part0014

After showing their identification and signing in, Jaden, his father, Bryce Sr., and his cousin, Shawn, sat at the table and waited for the inmates to be led into the visitation room. Shawn’s father, Shaquille, who was also Bryce’s brother and Jaden’s uncle, had been locked up for two years of his ten-year sentence. He had two-hour visits twice a month and he could always count on Jaden to be there for each one. Although Shaquille had six kids of his own, Jaden was always his favorite nephew. They hung out all the time when he was home and their ways were strikingly similar. That was the part that his older brother, Bryce, hated. Shaquille was always known as the crazy one in the family and Jaden was his young protégé. His other nephews walked a straight line, but Jaden was the rebel. From murder charges to drug cases, he’d gone to jail and beat them all. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for Shaq. He was serving time on a manslaughter charge, but he was thankful that it wasn’t more. They tried to give him second-degree murder, but his lawyer got it reduced.

“What’s up Shaq?” Jaden beamed when his uncle walked into the room and over to their table. All three men stood up and gave him a hug before they sat back down to talk.

“What’s good with you, nephew?” Shaq asked Jaden.

“Ain’t nothing. Just working and chillin’,” Jaden replied.

“And staying out of trouble, I hope,” his uncle said.

Although he’d influenced a lot of Jaden’s bad behavior in the past, he didn’t want his favorite nephew to end up where he was.

“He’s been alright lately,” Bryce spoke up on his son’s behalf.

“That’s what’s up. What about you and Shaquell? Y’all been alright?” Shaq asked his son, while also referring to his daughter.

“Yeah, everything is good. Quell is still going to school and I’m still working,” Shawn replied.

“That’s good. And how’s your wife and the rest of the crew?” he asked Bryce.

“Everybody is good. You know I’ve never had any real problem out of my other kids. As long as this one here is calm, then it’s all good,” Bryce said, referring to Jaden.

“That nigga better stay calm. You and Kia still hanging in there, huh?” Shaq asked Jaden.

“You know I ain’t going nowhere,” Jaden replied.

“I already know. But, let’s talk after we get us something to eat,” Shaq said as she stood to his feet.

The prison had a fully-functioning cafeteria with some of the best food that you could ever want. The inmates who ran it cooked better than most women could ever dream of. Bryce and Shawn already knew the routine. They told Jaden what they wanted to eat, and he got up and walked away with his uncle to place their orders. Shaq always liked to talk to Jaden alone to see what was really up with him. He knew how his brother was and he didn’t like to talk around him.

“You know I don’t like to talk in front of Big Bryce, but what’s really good with you? You still doing your lil side hustle?” Shaq asked Jaden.

“Yeah, man, but I need to find me another runner. Tori is starting to be more trouble than she’s worth,” Jaden replied.

“That’s because you started fucking her. I told you not to go there with her. She’s crazy just like her mama. That’s why I left her fatal attraction having ass alone,” Shaq said. He had once dated Tori’s mother, Darlene, and that was how Jaden had met Tori.

“Man, she’s good at what she does and that’s the only reason why she’s still around. But, that bitch goes too far at times. I had to get Quell and some of her girls to beat her ass a few times. Bitch following Kia home from work and calling all day. I don’t need that kind of drama in my home life,” Jaden complained.

“You must still be messing with her ass. That’s the only reason I can see for her acting like that.”

“You already know how I get when I start drinking. Anybody with a pussy can get it,” Jaden said, making his uncle laugh.

“And her crazy ass probably think it’s more to it than just fucking. In her mind y’all are in a relationship.”

“That bitch is crazy. I need you to make some calls and find me somebody else. I can’t have Kia on my back all the time behind Tori’s ole stupid ass. I’m almost where I need to be financially and, then, I’m pulling out. I just want to buy my girl a nice house and put a big ring on her finger. I’ll be good after that,” Jaden promised.

“I’m holding you to that too. Kia is a good girl. You can keep playing if you want to. Another nigga gon’ step in and take your spot,” Shaq warned him.

“I hope a nigga is ready to die behind that pussy too. I wish Kia would play with me with another nigga,” Jaden replied, meaning every word that he’d just spoken.

“Well, stop giving her a reason,” Shaq said, giving his nephew something to think about.

