Chapter 28

“Isaiah – if I call you one more time!”

“Coming!” Zay shouted excitedly, racing out of his bedroom as he made engine noises for the toy airplane. He ran it along the eggshell wall of his mother’s living room, failing to realize she was standing impatiently by the front door with his shoes in her hand.

“That’s it, I’m leaving you home alone” Tanya said pretending to open the front door.

“No, no!” Zay shrieked, dropping the toy plane, “I don’t want to be left alone”

“Oh yeah? Then put your shoes on Mr” she slit her eyes at him as she kneeled down to help him step his feet into the spiderman sneakers, “Mommy has to go to work, and you have to go to school”

“Yuck – school” Zay stuck his tongue out.

“Really Isaiah?” Tanya laughed, “Here, put your hat and gloves on”

“Mhhh okay” Zay twisted his mouth, doing as his Mother told him, “Where’s Daddy?”

“That’s a good question. Daddy is …at a work conference for a few days. So it’s just me and you”

Tanya proceeded to get Zay ready for the brisk weather, helping the six year old place his arms inside the puffer jacket one at a time. She shook her head at the fact that he couldn’t keep still to save his life. Zay was a very active little boy – so active that Tanya often told him he had ants in his pants.

“You know what I’m going to say don’t you?” She asked, side eyeing him as she stood to her feet.

“Hmmmm that I have ants when I dance?”

“In your pants, pa-pa” Tanya tittered, “Come, we’re going to be late” She said ushering him out of the apartment.

“Ms Lucy had a baby, she named him tiny tim. She put him in the bathtub, to see if he could swim” Zay began to sing loudly as he skipped down the building’s hallways.

“He drank up all the water, he ate up all the soap. But he didn’t eat the bathtub” Tanya jumped in to sing the nursery rhyme.

“Because it wouldn’t fit down his throat!”

“Shhhh, not everyone is up yet Isaiah” Tanya hushed his raising voice – giggle of her own following up.

She pressed the elevator button to go to the lobby, checking her watch for the time – and just like always she was pressed for time. Getting her son to school at 730 before the students were relocated inside the building from the play-yard, next rushing to her 8-4 as a mail clerk was apart of her daily routine. Most of the time her husband – who had just been hired at a corporate building in center city was out of the door too early and home too late to assist with anything that had to do with his son.

The sales position was a blessing despite the cons it possessed. Upon being hired, William was offered a generous salary – an amount that was definitely more than he made as a supervisor at the grocery store. However in order to receive salary pay he had to complete at least half of his sales goals or else a measly commission is what he would be taking home.

With a family to support he definitely couldn’t afford that – and took it as a personal challenge to complete those sales goals so he could make the money that was well needed.

With only two months in, Williams had already begun to prove his ability to receive good numbers. He was a good and fast talker, that he knew as he had always been told he could sell salt to a slug. It wasn’t the easiest selling life alert products to elderly people, however he knew this opportunity was too good to let slip between his fingers. It was the beginning of a new millennium – the 2000’s, where everything would be connected to technology. The owners were very confident that the small company would be even bigger with years that passed – and this was only the beginning.

Tanya, who was of course proud of her husband just wished he had more time to help around the house. She went from rotating mornings with her husband to take her son to school to being the primary drop and pick off parent – something that was almost impossible since her work schedule only left room for road rage between the two places. William would be home by six, however she was expected to have dinner ready whilst in preparation for their next day. It was a lot for sure, but it was what Tanya had to do for little family – and she wouldn’t trade it for the world.

“Alrighttt, now how are we going to behave at school?” Tanya asked, releasing Zay’s hand as they made it to the car.

“Good?” Zay tilted his small head.

Tanya fumbled with her keys “Are you capable of that?”

“What does that mean?”

Finally finding the correct key, she unlocked the doors of the small lemon. Tanya frowned her face up at the mess in the back seat that she told herself she would clean the day before but never got a chance.

“It means…you are able to do something” Tanya explained herself, opening the backdoor to straighten it up in her rush.

Focusing her attention on the task, she took her eyes off of Zay for a quick second.

“Ooh Mom look, a ball” Zay exclaimed from behind her, “Can I get it?”

“That’s great Isaiah” Tanya responded.

She didn’t realize her agreement to the six year old, whose eyes were mesmerized by the basketball that just happened to be his favorite color – blue. He had never seen a blue basketball before, and with his Mom’s permission he didn’t hesitate to dash into the middle of the street.

“Today must be my lucky —”

“Isaiah!”

Zay turned to face his mother, only to see a car heading straight his way. Everything in slow motion – from the look of fear plastered on Tanya’s face, to the 98 Volvo that wasn’t slowing down.

