Truth Behind the Lies

Working has thrown me behind, so I'm posting Chapter 21 and 22.

Chapter Twenty One

Sunday Morning


Shay walked down the hall upstairs and into him and Randy’s bedroom. Standing in the doorway with one hand on his lower back and the other on his belly, he smiled at the scene before him. His blonde lover was currently on his knees in front of a large baby crib. Tongue sticking out in focus, Randy started to screw in the sides of the crib with a power drill. Jack stood patiently beside him, holding a bag of screws.

“It looks a little crooked, babe.”

Randy stopped drilling and stared at his work, tilting his head from side to side. “What? Are you kidding me?”

Shay laughed. “No, I’m pickin’. It’s comin’ together really well.”

“Thanks. Of course I couldn’t have gotten this far without my little sidekick here,” Randy lightly pinched Jack’s nose and the tike laughed.

“I heppa!”

“Yep. You’re a very good helper, Jack.” He looked to his pregnant lover. “How’s your mother?”

“Ok, I guess. He’s in his room still but atleast he’s talkin’.”

“Has he talked about yesterday?”

Shay shook his head. “No. I wish he would, but I’m not gonna push him. When he’s ready to talk about it, he will.” Nodding, Randy went back to drilling. “I’ve got a hankerin’ for ice cream.” Shay said to himself. Though it wasn't a shocker. Shay's ice cream cravings were growing as fast as his belly. Walking downstairs, he entered the kitchen and grabbed himself first a small, then large bowl. Opening the refrigerator, he nearly bumped into Jack. “Pookie, what are you doin’?”

“I wa ice ski.”

“You’re supposed to be helpin’ daddy with the crib…”

Jack shook his head fervently. “I no be heppa no more.”

Shay smirked. “So it was fun until I brought up ice cream, huh?” Jack nodded. “Well come on, you can have some of mine.” Fixing a large bowl of chocolate ice cream, Shay walked into the family room, his son following closely behind.

***

Shay was nearly asleep after somehow being weaseled into watching a full hour of Sesame Street, when the phone rang. Getting up he walked into the kitchen to dump the empty ice cream bowl in the sink then grabbed the phone and put it to his ear. “Hello?”

“…..Is this, Shay?” A deep voice asked.

Shay frowned. “Yes. Who is this?”

“James. It's 'Jimmy' to you though.”

The young brunette’s breath caught in his chest. He never expected to talk to him again. “Jimmy?”

“Yeah.”

“Um, did you want to speak with Randy or somethin'?”

“Actually, no. I wanna speak to you. About Jack.”

Shay frowned. “What about him?”

“Well, I’d like for you to send him here for a few days, so we can spend some time together.”

“Absolutely not.” He replied without a second thought.

“What?”

“You heard me, Jimmy. Jack’s not goin’ anywhere.”

“He’s my son too, Shay.”

Shay laughed. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Don’t go there. Cause ever since I was pregnant with him, you’d denied bein’ his father, so don’t try pullin’ the ‘father’ card on me now.”

“Well let me say this then. I can either pull the ‘father’ card here with you, or I’ll pull it with the judge when I tell him you’re denyin’ a father from seein’ his son. You can take this little arrangement and do it freely or be forced to accept the shared custody rights the courts decide on. Which way do you want it?”

Shay sat down at the kitchen table, his hand on his forehead. “Why are you doin’ this?”

“I told you. Cause I want to spend time with my son. I want us to get to know each other. Build a relationship between father and son.”

“Jack has a father. A good father. He doesn’t need you.”

“Jack has Randy, Shay. Don’t get it twisted. Now, pack his things and have him at Northern Ridge Apartments room 700F by three o’clock this afternoon. I picked up my other children from home yesterday and they’ll be spending this week with me, so he won’t be lonely….”

“If you think I’ll let him stay with you for a whole week, you’re crazy.”

“Of course not. You can come get him Wednesday. So, do we have a deal?”

***

“No.” Randy said shaking his head as he and Shay stood in the kitchen. “No way.”

“Randy, Jimmy…..James is serious about this. He might get this sent to court and then I won’t have a choice but to send Jack to him if we end up havin' to share custody.”

“Well then let it get that far, Shay! Then maybe you could tell the judge how he didn’t even acknowledge the fact that he HAD another son for two whole years! Put up a fight!”

