Page 42 of Out of Bounds
“What you talking ’bout?” I asked.
“Oh, the day you had all the kids was the day Masai really knew it was over.”
“What you mean by that?”
“Nigga… that was the day shit started to set in. She knew you had another kid, but having to see him did something to her. That’s why I kept telling you to just sign the papers ’cause she not coming back.”
I loved the way Deuce loved and cared for my wife. It was admirable, to say the least, but this nigga was my best friend, and instead of trying tohelpme get my wife back, his ass had been pushing for me to free her.
I thought I had backed her into a corner when I told her to quit her job, but Masai wasn’t playing with my ass. In the beginning, I was happy that she was taking the steps to get back into law. My issue arose when Maddie Claire called me in a panic because my wife hadn’t shown up to take her to her tryouts. Shit, we were both lucky that I’d finished practice early and was on my way to the crib. There was no way their nanny would have time to get all five of them together and out of the house to get her to the tryouts on time. I was pissed because I felt like this would become a pattern for Masai. I get it, probably more thananybody. I fucked up. I owned the shit. My children’s lives had shifted because of me, but enough was enough. I didn’t want them to have to deal withbothparents being indisposed.
Had Masai said she was going to step back from the firm, I would’ve given her the divorce. I’m lying. Let me not even sit up here and say that shit because somebody is going to have to force my hand, literally, to sign those papers. I’m not about to sign any fucking divorce papers. The more I sat with the shit, the more I felt like I could get my wife back. I didn’t care how delusional it sounded. I knew in my heart I had a chance to make Masai mine again by choice. Don’t know how or when, but I was about to dodge this bullshit-ass divorce until Masai just gave up.
“Fuck you, Deuce!” I finally spat. Dialing my lawyer, I hit the speakerphone button and set it on the counter.
“Dolla, what can I do you for?”
“Aye, you saw the Gwinnett Daily Post?”
“I haven’t. What’s in it?”
“A fucking divorce notice.”
“Oh… Oh, wow,” Jason uttered. “So, she’s going forward with things?”
“Yes, Jason.. She’s going forward. Is there anything that I can do to stop this shit?”
“Unfortunately, Dolla, the only thing you can do is take it to mediation. If she’s run the notice, then onlyshecan withdraw the proceedings at this time.”
“So… In other words, I’m fucked.”
“Yes… unfortunately. There is nothing else we can do at this point. Unless there’s something in the paperwork that you’re protesting.”
“Nawl, it’s not.” Dropping my head, I sighed. “I’m not tryna divorce, Masai.”
“Listen, I understand. If anyone gets it, that’s me. But our hands are pretty much tied, Dolla.”
Pushing my locs out of my face, I folded my arms across my chest. “How long do I have?”
“Approximately thirty days.”
“Aight, man. I guess we can go ahead and respond. I done drug this shit out long enough.”
“Are you certain there isn’t anything you want to contest?”
“Nawl. She’s not asking for shit, and it ain’t like she’s trying to strip me of my parental rights.”
“Okay.” He sighed. “I’ll get right on it.”
“Thank you, man.”
“You’re welcome. And, Kreed… I really am sorry.”
“So am I,” I mumbled, ending the call. “Fuck!” I roared and swiped everything off the counter.
“Awww, man.” Deuce huffed. “I know I been giving yo’ ass a hard time, but I’m sorry, bruh.” Leaning over, he held his hand out. I stared at it for a few seconds before dapping him up. When Deuce palmed the back of my head and pulled me into his chest, I broke down. My fucking lifeline was leaving my ass, and I don’t think I’d ever felt a pain like this. I thought I had more time to try and make us work. I thought if I begged, she would somehow forgive me.
“She’s actually doing this shit, man. She’s leaving, man.”
