Page 18 of Taming a Menace
For years, I’d worked on repressing those feelings. It was because of all the shadow work I’d done that I was able to leave Wyatt’s house without causing any property damage. Instead, I walked out to my car and removed the note as well as the DNA test results.
Since Wyatt wanted to know what was going on, I would let him in on it. I went back inside and straight to the refrigerator where I used the magnetic picture of his niece and nephew to hold the papers in place. That was the only courtesy I would extend to him.
The ride to my sister’s house was a blur. I got out of the car and knocked on the door. When my sister answered with sympathetic eyes, I melted into a puddle of tears.
“Don’t worry, baby sis. We got you,” she vowed.
Four
Keywan
For the third time in the month since I had been out, I tugged on the door to my anger management class only to find it locked. It was twenty minutes after nine. Staying at Sonny’s until after three had me clinging to the sheets for another few winks. I was exhausted, but I knew I had to make it to this fucking class.
I pounded on the door, getting the counselor’s attention. Jenny took her eyes off the group of people sitting in a semi-circle as she held a hand up to excuse herself to come to the door. I stepped back, prepared to walk in as she opened the door. Using the same hand she’d excused herself with, she halted my steps.
“Mr. Glover, you’re late again,” she stated.
“I realize, Jenny. I overslept.”
“I had to drop you from the class. You’ve already missed three sessions before today, not to mention the ones you showed up half an hour late for. I can’t sign a certificate knowing you’ve already missed a third of the sessions.”
“Jenny, you can’t do that. My parole officer already has a hard on for me. The only reason he put me in this morning class is because he wants an excuse to send me back to prison.”
“It’s policy, Mr. Glover. I’ve already submitted the paperwork after the last session. Has he not contacted you?”
“No, he’s probably waiting to surprise me with a violation.” I huffed.
“I’m really sorry. We have night sessions. Maybe he will put you in the eight o’ clock class next time.”
“I can’t get in that class either. I work from six to two in the morning.”
“I’m not sure what to tell you other than to get in contact with him,” she said, folding her arms across her chest.
“You sure there’s nothing else you can do?”
“The only thing I can do is accept a referral to allow you into the next session.”
“Appreciate it,” I said, shaking my head as I turned for the door.
There was no use in standing there talking to her any longer. I knew it was only a matter of time before Franklin came to me on the bullshit. I needed to enjoy what freedom I had left. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I called my brother Kannon.
“What’s up, ugly ass boy?” he answered after the first ring.
“Damn, nigga, you don’t even let the phone ring. You must be waiting on a booty call,” I joked.
“I just knew if your soft ass was calling while you’re supposed to be in class, you must have fucked up.”
“Why I gotta be a fuck up?” I asked him.
“You gotta consult with the Lord on that one, my boy.”
“Whatever, son. I called you because I have a crisis.”
“When are you not in crisis mode?” he asked me.
“You know what, bitch. Bye!” I ended the call before I became even more livid.
By the time I put my ass in the front seat of my truck, my phone rang. I could have breathed fire when I saw Franklin’s number bouncing back and forth on the screen. I should have used a shit emoji for his punk ass contact. There was no use in me ignoring the inevitable, so I answered.