“Don’t you think I want to?! I’d LOVE to block Jack from ever havin’ to meet that son of a bitch! But their ain’t shit I can do about it, Randy! Just like I can tell the judge he never accepted Jack until today, he can come right back and say I never told him he even HAD a son to begin with!”

Randy ran his hands over his short blonde hair. “I can’t believe you’re just going to allow yourself to get tied up like this. James calls and you fork Jack over just like that, huh? Case closed?”

Now irritated, Shay quickly replied, “Just shut up, Randy. I really don't need this right now. As a matter of fact, this doesn’t even concern you. I only told you so you’d be aware of what’s goin’ on. I’m not askin’ for your fuckin' blessin’.” He regretted the words no sooner he said them.

All emotion fell away from Randy’s face faster than dirt on a car after a heavy rain. He tossed his hands up in defeat. “You’re absolutely right. What was I thinking? You handle it.”

Hearing the tone in Randy’s voice and the obvious hurt in his love’s eyes, Shay reached for the blonde’s strong arm just as he tried to leave. “Wait. That’s not what I meant…”

Randy nodded his head. “Sure it is, Shay. Jack’s yours and James’ kid. You’ve got it handled. You know what you’re doing so I’ll keep my mouth shut about it.” He pulled himself free of Shay’s hand.

“Randy, I didn't mean to—“

Randy started for the front door. “Spare me, Shay. I’m going to go check on the store.”

“Well, when will you be back?” Shay yelled after him.

“In a while.” He left.

He tossed his head back and sighed. WHY did I say that?

***

That Sunday afternoon

“Watch your step, Jackie.” Shay said to his blue t-shirt and shorts clad son as they both walked up the first flight of stairs of the 700 building at Northern Ridge Apartments. He held his hand as Jack took each step one by one—a large, green, diaper bag slung across his shoulder.

Once reaching the top, Shay started looking for apartment F. When he found it, he knocked loudly and waited. He knew it was a big stretch, but he hoped no one was there and he could turn around and take his boy home, cause looking down at his son’s face it was obvious he hadn’t a clue what was going on. However, Shay knew he’d be devastated when he did find out.

The door opened and there stood James with a big shit-eating grin on his face. Shay rolled his eyes. “Right on time.” He looked down at Jack and smiled at the little face that looked so much like his. “Hey there little fella.” Jack just waved back. His other hand was looped around his mother’s leg. Looking back to Shay, he opened the door wider. “Would you like to come in?”

“No I don't.” Shay replied quickly, shoving the diaper bag in James’ chest. “He has enough clothes and pajamas in there for three days. I also packed extra in case of any accidents. Pull ups, powders, baby oil, toys, books are all in there too. If he gets cranky at night and doesn’t want to go to sleep, just read him a book or sing somethin’. Sometimes that works but if it doesn’t, well, that’s your problem to figure out. Don’t give him anythin’ with bananas or peanuts in it cause he hates it.”

“Okay. Understood.” James kept this smile on his face and it really started to piss Shay off.

The prick is getting’ off on this cause he knows I’d sooner walk over a bed of hot coals barefoot than give him Jack for 15 minutes, let alone three days.

Not able to kneel down anymore due to his growing pregnancy weight, Shay lifted the blonde tike in his arms and hugged him tightly, rubbing the back of his head. “You be a good boy, okay, pookie? I love you.” Kissing the baby’s cheek, Shay painfully gave his son over to James.

Realization finally kicked in with Jack and the boy started to whimper. “Mama, take. Take.” He said stretching his arms out.

Shay grabbed one hand and kissed it. “I can’t, sweetie. You have to stay here. But I’ma come get you first thing Wednesday mornin’. I promise.”

Jack shook his head. He little legs started to kick and kept stretching his arms out. “Mama! Mama!” He cried.

“Go on, Shay.” James said, turning Jack in his arms so he rested on his hip. “He’ll be fine.” Stepping back, James shut the door. Shay could still hear his son crying from the other side. It took everything he had in him, not to kick down that door, snatch his son away, and never look back. But what could he do? It was either take this one arrangement or suffer something worse and permanent from the judges.

