Page 72 of I Heard It All Before

“I had the test done too,” Asha said, speaking of the amniocentesis.

“Damn man, don’t I have to get tested too?” Randy asked.

“Not really. Cam is getting tested, so that’s enough. If he’s not the father, then we know that you are,” Asha replied.

“I hope I am. I don’t want that nigga around us for another eighteen years or more,” Randy said, like Cam had done something to him.

He would never admit it to anyone, but he was always a little envious of his friend. Cam was the bad boy that Randy desperately wanted to be. Randy grew up in a loving two-parent home and he wasn’t as street savvy as Cam was. Cam’s looks and build had women falling at his feet, while Randy always played the background. Randy wasn’t as outgoing as Cam and people rarely noticed him. He was so shocked when Asha approached him that all common sense went out the window. In his mind, a woman had finally chosen him over Cam and he loved it.He was now starting to realize that all that glittered wasn’t gold and that was the case with Asha.

“So, now what?” Asha questioned. “Do you have a bond?”

“Yeah, but it’s high as fuck. I can’t afford that shit, especially since I just spent so much money with Lo. I damn near spent all my money and now I have nothing to show for it,” Randy replied.

That was not at all what Asha wanted to hear. Randy was basically saying that he was broke, and that didn’t sit too well with her. She didn’t do broke and he knew that.

“Wow,” Asha chuckled sarcastically.

She had left Cam for the exact same thing and now the tables had turned. Cam was rolling in the dough, while the man she left him for was doing just as bad as he was before.

“These people said that I could be facing up to ten years unless I give them something that they can use,” Randy said.

“Something like what?” Asha questioned.

“They want to know where I get all that shit from. They said that if I help them, they’ll help me,” Randy replied.

“They want you to snitch on Lo?” Asha asked.

“Either that or do time, and I can’t handle that shit Asha,” Randy panicked.

“Are you fucking crazy Randy! You’re a walking target if you even think about doing some shit like that. You better take that L and keep it pushing,” Asha fussed.

“I can’t do no jail time Asha. It’s only been one day and I’m going crazy already. You should see the kind of shit they tried to make me eat,” Randy said.

“You’re a first-time offender Randy. They’ll take that into consideration. Don’t let those people get you killed by saying some shit that you’re not supposed to say. They lie to people and make false promises all the time, just to get what they want. Your mama can get you a good lawyer and you can walk away from this,” Asha advised.

“I don’t know why I started selling that shit in the first place. This jail and dope shit ain’t even me, man. I should have just been satisfied with the money from my shop, but I just had to be greedy. Now, I’ve lost my business and probably my freedom too,” Randy sniffled.

“Nigga, I know your grown ass ain’t crying!” Asha yelled as she moved the phone away from her face and looked at it with a frown.

“Man, no, I ain’t crying,” Randy lied while wiping a stray tear from his eye.

Cam was right when he said that Randy wasn’t built for the life that he was trying to live. He should have just stuck with Nia and lived the simple life. Instead, he let Asha sell him a dream that had slowly turned into a nightmare. When the operator announced that he was coming to the end of his free call, Randy promised Asha that he would call her later. She told him that she was gonna try to look into getting him a lawyer, but he didn’t believe her. If it came down to her spending money on him a lawyer or going shopping, Randy knew that he didn’t stand a chance.

***

Two weeks later, Asha was sitting outside the jailhouse waiting for Randy to come out.She had to do a double take when he walked out of the building because he looked as if he’d aged ten years in that short period of time. Randy’s normally short hair had grown out and so did his beard. He’d lost a little weight and the clothes that he had on were hanging from his slender body.

“What happened? What made them let you out? I hope you didn’t do what I think you did,” Asha said when he got into the car.

“Hello to you too, Asha. I’ve been gone for two weeks and that’s the first thing that you say to a nigga,” Randy argued.

“What made them release you?” Asha questioned, ignoring his sarcasm.

“My mama had to put up her house,” Randy replied.

“Do you have to go back to court and stuff?” Asha asked him.

“What do you think Asha? I’m not off the hook with this shit. I need to hook up with a real estate agent and try to sell my shop. I need a damn good attorney and I’ll need the money,” Randy replied.

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