“Isaiah!”

Zay jumped up out of his sleep, the sound of William’s voice shouting through his bedroom door. He felt his forehead – which was covered in trickles of sweat, shaking his head after realizing he had yet another dream about his mother.

“I’m up” he sighed, running his hands over his face.

Pulling himself out of bed, he tiredly moved towards the door and opened it for his dad.

“I just wanted to touch base with you before I leave” William said, already dressed in his business suit of the day, “I’ll be back in a week, your aunt will stop by and check on you”

“That’s cool” Zay yawned.

“Don’t slack on your workouts because you’re going to be on winter break soon. If anything that means —”

“I should be working harder. I know Dad”

William smirked at his son, knowing that although he was hard on him he was a good kid. He also knew that the two were nowhere as close as he believed they would be when he was a child.

“How about when I get back, we go see the light show. I heard it’s still going on down penn’s landing”  William suggested.

Zay raised his eyebrow, “What like – just me and you?”

“I didn’t think I was that bad of a guy” William laughed, “My own son doesn’t want to be alone with me”

Zay chuckled, “Nah Dad I didn’t mean it like that. You know what, I’m down”

“Alright, cool” William nodded with a smile, “I’ll see you when I get back. Oh yeah, the credit card -“

“Is on the kitchen island, no company past nine, got it and got it” Zay predicted his father’s word once more.

William responded with a snicker before turning around.

“Have a safe flight” Zay shouted down the hall, watching as his dad disappeared down the steps.

Once he was sure he was alone – he didn’t hesitate to turn on his bluetooth speaker, next choosing his song of the morning.

“Got a drop on a flexin nigga,
He from Tennessee
I had a thot, she be wit the shits
She told me where he be
I say for sure, baby, let me know
If you wanna eat
She like von, you already know
Just put yo girl on fleek”

King Von’s Crazy Story blasted in the spacious bedroom – one of Zay’s favorite songs to keep in rotation on his playlist. As he rapped along to the lyrics, he lit the already rolled ‘L’ he prepared the night before.

He proceeded to pick out an outfit for the day – remembering that today the students didn’t have to wear uniform, giving him a chance to actually throw on something to his liking. He opted for something simple but designer, of course, next laying it out on the bed and starting his shower water.

“I grab my glock, it been through a lot, but it still shoot like new. We at the top, yeah we lost a lot – “

The sound of his phone ringing brought the song to a stop.

“Yo” he answered, knowing most likely it was one of his friends.

“Yo yo” Josh answered back, “You leave the crib yet cuzin?”

“Nah, in like fifteen. Why wassup?” Zay inquired.

“You think you can slide past my crib? I already missed the bus, and you know them 26’s run slow as shit”

Zay shook his head with a laugh, “I actually don’t know bro, but I got you. Listen out for the horn”

“Bet”

Zay disconnected the call, not wasting any time heading to the shower after finishing his morning session. It wasn’t long before he was dressed and ready to head out, starting his one out of many chaotic days as Isaiah Maxwell.

“I promise, if this old ass nigga Reyes give us a bad grade on this project Ima kick his ass – personally” Josh said – thinking outloud about the midterm that was coming up.

“Hell yeah, I worked hard” Zay agreed, hopping out of his car, “My Dad been on my ass about these grades too”

“That nigga still give you whatever you want so do it really matter?” Josh snickered, slightly jealous.

Zay threw his book bag over his shoulder, fixing his lips to respond but instead reverting his attention to something else.

He furrowed his brows at Valencia – who was standing by a black Maxima that he didn’t recognize. She smiled at the male in the driver’s seat, nodding her head to whatever question being asked.

“Damn bro, give shawty her face back” Josh laughed, nudging Zay to keep walking.

Zay hopped out of his daze, “What? Man, I ain’t paying her no mind”.

“You ain’t gotta lie to me, I’m your manz” Josh patted himself on the cheat, “Keep it a buck, you miss her don’t you?”

Zay squinted his eyes at his friend, and as much as he wanted to deny it, he couldn’t. Despite the fact that the two were still ‘friends’, Zay could never get over the fact he blew it with her. And with girls like Valencia, there was no second chance.

“Maybe I do” Zay shrugged, “But that don’t mat—”

“Aye Vee! My bro said he misses you!” Josh shouted through his hands as Valencia headed their way.

Zay shot a death stare at his friend. Josh playfully shrugged, failing to realize that Zay was seconds away from trying to kill him.

“Y’all do nothing but play” Valencia laughed, “Anyway, hey and hey” she waved to the both of them.

“Wassup” the boys replied simultaneously.

