Page 11 of So Special: Fanatic Love

The Asher Kane Baby Daddy: Kat I know you seen my text. Don’t make me come find you. Oh I getting Ashtan from day care today.

I wasn’t surprised that he would pick our son up from day care. “This man is going to get on my nerves.” I glanced up at my best friend who gave me a blank stare. I knew the unanswered question. “Fine, we can go.”

Me: Yes I saw your text. You know I’m at work so I could be busy. Yes we will come to your mom’s party. I’m bringing Daisy. Ok I figured you were going to get Ashtan. I’ll text you when I’m off and you can bring him to me or I’ll come get him.

The Asher Kane Baby Daddy: I’ll bring him to you. Ion want you on the road that late with him.

He knew my schedule because he requested that I give it to him. He claimed it was just for co-parenting purposes. He gave me his spring practice schedule as well as the tentative games schedule. His ass asterisked the away games that he wanted Ashtan at.

After the text conversation was over, I put the phone back where it was before. “I told him we were going to come to the party. He’s getting Ashtan today.”

Daisy blushed. “I love the love that he gives my god-nephew. I’m not sure what God was doing in the midst of you and Asher’s nasty sinning, but he did that. When the bible said he’ll work it out for your good, it meant that.” She did a little shimmy in her seat with her eyes closed, then threw her hands up and said hallelujah.

Oh, It’s Party Time or Is It…

I must have changed me and Ashtan ten times before Daisy came to pick us up for Asher’s mother’s birthday party. I found out yesterday that it was a crab crack. I’d never been to a crab crack, so this would be interesting. Based on the address, they rented out a clubhouse at a park.

“There are so many people here,” I mumbled when Daisy pulled up to the park.

There had to be fifty or more cars out here. People were along the side. Some had made their own parking spaces just like Daisy did.

“Yes, Lord! Look at those sexy, sweaty men on the basketball court. I’m about to go over there and be a cheerleader for the finest one,” Daisy said with a serious tone.

I ignored her to get out of the car and get my baby boy who was engulfed with trying to take his sneaker off. Ashtan was in a recent stage where he hated shoes and clothes. I’d resorted to making sure he had a onesie on under all his outfits because the outer layer would eventually come off. When I walked aroundthe Jeep, Daisy’s crazy ass was stretching.I swear if this girl really goes over there and cheers, I’m taking her keys and leaving.

“Daisy, I swear if you embarrass me out here in front of these people, you’re gonna know something,” I quipped. If she did start cheering, I knew that it would be legit because she was a cheerleader since she was young in school, in college, and on a competition squad. She legit still could tumble like a gymnast. I pulled out my phone to text Asher.

Me: We’re here.

The Asher Kane Baby Daddy: Come inside the building. I’m sitting near the door at the spades table.

This was like a real family type crab crack barbeque. From where the car was parked, I saw the damn grill, this big fryer, and another huge pot thing that I assumed was for the seafood. Daisy followed me to the building with Asher’s baby bag across her body. When we walked into the building, I felt like all eyes were on me. There were about ten tables with people playing cards and dominoes. I saw a good number of Cougar players, but from the dialect that I heard, a majority of the people were from the Lowcountry.

The moment Asher saw me, he stopped his game, got up, then came to us. Ashtan reached out for him as soon as he was in our space.

“What up, daddy’s boy?” He kissed all over Ashtan’s face to bring the giggles out of him.

“Asher, who dat is?” Someone at the table that he sat at asked. Before he could answer, who I knew as his sister, Tiara, came over with the most genuine and widest smile.

She reached out and grabbed Ashtan. From my son’s reaction, it was clear that he’d been around her just as much as his daddy.

“Give me my nephew.” She kissed his face as well. “Hey, auntie’s baby.”

The guy who inquired about who I was must have overheard her. “Yo, dat you baby? Boy, no! When you get a baby?”

Asher shifted his body toward the table. “Ten months ago, nigga.” Someone sat in Asher’s seat to finish his game. “Mind ya business, Ant.”

“Oh, I ga mind my business and yours, nigga,” Ant said with a laugh. “Let me fin out we doin baby debuts at da family cookout.”

I snickered a little bit because of nervousness. Before either of us could say anything, an older woman approached who favored Asher. “Tiara, Asher, who baby dat is?”

It was clear now that Asher gave no one a heads up that he had a damn son outside of his sister. My eyes narrowed at him. His facial expression was apologetic before he closed his eyes, then turned to his mother. “Mama, dis my son.”

The shock on her face was easily seen. She didn’t get a chance to say anything before some female jumped up. “Oh, hell fuckin no!” She moved closer to us. “Asher, who da fuck is dis ho? I know good and damn well you ain’t get no groupie bitch pregnant.”

Like I knew she would, Daisy removed the baby bag from her body and dropped it to the floor. “Bitch, you must have my best friend confused with your ho ass mama. Get fucked up in front of your people, ugly ass girl!”

The girl didn’t say anything when she jumped at Daisy. Like the fighter she was, Daisy was ready. Her fist connected with the center of the girl’s face.

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