She didn’t respond.

“Kyra, you know you on some straight bullshit, you know that right?”

She slid her blouse up, and I saw some lumps travel across her stomach. My baby girl was amped. “It’s a little too much drama for you out here, isn’t it? Destiny, is that what you’re trying to tell us?” I asked my unborn baby girl. I leaned over and placed a few kisses across her belly.

“Destiny? I’m not naming her Destiny!” Kyra removed the cloth from her forehead and was now staring at me wide-eyed.

“So, now you want to engage in some conversation? A few minutes ago, you had nothing to say. Yes, I’m naming my daughter Kyra Destiny.” I went back to gently kissing her belly. “Kyra, middle name Destiny,” I repeated. And I liked the way that sounded. “Hey, baby, this is your father. Your daddy loves you.” I kissed my baby again through Kyra’s stomach. She kicked again.

“I’m serious, Rick, that is not going to be my baby girl’s name.”

“She’s not your baby, Kyra. She’s our baby.”

“She’s my baby, not our baby. I wanted you. I wanted it to be me and you.” Tears welled up into her eyes. Her stubborn ass was trying to hold them back.

“It is me and you. Dammit, Kyra!” The tone and no nonsense in my voice must have startled the shit out of her. She began to tremble as the stream of tears continued to roll down her cheeks.

“Rick, I’ve made up my mind. I can’t, but more importantly, I won’t be a part of your fairy tale.”

“Kyra, you haven’t even tried, so stop talking this bullshit.” I struggled to remain calm. I got up real close on her. “I am tired of repeating myself. You need to get in line with the way things have to be.” I stood up and left. I meant what I said.

KEVIN

“Yo, Fah!” Faheem and Bo, Trae’s cousin, were standing there facing the kids, watching them play in the pool. I was cool with Bo, but Faheem was that muthafucka. My nigga. Coming up, Jaz and my sister Roz (y’all call her Tasha), were the closest out of their crew. Of course, they would hang out a lot, and Faheem would always be around because of Jaz. He shared, very generously, I might add, much game about the streets. Matter of fact in Jersey, he gave me my first brick of dope.

“Kev, I thought that was you. What up, soldier?” Fah was a built nigga. He swallowed my small frame up. This nigga claimed he never lifted weights. He always told me to exercise the mind and the body would follow. I always wondered if he exercised for real.

“You know what it is. Just came by to check on my sister. Do the baby shower thang.”