“You two going to breakfast before advisory?” She asked, heading through the doors as Zay held it open.

“Might as well – we have time to spare” he shrugged.

“Cool” she smiled.

Zay felt a weird feeling in his stomach that emerged at the sight of her smile. It was weird – but he ignored it as the three of them entered the cafeteria. Just from the other students he could already tell what breakfast was being served, mini pancakes with fake eggs and cold sausages. It was safe to say he hated the cafe’s food – and opted for the cup of Frosted flakes instead.

“So, I see you got a ride this morning” Zay said as him and Valencia stood in line.

“Yup” she nodded, picking up an orange and checking it out.

“I didn’t know you had a brother” he insinuated the older guy was a family member, although apart of him knew there were other possibilities; Ones he didn’t want to think of.

Valencia giggled, “I do – but he’s nine. And he wasn’t my brother”

Just as he expected, Valencia was telling him that she was dating someone else. And sure, he had a few girls in school that he talked to here and there but none of them held a candle to Vee – looks or personality wise. He failed to realize that was the issue in the first place, and the reason a shy Valencia backed down when it came to competing with another girl. He still kicked himself every day for that – especially since Ciera was nothing but five feet of hot air.

“Oh..okay” Zay nodded, “So…who was it?”

“Uht” Valencia twisted her neck, “If I wasn’t mistaken – I would say you’re in my business”

“Me? Oh nah” Zay laughed, “I was just curious…that’s all. Make sure you ain’t out here talking to strangers”

“Oh that’s what your were doing?” Valencia smirked – her brows raised.

Zay blushed, knowing all too well that he was in fact in her business. But he couldn’t help it.

“I mean –“

“It’s okay, it was Lux’s brother” she came clean, “He dropped us both off, but she had to rush to meet Mr. Goldstein in his office. We were just…talking. Is that enough for you?”

“Well honestly you’re right, it’s none of my business” Zay admitted – although he was slightly relieved on the inside.

Valencia looked over him – inside feeling completely giddy at the fact that Zay actually cared about who she gave her time to. There was no doubt that she witnessed him staring her down in the parking lot – so much so that Lu made a joke that he was getting her in trouble with her ‘boyfriend’.

Truth was, she was still conflicted on her feelings for Isaiah – mainly because he was the boy that almost took her virginity but never got the chance. And apart of her was glad because as far as she could see and hear he was occupied with other company. Still, she couldn’t help but fawn over his perfect features or captivating smell – or even the way he stopped and stared like she was in the slow parts of a movie.

“Okay, well in that case – mind yours” she jokingly shrugged.

“I’d actually rather mind yours – tonight” he said, taking a long shot, “My Pops is out of town – house to myself”

Valencia twisted her mouth, “Zay, you know –“

“That you’re not like that” he finished her sentence, “Yes, I know. That’s why, we can just chill. Watch a movie, eat some snacks, start over…”

Valencia stared into his eyes that were persuading her the longer she gazed. Starting over? That didn’t sound too bad. Everyone deserved a second chance, were the thoughts moving through her head.

“Okay” she finally answered. “I’d like that”

“Me too” Zay beamed.

While he was stunned that Valencia finally took up his offer to hang out, he was now nervous because he had to actually entertain her with his personality instead of other features. He wanted to show Valencia that he could be the good guy – and if that meant no kissing or touching then he’d abide by those rules as well. He knew that his reputation had done a good job of tarnishing his name, but Zay didn’t believe for one second that he couldn’t change that.

For the rest of the school day, his main focus was on the night that was soon to arrive. He told Valencia he would pick her up by six thirty, giving him two hours after returning home from practice to shower and get everything ready.

The school day passed quickly – nothing out of the ordinary for the eight period classes he attended daily. Following up with practice, which actually ended early due to Coach Rodgers having to pick up his wife – ultimately giving Zay more time to both prepare and relax before picking up Valencia.

Zay pulled up to his house after the short drive from school, parking in the driveway where his father’s car usually sat. Grabbing his bookbag, he threw it over his shoulder whilst fumbling with his keys for the front door. Spotting the mail, he grabbed it without a thought to even go through it because all of it was usually addressed to his father. However this time was different, and his eyes grew curious at the letter addressed specifically to him.

He dropped his things, bag and keys included before taking a seat on the couch and ripping open the letter. Zay had to rub his eyes as he had to make sure he was reading the beginning of the letter correctly, his throat immediately burning from tears he fought back.

Dear Isaiah,

It’s Mom again. I see that you haven’t replied to my other letters, but this year I thought I’d try again….

Again? As far as he knew, his mother had never written him a letter in his life after walking out on him and his Dad. Confused, he read on – his heart heavy with so many questions.