see my girl after so long, I stood up ready to embrace her, but to my surprise it was the head guard coming in. She walked towards me with a sad look on her face, making me think the absolute worse.

"Mr. Mason?"

"Yea. Where's Miracle?"

"Miss Black has requested not to see you during visitation."

"What the fuck! What you mean she requested not to see me?"

"Sir, she made it clear that she did not want to see you any longer. She didn't give a reason, but she did ask to have this letter passed to you personally."

I took the letter she held in her hand, staring at her in confusion. I wasn't understanding why Miracle didn't want to see me anymore, but the shit hurt like hell. I looked down at the envelope then back up at the guard as she stared at me with saddened eyes. I shook my head and walked towards the entrance to exit the building.

The girl that I loved since I was 19 years old is locked behind bars, pushing me away as if I had done something wrong. If she no longer wanted to see me, does that mean she no longer wants to see A'Laya? What about Khyia or the rest of the family? Does she not wanna see a them either or is it just me? I made it out to Audi A6, sitting on the hood as I ripped the envelope open and pulled out the letter. I unfold the paper and begin to read.

Dear Luke,

By the time you receive and read this letter, you'll know that I’ve requested not to see you again. Please don't think you've done anything wrong, it's just that...Luke, I can't be with you anymore. I told my attorney to keep you in the dark about my trial because I didn't want you to worry. The truth is, I was sentenced two weeks after I received your last letter; they wanted to give me a year of probation, if I cooperated with them to bring Killa and M.S.K. down. I refused so they hit me with ten years and no possibility of parole.

I didn't want you to know because I knew you were under a lot of stress with trying to get out of the street life. Jasyira sent me a letter, telling me that you had been baptized and decided to go back to school. Luke, I am so proud of you for finally becoming the man that your children deserve, but I can't see myself holding you back from something better and more deserving that the world maybe preparing you for. I know we always said that if one of us went down behind this crazy life, we would wait for each other. I can't and won't let you do that; you can't wait ten years of your life while I sit behind these bars. I want you to continue to be the great man and father that I know you are, but I need you to do it without me. I love you so much and as hard as this is, you mean letting you go so you that you can be happy.

I have to end this letter, but please remember to tell A'Laya that mommy loves and misses her. I love you Lucas Mason, Sr., I hope you find the happiness that you deserve.

Love always,

Your Miracle

I stood there with tears in my eyes because the woman that held my heart is laying down for ten years and she doesn't want me to wait for her. Honestly my heart is broken off this shit, like I had plans to ask Miracle to marry me. Now that plan is gone out the window all because she wants me to be happy not knowing that she was the only thing in this world, besides my kids, that made me happy. I slid in the driver's seat of my car, laying my head against the headrest and for the first time in forever, a nigga cried. Now I know how Legacy felt when Khyia left him. The shit hurts yo, 'specially when you really love that person.

I started up the car, pulling away from the jail and just drove north down the highway. Where the fuck I’m going? I have no damn clue, but I can't be in Monroe right now.

I was at my trap counting money when my phone rang. It was after midnight so I figured it was somebody trying to spend some money. I swiped the answer key and put the phone to my ear.

"This Chi. Who this?"

"It's me. Where are you?"

It was my fiancée Bria. We been together since high school and share two kids together, our son Sincere who's nine years old and our daughter, Symphony who's four years old. Why she calling so late though?

"I’m at the spot baby. What's up?"

"How long are you gonna be?"

"Shit, I don't know 'bout two to three more hours. Why?"

"No reason, just checking on you. I love you."

"I love you too ma. Where the kids?"

"Staying with my mom, so I’m all alone."

I could tell she was pouting by her voice. Bria hate being home alone, and me being out all night don't make it no better.

"You wanna slide through and chill until I get done?"

"I’d like that."

"Aight then get yo sexy ass out that bed and get down here."

"Ok daddy, see you soon."

I ended the call and placed my phone on the desk, grabbing my red cup and brought it to my mouth. I leaned back in my seat as the crown burned the back of my throat. I had some pressure built up and I planned on applying all of it to Bria tonight.