Page 20 of I Heard It All Before

“What do you mean?” Cam questioned.

“He wanted you up here, sitting with the family. That was one of his final wishes. He loved you. We all do,” she answered.

Cam didn’t reply because he didn’t know what to say. His father was their only child, so he was sure that they were hurting. Even still, Cam didn’t want to be their charity case. They had no desire to deal with him when his father was alive and nothing was going to change now that he had passed on. He sat with them as a family, but that was only for show. He didn’t feel connected to them in any way.

Three hours later and the long, drawn out service was finally coming to an end. Cam felt like he was at a graduation ceremony, with so many people getting up to speak about his father. The church was filled and there were hundreds of people standing against the walls and some had to be turned away. Cam learned things about his father that he had never known before. It turned out that his love of cars came from his father, as well as the terrible migraines that he sometimes suffered with. He found out from his grandmother that the funeral programs were put together by his father only a few weeks before he passed. That explained the small tribute to him that was inside.

When it was time for the final viewing, Cam was already over it all. He’d seen all that he needed to see and he was starving. His grandparents invited him back to their house for dinner, but he graciously declined. He did exchange numbers with them, but he didn’t expect anyone to actually use them. Cam was just ready to go and he was happy that the service was at its final stage. They had about two more groups of people coming up to view and that was it. Cam watched in boredom as everyone walked by, looking down on a man who they loved and respected.

When the last group of people walked by, he was shocked to see the woman who’d paid for his meal at IHOP in the crowd. She looked even better up close with her black fitted skirt and matching jacket. Her skin looked smooth like melted chocolate, and Cam couldn’t keep his eyes off her. He watched her the entire time until she was out of his line of vision. He wondered what her connection was to his father or who she was there with. He wanted to follow her out to ask some questions, but the timing just wasn’t right. Once Cam and his grandparents did the final viewing, they left the church and went to the gravesite. That part of the service didn’t take very long and Cam was happy.

“If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to call us. It doesn’t matter what it is, we’ll be happy to help,” Cam’s grandfather said as his grandmother nodded in agreement.

Cam was getting ready to leave when they pulled him to the side. His mother and Courtney had already left, but Asha was right there by his side. His father’s wife was there too, but she didn’t look too pleased with the conversation.

“Don’t be a stranger Camden. You have our number, so keep in touch,” his grandmother said right before he and Asha walked away.

“Did you hear what they said baby? If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask,” Asha said excitedly when they got into the car.

“I’m good. I don’t want or need nothing from them. This is probably my last time seeing them and I’m cool with that too,” Cam replied.

“You need to put your pride to the side and stop being so stubborn. You need a lot of things, including a house and some money in the bank. Your father was a damn millionaire and you’re his only child. Do you know how much money he probably left you?” Asha yelled.

“Did you see that bitch that he was married to Asha? Do you honestly think that she would let him give me a dime? She was probably the reason why he stayed away all my life. That bitch hates the ground that I walk on and she’s made that clear more than once. That man dying don’t change a damn thing for me or my finances!” Cam yelled, shooting down Asha’s ideas of becoming rich overnight.

The thought of his father’s wife stepping in or blocking their financial blessings never once crossed her mind. Asha was feeling good a moment ago, but that didn’t last very long. It was at those times that she wished she didn’t love Cam so much. She would have been gone if she didn’t. Cam was just so perfect, and she couldn’t have asked for anything more. He was beyond handsome, he dressed better than any male model and, at one time, he was paid out the ass. Everything else was still the same, but he just needed to get his money back up. Asha would have never even entertained the idea of another man if Cam would get his mind right. She messed around with a few people when he got locked up, but that was only to satisfy her sexual needs while he was away. She felt like she was cheating for survival now because he was slacking.

“What happened with Lo? Did you talk to him yet?” Asha asked after being silent for a while.

When Cam turned the music up and ignored her, she already knew what that meant. He thought it was a game, but she was done playing with him. Her boo wasn’t very knowledgeable of the drug game, but at least he was trying, which was more than she could say for Cam. He seemed content with the struggle and Asha just couldn’t get with that. It was a tough decision, but it was one that she had to make. As soon as her boo got to the point where Cam was once at, she was leaving him and not looking back. She loved Cam to death, but she loved herself even more.

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