Jaden noticed that Kia had been kind of quiet lately. After he followed her home from the shop that one time, they’d been arguing non-stop for days. Maybe she got tired of the back and forth because she’d calmed down and seemed to not care what he did anymore after that. She had Jaden wondering what was going on because that wasn’t like her at all. Pushing his thoughts of Kia to the side, Jaden enjoyed the two-hour visit with his uncle. His father had three brothers and a sister, but Shaq was always his favorite. That’s what scared Bryce Sr. the most. Jaden reminded him so much of his baby brother until it was scary. What was even scarier was his behavior was almost identical to Shaq’s from the moment he entered the world. Bryce and his wife never had to go to school for the rest of their sons, but along came Jaden. He got suspended at least once a month and he feared nothing but the Lord up above. He took risks and he wasn’t afraid of the consequence. His mother, Pam, always questioned where she went wrong with her youngest son, but the answer was never clear. Jaden had his own mind and not even she could change it.

“Shaq looks good,” Bryce said when they were on their way back home. The prison was only an hour away, so they didn’t have far to drive.

“Yeah, he does,” Jaden agreed, right as his phone started ringing to Jaylynn’s ringtone. Without asking his son’s permission, Bryce reached over and pressed the talk button on the radio.

“Hey Paw-paw baby,” he said, once the call was connected.

“Hey Paw-paw!” Jaylynn yelled excitedly. “Is my daddy at your house?”

“I’m right here Jay. What’s up baby?” Jaden asked his daughter.

“Mama said that she’s going somewhere with her work friends tonight and I’m staying with you. Can you bring me to get a new game?” Jaylynn asked.

“I just got you a new game, but I’ll get you another one. Put your mama on the phone baby girl,” Jaden requested.

“Okay, hold on daddy,” Jaylynn said as she yelled for Kia. It sounded like she was running through the house, but Kia got on the phone a short time later.

“Hello,” Kia said in her sweet, soft voice.

“What’s up with you?” Jaden asked her.

“Nothing. Did Jay tell you what I said?”

“Yeah, she did, but I should have heard it from you,” Jaden replied.

“Okay, well I’m going out for drinks with Andrea and some of my other co-workers,” Kia informed him.

“So what, is this like an every weekend thing now?” Jaden inquired.

“What do you mean?” Kia questioned.

“I mean just what I said. You went out with Andrea last weekend and the weekend before that. You trying to make a habit out of this shit now?”

“How am I making this a habit? I barely go anywhere unless I’m with my sister or you. If you don’t want me to go, just say so,” Kia replied, getting angry.

“Nah, it’s cool; you can go. I’m about to drop my pops off at home and I’ll be there.”

“Okay,” Kia said before she hung up the phone.

“She on some bullshit,” Jaden said as soon as Kia was off the line.

“Don’t start your mess, boy. The girl only said that she was going out with some friends. What’s wrong with that? Your ass used to be in the clubs more than the bartenders,” Bryce argued.

“Man, I know Kia. I’ve been with her ass since she was fifteen years old. She’s on some bullshit, but she better be good at covering up her tracks. On God, I’m dealing with her and whatever nigga that she’s bold enough to creep with. Bitch act like she’s not happy when I’m calm and chillin’. She can unleash the beast if she wants to. Its gon’ be hard to put him back in his cage,” Jaden warned.

“Boy, I’m telling you right now; I’m not running to no jailhouse to bail your ass out no more. You can get out there and act a fool, but you’re on your own Jaden. I’m sick of this shit. You not about to give me and my wife a heart attack behind your bullshit. You almost killed us the last time with all your foolishness.”

“Almost doesn’t count,” Jaden said, pissing his father off.

“Stupid muthafucker! You not gon’ be satisfied until them people lock your ass up for good. I don’t know where we went wrong with you, Jaden. I swear, I regret the day I started letting you run with Shaq. That nigga rubbed off on you in the worst way. Y’all just better not involve my grandbaby in none of y’all mess. You already got her head messed up with that crazy shit you be talking,” Bryce fussed.

Aside from Kia, Jaden’s parents were the only ones that talked crazy to him without him reacting to it. He knew not to go too far with his daddy because Bryce Sr. would pop him in the mouth with no questions asked. He didn’t give a damn how grown he was.

“My baby is good. This don’t have nothing to do with her,” Jaden replied.

“This got everything to do with her when you got her brainwashed with your crazy ass rules. You and Kia got her believing that y’all dysfunctional ass relationship is normal. If a man do that to her, you gon’ be trying to kill him.”

“I ain’t gon’ try to kill him. A nigga play with Jaylynn and he’s as good as dead,” Jaden swore.

“Just bring me home, bruh. Ain’t no getting through to you,” his father said, giving up his attempt at talking to him.

Jaden shrugged uncaringly and did as he was told. Once he dropped his father and Shawn off, he picked up Jaylynn and took her to get her game. When they made it back home, Jaylynn went straight to her room to play her new game, while Jaden went to find Kia. She was standing in their walk-in closet trying to find something to wear when he entered.

