Page 45 of Mercedees: Forever An Atkins
I’d always held some kind of attention ever since I was little. This whole ignoring me, striping me of privileges, and not letting me have my way was foreign as fuck. The Atkins had it made in Sage Springs so imagine my surprise when Arion was able to make them people go against the name for him. I was annoyed just thinking about it.
Taking a seat on the bed, I gripped the sides of it. My thoughts instantly went to my unborn child. I took a hell of a risk knowing what my body was going through. This child had no business being in harm’s way and that caused me to tear up once more. My egg donor didn’t give a fuck about me and somehow, I was showing that same trait to mine. It was unfair to them.
Placing my head in my hands, I sighed deeply as I took it all in. I was taking my anger out on everybody but me. I made some mistakes and instead of owning up to them, I was putting it off on anybody I could. I needed to leave that liquor alone, to be honest. Hell, I had no choice but to now. I was three months pregnant with a lil’ nugget that would soon be calling me mama.
I guess my father wasn’t going to rescue his baby girl. I felt defeated all the way around the board and for some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about Arion. I picked up quick that his status was exactly what Bentley explained him to be. My name rang bells but somehow, his had more weight.
I laid down on the bed and allowed myself to doze off. It seemed as if I wasn’t getting out tonight so I might as well take a nap. The baby had me tired as fuck anyway.
* * *
“Atkins, let’s go.” The sound of my name being shouted woke me up instantly. I had no idea what time it was or why I was still here for that matter. “Atkins, get up and let’s go. Your people are here for you.”
Jumping up from the bed, I hurriedly got myself together and waited by the door. The locks on the cell turned, and I wasted no time helping them open it. The officer looked aggravated, and I didn’t give a fuck as to why. All I knew was it was time for me to get the hell up out of this pissy ass cell.
I was escorted through many halls until I was handed off to the sergeant. He looked at me and shook his head. He carried a look of disappointment, but I ain’t know him or what he was about, so his opinion of me didn’t matter.
“Mercedees Atkins, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t find yourself back in my care. I have enough to deal with from Royce, I don’t need your husband giving me hell as well. Please, show the men in your life some respect,” he advised.
My glare traveled along his frame and ended with a mug that could’ve sent him straight to hell. He had to deal with them, not me. Releasing a light laugh, I replied with, “Shut the fuck up and let me out. I ain’t got to do a damn thing but be a mother to my child and keep making these bitches mad. Now, open the fuckin’ door bruh.”
He nodded and stepped to the side so that I could leave. Once the sun hit my skin, I damn near cried. All my cousins did time, and I did mean time behind bars. From those few hours alone,I thought my world had ended. I didn’t like being confined. It wasn’t shit cool about it.
Spotting my father’s red McLaren, I immediately ran toward it fully prepared for the scolding coming my way. I was quickly reminded that things would never be that sweet. His voice halted my steps. “You ready to tell me what the hell you got going on or what?”
Swallowing the excess saliva, I clinched my fists and inhaled a deep breath. I was so ready to get out that shit hole I didn’t even realize I passed him on the way out. Finally having the courage to turn around, I was shocked seeing both Bentley and Arion standing next to him. I could understand my cousin simply because he was family and we’d grown extremely close. However, I was utterly confused on why my husband was here as well. He was the nigga that put me here to begin with.
Disregarding my father, I zoned in on Arion and cussed his ass out from Sunday to Saturday. “Oh, you a rat all the way across the board. First, you get me locked up like a police ass bitch would, then you call my daddy running yo’ fuckin’ mouth like a hoe. Yeah, I can’t believe I’m carrying yo’ baby right now. This some kind of karma, I know it is ‘cause ain’t no way.”
He smirked and stepped forward until the small gap between us was gone. I couldn’t help but cower under his stance. Arion was just as tall as my cousins, but his demeanor was colder. Once again, he showed similar traits to my father. I cowered any moment Ryan Atkins got serious. This felt like he was ‘bout to fuck me up for real.
Bending down slightly, he whispered in my ear, “I suggest you watch how the hell you talk to me, Clover. I’m not one of them niggas that tolerate disrespect, not even from my beautiful wife. You shot my shit up and still got the nerve to think I’m the one in the wrong. Tighten up my love, you got a lifetime with me.” Kissing my cheek, he proceeded to leave me standing there.
Next up was Bentley. The one time I needed support, I knew he wasn’t gon’ give it. He was a man at the end of the day that loved Heidi from head to toe. If anything, he was on Arion’s side.
“I don’t know what the fuck possessed you to tear that man shit up but good luck with getting on his good side. He ‘bout to sit yo’ ghetto ass down and I’m so happy. I got tired of hearing new stories ‘bout you throwing pussy like it was going out of style. God, you embarrassing,” he said shaking his head.
“Tell me how you really feel then,” I said with tears sitting on the brink of my eyes.
“I did. Scar gon’ love the fuck out of you and my lil’ cousin, but if you want that nigga as an enemy instead of a provider and protector, keep doing what you doing. I love you cousin. I’m taking my family the hell home. This too much drama for me. Call me if you need me,” he said wrapping me in his embrace. We hugged it out and I was left with my father alone.
Dropping my head, I waited for him to put the cherry on top. He wouldn’t be my father if he didn’t tell me how bad I was at carrying the Atkins name. Yeah, I did some crazy shit, but my cousins were worst if you asked me. I guess he didn’t see that since they weren’t his kids.
“That nigga ain’t nothing like us, Cedees,” he said stepping forward.
Flopping my hands by my side I exhaled dramatically. “Thank you. Finally, somebody understands what I’m saying!”
He smirked saying, “No baby girl, it’s you that misunderstood me. When I say he ain’t like us, I mean he on a level we can’t touch. When a man is labeled asthe plug, know that his pull is far greater than ours. If it was anyone else, I would’ve been worried for you. However, I know that he just might be the only nigga that can tame you. You married an out of reach, damn near untouchable man. There will be no annulment of any kind. You gon’ take yo’ hardheaded ass home, with himmight I add, and work on yo’ marriage. My grandchild will be here in no time, and I expect bliss from you and him. You’re a Greek now, act like it.”
“Daddy, are you giving me away like that?” I asked in awe.
“You did that to yo’ self, I’m just making you stand on business. Ain’t that what you young folk say? Yeah, go be a wife, Cedees, ‘cause everybody calling you a hoe. I’m tired of blessing niggas with a coffin for talking crazy ‘bout my baby. Arion seems like an interesting guy, I’m eager to see how it goes.” My father hugged me the same way Bentley did and pecked me on the forehead afterward.
As much as I wanted to decline leaving with Arion, this gut feeling I suddenly felt wouldn’t allow me to. Every single one of my cousin's wives denied them just to end up in a marriage they would die behind. I shamelessly wanted that for myself. A part of me was scared as fuck to follow through with my father's orders while the other part knew I was in good hands. Arion had shown me nothing but respect. It was me that couldn’t resist talking to him crazy.
I cried in my father's arms, and he let me. I knew that whatever I was up against in life, I could count on him to save the day. He was now handing that torch over to Arion.
“Cedees, you got to treat that man with some respect. You hear me?” I nodded and he continued with, “I spoke to him for a while and Bentley gave his name a lil’ praise. He ain’t trying to do nothing but love you baby girl. I say give him a chance to prove himself. Aight?”
