Page 19 of I Heard It All Before

Chapter 7

Two weeks later, Cam’s father passed away at his home. He was sent home with hospice because he refused to die anywhere else, especially the hospital. Cam was thankful that he put his pride to the side and went to visit him in the hospital when he asked him to. His father was happy to see him, but his wife felt the opposite. She sat in the room and frowned the entire time that the two of them talked. Once again, Camden apologized to his son for not being the kind of father that he should have been, and Cam assured him that there were no hard feelings. There was no need for him to keep pointing the finger at a soon to be dead man. The past couldn’t be changed and they both had to live with that. His father even made him promise that he would attend his homegoing service, and Cam couldn’t say no.

“Asha, let’s go! The fuck is taking you so long?” Cam yelled.

“I’m coming baby. Do you know how many people are going to be at this funeral? I have to make sure I’m on point. I know they’re gonna have cameras flashing everywhere. Calm down, we’re over an hour early,” Asha replied as she applied some Chatterbox Mac lipstick to her full lips.

She was dressed in black from head to toe with a pair of black and gold spiked Christian Louboutin’s, courtesy of her boo, gracing her feet. He was making crazy money with Lo and she was reaping all the benefits. She had Cam under the impression that her brothers were buying her so much, but her boo had stepped up to the plate. Cam was still penny pinching, but she could see that his new way of life was getting to him. It was only a matter of time before he was calling Lo again for himself. Since his father passed away, he probably wouldn’t have to. She was sure that Mr. Blaire would make sure that his one and only son was straight with all the money that he was leaving behind.

“I already don’t feel like going to this bullshit. It’s about to be a straight up media circus up in there. I’m stressed the fuck out,” Cam fussed.

Asha admired her man in an all-black Purple Label suit, with the black Giuseppes to go with it all. Cam’s hair was freshly cut and he smelled good enough to eat. Asha couldn’t keep her hands off him all morning, which was why they were running late. His father passing had her with dollar signs in her eyes. Cam was an only child, so he would probably inherit millions.

“I thought I relieved you of all your stress last night and this morning,” Asha said while running her hands up and down his genital area.

“You did. My balls are as dry as the desert; now, let’s go,” Cam said while walking away.

Cam sped all the way to the huge Baptist church where his father’s service was being held. Just like he’d assumed, traffic was crazy to the point where police officers had to direct cars on where to go. Cameras were flashing left and right just like Asha said, making it seem like a concert instead of a funeral. It took Cam thirty minutes just to get a parking space and he was happy that he’d left early enough. His mother was already there, so finding a decent seat wasn’t going to be a problem. Asha grabbed Cam’s hand as soon as they got out of his truck and walked towards the church like she was on the arm of a celebrity. She was all smiles, until they got to where Nora was seated and saw Courtney sitting there with her. They couldn’t go anywhere without her showing up or beating them there. Asha always wondered where her husband was because he never seemed to be around.

“This shit it getting so old. She needs to spend some of that free time with her own man,” Asha whispered to Cam as they sat down. She didn’t care that they were in a church; she was pissed and she wanted him to know it.

“Don’t start Asha, I’m warning you. I already feel a headache coming on,” Cam replied.

He looked around the packed church as the ushers led people to their seats and passed out programs. His mother handed him the thick booklet that was filled with pictures and facts about the great Camden Blaire, who was laid out in all-white in a white and gold colored coffin. Cam did a double take when he read the obituary and saw his name listed as Camden’s one and only child. There was even a picture of them in there that they’d recently taken at the antique car show. The photo was captioned, “Sometimes we need the gray to remind ourselves that all of life is not black and white”. Cam had to admit that he was touched by the recognition. He couldn’t imagine his father’s wife doing something like that. She hated him too much to ever acknowledge him.

“Did you see Trudy?” Nora asked Cam, referring to his grandmother. “She was looking for you.”

“No, I didn’t see her, but why is she looking for me?” Cam questioned.

Before his mother had a chance to answer, two men in black suits walked down the aisle and right over to them. They were dressed in all black with shades covering their eyes, even though they were indoors. They were both tall and husky and gave off a bodyguard kind of appearance.

“Mr. Davis,” one of the men said, addressing Cam, “we were asked to escort you to the front of the church.”

“Asked by who?” Cam questioned.

Asha got excited about the possibility of being escorted to the front of the church. She was sure all eyes would be on her, as she glided down the aisle on the arm of Camden Blaire’s son.

“Mrs. Blaire, your grandmother, is requesting your presence,” the man replied.

“Nah, tell her that I’m good right where I am. I’ll see her after the service,” Cam announced.

“Why do you always have to be so difficult Camden? Just do with the gentlemen are asking and go with them to the front,” Nora argued.

“Come on baby. I’ll be there with you, so you’ll be fine,” Asha said as she stood to her feet, followed by Cam.

“I’m sorry, but our orders were to bring Mr. Davis only,” the other man said, embarrassing Asha in front of everyone.

“But, I’m his girlfriend,” Asha noted.

“Sorry ma’am, we’re just following orders.” The man shrugged as they walked away, with Cam following right behind them.

Asha expected Cam to say something in her defense, but he kept going and never looked back. Cam was escorted to a seat that was located in between his grandparents. He didn’t really know them too well and he felt like he was surrounded by strangers. It took everything in him not to snatch his hand back when his grandmother grabbed it and gave it a light squeeze.

“You’re very handsome,” she noted as she looked over at him and smiled.

“Thank you,” Cam replied, remembering all the talks that he and his mother had about manners. He was in a church staring up at his dead father’s body in a casket and he would rather be anywhere else.

“This is what your father wanted,” his grandmother said as she continued to stare at him.

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