***

Same time, different place

Randy came out from the store’s storage room and happened to glance out the front window. A man was sitting on the bench. A brunette with tinted skin. Randy made a “hm” noise and walked to the door peeking out. There sat Richie on the bench, opening what looked like his third bag of peanut M&M’s.

“Hey you.” Randy said cheerfully. Richie looked to his right and smiled at the man before him.

“Hi, Randy.”

“I didn’t know you were out here.”

“Yeah. I asked that young guy at the register if you were here and he said you were in the back so I didn’t want to bother you.”

“You’re not bothering me.”

Richie nodded. “Well, I just wanted to stop in and say ‘hello’ anyway, so…”

“You mind if I sit down?”

“Sure.” Sliding over, the latin brunette snatched his empty yellow candy bags to give Randy room to sit. The blonde smiled.

“You really know how to put those away, don’t you?”

Richie smiled, blushing slightly. “I like M&M’s.”

“So I see.” Richie shook his last open bag in Randy’s face and the blonde took it, shaking a few out in his hand then returning it. “How are you, Richie?”

Richie shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m confused mostly. Don’t know if I’m comin’ or goin’ sometimes.” He looked up at the blonde. “You know, sometimes I sit at home and wonder if I made a mistake in throwin’ James out the house.”

Randy frowned. “Why would you say that?”

“Because of the children. They’re sufferin’ a lot with all this and I feel like I’ve been selfish for refusin’ to work things out with James for atleast the sake of the kids.”

“Richie, don’t think like that. That logic is the number one reason why so many people try to stay in a failing relationship—for the sake of the children. I totally understand the logic of course, but it’s not helping anyone. Not even the children in the long run.”

Richie’s eyes began to water. “They hate me.” He whispered.

"Who?"

"My kids. They hate me."

“What? No—“

“It’s true. All they see is what was once a happy home, is now torn apart because their mother threw out their daddy. I’M the bad guy.”

Randy rubbed his friend’s back. “The kids just don’t understand what’s going on. Sit down and talk with them. Let them ask the questions. Perhaps that may settle the tension.”

Richie nodded. “Maybe.”

Lifting the brunette’s chin, Randy wiped his tears away then smiled at him. “Let’s go take a walk. Soak in some of this fresh air.”

“Okay.”

***

Randy looked at Richie when he heard him chuckle. “What’s so funny?” He asked as they walked through a man-made trail that was in the woods behind Roy’s Corner.

“Nothin’. I was just thinkin’ about back when we were kids.”

“Yeah?”

“You remember when you, James, and I were nosin’ around that old condemned house on Fayette Street?”

Randy smiled. “Yeah, I remember. We had too much weight on the wooden floors and you and me fell through into the basement. Scared the hell out of me.”

Richie nodded. “Me too. I also remembered you and me fussed the entire time we were stuck and waitin’ on James to get help.”

“Yeah, we were fussing because you had caused it to happen.”

He laughed. “I did not.”

“You did too. You were the one who wanted to race down the hallway.”

“Yeah, but I don’t remember hearin’ you complain then. Besides, you were just bitter cause I was beatin’ you.” Laughing, Richie picked up a wild flower and started pulling at it’s petals. “You wanna know somethin’ though? That was the best one hour of my life.”

Randy frowned, confused. “Us being trapped in that house? Why?”

“Because I got to spend time with you.” They both suddenly stopped and Richie looked in his friends eyes. “I had the biggest crush on you when we were growin’ up. But of course you knew that already cause you liked me too back then.”

Randy nodded. “That’s true. I did. I thought you were the cutest thing to ever play four square at a YMCA.” They both laughed. “You still are.”

“James doesn’t feel the same way apparently.”

“James is an idiot, Richie.”

“I love James. I wouldn’t have married him if I didn’t. I wouldn’t have had children with him if I didn’t. But I’m torn, Randy. One half of me thinks I’m bein’ harsh and should bring James back home. But the other half of me remembers him bein’ totally absent when I was pregnant with Sabrina. He screwed another man. He got another man pregnant. I think about those things and then I feel like cuttin’ his dick off…” The brunette ran weary hands through his hair. “What do you think, Randy? Should I forgive him? Despite everythin’?”

Randy sighed deeply, thinking about his own dwindling relationship with his best friend and cousin. I wonder the same thing, Richie.

More to come....