Page 5 of Royce
I sat in the waiting room ready to get the visit over and done with. It was the same questions anytime I came up here. How much was my check? When was I going to add more money to his books? What did his lawyer say?Blah, blah, blah. It was never a question on how me and his kids were doing. We just didn’t cross his mind.
“Cordell Jackson.”
I stood and wobbled my way through the door. Entering the room, I spotted him immediately. He was sitting at his usual table with a fresh haircut. At least he was keeping up his appearance.
Cojak was just as bright as he wanted to be and tatted from his neck down. He sported curly hair that was tapered, and asmile so alluring, he didn’t have to say much to get you to fold. His eyes were always low, so his gaze was flirtatious even when he wasn’t trying to be. He was eye candy indeed.
I approached him and he remained seated the way he always did. The thing about the visits was we were allowed to touch, yet he didn’t have a hug for me or nothing. Sitting across from him, he smiled at me causing me to look away. I folded way too quick when he did that.
“Wassup Mama? I ain’t think you would want to see me after that disagreement we had.” He acknowledged the argument we had but belittled it as if it was nothing.
The last time we spoke, he was literally cussing me out for paying the rent instead of putting my check on his books. I was already behind a month because of doing that exact thing last month. I wasn’t trying to be on my ass before I had the baby.
“It was an argument, Cojak, and it would be another one if I didn’t show up today,” I said rolling my eyes.
“That’s my fault. I don’t be trying to argue with you for real. I’m just ready to get the fuck from behind these fuckin’ walls.”
“I understand that but I’m behind on so many bills right now. I have to try and pay what I can before they start cutting shit off. I’m not understanding what you spending so much money on in here.”
“Don’t worry ‘bout all that. Look, my mama supposed to be calling you in a couple days with some bread. Pay the lawyer, then put the rest on my books.”
“Cojak, I could use some of that money, too. You know I’m struggling bad as fuck right now,” I voiced in a hushed tone while looking around.
“I’m a sitting fuckin’ duck right now, Klarity. I don’t give a damn ‘bout you struggling. When I was out there paying all the bills, what the fuck was you doing? Huh? I can’t hear you,” he snapped.
He never failed to distract others from their visit and draw attention to ours. I looked around once again with a half-smile not letting my gaze fall on anything or anyone specific. Some days were better than others, today just wasn’t one of them.
“Lower your voice, Cojak.”
“Shut the fuck up talking to me, Klarity, before I do something to you.” He was annoyed with me already.
He waved me off and eyed the bitch at the next table. He didn’t hide taking her in. The embarrassment just kept going. I couldn’t deny how beautiful she was or how handsome the guy was in front of her. They made a nice couple. However, all they got from me was a quick glance before my attention was back to Cojak.
“The least you can do is ask me how the hell I’m doing or how your kids are doing. You swear you love me but can’t even bother to question our wellbeing. I have feelings, too, Cojak,” I said feeling defeated. He made my entire pregnancy a miserable and uncomfortable one.
“Why would I question something I already know the answer to? Look, do what the fuck I said and answer the phone when I call. I’m over this visit.”
He stood and left me sitting there alone. Leaving me alone was what he did best. The tears that welled up were held back by tooth and nail. I couldn’t let these people see me break in this place again. I’d given them one too many shows and I wasn’t up for the sympathetic glares.
I followed suit walking in the opposite direction. I left the prison feeling like my life couldn’t get any worse. My emotions were unstable because of this pregnancy. If I wasn’t tied to him, maybe the walk away would’ve happened months ago. After all, he didn’t appreciate my efforts of being someone that held him down.
Making it back to the car, I picked up my phone and checked the notifications. There were the usual social media notifications but there were also a few missed calls from an unknown number. I called the first one back since it was local. I put in a few applications weeks ago just to see if someone would take that chance on me.
“This is Olandria with Pledis Bank.”
“Hi, Olandria. My name is Klarity Monroe and I’m returning a missed call. I’m not sure who it was from. I hadn’t checked my voicemail yet.”
“It was from me. I just closed your file. I wanted to ask you a few questions to get a better understanding of what you put on your application.”
“Okay. What do you want to know?”
“Alright, your hours say flexible. Right now, we have two positions open. A banker and a loan processor. Both of those hours are from nine to five. Does it matter which position is given?”
“It doesn’t. I have a degree in finance so it shouldn’t be a problem,” I answered.
“I did see that as well. You said you were available to work as soon as possible but noted you’re pregnant. How far along are you, if you don’t mind me asking?” That small glimpse of hope I had from hearing her voice was depleting at a fast pace. She asked the question that would hinder me from starting.
“I-I’m eight months. Is that a problem?” I questioned hesitantly.
