Page 60 of Sunday

I snatched his ass around Mrs. Monroe and tightened my hold until his eyes widened, and his light brown skin started turning red.

“Aye, chill ya ass out, man,” Shawn yelled, still pulling on me.

“Cedar.” Mrs. Monroe placed a hand on my arm. With gentle blue eyes boring into me, she spoke in a calm, reassuring manner. “I know that my husband has not been exactly welcoming, but we both know that Sunday wouldn’t be happy about her father being choked out.”

“Let him go, man,” Shawn pleaded.

I reluctantly released him. My chest heaved, and my fists balled at my side.

“How may I help you, Cedar?” Mrs. Monroe maintained a cool voice, and I had mad respect for her.

My chest heaved, my fists were clenched, and my nostrils were still flared.

“Have you seen Sunday?”

Although the words I spoke were to her, my eyes were still on her bitch ass husband.

“Unfortunately, I have not.”

“And if we did, we wouldn’t tell you,” Mr. Monroe declared.

I lunged for Sunday’s father again, but her mother threw her arms out and gently pushed me back. I would never hit a woman.

“Your bitch ass hiding behind your wife like a coward.”

“I don’t have to hide behind my wife to let you know how I feel about you. You’re not the man for my daughter, and I knew that the moment that I laid eyes on you.”

“Why? Because I represent everything that you fear? The truth about your identity. You’re just another black nigga trying to be something he’s not. Ole Uncle Tom ass sell-out.”

“You know nothing about me! I worked hard to get to where I am and to build my family into something they could be proud of. I won’t let you ruin that.”

“The fact that you can say that shit and don’t even know me is a joke. You have no idea who I am, what I’ve accomplished, orwhat I have to offer your daughter. You don’t give a shit. You just hate me because I’m black.”

“Nah, that man hates you because he sees you in him,” Shawn interjected.

“I’m nothing like him,” Mr. Monroe sneered.

“Got that shit right. I’m the realest nigga you’ve ever known. Mrs. Monroe, I’m sorry to bring this to your doorstep, and I meant no disrespect to you. I’m just looking for Sunday.”

“Honey, I’ve spoken with her. She assured me that she was safe, and she was upset with you. She said that the two of you needed some space to work through some things, and I respect that. Be patient with my daughter, Cedar. She’s fragile, and she has a lot to work through herself, things she needs to forgive herself for.”

Her words made me pause. “What does that mean?”

“It’s not my place to tell you that.”

“If she has any sense, she won’t contact him,” Mr. Monroe grumbled.

“You’d love that. Before I fail to be in my son’s life, I’ll blow this bitch up.”

“Excuse me. Did you just threaten to blow my wife up?”

I mugged the hell out of him. “The fact that you refer to your wife as a bitch is reason enough for her to cuss ya ass out.”

“He meant this town, Ray. Listen, Cedar, I can tell that you and Sunday love each other. However, it won’t do anyone any good if you are in jail and not out here able to protect her and the baby. But if you keep making threats like that, someone is bound to hear you and call the cops. This is no longer just about you and Sunday, Cedar. It’s about your baby too. He deserves to have both of his parents in his life.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I remarked in a much cooler tone.

“Go home and calm down.”

---