To Love a Man (3 page)

“I can’t believe you are actually staying up there for a night.”

“I don’t have a choice when Charles bought the tickets. He bought two one ways so I had to get the next day out. I think he did it on purpose. Ever since he got back in Zack’s life he is under the allusion things with us will just fall into place.”

“And what do you think” Desiree laughed at the thought of even being friends with Charles. She saw the seriousness in Nikki’s eyes. She sighed deeply.

“I think we have been divorced for almost Seven years. Zack is eight and he is just now getting to know his father. It’s something he has always wanted but I don't wanna ruin it for him but as for me, I am cool on it. I burnt that bridge a long time ago.”

Nikki exhaled wanting to believe her but not knowing if she did. “I just don't wanna see you hurt that’s all I mean don’t take this the wrong way but” Nikki looked into the rearview mirror at Zack then to Desiree to ensure he wasn’t listening.

“Charles played you all the time. He made you believe that he loved you so you married him. Three months after that you found out you were pregnant he accused you of cheating on him trying to hide the fact that he cheated on you and then a year after you took him back and Zack was born he choose his job over you. He didn’t think about what you needed or wanted. Remember that when he comes to you trying to win your heart back.”

“Nikki it won’t be like it was before. I won’t be tempted to do anything but punch him in his face. No worries.” Desiree smiled at her and Nikki patted her friend’s leg.

“I love you sis you know that. We have been friends for like fifteen years. I am looking after you, as you would do me. You’re the one that got Bryant to get his act together. Shoot he owes you his life.”

Desiree laughed thinking about the night Bryant and Nikki’s little fight about where they were going to live after marriage turned into an all-out war that ended in Bryant walking out the apartment, claiming they were over. Desiree found him at a bar and convinced him that if he truly loved her then none of the little stuff mattered and the big stuff they could work out.

“That man loves you. He just needed some perspective that’s all.”

“And you had no problem giving it to him.”

“None what so ever.” They laughed.

“I am so grateful for you and what you did.” Nikki said with sincerity.

“I am grateful for you too girl.” Desiree said with a smile. She didn’t know what she would have done if it wasn’t for Nikki and her family helping her. Times were hard when she was left husbandless with a one year old, no money and that meant no place to stay. Thanks to her parents along with Nikki and her husband she finally became ok in life.

After they picked up her glasses they drove to Fort Lauderdale Florida airport. Desiree thought about the last few years of her life. It seemed whenever she was blessed with one thing she was sideswiped with another. She glanced back at her angel in human form, her solid rock. If it hadn’t been for Zack, she would have given in a long time ago.

As they arrived at the airport, Nikki helped them unload their things and hugged Desiree before hugging Zack.

“Desi you call me when you get there and I will be here to pick you up at six. And slick rick you better call me every day.”

“Aunt Nikki I will.” He said smiling from ear to ear.

“Uh huh you say you will but will you?”

“I will. Right after I call mom.” He beamed. Desiree could see how happy he was to be going. Nikki could see it too and she could see how that broke her best friend’s heart.

“Right answer big man, you know I love you.”

She hugged him and kissed him fixing his hat. She gave Desiree a quick hug and waved as they walked down the terminal. Desiree looked at her watch and smiled, they arrived to their gate with thirty minutes to spare she loved being early. She grabbed a seat and made sure Zack had his carry on. Her phone rang and she took a deep breath answering on the third ring.

“Hello?”

“Desi I was just checking on you guys making sure you were on your way.”

  “We are still waiting to board our flight.”

“Ok well I can’t wait to see you. I am glad you decided to come this time and not have my parents bring him. I haven’t seen you in what two years?”

“Three and I would have been glad to keep it like that but Zack really wanted to see you and your parents were busy.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah I gotta go we will be there soon.”

She hung up and looked over at Zack. He had his headphones on playing his Nintendo DS. Desiree closed her eyes trying to mentally prepare for what this trip held for her and Zack. Charles was a man whom she once couldn’t live without or at least thought she couldn’t and she hoped she could get past old feelings to do what was needed for her son. The stewardess came over the loudspeaker for them to board and she nudged her headphone wearing son as they boarded the plane. As she took her seat she looked out the window knowing the door she was about to open would take her to a place she longed wished to forget.

***

Ramón felt like he just walked into a trap. Double teamed by his mother and his daughter. He sat on his mother’s beige sofa and decided what could it hurt to hear them out? He had already decided against his daughter coming to camp this year but they didn’t know that. His daughter Madison looked at him with her big dark brown eyes she got from him.

“Daddy please let me go. You told me last year I was too young and when I turned eight I could go.” Her eyes saddened with every word and even though he knew she really wanted this he wasn’t sure she was ready.

“Did I?”

“Yes you did Ramón I was right there. You know she loves the game just like you so stop being so stubborn and let her go.” His mother said breaking her silence next to her granddaughter. Ramón rubbed his temples rethinking his agreeing to hear them out.

“Look I would love to but I am not gonna be there to help you. I am not running the camp this year I am just helping. I have photos shoots, camp and two voice overs that I am doing, and on top of the teams trip to Africa to help create a better water system over there I can’t be worried about you while I am doing all of that.”

Rachael Norris upped her game knowing if she didn’t she would never win her granddaughter’s case.

“Why would you have too? It’s a summer camp for kids who want to play basketball. There’s not that much that can happen.” She said in her motherly tone that Ramón knew all too well.

“What if she gets hurt?” he asked not wanting to give up without a fight.