“Where y’all going have drinks at?” Jaden asked her.

“We’re going to Cheddar’s,” she replied.

“So, y’all are going all the way to Slidell just to have some drinks?” Jaden questioned skeptically.

Kia wasn’t a street chick and it showed just by what she was saying. She wanted Jaden to believe that she was going forty-five minutes away from home, just to have drinks with her girls. He smelled the bullshit from a mile away, but he just let her keep digging her grave.

“Yes, Jaden. We just try to go somewhere different every time we go out. What’s with all the questions?” Kia asked.

“You need some money?” he asked, ignoring her question.

“No, I’m good,” she replied. “You want me to fix y’all something to eat before I leave?”

“No, Jay wants me to order her a pizza later. Come chill with me before you leave,” Jaden requested, making Kia smile.

She already knew what that meant and she was down. Chill was his code word for sex, especially when Jaylynn was home. Jaden locked the bedroom door while watching as Kia stripped down out of her tank and shorts. She was in a daze when he started taking off his clothes and she almost wanted to cancel her plans for the evening. Then, when she thought about the fun that she would be missing out on, she abandoned that idea just as quickly as it came.

“You love me?” Jaden questioned as he looked deep into her eyes.

“Yes,” Kia replied nervously, as he pushed her back onto their huge bed and climbed in between her legs. It felt like Jaden was trying to read her mind as he continued to stare at her.

“I love you to death. Remember that,” he replied as he dipped down lower and buried his face in between her legs.

As much as Kia loved oral sex, she was too tense to enjoy Jaden’s warm tongue flicking up and down her womanhood. She’d never felt like that before, but she was ready for him to stop.

“Daddy, I’m so full,” Jaylynn said as she and Jaden lounged on the sofa and watched a movie. Kia had been gone for a few hours, so it was just the two of them spending time together.

“I told you not to eat three slices of pizza. Your little body can’t handle that much food,” Jaden laughed as he rubbed her belly.

“I know, but it was good,” Jaylynn replied.

“Jay, can we look at something else? We watch this same movie almost every day,” Jaden complained. Jaylynn loved the movie Matilda. She had it recorded and wanted him to watch it every time they spent time together.

“But, this is my favorite movie. I wish Bailey and Breanna were here. This is their favorite movie too,” Jaylynn said, speaking of Bryce’s two daughters.

“I wish they were here too. Then, I wouldn’t have to watch it with you all the time,” Jaden said, right as his phone started ringing.

He frowned when he saw Tori’s number pop up on the screen, but he ignored her call and focused his attention on the tv. When she called right back, Jaden was ready to go off, but he couldn’t do that in front of his daughter.

“Get up for a second and let me run to the bathroom right quick baby,” Jaden said to his daughter, who was lounging comfortably on his chest. He hurriedly walked to his bedroom and closed the door before he picked up.

“You must want me to come to your sister’s house and choke your stupid ass to death,” Jaden threatened when he answered the phone.

“What did I do now?” Tori asked like she was clueless.

“I told you to stop calling my phone. You act like you got a fucking mental problem!” Jaden yelled.

“I know what you said, but it’s not like Kia is around,” Tori replied.

“You don’t know if she’s here or not,” Jaden argued.

“I know she’s not there because I just saw her truck. And, yes, I’m sure that it was hers because her front plate is a picture of you and Jaylynn,” Tori said as if she could read his mind.

Jaden calmed down a little, but he was still wondering what her stupid ass was calling him for. She had enough product to last for a while.

“What do you want Tori?” he inquired.

“I want to see you,” she whined like a little ass girl.

“See me for what? It’s not time for us to meet up to discuss nothing.”

“I’m not talking about seeing you like that. I want to spend time with you,” Tori clarified.

“That ain’t happening. I already told you that I’m not on that with you no more,” Jaden replied.

“But, why? I told you that I was sorry about calling Kia’s phone and stuff.”

“It’s not even about that Tori. I should have never mixed business with pleasure. I knew that shit was going to turn out bad. And how the fuck did you get all the way in Slidell anyway? You got a rental car?” Jaden questioned.

“What? I’m not in Slidell. I’m uptown with my people, about to go to the tattoo shop,” she replied.

“Well, where did you see Kia’s car?” Jaden inquired.

“Uptown on St. Charles,” she replied, making him heated.

“Where at on St. Charles?”

“It was parked in Houston’s parking lot,” she said, referring to a popular restaurant.

“Cool, but let me call you right back,” Jaden said as he hung up the phone. He was pissed, as he rummaged through his dresser in search of some comfortable clothing. Kia was on some bullshit, just like he’d said from the beginning.