Page 6 of Pieces of Us

As we redressed, I saw headlights approaching and frowned.

“Oh my God. Do you think it’s the police?” Morgan asked, hurrying to put on her shirt.

“Nah. Nobody really knows about this spot but me and a few of my friends.”

I started the car just in case I had to pull off quick. I watched as the muscular frame headed our way until I got a clear view of the person approaching.

“It’s your pops.”

“What?” she shrieked.

Before I could put the car in drive, her door was snatched open.

“Get out of this car now, Morgan!” he roared.

“Daddy! I-I can explain!”

“Get out now!” he repeated, yanking her from the car.

“Yo, Mr. P. Chill!” I yelled, hopping out of the car and going to her side. I didn’t like how he manhandled her, and if I had to, I’d lay his big ass out.

“You stay the hell out of this! Didn’t I tell you to stay away from my daughter? Are you that damn hard of hearing?” He turned to Morgan. “You’re supposed to be two hours away at a track meet, but I get a call from your coach saying you never made it! Is this what you do now, Mo? You lie to me now?”

“Daddy…please. I-I don’t want to be on that team anymore. I don’t want to run track anymore either.”

“Look at you. He has you out here killing your dreams because he has no future.”

I scoffed. “I have a future. No matter what you think of me, Mr. P, I am not my father.”

He stepped dangerously close to me and sneered. “You will be.”

My face contorted. I wanted to steal on his ass so bad, but the frightened look and tears on my girl’s face prevented me from laying his old ass out. He didn’t know me to judge me.

“Thou shall not judge. Right, pastor? For a man of the cloth, you sure are breaking those commandments you preach about every Sunday.”

“When it comes to my girls, I’ll lay down the cross to protect them from heathens like you.”

He pushed me out of the way, snatched her bag from the back, and paused momentarily. When my eyes followed what he was looking at, I cringed internally. It was the condom wrapper.

“You manipulative son of a bastard!”

I anticipated what he planned to do next, so when I saw his fist coming toward me, I stepped out of the way. He stumbled and landed on the trunk of my car, but he caught himself and charged toward me.

“Daddy, stop it!”

I could hear Morgan screaming as he tried to grab me, but I swiftly ducked under his arms and pushed him away to give myself room to dodge him.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Mr. P. Come on, man.”

“Baby, please. Just get in the car!” Morgan yelled, pushing me toward my whip.

“Morgan, get your ass in the car now!” He was able to snatch her up and pull her away from me. With a stern finger, he pointed at me.

“You stay the hell away from my daughter, or I promise to God I will have you and your whole family put away for life. Try me!”

With that, he snatched her bag from the ground and stormed away. I watched him take my love away from me. Our eyes locked, and those tears broke me.

“I’ma see you, Mo Boogie. We ain’t over, baby. I promise! I’m coming back for you. Always!” I yelled just as he put the truck in reverse and sped out of the parking lot, taking my heart away with him.

---