Rachael stood wanting her son to realize she was serious. “First of all I worry about you every time you are out on that court but you know that. A couple weeks ago, when you were hit in the nose and I saw all that blood I just about ran on that court and pummeled someone. If it wasn’t for your dad I would have but son you have to let her grow up sometime. And if you are gone and she gets hurt your father and I are here.”

“Why does it have to be now?” Ramón said folding his arms across his chest.

“Because you promised. Come on have a heart.” Rachael sat next to him motioning for her granddaughter to join them.

“Yeah daddy please have a heart…please.” She batted her big hazel eyes and Ramón was a goner. There was no way he could deny his daughter anything.

“Fine you win you can come to the summer camp. But I don't wanna hear anything about you bullying anyone or giving any of the coaches or my teammates any problem.”

Madison jumped off the couch and into her father’s arms squealing.

“Daddy I won’t. I promise I will do what I am supposed to and be where I should be. This is great. I can’t wait to tell grandpa.”

“Yeah I am sure he knows we never win when it’s us men against you all.”

“So why fight it?” Rachael laughed as she and Madison walked out the room. Ramón
crooked his head and smiled. He thought back to the day his beautiful daughter was born, to his and everyone else’s surprise Madison was born the spitting image of her grandmother and the similarities didn’t end there. Yes they both had beautiful wide set hazel eyes and full lips. They were both hazel-nut brown which was a shade lighter than he, both shared the same dark brown almost black hair color which Madison kept in pigtails while his mother donned a more sophisticated bob. He cocked his head knowing it didn’t stop with looks. Both were very stubborn and when they wanted something there was nothing that would stand in their way. And his little girl wanted to go to basketball camp and finally she would get her way.

He didn’t know why it bothered him that his little princess no longer wanted to wear the crown; she wanted to trade it in for a jersey…maybe it was because he knew it was his fault. He tried his best to keep her head off the court but she was his daughter. He was actually starting to miss the days of tea parties with tiara’s and watching every Disney princess movie he could get his hands on. He inhaled deeply. There was only so much a father could do to raise a little girl. Her mother not being in the picture made it worse for her. He just wanted to fill that hole he knew was there. As he stretched his arms strait in the air as his dad joined him in the modernly decorated living room.

“Where are my girls?” he asked his voice a rich baritone that was filled with expectance in dealing with the ladies in their life.

“Probably in the kitchen, celebrating.” Ramón said trying to convince himself everything would be fine.

“Oh? What are they celebrating?” he asked his left eyebrow raised a little.

“Once again they have gotten another victory over me.” Ramón gave a heavy sigh.

“So you gave in and are gonna let her go to the camp?”

“What other choice did I have? You know mom made up her mind the day it left Madison’s lips.”

“And you didn’t?”

“I just wanna do something right by her. I feel like such a failure.” Sadness crept in Ramón's eyes and his father wanted to ease whatever burden his son was carrying.

“Why?”

Ramón made room on the soft ivory sofa so his dad could join him.

“I lost her a mother all because I wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing. I was young and stupid and if it wasn’t for you and mom all these years I don't know what would have happened.”

“I do. You still would be the wonderful father that you are. It doesn’t matter what people think you are doing or not you’re a great dad to Maddie. You have made her so happy just by being her father. You take amazing care of that little girl. Just because her mother was stupid, enough to walk out of yours and her life don't blame yourself. You are the world to that girl and her hero it’s no wonder she wants to be like you.”

“Thanks I needed that.”

“I know that’s why I said it.” Joe placed his hand on his son’s leg and patted it.

“It is going to be alright.”

“You think she will be alright at that camp. I know
its run by my team and I but I won’t be able to watch her twenty –four seven.” Ramón’s face saddened as his dad sat up.

“You have to let go sometime.”

“I know but it’s hard.”

“Wait till she gets your sisters age and you have to give her away to another man that’s when the fun begins.” He chuckled.

“Sometimes I wish I had a boy.”

“That’s no secret.”

“But I love that little girl.” Ramón smiled looking at his dad.

“That’s no secret either.”

Joseph looked at his son and patted him on the shoulder.

“You will be ok. I know you will. You’re my son how can you not be. Now let’s go join in the celebration maybe there is cake involved.”

They stood from the sofa and walked into the kitchen and Ramón smiled as his mother and daughter were sitting at the granite counter eating a piece of his mother’s sweet potato pie. As he went to grab a slice, someone knocked on the kitchen door then walked in. Ramón beamed as he saw his older sister Britney walk in followed by her husband Chad carrying their sleeping six-month-old son Brandon. Ramón walked over to her and hugged her.

“Hey big sis. And look at my little nephew.”

Madison jumped up and hugged her aunt and uncle. Rachael smiled.

“You guys are a little early I thought you weren’t coming up until tomorrow.”

“We didn’t want to miss daddy preaching tomorrow morning you know he only does it once every couple of months.” Brittney smiled at her dad she was always a daddy’s girl and wouldn’t change it for anything.

“Well that puts a smile on my face.”

Joseph hugged Britney and went to hold Brandon.

“
Its official Rache we have the most beautiful grandchildren in the world.”

Madison walked over to her grandfather as he held her little cousin.

“Daddy he is so cute and big last time I saw him he didn’t have this much hair.”

“Yeah he is really cute. Looking like his uncle every day.”

Chad laughed.

“Yeah ok.”

Britney went over and hugged Maddie.

“Well my little niece is not so little anymore I can’t believe you’re almost Nine now.”